NJ Lawns Community

Hey everyone, just bought my first house in Paramus and I've got about 6,000 sq ft of Kentucky bluegrass that came with the place. Looking at the EGO 56v system but honestly they're pricey - the bare tool + 5.0Ah battery kit is running about $550 at the Garden State Mulch in Hackensack. Is the battery power actually that much better for KBG or am I getting suckered into the hype? My lawn isn't terribly thick but it's decent. Trying to figure out if I should fork over the premium or just go with a Honda self-propelled like everyone recommends. Would love to hear from anyone using EGO in Bergen County - does the power last all season?

I run an EGO LM2132SP and absolutely love it. I've got a mix of KBG and tall fescue in Waldwick and the 56v cuts through everything like butter. The battery genuinely lasts - I can do my whole front and back (about 4500 sq ft) on one 5.0Ah charge with no issues. The mulch blade is incredible, leaves look great. Yeah it's pricey but the warranty is solid and batteries are interchangeable. Honestly for 6K sq ft I'd get two batteries so you can swap on the fly. The brushless motor is quieter than gas too - my neighbors don't hate me when I mow at 8am on Saturday.

Full disclosure I install lawns professionally in the county and here's my take - for most residential KBG you're not going to notice a huge difference between EGO and a quality gas mower unless your lawn is really thick and wet. KBG in our area (Bergen clay soil) can get spongy but it's not like mowing bahia in Florida. The real advantage of EGO is maintenance - no gas, no oil changes, no carburetor issues. For a first-time homeowner in Paramus honestly I'd say go used Honda HRX217 self-propelled instead. You can find them lightly used on FB Marketplace for half price and they'll last 15+ years. EGO is great but you're paying for the lithium platform across multiple tools. If you only need a mower, gas wins on value.

I gotta jump in here - before you drop $550 on a mower, what are you doing for irrigation? That's the bigger question for KBG in Paramus. I've seen plenty of people blow money on fancy mowers but then their sprinklers are from the 90s and they've got brown patches everywhere. KBG needs about 1-1.5 inches per week during summer. If your system can't deliver that efficiently, no mower is gonna save your lawn. I'd get the irrigation sorted first. Check your coverage by doing a simple tuna can test - I can show you how if you're near the shop in Ridgewood.

Ooh good point on the irrigation - the previous owner said they had some issues with one of the zones by the driveway. I've got a Rain Bird system that looks original to the house (2004?). Should I get that checked out first? Also @GrassGuru that's really helpful on the used Honda idea - do you know what to look for when buying used? I'm nervous about ending up with something someone's beaten on.

I'd definitely get that irrigation looked at first like Ivan says - zones failing will kill KBG fast. For the mower if you do go EGO, wait for the Father's Day sale at Home Depot or online - they've done buy one get one 50% off on batteries the past two years. The Peak Power+ series is worth the extra coin IMO. But honestly either way you're fine - cut height for KBG in NJ should be around 2.5-3 inches, never go lower than 2 inches even in summer. That matters more than the brand.

For used Honda check the date code on the deck - it's a letter followed by number code stamped on the frame under the engine. Look for anything 2018 or newer, those have the fixed-blade design. Also pull the recoil - should snap back cleanly. Spark plug shouldn't be fouled. If it's been maintained properly these mowers go for $250-350 all day in Bergen County. I see them listed constantly on Marketplace and Nextdoor. Save your money for aeration and topdressing - that's what really makes KBG thrive here. Fall is coming (usually mid-September) so get your plan ready.