Greenworks MO40B411 17″ 40V Cordless Battery Electric Lawn Mower Review
It can be hard to choose between a corded or battery powered electric lawnmower. While they are certainly quieter than their gas-powered cousins, electric lawnmowers do have some characteristics that can be good or bad, depending of the details of your lawn.
If there is more than say 150 feet between your property line and the nearest outdoor electric outlet, then chances are a corded electric lawnmower isn’t for you. Even if your lawn is small enough to accommodate the cord length, complex landscaping features, trees, shrubs, and flower beds could all lead to a headache of cord tangles.
In a situation like this, you will probably be interested in a battery-powered electric lawnmower like the Greenworks MO40B411. It comes with a 4 AH Lithium-Ion battery which powers the 40 V electric motor. Greenworks estimates that 34% of lawns in the United States can be cut with one single battery charge. On a more practical level, you could say that this mower will handle up to perhaps a third of an acre in a single charge.
The Greenworks MO40B411 also has two in one versatility. Depending on your preference you can set it up as a bagger or a mulching mower. The 40V electric motor has the power to handle either configuration.
The 17-inch wide deck can be adjusted to five different height settings. Since it only weighs in at just over 40-pounds the Greenworks MO40B411 is also very easy to maneuver.
Key Features
- 4 AH Lithium-Ion battery included
- 40 Volt electric motor
- 2-in-1 versatility as a bagger or mulching mower
- 5 height position settings
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
Performance
The Greenworks MO40B411 weighs in at a little over 40-pounds, which makes it nimble and easy to move around even the most complicated of landscaping features. The 40 Volt electric motor also has the power to mulch as well as bag grass clippings.
Ease of Use
Since it is battery powered, you don’t have to deal with any cord tangles from the Greenworks MO40B411. The 17-inch deck is easy to adjust to any one of five height settings.
Battery life is something to bear in mind in the long term. The charging system for the Greenworks MO40B411 doesn’t have a smart charge feature. If you frequently overcharge the Lithium Ion batteries it can reduce their lifespan. Unfortunately, this also means that you are going to have to check the charger from time to time. Once it ready full you will need to unplug it. It can also help to plug it back in on the charger an hour or so before you plan to use it just to make sure the charge is fully topped off and ready to go.
Cut Quality & Options
The 17-inch mower deck can be easily adjusted from 1 ¼ inch up to 3 3/8th inches. This is a little bit of an odd range considering that electric lawnmowers are more popular in urban and suburban areas. It would be nice if there was a height setting lower than 1 ¼ inch for times when you want to keep the lawn cut short.
The 40 Volt electric motor, with a fully charged 4AH battery, will handle up to about a third of an acre on a single charge. Though you might find it a little down on power near the end of a particularly long mowing session. This is especially true if you have thick grass, or your turf is overly moist.
If your lawn is more than a third of an acre, or you have a thick bladed turf like Kentucky Bluegrass, you might want to consider shelling out the extra money for a second battery.
The fact that you can use it as a bagger and a mulcher is very nice. Especially, if you have to pay to have your grass clippings taken away. If you have a compost bin for the garden you can simply empty the bagger into it. If you don’t have a compost bin, the mulching feature will chew the grass into tiny enough pieces that it will easily incorporate back into the turf layers, and essentially feed nitrogen back to the roots.
Maintenance
There is very little maintenance involved in the upkeep of the Greenworks MO40B411. If you notice your mower blades are getting a little dull, you can simply go online and order some affordable replacements. They are pretty easy to replace, and the owner’s manual includes instructions on how to do this.
Probably the biggest factor in maintaining the Greenworks MO40B411 is taking care of the batteries. There isn’t a smart charge feature, which means if you leave it plugged in for too long after they reach full charge, it can overheat, and potentially even start to affect the long-term lifespan of the battery.
Safety Features
The Greenworks MO40B411 comes with the standard safety hand controls you expect for an electric mower. When not engaged the electric motor that runs the blades simply suspends motion. Still, you do need to clean something out of the underside of the mower deck, you should make sure the unit is fully turned off.
Special Features
The ability to use it as a mulcher or a bagger sets the Greenworks MO40B411 apart from most of its competitors.
Cost Effectiveness
Being able to mulch or bag your grass clippings, without having to shell out extra dollars to buy the accessories is certainly a money saver. If you don’t have a compost bin for your garden, and you have to pay for grass clipping disposal, the mulching feature of this mower alone will help it to pay for itself!
