My 21” self-propelled mower has been performing poorly since I first began to use it this summer, with "strips" of higher grass visible in cut paths and clumps of grass not being vacuumed up into the bag. Tried checking here online for solutions to these issues but found little help and so I have been mowing back over these left-over strips, re-cutting them, which doesn’t give me confidence with EGO. This week a new issue has begun, where mower revs-up at random - it sounds stressed, with higher RPMs. As a result, the mower’s already poor suction is now much worse, failing to vacuum substantial amounts of cut grass into bag, leaving massive amounts of grass on the lawn and not in the bag, which I had to rake up by hand. Not happy about this and have attached a photo. I will call the Customer Support number tomorrow but thought I’d see what other EGO mower owners have discovered about these issues, with perhaps some solutions. Thanks. 
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222 Points
- Disappointed
Posted 11 months ago
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2,976 Points
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13,858 Points
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222 Points
Oregon Mike, Champion
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62,964 Points
Some other thoughts...
The mower speed revs when the mower encounters a thick, high, patch of yard. Usually, in my experience anyway, tall grass in abundance. It speeds up to help get through it. So, that's normal.
Based on your picture, it looks like you are trying to cut too much grass at once. Meaning try and only remove an inch or less each time you mow. Which might require mowing more often during your growing season. (Not necessarily a bad thing with an EGO mower?)
The usual; make sure grass is dry and blade is sharp. I thought mine was pretty sharp out of the box, but once I sharpened it what a difference.
There have been comments about the mower height increasing when the sp function is used. That might be what you are seeing (bagging problem aside). Since your yard looks pretty flat, maybe mow without sp as much as possible?
Bagging... ensure you are keeping the underside of the mower free from buildup. Also be sure to check bag contents from time to time, especially if you are mowing taller grass. It will fill the bag pretty quickly.
Also, you might try applying upward pressure on the handlebar to force the nose of the mower down a bit. Seems that's been a help for some.
And, this one. Only because I did it once. Make sure you don't have the mulching plug installed when you want to bag the clippings. Your picture looks exactly like what I saw when I accidentally left the plug in mine. LOL
The mower speed revs when the mower encounters a thick, high, patch of yard. Usually, in my experience anyway, tall grass in abundance. It speeds up to help get through it. So, that's normal.
Based on your picture, it looks like you are trying to cut too much grass at once. Meaning try and only remove an inch or less each time you mow. Which might require mowing more often during your growing season. (Not necessarily a bad thing with an EGO mower?)
The usual; make sure grass is dry and blade is sharp. I thought mine was pretty sharp out of the box, but once I sharpened it what a difference.
There have been comments about the mower height increasing when the sp function is used. That might be what you are seeing (bagging problem aside). Since your yard looks pretty flat, maybe mow without sp as much as possible?
Bagging... ensure you are keeping the underside of the mower free from buildup. Also be sure to check bag contents from time to time, especially if you are mowing taller grass. It will fill the bag pretty quickly.
Also, you might try applying upward pressure on the handlebar to force the nose of the mower down a bit. Seems that's been a help for some.
And, this one. Only because I did it once. Make sure you don't have the mulching plug installed when you want to bag the clippings. Your picture looks exactly like what I saw when I accidentally left the plug in mine. LOL
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20,460 Points
Not since I got the HL blade. I'm in northern Cal and using the standard blade, the cut was not good enough for me. The HL blade cleans the grass well of debris/leaves and also lifts the grass so as not to leave a wheel-track behind.
Can u verify the HL blade part no? Home depot sent me a AB2101, internet no. 301230960 21 in blade and it certainly does not eliminate cut grass behind the rear wheels.
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20,460 Points
that is the correct part number
I had to modify my side exhaust chute to move the cut grass from behind the mower to get it off to the side. This mower is long on hype but short on performance. There is a blind spot that does not get cut when you use the self propelled feature. The mower does not have enough LIFT to move the cut grass either into the bag or off to the side. The mulching feature is USELESS. it simply leaves a pile of cut grass behind the mower on every pass. The idea is great, but the engineering is just not there yet.
This mower is not worth $500, you can get a very powerful gas mower for $395 which will moves the cut grass. In the spring when the rain is heavy and the grass is high, this mower just does not match up as far as performance goes. I have 20 days left to decide if I want to return the mower.
This mower is not worth $500, you can get a very powerful gas mower for $395 which will moves the cut grass. In the spring when the rain is heavy and the grass is high, this mower just does not match up as far as performance goes. I have 20 days left to decide if I want to return the mower.
Ken, Champion
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72,258 Points
Do you live in the South, with a tough grass like St. Augustine? Those folks seem to struggle with Ego mowers and benefit from sharpening the blades.
I've never had a problem the few times I've bagged, and I very much disagree that mulching is useless. This is a photo of my yard right after a recent mow, using self-propulsion, and the mulching was close to flawless. I don't know what more you could want.
I've never had a problem the few times I've bagged, and I very much disagree that mulching is useless. This is a photo of my yard right after a recent mow, using self-propulsion, and the mulching was close to flawless. I don't know what more you could want.
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1,514 Points
All above suggestions sound good.
Also, someone mentioned before that the blade had been installed upside down at the factory in some early shipments. Perhaps it still occurs occasionally?
I have the EGO snow thrower and a regular electric "plug-in" lawn mower that has a steel deck and has operated faithfully for over 2 years now.
I know this is not a useful solution for people with lawns beyond the reach of a 100-foot cord, so I hope EGO shows monumental improvements then I might consider the higher cost of buying a battery powered lawn mower.
Also, someone mentioned before that the blade had been installed upside down at the factory in some early shipments. Perhaps it still occurs occasionally?
I have the EGO snow thrower and a regular electric "plug-in" lawn mower that has a steel deck and has operated faithfully for over 2 years now.
I know this is not a useful solution for people with lawns beyond the reach of a 100-foot cord, so I hope EGO shows monumental improvements then I might consider the higher cost of buying a battery powered lawn mower.
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212 Points
Thanks, Walt. I've ordered the high-lift in any case so will make sure I install it correctly.
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,712 Points
Mark, when was the last time you washed the bag?
I noticed a dramatic increase in airflow through the bag when I started washing it on a regular basis. To do this I spray it with the hose from the outside forcing all the debris back in through the bag fibers.
If your grass bag has never been washed, I would guess there’s a good chance this will help your situation if the above suggestions don’t help.
Also, make sure your blade is good and sharp. A dull blade can really ruin the cutting performance of a mower. Many people sharpen their Ego blades several times a season depending on the size of the yard.
I noticed a dramatic increase in airflow through the bag when I started washing it on a regular basis. To do this I spray it with the hose from the outside forcing all the debris back in through the bag fibers.
If your grass bag has never been washed, I would guess there’s a good chance this will help your situation if the above suggestions don’t help.
Also, make sure your blade is good and sharp. A dull blade can really ruin the cutting performance of a mower. Many people sharpen their Ego blades several times a season depending on the size of the yard.
Oregon Mike, Champion
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61,206 Points
I recently used my leaf blower to clean my mower bag. Held the bag up so it was hanging open and operated the blower from the outside rear of the bag. It did blow out a fair amount of debris and airflow through the bag when I went to mow seemed to be improved. I wasn't really seeing much in the way of reduced airflow before cleaning other than a bit more grass right at the entrance to the bag when I'd check bag fullness while mowing. Definitely keeping the bag clean helps with airflow and clipping collection into the bag.
Blue Angel, Champion
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178,712 Points
Great point Mike! I should have mentioned that I also blow the bag out with the blower after every use. Every 4 to 6 weeks I wash the bag out with the hose because I find there’s some buildup inside the bag that the blower just can’t get out. I have a feeling it’s the wet juicy grass bits that build up over time.
(Edited)
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222 Points
Thanks, Blue Angel. I haven't washed it yet - but will. Your suggestion makes sense. And I'll use my leaf blower like Oregon Mike said.
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13,766 Points
Thanks guys! Never tried that either - tho I use my bag only about twice per season.
Mark Cameron Boyd
Amber F., Official EGO Rep
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