Makita brushless lawn mower. Electric Lawn Mower Not Starting? It’s One Of 12 Issues

Electric Lawn Mower Not Starting? It’s One Of 12 Issues

Well, wouldn’t you know it? You’ve got the time finally to attack the lawn you’ve been meaning to get to and what happens? Nothing.

Not because of anything you’ve done. No, you’ve planned to get this done.

Yet, regardless of all your planning, your trusty electric mower just won’t start.

Okay, maybe that’s all a bit dramatic. Perhaps you just figured it was as good a time as any to hit the lawn with a well-deserved trim. Or maybe there’s a storm coming through and you wanted to get the mowing done before the grass became saturated for a few days.

Regardless of the circumstances, the main thing is your mower isn’t cooperating, so there’s not going to be any mowing until you figure out what the issue is. That’s the dramatic part.

Just remember, when it comes to an electric mower not starting, whether it’s a corded or battery-powered mower, it will probably be an issue with the power supply (outlet/breaker or battery charger), power transmission (cord or battery), or the mower itself (breakers, connections, motor control switches, etc).

Before you start tearing anything apart in a desperate attempt to get your mower, well, mowing, below are some things to troubleshoot and things to consider that might fix the problem before you have to get a technician or service center involved.

Safety First

First, let’s go ahead and get this out of the way. Always remember safety first when it comes to troubleshooting any kind of equipment that can either cut off fingers or electrocute you or both. That’s a bad day that should be avoided at all costs.

Second, have your manufacturer’s manual (or owner’s manual, whichever you prefer) available. If you don’t have a hard copy, you can probably find it online by doing a Google search that looks like, “[Your Brand] [Model Number] Manual PDF.”

Once you have that ready, you’re ready to start troubleshooting.

Troubleshooting Processfor a Corded or Battery-Powered Mower

Before we get to the specific electric mower you have, the troubleshooting process will follow essentially the same path in this general order:

• Inspect the power transmitter (the cord for a corded mower and the battery for the battery mower).
• Insect the power supply (the outlet and circuit breaker for a corded mower and the battery charger for the battery mower).
• Inspect the power receiving end on the mower.
• Consult your warranty information and contact service center if necessary.

A Corded Electric Mower

Before we determine what the power issue with your electric mower may be, first it helps to know the type of electric mower you have. In this case, let’s assume you have a corded mower.

Let’s also assume that, until this moment, you’ve had zero issues with the mower when it comes to starting and stopping it or anything related to sources of power.

Now, let’s troubleshoot.

Inspect the Cord

If it is a corded electric mower then the first thing you’re going to want to do is to inspect your cord. As most corded mowers do not come with a manufacturer’s provided cord, you have to provide your own extension cord. It should be a standard 16-gauge grounded cord and free of any cuts or other visible damage. Also, check the prongs on the male end and the female end for damage. Lastly, check the male end on the mower itself.

Inspect the Outlet and Breaker

If you’re satisfied the cord is good, try plugging it into another item from the same wall outlet. If there’s no power at the outlet, then you’ve probably identified the issue. It could be a loose wire, a bad outlet, or a tripped breaker. Check one after another until you find the problem.

Check the Breaker and Motor Control Switch

If there isn’t a problem at the outlet or breaker and the cord successfully powers something other than the mower, then the issue is probably at the mower itself.

At this point, check the connection at the mower again to make sure it’s tight and holding firm.

From here, go to the breaker on the mower itself. Push RESET and see if the mower has power now. If it does, there was your problem. If it doesn’t then you may have a bad motor control switch. At this point, unless you know how to repair or replace such a switch, you’ll probably need to consult a service center or repair technician.

Warranty and Corded MowerTroubleshooting Review

One thing to check that’s not on the mower but applies to it is how old it is and if you still have a warranty on it, whether it’s a manufacturer’s or from the store it was purchased at. If you still have a warranty, don’t do any more work on the mower and place that warranty-issue call to get it fixed.

That pretty much sums it up for a corded electric motor. If it isn’t starting, check the power supply at the plug and main breaker, the power transmission at the cord, and final the power receiving at the mower itself. Do that in that order. From there, if you can’t identify the problem, time to call for help.

A Battery-Powered Electric Mower

Okay, now if you don’t have a corded electric mower but a battery-operated model, then this section is for you. However, you should still read through the corded mower section because you might pick up on something there that might help someone you know down the road.

Like the corded mower, let’s assume your mower has functioned normally until this moment and, unexpectedly, it’s just not starting.

Well, clearly there’s a power issue of some sort. So, let’s get to troubleshooting.

Inspect the Battery

With inspecting the battery, you should be looking for any kind of visual damages or leaks. Also, check the battery light to ensure it does indicate a charge. It might not be true but check all the same.

While inspecting, also make sure the battery is dry. A damp or wet battery can cause a short, lead to overheating, and cause a breakdown. If you believe this happened, you shouldn’t have a solid charge on the battery at all.

Speaking of charges, if everything looks good, and you have a battery tester, this would be an ideal time to test it. That way, if it’s not showing a charge even though the indicator lights up green, then you know the battery is probably bad and needs replacement.

Inspect the Battery Charger

If your battery is charged and you’ve tested it and you’re confident it is, then your battery charger should be operating properly. However, if you’ve got no charge on the battery after testing it, check the charger to see if there’s an issue there.

One way to test the charger is, of course, to put another battery on it and see if it charges. However, not everyone has extra lawn mower batteries. Really, the only thing you can do here is to inspect the charger for damage, check the outlet, and inspect the breaker as you would do with a corded mower.

Another thing you can do is use a volt meter. A positive result would indicate that a charger is at least supplying energy but the battery probably can’t hold a charge for long. A negative result would indicate that the charger itself is bad.

Store Your Mower in a Dry Place

Another tip that sounds obvious but one that’s very important when it comes to electric mowers. Remember, water can seriously damage an electric mower, especially a battery-operated one.

Store Your Cord and Battery After Use

Don’t leave the cord with the mower where it can get damaged. Store it somewhere it is easy to get to but won’t be affected by things like sharp blades or wheels. You get it.

For batteries, remove them after use and charge them but don’t leave them on the charger all the time. Also, don’t run the battery completely dead all the time. Running a battery to both extremes can diminish its service life quicker than normal.

Visually Inspect the Mower Before Use

Again, it sounds obvious but it’s good advice, especially if you haven’t taken a look at the blades in a while.

Conclusion

When you use equipment that runs on electricity or gas, eventually you’ll have an issue that needs some special troubleshooting attention. The good news is, with electric mowers, it doesn’t take much time to figure out what the issue might be and when you’ll need to call for assistance.

Just remember to always be safe, walk through the steps, and be patient. Electricity is a wonderful thing but it isn’t magic. Be safe and remember to call for help if you need it.

I’ve been helping homeowners with appliance repair since 2016. Starting out as an enthusiastic amateur, I’ve since worked with many Appliance, HVAC, and DIY experts over the last 7 years. My mission is to help your fix your appliances and systems. saving you money and lowering your energy bills. Visit my author page to learn more! Read more

Hi there! My name’s Craig, and I started Appliance Analysts back in 2017.

My mission is to help our readers solve appliance-related issues without paying through the nose for contractors or a whole new model. I’m joining up with experts from across the HVAC, Appliance Repair, DIY industries to share free expert advice that will save you time, stress, and money.

Makita brushless lawn mower

Makita 534mm (21) Brushless Self Propelled Lawn Mower Kit (includes PDC1200A02) LM001CX3

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If you ever need to make a claim, our team is on the job to get things sorted and have you back in business fast.

Features:

• Powered by Makita’s Portable Power Supply Units direct connection from either PDC1200 or PDC01 to provide extended runtimes to get through the largest jobs.
• 534mm (21) Cutting Capacity provides a clean and efficient cut with a large cutting area to get through jobs quicker.
• Self Propelled Motor with variable speed control allowing you to select the accurate speed between 2.5 km/h to 5.0 km/h.
• 3 Modes of Operation features Normal Mode: which operates at 2,800 rpm the entire time it is in use. Soft No Load: which increases from 2,300 rpm to 2,800 rpm when encountering thick grass and Quiet Mode: stays at 2,300 rpm
• 70L Cloth Catcher allows for maximum airflow for efficient grass collection with a grass level indicator to let the user know when the catcher is full.
• 4 Swing Back Blades designed to operate at the optimum rotational speed and lessen the impact when encountering a solid object in the lawn.
• 10 Stage Height Adjustment from 20 100mm allows the user to quickly and easily change the cutting height to match the job.

Specifications:

PDC1200A02 Portable Power, Supply UnitRod 6, Socket Wrench 17, Socket Wrench 13, Side Discharge Mouth

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Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. RYOBI 80V Mower: Which One Wins?

Landscaping takes on many forms when spring arrives, but it typically involves lawnmowers both gas-powered and electric. Today we’re going to take a look at two collections of mowers designed to make life easy with our Makita self-propelled lawn mower vs. RYOBI 80V mower review.

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. RYOBI 80V Mower: Side-by-Side Comparison

• Self-propelled mower with speeds from 1.5 MPH to 3 MPH
• Holds four batteries to extend runtime
• Commercial model with steel deck and 21 cutting width
• 3-in-1 feature for mulching, bagging, or side discharge
• Quiet mode setting to reduce noise

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower vs. RYOBI 80V Mower: What’s the Difference?

Manufacturers have managed to add some interesting tech to cordless mowers, but most have a similar set of features once you dig into the tech specs. That’s the case with RYOBI and Makita mowers, although one company has an advantage with self-propelled mowers.

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers

Makita has more than 20 lawnmowers for sale, which may seem overwhelming if you’re interested in the brand. Well, that’s not the case once you dig into their lineup which consists of bare tools and kits that come with a variety of batteries. There are three types of lawnmowers in their current catalog with XGT, LXT, and ConnectX series mowers between the residential and commercial classes.

Makita Residential Self-Propelled Mowers

At this time, there is only one self-propelled mower listed as a residential model with the Makita LXT XML11Z. This mower has many of the same features as models in the commercial class, but with one key difference.

The Maktia LXT XML11Z has a 22-inch deck with a cutting width of 21-inch and it’s lightweight at only 62.5 pounds with a battery. The mower has a maximum speed of 3,000 RPMs and is an LXT model, so it uses two lithium-ion batteries instead of one. In this case, it’s dual 18V batteries. The cutting height for the Makita LXT XML11Z is 1-1/4 to 4 inches and it has the same basic features as the commercial models.

The biggest difference is the motor, which is brushed on this residential mower, and brushless on commercial mowers. That’s important for longevity, and something to consider if you have a large yard and plan to use the mower frequently. This mower is available as a bare tool without batteries, while the Makita XML11CT1 comes with four 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger.

Makita Commercial Self-Propelled Mowers

If you have an eco-friendly mowing business or want something with a bit more oomph for property, Makita’s commercial class mowers are an interesting alternative. There are five models to choose from, all of which are available as bare tools or in kit configurations.

The Makita GML01Z is from the XGT line, which uses one 40V lithium-ion battery. It has the same size deck and cutting width as their residential model, but won’t break your back at 72.5 pounds with the battery installed. It has a brushless motor like the rest of their commercial mowers and a steel deck for increased durability.

This GML01PL kit comes with a massive 8.0Ah battery while the GML01SM has a 4.0Ah lithium-ion battery and charger. The other 40-volt mower in this lineup is the Makita CML01Z. It has the same base specifications as the rest of their cordless commercial mowers, but with slightly less cutting height and ConnectX compatibility.

There are also three LXT commercial mowers, all with a 36-volt battery system that uses two 18v batteries. Two of these mowers have 22-inch decks, but the Makita XML06Z is smaller. This mower has a 19-inch deck and 18-inch cutting width. The types of batteries that come with these mowers vary depending on whether you want the mower itself or a complete package.

Makita Self-Propelled Lawnmower Pricing

Self-propelled mowers are always more expensive than traditional push mowers regardless of the brand or how it’s powered. That’s the case with Makita mowers, and the most affordable option is the Makita LXT XML11Z. As a bare tool, it’s around 450 but only 100 more with four batteries. That’s more than enough power to keep the mower going until most yards are finished.

Commercial models with steel decks are more expensive. The dual-battery powered Makita XML08Z is priced at 750 for the mower while the smaller XML06PT1 is slightly more expensive with four batteries at 850. Pricing is subject to change as new models arrive each season, and Makita cordless mowers are easy to acquire online through Amazon or locally at Home Depot.

RYOBI 80V Self-Propelled Mowers

RYOBI is no stranger to cordless tools whether it’s a drill, saw, leaf blower, or lawn mower. The company has an impressive array of cordless mowers that start at 18V and top out at 40 volts. Their lineup is easy to digest, but if you want to go over 40 volts, there’s only one option that isn’t a riding mower.

The RYOBI RYPM8010 is a new 80V mower from the company with some unique features. It’s a Whisper mower, which is said to be 70% quieter than gas. That’s due in part to the efficient brushless motor, and the company claims it delivers more cutting power than a 233cc gas-powered lawnmower.

With a rating of 90 minutes, the 80V battery is capable of mowing an acre. It will recharge in less than an hour with the 80V Hyper Charger and has a Smart Trek variable speed system. What got our attention is the deck, and the two sets of lawnmower blades that spin beneath the mower to crosscut your grass.

Beneath the RYOBI RYPM8010 is a 30-inch extended diagonal deck with two blade systems and four blades. The mower has a 10-position single-point height adjustment with a range of 1 to 4” and a bright LED headlight that allows homeowners to finish up when it starts to get dark. The mower, battery, and charger are all backed by a 5-year warranty.

RYOBI Self-Propelled Mower Pricing

While we expect RYOBI’s new 80V walk-behind mower to be popular, it was shown off earlier this year with a launch date of spring 2023. The company hasn’t released details on pricing, although you can get a rough idea of what to expect based on similar models from RYOBI.

The 18-inch RYOBI PP1100 is self-propelled and from the Whisper series, just like the upcoming 80V RYOBI RYPM8010. With four batteries, it’s priced at 579, and while it has dual blades, it’s only an 18V mower. By comparison, the 40V brushless RYOBI RY401180 is 479 as a bare tool with no batteries or chargers included.

You can find RYOBI mowers through online retailers including Amazon, but options are limited. Unless you purchase a mower directly from the company’s site, Home Depot is where you’ll find the best selection locally or online. We also expect that’s where the company’s 80V mower will make its debut.

Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers vs. RYOBI 80V Mower: Which One Wins?

Cutting a lawn is seasonal in some regions, but a year-round activity in others. Both of these mowers fold up for easy storage and have battery systems that can deal with yards of any size. They are also eco-friendly options to gas-powered mowers with comparable price points.

With that in mind, if you’re already in need of a battery-powered lawn mower for your home, the best option is a self-propelled Makita cordless mower. These mowers have already been put to work and you can check out Makita self-propelled mower reviews to see what others think about their current lineup.

You can’t do that with the RYOBI 80V RYPM8010, and there’s always a chance for issues when a new product is released. RYOBI has a better warranty, however, at 5 years on the charger, mower, and battery, whereas Makita only provides a 3-year guarantee.

If you can wait, the RYOBI may be the better option, otherwise, consider Makita’s mowers or comparable options from companies like DeWALT and Ego.

• Self-propelled mower with speeds from 1.5 MPH to 3 MPH
• Holds four batteries to extend runtime
• Commercial model with steel deck and 21 cutting width
• 3-in-1 feature for mulching, bagging, or side discharge
• Quiet mode setting to reduce noise

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

DOUBLE THE MOWING AREA WITH BATTERY-POWER

DLM532 is a battery-powered self-propelling lawn mower, designed to mow large areas at a time. Mowing area can be doubled up to 2300 m², thanks to four 18 V battery ports. The mower can also be used with only two batteries. Strong steel frame of the machine makes it durable, and large tires makes mowing easy even in muddy or bumpy yard.

DLM532’s many features make it versatile and convenient. The mowers cutting height can easily be set between 20. 100 mm with just one pull of lever. Cutting width of 530 mm and self-propelled speed of 2,5. 5,0 km/h make mowing your yard quick and easy. Brushless motor delivers up to 2800 RPM, and the motor automatically varies its speed depending on load conditions of the blade for longer runtime. Silent mode lowers the rotation speed to 2300 RPM making mowing quieter, therefore DLM532 is an excellent choice for residential areas.

FEATURES

Cutting, collecting, mulching or side discharging — choose your way of mowing

DLM532 is equipped with popular mulching head for bio-cutting. The mower is also equipped with 70 L grass box with grass level indicator for collecting grass and side discharge to avoid clogging.

Powerful convenience

No Load speed varies up to 2800 RPM on standard mode, and on low noise mode the speed is constant at 2300 RPM.

Easy lawn mowing with self-propelling

Self-propelling feature makes mowing more comfortable and lighter. Propelling speed can be adjusted between 2,5 5,0 km/h.

Adjust cutting height with one lever

Centralized cutting height adjustment allows selecting the cutting height with just one pull of a lever! Height can be set between 20. 100 mm.

While DLM532 can run with only a pair of 18V LXT® batteries, it can be used with two pairs of batteries to double the runtime and mowing area. The mower is equipped with battery selection switch, which allows the user to choose which pair of batteries is being used. This makes managing the battery charge level easier, when not all of the batteries are used at the same time.

Each battery’s charge can be easily checked from the LED indicator on the handle of the lawn mower.

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Home » Latest Tool Reviews » Lawn Garden » Lawn Mower » Makita Cordless Brushless Lawnmower XML08PT1

Makita LXT X2 Cordless Lawnmower XML08PT1

Makita Cordless Brushless Lawnmower XML08PT1

Manufacturer: Makita Model number: XML08PT1 Price: 699.00 Power source: 36v [2-18v] Motor size: cordless

Makita has made a big push into the outpower equipment/lawn and garden department lately. While the XML08PT1 is a mower that is geared towards the professional landscaper it is worth a look for anyone who wants a very solidly built cordless battery-powered lawnmower, especially if they’re on the Makita 18 volt LXT battery platform.

Makita 18V X2 (36V) LXT® Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless 21″ Self‑Propelled Lawn Mower Kit with 4 Batteries (5.0Ah) XML08PT1

Specifications and Features

• Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive Self Propelled 1.5 to 3 MPH
• Deck Size: 21″
• Cutting Height: 1-1/4″-4″
• No gas, emissions, oil mixing, or pull starts
• Self-propelled with variable speed (1.5 MPH – 3 MPH)
• 4 bay battery system for 2 times more run time
• Powered by (2) 18V LXT® batteries with the option to insert (2) additional batteries for extended run time
• Commercial-grade steel deck
• 3-in-1 design allows for mulching, bagging, or side discharge
• 2,800 RPM
• Quiet mode reduces noise by providing constant speed control at 2,300 RPM
• Grass catcher bag holds up to 2 bushels of grass

First Impressions of the Makita XML08PT1 21″ Lawnmower

I was able to do some extended testing with the Makita after our cordless lawnmower head-to-head. The Makita has the look and feel of a mower that was built for daily nonstop use by professional landscapers. The Makita features large-diameter rubber over-molded wheels, a steel deck, and everything about it is tight and made to stand up to some hard use. Screws and bolts hold everything together including the handle (which is not adjustable or foldable without a wrench). Almost all of the moving parts are metal. In short, this high-quality tool is made for the long haul.

Getting lost in the weeds

During this testing I used this mower for work is was not designed for. Knocking down a field of very tall weeds and grass. This was a torture test for sure and while the mower did bog down occasionally it still completed the task with little complaint and usually just requiring some grass and weeds to be cleared out of the chute. Mowing in more normal situations was easy, and other than the much quieter motor and lack of gas fumes felt just like using a gas-powered mower.

The old-school style metal handle and safety bar are no frills but I personally find this style more comfortable than the fatter, rubber over-mold handles found on many cordless electric mowers.

This mower is heavy with the heavy-duty steel deck and 4 batteries on board but it was easy to maneuver in and around obstacles. The self-propelling feature keeps the mower moving at a good clip and makes larger mowing jobs go quicker and easier. The bagging feature works great and collects the vast majority of clippings during use. During our head to head, we did a runtime test, the Makita XML08PT1 ran 83 minutes, and mowed 35,000 Sq. Ft. with 4 6.0 Ah batteries.

Noise

One of the biggest questions readers have asked about cordless mowers seems to be how much noise do they make?

We did a basic decibel test to measure the sound pressure of this mower to get an idea of how much noise it makes. The test consisted of running the mower with the deck raised to its midpoint level sitting on the concrete slab floor in a large barn decibel meter at approximately user height. The decibel meter used an ITU-R 468 frequency rating.

We ran the test for enough time to have the mower reach a maximum and stable rpm speed. Makita registered at only 80.5 dB about the same as garbage disposal. This is well below the OSHA limit requiring hearing protection over a period of an 8-hour shift.

For reference, the average gas lawnmower produces approximately 95 – 100 dB. Compared to a 100 dB noise level, the Makita XMLPT081 mower reduces the sound energy you hear by over 20 times compared to a loud gas mower. (decibels are a logarithmic scale, 14 decibels difference is approximately 20 times louder). Many communities have adopted noise restrictions that limit the time that you can mow with a gas mower. Please note that the sound pressure value was measured while running on top of a concrete slab. In practice, the Makita mower would be much quieter when used on a lawn.

Storage and Transport

The design intent for Makita’s engineers and designers was to produce a mower for the pro-market. To this end, the Makita’s handle does not fold for storage. This makes for a mower that has fewer moving parts and therefore fewer potential points of failure. Pro landscapers are all about efficiency and speed so a folding handle is a no-go as that keeps them from getting on and off the job more quickly. For the home user, this may be a non-issue if you have a good amount of space and don’t want to fiddle with a folding handle. But it could be a deal-breaker for some.

One of the nice things about this mower is the big handles on the front of the deck and the back of the mower. Allowing it to be easily picked up and put in the back of a truck or trailer.

Overall

This is a great mower designed and built with the professional in mind and the price and reflects that. The only downside I can find to this mower is the lack of a folding handle If you are in the market for a self-propelled mower take a look at the Makita XMLPT081