It seems that Hart Tools, now a Walmart-exclusive tool brand, launched a new cordless riding mower (H80RM01).
Thank you to Cody for the news tip!
Hart says that this is a 30″ mower, and it’s powered by an internal 80V [Max] battery.
The new Hart cordless riding mower looks… cozy. It’s not small, it’s “compact.”
Hart says that it has 3 brushless motors and the “power to mow thick grass with ease.”
They also say:
This model is quiet to operate so integrated LED lights are a great feature for mowing in darker conditions.
It looks like the mower has non-removable batteries, and comes with a special charging cable. It’s said to have an “under 2 hours” charging time.
Hart’s promotional video is sure to show that the mower features built-in easy-access storage.
Such as for keeping your smartphone close at hand.
The mower’s compact size can fit through a 42″ gate.
Hart says you can “choose how you want to cut with 3-in-1 bagging (sold separately), mulching, and side discharge capabilities.”
Key Features
- Cuts “up to 1 acre” per charge
- Charges in under 2 hours
- Single point height adjustment
- LED headlight
- 3 brushless motors
- 30″ cutting width
- “Power of gas”
- Cup/smartphone holder
- Optional 3-in-1 functionality with bagger (sold separately)
- Optional bagger boost (sold separately) for unclogging grass
Price: $3900
Discussion
Is it a good or bad thing that this new Hart cordless mower appears to the size of a child’s Power Wheels riding toy?
On one hand, it looks to have a very small footprint. On the other hand, I’d expect more than a 30″ cutting capacity for a cordless mower.
Hart also doesn’t exactly emphasize its small storage size.
Home Depot has a Ryobi cordless riding mower with 4 brushless motors and 42″ cutting deck, and it’s priced at $4,399.
Hart and Ryobi are both TTI brands, meaning they’re parts of the same company.
So how and why did Hart launch a 30″ mower at $3,900 when Ryobi has a 42″ zero-turn mower for $4,399?
Hart says that their mower can last for up to 1 acre of mowing. Ryobi says that their mower can last for up to 3 acres of mowing.
While $499 is a lot of money, why buy the Hart for $3,900 when the $4,399 Ryobi looks to be far more capable?
The Ryobi has 4 motors instead of 3, a 40% larger cutting path (42″ vs 30″), and is said to be capable of mowing 3X greater acreage (up to 3 acres vs. up to 1 acre) per battery charge. This suggests that the Ryobi has a bigger battery.
Am I the only one that thinks the Hart riding mower looks unexpectedly small and maybe even cramped?
The Ryobi looks much more comfortably sized.
EGO’s 42″ cordless zero-turn riding mower ($5,499 at Lowe’s) also looks much more comfortable.
Hart say their new mower has 3-in-1 functionality, but the bagger is sold separately. They haven’t disclosed how much it will cost.
Maybe $3,900 is the launch price, and then Walmart will drop it back a little with a “rollback.”
It this a late April Fools Day joke? If so, you got me good.
In all seriousness, I can appreciate the appeal for a smaller-sized riding mower. But, Hart doesn’t mention its small footprint or storage size in any of their marketing materials so far, suggesting that wasn’t a design motivation for them.
The Ryobi has a 40% wider cutting path, 4 motors instead of 3, and it can mow up to 3 acres on a single charge compared to the Hart’s “up to 1 acre” claim. The Ryobi costs 12.8% more than the Hart.
I am thoroughly unimpressed. The mower’s small size, meager specs, and plasticky appearance has me wondering if this is really the best Hart can do.
