Greenworks 40V 17 inch MO40B01 Electric lawn mower: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Greenworks 40V 12 Amp 17-Inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower (Model MO40B01) is a powerful battery-powered mower designed for residential use. Key specifications of this mower include:

• Voltage: 40V lithium ion battery
• Cutting Width: 17 inches
• Motor: 12 Amp brushless motor
• Cutting Height: Adjusts from 1.25 to 3.75 inches in .25 inch increments
• Weight: 55 pounds

The Greenworks cordless mower is designed to deliver gas-like power with the convenience and quiet operation of an electric mower. It features a durable steel deck with rear bagging, side discharge or mulching capabilities. The 40V battery offers sustained power and dual port charging to quickly recharge the 2.5Ah and 4.0Ah batteries included.

Design & Build Quality

The Greenworks 40V 17 inch has an attractive design with a sturdy steel deck that provides durability for yard work. It weighs 52 pounds, making it light enough to maneuver easily but heavy duty enough to stay planted while operating on uneven terrain.

The mower features large rear wheels and smaller front wheels to aid maneuverability. It has an adjustable height range from 1.5 to 3.4 inches to accommodate different grass lengths and needs. An ergonomic, vertical folding handle makes storage compact and operation comfortable even for taller users.

The mower deck is made from injected polypropylene plastic which is thick, rigid and weather resistant while still keeping the mower's weight reasonable. Steel reinforcements on the deck edges help resist impacts in case of accidental bumps or scrapes while mowing near fences or landscaping.

Overall, the Greenworks mower has a simple but functional design focused on durability, ease of use, and compact storage. The quality of materials and components seems suitable for homeowner use rather than commercial yard crews who require professional grade equipment.

Cutting Performance

The Greenworks 40V 17-inch cordless lawn mower delivers excellent cutting performance for most home lawns. With a 17-inch cutting deck and brushless motor, it provides sufficient power and width to quickly mow through yards.

The mower cuts grass cleanly and efficiently thanks to the dual blade design and adequate blade speed. While cutting power may be less than a gas mower, it effectively handles thicker grass up to 4-6 inches tall without bogging down. Homeowners report it cuts as well or better than comparable electric and battery-powered mowers.

It's able to mulch clippings well enough for most lawns. The mulching blades cut grass into fine pieces that can biodegrade into the lawn. While side discharge and rear bagging are also possible with attachments, mulching is the most convenient clipping option for many users.

The mower comes equipped to cut at heights from 1-3/4 inches up to 3-3/4 inches, adjustable in seven positions. This allows customizing cut for the desired lawn length and health. Lower heights provide a neat, manicured appearance while higher settings help grass grow thicker and retain moisture in hot weather.

With excellent maneuverability and balance, the Greenworks mower closely trims around landscaping, fences and trees. It can also cleanly cut sloped areas and minor hills without scalping thanks to smooth-rolling rear wheels. This gives homeowners greater flexibility in achieving quality cutting performance in their yard conditions.

Battery & Charging

The Greenworks 40V mower comes with a 4Ah battery that delivers fade-free power with no memory loss. This allows it to retain a charge for longer when not in use as compared to some lower voltage batteries.

The 17" deck is designed to operate on one 4Ah battery charge for around 45 minutes of actual mowing time. This will let you mow up to around 1/4 acre on a single charge depending on your lawn conditions and the mode set. Rapid battery depletion is rare with this mower unless the blades become obstructed or reach the end of useful life.

Recharging the battery from empty takes just over an hour to go from 0 to 100% charge. A battery status indicator integrated into the charger lets you monitor charging progress.

The included 40V lithium-ion battery carries a 4 year warranty which is great for peace of mind. Overall the battery delivers adequate power for small-moderate size lawns with reasonable run times per charge. If tackling bigger lawns, a second battery is recommended so one can be charging while the other is in use to avoid downtime.

Noise Level

Compared to gas-powered mowers which typically operate at 90-95 decibels, the Greenworks 17-inch cordless electric lawnmower runs much quieter at only 60 decibels. That's about the level of a normal conversation. This makes the mower perfect for use in neighborhoods or around people without having to wear hearing protection. You could even use it early in the morning or later in the evening without disturbing your neighbors.

The lower noise level is achieved through Greenworks' advanced brushless motor design that removes all the chains, belts and combustion engine parts that make gas mowers noisy. Instead, it uses electromagnetic induction to rotate the cutting blades. This makes for a very peaceful and pleasant mowing experience.

So if you want a quiet and peaceful lawn mowing session without loud engine noise, the Greenworks 17-inch electric mower delivers beautifully at just 60 decibels. Your neighbors will thank you!

Ease of Use

The Greenworks 40V 17 inch mower is easy to operate and handle. With its compact size and lightweight frame at only 56 pounds, it is highly maneuverable and makes pushing the mower with one hand effortless. The variable speed self-propelled system allows you to adjust the mower speed to your walking pace for greater convenience.

Starting the mower is seamless, with a push button start. No difficult pulling cords or potential hand fatigue. The control panel on the handle is laid out in a user-friendly position with easy to access switches for powering on/off, adjusting drive speed, and electronic motor lockout safety feature. The handle also features an easy fold mechanism for compact vertical storage with an auto button lock.

With its lightweight and ergonomic design, easy start button, intuitive controls, and smooth variable speed self propulsion system, the Greenworks mower scores high marks in the ease of use category. Operating and handling this mower is a breeze compared to gas mowers. Consumers will enjoy the simplicity and convenience of use.

Maintenance

The Greenworks mower was designed to require only minimal maintenance. Here are the main care and upkeep tasks:

Cleaning

The deck and underside of the mower should be cleaned after each use to remove grass clippings and debris. Simply wipe them down with a damp cloth or rinse with a garden hose. Avoid spraying water into the motor and electrical components.

Blade Sharpening & Replacement

The blades should be visually inspected periodically for any chips or wearing and sharpened as needed. Sharpening once a year is often sufficient, but it depends on your usage and conditions. Replacement blades can be purchased from Greenworks or other retailers when they eventually wear out.

Storage

Properly cleaning the mower and removing the battery before storing is important. The battery should be stored at room temperature indoors when not in use. You can fold the handle for more compact storage as well. Storing indoors will keep the mower protected from elements when not in use.

Warranty

Greenworks offers a generous 4 year warranty to the original owner that protects against defects in materials and workmanship for residential use. Just make sure to register your product online with Greenworks to receive the full 4 year warranty coverage.

Safety Features

The Greenworks electric lawn mower includes several key safety features to help protect the user during operation.

One important safety feature is the dead man switch. This is a switch that must be held down continuously by the user in order to keep the motor running. As soon as the user lets go of the switch, power to the motor is cut, stopping the blades immediately. This helps prevent accidental starting or continued running of the blades if the user were to lose control of the mower.

Another key safety feature involves protections for the user's hands and feet. The mower blade is surrounded by a steel guard to help prevent direct contact with the blade. There are no exposed cutting surfaces accessible during normal operation.

Additionally, to protect the feet, the body of the lawn mower is designed to stand several inches off the ground. This clearance helps ensure the cutting blades remain isolated from contact with any body parts during mowing.

These safety features show how the Greenworks mower was designed not just to mow grass effectively, but also minimize risks to the user. Having the dead man switch, hand protections, and foot clearance demonstrates an intentional focus on safety from Greenworks.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Lightweight and maneuverable design
• Good swath cut of 17 inches
• Powerful cutting performance for small to medium yards
• Decent 40V 2Ah battery runtime of up to 45 minutes
• Quiet performance at 60 dBA
• Easy to push and operate
• Easy storage with foldable handle
• Two year warranty

Cons:

• Battery and charger sold separately adds to cost
• Plastic wheels less durable than metal wheels
• No lights for evening mowing
• Mulching performance could be better

The Greenworks 40V 17 inch cordless electric lawn mower has a number of good features that make it suitable for small to medium yards. Its brushless motor delivers strong cutting power, while the 17 inch deck allows for a good swath of grass to be cut in each pass. The included 40V 2Ah battery can provide around 45 minutes of runtime as well. This mower excels in maneuverability and quiet operation.

On the downside, the plastic wheels may wear faster than metal wheels over time. The battery and charger must be purchased separately, adding to the overall cost. It also lacks lights for mowing at night. But for those seeking a lightweight and quiet mower for daytime use, the Greenworks 40V 17 inch is a solid choice in its price range.

Conclusions

The Greenworks 40V 17-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower is a solid mid-range electric lawn mower with several appealing features. The dual-blade cutting system provides excellent cutting and mulching performance for most residential lawn care needs. The 17-inch deck width is smaller than gas mowers yet still adequate for maneuvering around landscaping elements.

The 2Ah and 4Ah battery options deliver up to 60 minutes of runtime, which is ample for mowing small to mid-sized properties on one charge. The battery charges in about 2 hours using the rapid charger, providing quick turnaround between jobs. The brushless motor and battery system deliver consistent power and maximize efficiency.

The mower produces minimal noise, operating at just 60-65 decibels, making it much quieter than gas mowers. It’s lightweight and easy to push across both flat and hilly terrain. The single-lever 5-position height adjustment makes it simple to set the cutting height from 1.5 to 3.5 inches as needed.

Overall, the Greenworks 17-Inch 40V Cordless Mower provides reliable performance and excellent convenience for residential use. It's a great battery-powered alternative to both gas-powered and corded electric mowers.

Final Recommendation: 4 out of 5 stars