I have a chicago yard (meaning not much one of one), is it stupid to get an electric mower?

I have had the same lil push gas mower for 20 years and it's all I know.

Owen wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 1:08 pm I have a chicago yard (meaning not much one of one), is it stupid to get an electric mower?

Not at all, they're perfect for city lawns. Depending on your configuration, you might be able to pull off one with a cord, which are pretty cheap (under $200). I had to step up to a battery powered one though as the cord got annoying with a large, steep-hilled front yard.

I have a Victorian that has some rotten trim. The issue is it’s all old stuff at 4/4, maybe 7/8” actual thickness. So I can’t get anything at my big box store. However, I can plane and rip larger stock as needed but I’m not sure what species to look at that would be somewhat rot resistant. I had real bad results with PVC trim, so if I use a non wood product, it needs to be stable.

I noticed a previous remodel beefed up regular 3/4 trim with some thin pressure treated plywood, and that seems like a wicked hack, but it did seem to hold up.

I’m open to whatever, as long as I don’t have to replace it in 10 years.

penningtron wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 3:15 pm

Owen wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 1:08 pm I have a chicago yard (meaning not much one of one), is it stupid to get an electric mower?

Not at all, they're perfect for city lawns. Depending on your configuration, you might be able to pull off one with a cord, which are pretty cheap (under $200). I had to step up to a battery powered one though as the cord got annoying with a large, steep-hilled front yard.

+1

I have a battery-powered one from Ryobi. Bonus: it's very quiet, meaning you can mow at 8 AM on a Sunday in midsummer if you want and it won't piss off your neighbors.

jfv wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 7:59 pm

penningtron wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 3:15 pm

Owen wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 1:08 pm I have a chicago yard (meaning not much one of one), is it stupid to get an electric mower?

Not at all, they're perfect for city lawns. Depending on your configuration, you might be able to pull off one with a cord, which are pretty cheap (under $200). I had to step up to a battery powered one though as the cord got annoying with a large, steep-hilled front yard.

+1

I have a battery-powered one from Ryobi. Bonus: it's very quiet, meaning you can mow at 8 AM on a Sunday in midsummer if you want and it won't piss off your neighbors.

Nice. That is exactly what I just bought.

One "Electric..."/"Old School..." -

The next door neighbor broke out an electric line trimmer/leaf blower("Green..." is Ryobi, no?...) while I was changing the oil on the riding mower today.

Those things are seriously quiet starting up. I was right on the outskirts of being jealous. That it would still be yard work was the only thing stopping me.

On the other hand, I asked my brother if he had changed the oil on his push mower yet.

He pointed out that he had never changed the oil on it(he bought it when he got his place for than fifteen years ago...)

Guess the "Yard Work..." gods are looking out for it.

Owen wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 9:25 pm

jfv wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 7:59 pm

penningtron wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 3:15 pm

Not at all, they're perfect for city lawns. Depending on your configuration, you might be able to pull off one with a cord, which are pretty cheap (under $200). I had to step up to a battery powered one though as the cord got annoying with a large, steep-hilled front yard.

+1

I have a battery-powered one from Ryobi. Bonus: it's very quiet, meaning you can mow at 8 AM on a Sunday in midsummer if you want and it won't piss off your neighbors.

Nice. That is exactly what I just bought.

That's the one I "upgraded" to too (from a plug in Black and Decker mower). It has an annoying quirk where if the handles on the side are a little bit unlatched, you'll think it's broken or uncharged. But otherwise it does the trick, and cord free is much nicer (even if 45 min charge time just barely covers my needs)

p.s. if the safety strips are too finnicky and sensitive it's easy to 'hack' by shoving a small bar or thicker wire in there. (just.. you know, be careful bypassing a safety feature)

penningtron wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 8:07 am

Owen wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 9:25 pm

jfv wrote: Sun May 15, 2022 7:59 pm

+1

I have a battery-powered one from Ryobi. Bonus: it's very quiet, meaning you can mow at 8 AM on a Sunday in midsummer if you want and it won't piss off your neighbors.

Nice. That is exactly what I just bought.

That's the one I "upgraded" to too (from a plug in Black and Decker mower). It has an annoying quirk where if the handles on the side are a little bit unlatched, you'll think it's broken or uncharged. But otherwise it does the trick, and cord free is much nicer (even if 45 min charge time just barely covers my needs)

p.s. if the safety strips are too finnicky and sensitive it's easy to 'hack' by shoving a small bar or thicker wire in there. (just.. you know, be careful bypassing a safety feature)

Thank you, that's exactly the sort of stuff I want to keep my eye on and be informed of. Really appreciate it!

You know what is stupid, a combined sewer. What a terrible idea. Rainwater, sewage, and industrial wastewater in one fucking pipe, get the fuck out of town.

When I fucking move, I am moving to a place that that does NOT have a CSS.

Owen wrote: Mon May 16, 2022 4:34 pm You know what is stupid, a combined sewer. What a terrible idea. Rainwater, sewage, and industrial wastewater in one fucking pipe, get the fuck out of town.

When I fucking move, I am moving to a place that that does NOT have a CSS.

Even stupider is when you are Y'ed with your neighbours, and they suck. And you went into it eyes open on that matter.