Green Machine targets high value in mid-price range
When you've searched Home Depot's website, you may have noticed a new brand of outdoor power equipment popping up: Green Machine. We went hands-on with two of Green Machine's battery-operated lawn mower models to see where they fit within the wider range of cordless options and whether they're right for your lawn.
Green Machine has two mowers to choose from. One is a walk-behind lawn mower and the other is self-propelled. Other than the drive system, the two mowers are very similar.
Green Machine uses a 62-volt brushless motor to power its 22-inch blades. That's a larger blade than most battery-operated lawn mowers use. Despite the extra load, the motor was able to keep the blade turning at high RPMs, even in our lush St. Augustine grass. Even in areas where we allowed more than a few days of planting, the mower did an excellent job of mowing without slowing the drive down to a crawl.
Green Machine says you can expect up to 45 minutes of run time on each 4.0Ah battery (90 minutes with two batteries), and the ability to mow up to 1/2 an acre with the two batteries in the kit. Grass thickness, heat, and humidity all play a role in this, so if your grass grows thick and fast, plan to mow for close to 30 minutes in the summer with the 4.0Ah battery.
*Please note that walk-behind mowers come with one battery and self-propelled mowers come with two.
Everything you need for covers, bags, and side vents is in the box. Both mowers use a true side discharge rather than a rear attachment that connects to the bagger attachment. If you're chopping overgrown grass or just prefer side discharge, you'll get better distribution than many battery-operated models.
Green Machine Battery-Powered Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Design Notes
self-propelled drive system
The Green Machine uses a dial to set the drive speed. Oddly there's no separate drive engagement lever, it's a rear-wheel drive system. That means there's no quick way to stop the drive wheels when you flip the dial down to zero and then push it back in after the turn is complete. The upside is that the dial position is easy to adjust on the fly. Still, this is something the design team needs to address in the next release.
Of course, this isn't a problem on push mowers.
There is an "SP" button on the left for engaging the self drive for transport without opening the blade.
Single point deck height adjustment
Deck adjustment is a breeze thanks to the single-point adjustment lever. The large handle is easy to grip and easier to move than most mowers we've tested. The range is pretty good, with six levels starting at 1 1/4 inches on the low end and going up to 3 3/4 inches on the highest setting.
vertical storage
Like many battery-powered models, both Green Machine mowers store vertically by folding the handle forward. Simply turn the same positioning knob that you use to adjust the height of the handle, fold the handle forward until the positioner snaps into place, and then stand it up. It's very simple and saves a lot of garage floor space.
LED indicator
Right behind the battery case, there are 4 LED indicators. Read from left to right, they let you know about low battery, detected errors, high temperature, and power.
other highlights
- simple push button start
- Three handle height positions
- 23" Steel Deck
- 11" tall rear wheels improve traction
- Push mower weighs 72 lbs
- Self-propelled mower weighs 76 lbs
- Compatible with all Green Machine 62V batteries
- Low noise, no emissions, no gas, no oil
Green Machine battery powered self propelled lawn mower prices
Green Machine's entire cordless line is sold online exclusively at The Home Depot. The self-propelled lawnmower is priced at $449 and includes two 4.0Ah batteries and a charger. A push mower with a 4.0Ah battery and a charger costs $329. When you order, they ship to your home or your local Home Depot for free.
Green Machine offers a 5-year warranty on the mower and a 3-year warranty on the battery.
Considering what other brands charge for similar designs, Green Machine's price is a compelling value.
the bottom line
For the price, Green Machine's lawn mower options are worth a closer look. If you're looking for a walk behind lawn mower, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better value for money. Still, it's worth holding off on self-propelled lawnmowers until they handle drive controls. Once they do, Green Machine will be well-positioned to snag the top-value pick for both styles.
Green Machine Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Specifications
- Model: Green Machine GMSM6200
- Power supply: green machine 62V battery
- Deck: 22" steel
- Blade: 22 inches
- Cutting Height: 6 positions, 1 1/4 – 3 3/4 inches
- Weight: 75.8 lbs (78.8 lbs with 4.0Ah battery)
- Warranty: 5 years on mower, 3 years on battery
Green Machine Walk Behind Mower Specifications
- Model: Green Machine GMPM6200
- Power supply: green machine 62V battery
- Deck: 22" steel
- Blade: 22 inches
- Cutting Height: 6 positions, 1 1/4 – 3 3/4 inches
- Weight: 72.1 lbs (75.1 lbs with 4.0Ah battery)
- Warranty: 5 years on mower, 3 years on battery