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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192 Points
- Disappointed
Posted 9 months ago
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2,976 Points
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13,290 Points
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192 Points
Oregon Mike, Champion
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55,080 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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192 Points
Thanks, Oregon Mike & Rick F. You're probably right - I had let the grass get a bit on the longish side this time.
1st of all, it's not a 21" mower. It's a 21" mower deck with a 19.250". My orig. mower blade was terrible, I ordered the "high lift", but didn't work that much better, but still does not lift the grass. My neighbors do not have this mower and their grass gets cut evenly. I've been cutting grass now for over 65 years and although I like this EGO, I'm unhappy with the way it cut grass. I live in the SW where it gets very hot and the grass can burn if cut too short. I've keep the blades sharp and clean; as well as the underside, free of built up, cutting a level lawn. The price paid for this machine would leave me to believe it would cut the grass even, and not push uncut grass back down. Say, good ideas on cleaning the bag....I'm going to clean my with my air compressor. One last note: Anyway experience a trail of cut grass left behind the back wheels?
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18,594 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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18,594 Points
that is the correct part number
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1,352 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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192 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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178,374 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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54,002 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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178,374 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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192 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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13,042 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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