What is a Brushless Lawn Mower?
The lawn mower is the second-in-command when it comes to quality lawn care. As an essential tool to maintain the first impression visitors have of your home, it’s important to choose the right lawn mower to be at your side for years to come. Brushless lawn mowers are the next advancement in lawn mower technology, with projections estimating that the global electric lawn mower market will reach $31.71 billion by 2034.
We are Mowrator, experts in providing cutting-edge lawn mower technology to homeowners and landscapers who are interested in the future of lawn care. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about brushless lawn mowers: how they work, their advantages and disadvantages, and how they compare to regular brushed lawn mowers.
Key Takeaways
- Brushless lawn mowers use magnetic force to spin the lawn mower blades, dynamically adjusted by an electronic speed controller.
- Brushless lawn mowers offer significant advantages like higher speed and torque, long battery life, and lower maintenance costs.
- They are more expensive than a typical brushed electric mower or push mower.
Brushed vs. Brushless Lawn Mower Motors
When many homeowners look online for whether they should purchase a brushed vs. brushless lawn mower for their home, it can be difficult to find direct and easy comparisons between the two. Here are key qualities that we’ve found homeowners interested in when comparing brushless lawn motors and traditional brushed motors:
| Brushless Motors | Brushed Motors | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | More expensive ($150 to $250 on average) | More affordable ($100 to $200 on average) |
| Lifespan | ≈ 10,000 hours of use | ≈ 5,000 to 7,500 hours of use |
| Maintenance Costs | Little to none | Brushes require replacement |
| Noise | Minimal | Louder |
| Environmentally Sustainable | Yes | Yes (brushes are the only waste) |
How do Brushless Motors Work?
Brushless motors use a combination of magnets paired with an electronic controller instead of standard physical brushes. A brushless motor uses magnets and circuits to generate the power needed for the lawn mower. This reduces friction, how much heat your mower creates, and the need for regular maintenance. As a result, brushless motors are lighter, operate more efficiently, and have quieter operation while in use.
What are the Key Features of Brushless Technology?
Brushless lawn mower technology includes an electronic speed controller, magnetic field rotation, and lithium-ion battery. These innovative features make lawn care a breeze.
Electronic Speed Controller
The core component of a brushless motor is the Electronic Speed Controller (ESC), which acts as the brain of the mower. It actively regulates how much power the lawn mower receives and controls the speed of the blades based on resistance. For example, a brushless mower's ESC will increase power to the blades when encountering thick grass or shrubs.
This adaptive electronic system is why brushless motors are considered “intelligent motors”. These motors also offer a quieter experience without fear of overheating or high energy consumption for a quick trim.
Magnetic Field Rotation
If the ESC is the brain of the brushless lawn mower, then the magnetic field rotation is the heart. As the ESC draws power from a lithium-ion battery, it uses magnetic field rotation to drive the brushless mower blades.
Notably, since the blades are powered by magnetic force instead of physical contact, they experience less wear and tear over time than a brushed motor. This saves you money over time with no brushes to replace and no gasoline or diesel necessary.
Technological Quality of Life Improvements
Different models offer cutting-edge quality-of-life features that make giving your lawn a clean and even cut much easier than before. Additionally, some smart mowers come with dual batteries and specific cutting widths, which means that you can mow your entire lawn without needing to stop for a recharge.
Similar to a push lawn mower or a self-propelled lawn mower, you can purchase a brushless lawn mower with grass collection boxes. As your mower collects grass, you’ll be able to see how often you need to empty the box with digital indicators.
Advantages of Brushless Lawn Mowers
Brushless lawn mowers offer several advantages to homeowners compared to traditional brushed mowers, including:
- High efficiency (lower heat and friction)
- Less noise pollution
- Less maintenance
- Automatically adjusts power output
- Limited friction
- Higher torque
- Improved ergonomics
Disadvantages of Brushless Lawn Mowers
While brushless mowers are an excellent option for your lawn care routine, brushed motors still provide better performance in certain operations. Some disadvantages of brushless lawn mowers include:
- Higher upfront costs
- Less power than larger lawn mowers
- Limited options and availability
Are Brushless Lawn Mowers Right for you?
Deciding whether a brushless lawn mower is right for your lawn will vary from homeowner to homeowner, but they are generally a sound, worthwhile investment. Brushless lawn mower motors offer a longer lifespan and use their battery power far more efficiently than brushed motors. While the initial investment into a brushless lawn mower will be higher than a brushed lawn mower, you’ll likely save money in the long term as they require less maintenance.
If you have a lawn that features flat yards, slight sloping, and some irregular shapes and edges, then you'll benefit greatly from using an intelligent brushless motor. However, for heavy-duty grass and commercial operations, you may find brushless mowers lacking. In most cases, you'll find that innovative brushless motor technology will meet the demands of your back garden.
Mowrator pioneers the cutting edge of lawn mower technology, offering a 3-in-1 remote control lawn mower that has been designed by engineering experts to meet the demands of your lawns. Conquer any challenging terrain with our Mowrator S1 Pro 4WD today.
Brushless Lawn Mowers FAQs
Can you use Brushless Lawn Mowers on Wet Grass?
No, you should not use any lawn mower on wet grass. Technically, you can use a brushless lawn mower on wet grass, but it should be avoided. Brushless motors operate with a lithium-ion battery, which should not be exposed to water. Extended or frequent water exposure will lead to water contamination and damage your battery over time.
To take full advantage of the extended motor life that a brushless lawn mower provides, do not mow in wet or damp conditions.
How long does a Brushless Electric Lawn Mower Battery Last?
A brushless lawn mower lithium-ion battery with proper care can last up to 2 to 3 years according to Tektronix. This is roughly 300 to 500 charging cycles, which may decrease or extend the number of years that you use your electric lawn mower.
How do I Maintain My Brushless Lawn Mower Battery?
While each battery-powered brushless lawn mower will have its own specifications on how to properly maintain its battery, here are some general tips you can follow to save battery life and maintain performance:
- Charge your cordless battery often and never let it fully discharge
- Always use the charger that’s designated for your lawn mower
- Remove the charger once the battery is fully charged
- Keep your battery port and charger clean
- When storing your batteries for winter, never fully discharge your battery
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