Greenworks LMF417 40V 16 Inch Electric lawn mower: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

The Greenworks 40V 16 Inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower is a battery-powered, cordless mower designed for residential use. This lightweight and compact mower is part of Greenworks' 40V lithium-ion battery system and is a great option for small to medium sized yards up to 1/4 acre.

It offers the convenience of an electric mower without the hassle of dealing with pesky extension cords. The Greenworks mower has a 16 inch cutting deck and simple push button start making it easy to operate. It is designed with the homeowners needs in mind including easy maneuverability, quiet operation and zero emissions.

The mower comes fully assembled right out of the box so it is ready to get straight to mowing after a quick charge of the battery. With up to 45 minutes of continuous runtime, most homeowners will be able to finish their entire yard on one charge. Let's take a more in-depth look at the features and performance of the Greenworks 40V 16 Inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower.

Design & Build Quality

The Greenworks LMF417 features a durable steel deck that is rust-resistant and able to withstand rough use over time. The composite materials used for the motor housing and handle are lightweight yet sturdy, providing a balanced push mower that maneuvers smoothly.

Assembly out of the box is straightforward, with clear instructions and minimal parts to put together. The snap-on grass catcher also clicks into place simply. Once set up, the sturdy build quality becomes evident through the mower's solid feel and lack of flimsy parts.

There are no unwieldy cords to unravel, making storage and transport easy. The foldable handle collapses down compactly for space-saving storage. Overall, the LMF417 offers a robust design made of quality materials assembled for hassle-free, long-lasting use.

Cutting Deck

The Greenworks G-MAX 40V 16-inch cordless lawn mower is equipped with a steel cutting deck that offers a generous 16-inch cutting width. This allows the mower to cut a decent sized swath in a single pass, saving time on larger yards.

The cutting height is adjustable between 1-3/4 inches and 3-3/4 inches in seven different positions, providing flexibility to adapt the cut for different grass types and conditions. Lowering the height of cut will result in a shorter and denser lawn, while raising it provides a longer and shaggier look.

At just 16 inches wide, the cutting deck is narrow enough to easily maneuver into tighter spaces and around landscaping and obstacles. Yet it’s still wide enough to cover a significant amount of ground with each pass. The combination of adjustability and moderate width makes this an ideal cutting deck for small-to-medium sized yards.

Motor & Battery

The Greenworks LMF417 features a robust 16-inch 40V voltage brushless DC electric motor that delivers plenty of cutting power. The motor is designed to be maintenance-free, with no brushes to replace. It provides consistent power and torque to tackle even thick and tall grass.

The mower comes equipped with two 20V, 2Ah lithium-ion batteries that clip into the frame easily. Together, the two batteries provide 40V of power and will run for up to 45 minutes of mowing on a single charge. That's enough to mow up to 1/4 acre. With 2 batteries, you can essentially double the run time.

The batteries charge fully in 2 hours with the included charger. An integrated battery life indicator lets you check the remaining charge, so you know when it's time to swap batteries or recharge. The batteries are lightweight and easy to remove, handle, and store.

Overall, the 40V brushless motor and lithium-ion battery system delivers ample cutting power and run time for smaller to mid-sized yards. The quick 2 hour recharge makes it easy to maintain battery life.

Additional Features

The Greenworks 40V 16-inch electric lawn mower comes with several useful additional features that improve the mowing experience.

Mulching

This mower allows you to mulch clippings back into the lawn as you mow. The finely cut grass clippings act as a natural fertilizer, providing nutrients as they decompose. Mulching also eliminates the need to bag clippings. To activate mulching mode, simply remove the rear bag and close the rear discharge door. The mower deck will recirculate the clippings into the lawn.

Bagging

For times when you want to collect grass clippings, this mower includes a large 2.5 bushel cloth bag. The bag attaches easily and has straps to keep it securely in place as it fills. The bagging system provides a clean mowing result. When the bag is full, simply remove it, empty the clippings, and reattach.

Self-Propel System

This mower features a variable-speed self-propel system, allowing you to adjust the pace using a speed selector. With 7 speed options, you can choose the ideal mowing speed for your lawn conditions and personal comfort. The self-propel takes the effort out of pushing the mower for a smooth, easy mowing experience.

Usability

The Usability of the Greenworks 40V 16-Inch electric lawn mower is excellent overall. The design allows for effortless maneuverability and operation.

Handles

The handle design provides good ergonomics and allows you to adjust the height to suit your needs. The handles are comfortable to grip and make pushing and guiding the mower easy, even for extended periods of time.

Noise Level

This is a very quiet electric mower, especially compared to gas-powered options. It operates at around 60-65 decibels, which is about the volume of a normal conversation. This makes the mower pleasant to use without noisy disruptions.

Ease of Use

Starting up the mower is as simple as inserting the battery and pressing the start button. No pull cords or priming required. The single-lever height adjustment makes it easy to change cutting height on-the-fly. The intuitive controls and lightweight design also add to the overall ease of use. Maneuvering the mower around landscaping, trees and tight spaces is effortless.

Maintenance

The Greenworks electric lawn mower is designed to be low-maintenance. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Cleaning - It's important to keep the underside of the mower deck clean. Remove clippings and debris regularly to prevent clogs and allow proper airflow. You can use a plastic scraper or compressed air to dislodge buildup.

Blade Sharpening/Replacement - The blades should be inspected periodically and sharpened or replaced as needed for optimal cutting performance. The blades are easy to access from the underside of the deck. Replacement Greenworks blades can be purchased online or at many retailers.

Storage - When storing the mower for extended periods, fully charge the battery and remove it. Keep the mower in a dry place protected from weather and extreme temperatures. Avoid storing it upright, which can lead to fluid leakage. Clean out all debris beforehand. Some homeowners apply a fresh coat of wax before storage to protect the paint.

Following the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance will ensure this mower continues delivering reliable service for many seasons. The maintenance is straightforward and most tasks can be handled by the owner with basic tools. Overall, the Greenworks electric mower requires less maintenance than a gas mower.

Pros

• The Greenworks electric lawn mower has excellent cutting power and performance, able to handle normal residential yard cutting with ease. The 16 inch deck and brushless motor provide great grass cutting ability even in thicker and taller grass.

• It is very lightweight at only 34 lbs yet durable, making it easy to maneuver and store. The compact design makes it easy to get into tight spaces and smaller yards.

• Battery life is excellent, able to cut up to 1/2 acre on a single charge. The 2Ah battery can run for about 50 minutes. The fast charger can fully recharge in just 60-70 minutes.

• It is very quiet in operation, producing only about 60dB of noise which is much quieter than gas mowers. This makes it usable any time without disturbing neighbors. The electric operation also produces no emissions.

Cons

• The Greenworks 40V battery takes a long time to charge according to some reviews – up to 4 hours, which is considerably longer than some competing models. This may not work well for larger yards that require longer run times.

• While its maneuverability is good for an electric mower, it doesn't have quite the same nimble and lightweight feel as a gas-powered mower. Some reviewers felt like the weight distribution made it tougher to turn tightly in smaller spaces.

• There are some durability complaints about the plastic housing and components, with a few reviews mentioning cracked plastic after a season or two of use. This suggests the mower's overall durability and lifespan may not match higher-end gas models.

• Without a washout port, cleaning grass clippings from under the mower deck requires manually tipping the mower. This makes the cleaning process a bit more difficult than models with a deck wash system.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Greenworks 40V 16-Inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower offers several compelling features that make it stand out in a crowded lawn mower market. Its brushless motor provides consistent power and impressive runtime, while the 16-inch cutting deck is well-suited for small to mid-sized yards. The 2-in-1 rear bag and mulching capability provide versatility in grass clipping options.

On the downside, the mower's plastic build and lack of premium features like self-propel may be limiting for some users. The 2AH battery may also require multiple charges to finish larger lawns.

Overall, if you're seeking a lightweight, maneuverable electric mower for small residential lawns, the Greenworks 40V is an affordable option worth considering. While more expensive models do offer increased power and durability, this mower provides very solid performance for the price. Just be prepared to make some tradeoffs around build quality and runtime compared to premium models. For light-duty mowing needs, the Greenworks 40V cordless mower is a budget-friendly choice.