Greenworks MO48L520 48V 21 Inches Electric lawn mower: In-Depth Review and Customer Opinions

Greenworks is an eco-friendly brand that manufactures battery-powered outdoor tools including electric lawnmowers. The company was founded in 2008 with the goal of providing homeowners, landscapers, and gardeners with innovative green technology for their lawns and gardens. Based in the U.S., Greenworks has partnered with major retailers to make their tools available across the country.

The Greenworks MO48L520 48V cordless lawn mower is one of the company's high-performance electric mowers designed for residential use. This self-propelled mower runs on Greenworks' G-MAX 48V Lithium-Ion battery system and aims to deliver power comparable to gas mowers while eliminating emissions and noise.

Overview

The Greenworks 48V 21-Inch Cordless Electric Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is model number MO48L520. This mower runs on two 24V lithium-ion battery packs that deliver up to 60 minutes of runtime. With its brushless motor and steel deck, this mower provides power, durability and performance.

Key features of this Greenworks mower include:

• 48V Brushless Motor
• 21-Inch Steel Deck
• 2 x 24V Lithium-Ion Batteries
• 3-in-1: Side Discharge, Mulch, Rear Bag
• 7-Position Single Lever Height Adjustment
• Electric Push-Button Start
• Adjustable Self-Propelled Speed up to 3.1 mph
• Up to 60 Minutes Runtime
• Foam Comfort Grips

Design

The Greenworks MO48L520 48V self-propelled mower has an attractive, modern design with a sturdy steel body painted a pleasing green color. At 21 inches wide, it has a slim profile that can maneuver through tight spaces and gates.

Despite the compact size, the mower still has a durable steel deck that measures 21 inches wide for the cutting path. The total dimensions are 45 x 21 x 40 inches (L x W x H). With the handles folded down, it takes up minimal storage space.

The mower uses durable, high-quality materials like steel for the sturdy body and cutting deck. This prevents damage from regular wear and tear. The handles and chassis feel solid and well-constructed.

Overall, the mower has a sleek, compact physical design while still maintaining durability with its steel construction. The smaller size makes storage and maneuverability easy without compromising on cutting width or build quality.

Battery and Motor

The Greenworks MO48L520 lawn mower comes with two 24V lithium ion batteries that provide up to 60 minutes of continuous runtime each. Combined, the dual battery system offers enough power to mow up to a quarter acre on a single charge.

The batteries use Greenworks' Smart CutTM load sensing technology that automatically increases or decreases power to the motor as needed to deliver optimal performance. This helps extend the battery life and run time.

The mower is equipped with a powerful brushless motor that delivers up to 4400 rpm for strong cutting power. This allows the mower to handle thick and tall grass without bogging down. The brushless motor requires no maintenance or tune-ups which helps improve reliability and reduces long-term costs.

Overall, the dual 24V lithium ion battery system and potent brushless motor provide excellent power and runtime for mowing medium to large yards efficiently on a single charge.

Cutting Deck

The Greenworks MO48L520 has a 21-inch cutting deck, which is a good size for most suburban yards up to about 1/3 acre. The metal deck is durable and allows for a consistent cut.

The cutting height can be adjusted between 1-3/4 inches to 4 inches in 7 different height positions to suit your needs. Lower heights like 1-3/4 inches are good for low, manicured lawns, while higher 3-4 inch heights allow you to cut longer grass without scalping or stressing the grass. The deck handles the incremental height adjustments smoothly.

The 2-in-1 design allows you to either mulch or discharge clippings out the side. So you can choose whether you want to recycle nutrients back into the lawn or bag the clippings.

Overall the 21-inch cutting deck offers versatility for most home lawn needs. The incremental cutting height adjustments and 2-in-1 mulching/side discharge allow you to fine tune the cut quality.

Additional Features

The Greenworks MO48L520 mower has several handy features that improve the mowing experience. One of the most useful is the self-propulsion system, which uses the mower's electric motor to move the mower forward without pushing. This makes mowing large areas much easier and reduces fatigue.

The mower also has onboard mulching capability. This recycles grass clippings back into the lawn as a natural fertilizer instead of collecting them in a bag or leaving windrows. Mulching blades cut clippings into tiny pieces so they break down quickly. This feature helps fertilize the lawn naturally and reduces mowing waste.

To handle taller grass, the mower has a high-rear wheel design which raises the front of the deck slightly. This helps prevent scalping on uneven terrain. The 9-inch rear wheels and 7-inch front wheels also aid maneuverability.

For operator comfort, the mower has an ergonomic, adjustable handlebar to suit users of different heights. There are also dual levers for drive speed control and thick wheels with tread for terrain grip. Overall, the additional features optimize the mowing experience for homeowners.

Ease of Use

The Greenworks MO48L520 is very easy to use thanks to its well-designed controls, great maneuverability, and quiet operation.

The controls are straightforward and easy to reach. The start button and throttle speed control are conveniently located on the top of the handlebar within easy access of your thumb while holding the handle. The mower blade can be engaged and disengaged via a paddle switch also located on the handlebar.

Despite being a self-propelled mower, the MO48L520 is very maneuverable and can make tight turns thanks to its dual rear wheels. This makes it easy to get around landscaping, trees, and other obstacles in your yard. The front caster wheels also help with maneuverability.

One of the biggest advantages of an electric mower like the Greenworks is how quiet it is compared to a gas mower. It produces about 60-70 decibels of noise which is much quieter than a noisy gas mower. This makes mowing early in the morning or late in the evening much more neighbor-friendly.

Overall, the easy to use controls, great maneuverability, and quiet operation make the Greenworks MO48L520 a user-friendly electric mower.

Cut Quality

The Greenworks MO48L520 lawn mower produces high quality cuts thanks to its sharp 21-inch cutting deck and powerful motor. The twin blades are made of hardened steel and cut very evenly even in thick grass up to 10 inches tall.

Customers report that the mower leaves a nice even finish to their lawn with no clumping or uneven patches. It handles challenging mowing conditions like tall blades and damp grass without bogging down or leaving an uneven cut. The cut quality rivals gas mowers costing much more.

The mower also mulches clippings very finely so there are no clumps left on the lawn. Overall the Greenworks MO48L520 delivers excellent cut quality for the price.

Maintenance

The Greenworks MO48L520 is relatively low-maintenance compared to gas mowers. Here are some tips for keeping it running smoothly:

Cleaning

• Remove grass clippings and debris from the underside of the deck after each use. This prevents buildup which can affect cutting performance.

• Wipe the top surface clean with a damp cloth. Avoid using pressure washers or hoses directly on the mower.

• Check the blade periodically for nicks and sharpen as needed. A sharp blade provides the best cut.

Storage

• Fully charge the batteries before storing for the winter or extended periods. Topping off the charge helps maintain battery life.

• Store the mower indoors or under a cover if leaving it outside. This protects the mower from the elements.

• Run the mower briefly before storing to dry out any moisture on the blades or deck. This prevents rust and corrosion.

Part Replacement

• The blade can be removed and replaced when needed. Simply detach it from the spindle and attach a new Greenworks replacement blade.

• Wheels may need periodic replacement if they become cracked or fail to turn smoothly. Compatible replacement wheels can be purchased.

• Batteries typically last around 3-5 years with proper care. Replacement Greenworks batteries can be swapped in when power starts to fade.

Following regular cleaning, storage, and part replacement as needed will help ensure years of reliable service from this mower. Basic maintenance is quick and straightforward.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Powerful 48V brushless motor provides excellent cutting power
• Large 21-inch cutting deck allows you to mow more grass in one pass
• Self-propelled all-wheel-drive makes it easy to maneuver
• Compact and lightweight design at only 63 lbs for easy handling
• Includes (2) 5.0Ah batteries for up to 60 minutes of runtime
• Battery charger charges batteries in 60 minutes or less
• Mulching and rear bag grass catcher options
• Height adjusts from 1.5" to 3.75" in .25" increments
• Dual blade design improves cutting efficiency
• Headlights allow mowing at night or in low light

Cons

• Batteries and charger sold separately add to the cost
• Limited to smaller to mid-sized yards of .25-.5 acres
• Plastic wheels less durable than metal wheels
• No electric start requires pull starting
• Handle design could be more ergonomic
• Bagging attachment is small and fills quickly

Overall, the Greenworks 48V electric lawn mower provides excellent cutting power and runtime for most residential needs. The generous cutting deck, maneuverability, and robust motor offset minor drawbacks like pull-starting and plastic wheels. It's a great option for green, cordless lawn care.