by The DeWalt Rolls Second-Generation Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower has newly released. DeWalt’s first foray into the battery-powered lawn mower market was met with mixed reviews. We got our hands on the upgraded DeWalt 2x20V Max self-propelled lawn mower to see what changes they made with a new generation on the market.
Features of DeWalt 2x20V*21.5” Cordless Lawn Mower
- Model#: DeWalt DCMWSP244
- Power Source: DeWalt 20V Max or FlexVolt batteries (2 required)
- Deck: 21 1/2-Inch steel deck
- Cutting Height: 1 1/2 inches to 4 1/2 inches (6 levels)
- Estimated Runtime: 60 minutes with two 10.0Ah batteries
- Warranty: 3 years
[proscons]
Motor
This self-propelled lawn mower has the power you need, with a brushless direct drive engine that provides up to 60 minutes of runtime on a single charge**. When mulching, bagging, or utilizing the side discharge, innovative auto-sensing technology reaches greater rpms so you can cut thicker grass.
DeWalt 2x20V Max Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Performance
To check cutting power we drop the mower deck all the way down and see how well it handles 4 1/2-inch grass. In DeWalt’s case, its minimum cutting height of 1 1/2 inches did just fine cutting a clean swath through.
That shows it has lots of power, but you shouldn’t use it to mow your grass full-time. Because the mower lacks a powerful enough ejection to consistently remove all of the grass, it jams up rapidly. Even for a domestic gas mower, this isn’t unusual.
Instead of using a separate engine to drive the wheels, DeWalt opts for a more traditional belt arrangement that is connected to the front wheels. To vary your speed, the wire attached to the controls exerts increasing pressure on a pulley. You may modify the amount of pressure you exert on the driving control bars instead of using a button, dial, or slider. Our Husqvarna self-propelled mower’s controls are quite comparable.
Variable speed
A little dial may be seen under the drive control area. This adjusts the cable so that you may configure the driving bars to engage the pulley at your preferred degree of comfort. It puts less stress on the belt and pulley at “lower” speeds. Allowing a small amount of belt slide slows down your driving. You may place full belt tension on the pulley and drive at the quickest speed when you crank it up to “high” spe The design has various unintended implications. The most visible difference is that when the blade speed increases in harder grass, so does the drive speed. Prepare to let up on the driving bars a little when you come over thicker grass so you can slow down.
In and of itself, choosing front-wheel drive isn’t a poor decision. The weight has been shifted back just enough that the rubberized tires (which we adore!) can’t obtain full traction when mowing. To gain complete traction, you’ll need to apply some upward power to press the front down.
It may sound like a pain in the neck, but it’s not so awful. It doesn’t seem like you’re working any harder, even though the wheels are slipping a bit. Giving the mower that upward thrust actually allows the wheels to move the mower quicker than you would wish!
Deck Height Adjustment
There are two height adjustment locations on this DeWalt lawn mower: one on the front and one on the rear. It’s not as simple as a single-point modification, but it comes with a bonus. You may boost your bagging efficiency by setting the front height one notch higher than the back.
Cut Quality
Everything you need to bag, mulch, and side discharge is included with the DeWalt 2x20V Max Self-Propelled Lawn Mower. With how quickly our grass grows in Florida, many battery mowers simply bag and mulch, so we like the side discharge option.
Overall, the cut quality matches what we’ve come to expect from battery-powered mowers. Bags, mulching, and side discharge are all viable options. However, some models perform better in all three areas because to increased cleaning power and airflow.
We have no issues about the cut evenness. We didn’t give the mower enough overlap, which resulted in the blades standing tall. Normally, we’d chalk it up to human mistake, but with this mower, it’s more likely than with others. The blade reaches a bit farther than the wheelbase. The blade will miss a 1/2-inch to a full inch of the grass if you follow your tire tracks perfectly.
Durability
Runtime was without a doubt one of DeWalt’s first-generation mower’s main flaws. With this upgrade, it is not the case. The brushless motor used the kit’s two 10.0Ah batteries to cut for slightly over an hour on a mild cut. However, we noted a slight performance drop-off at the finish.
Expect a runtime of 45 minutes or more for most moderate trimming. On a single charge, that’s enough to cover most 1/4-acre lawns and up to 1/3-acre for some grass varieties.
Steel decks are extremely durable, and our crew loves to use them. The real 21-inch blade of the DeWalt DCMWSP244U2 2x20V is housed in a 21 1/2-inch steel deck.
Riding Comfort
If you’re used to battery-powered lawn mowers, DeWalt’s drive system architecture may be confusing. Keep in mind as we walk through it (or behind it, hehe) that this system is meant to operate similarly to gas-powered mowers.
DeWalt changed the handle design of their new mower, making the top part thinner than previously. Instead of offering you an angled portion and a flat section, it requires you to have your hands at an angle. Our group was split on how cozy it is. If you like to mow with your hands on the horizontal section of the bar, you might find the tilted handle unpleasant at first.
Accessories
The whole package of the DeWalt 2x20V self-propelled lawnmower, which includes two 10.0Ah batteries and a charger, is already available. You’re getting a mower plus a charger for $130 if you buy a two-pack of 10.0Ah batteries. That’s not half awful. In the context of the entire electric lawn mower market, the total pricing is rather appealing.
Final Verdict
The DCMWSP244 is a significant upgrade over DeWalt’s first-generation self-propelled lawn mower. There are still certain areas to consider enhancing, as well as some design features to become accustomed to. However, the $479 price tag makes it a viable option for lawns up to 1/3 acre, especially if you already own DeWalt 20V Max and FlexVolt power tools and lawn care equipment.
FAQs
DeWalt batteries take 8 hours to charge on the stock charger.
If it is not self-propelling, it’s possible that the traction control cable is damaged or misaligned. Check to see if the traction control cable slides smoothly. If the control cable is not moving smoothly, lubricate it by squirting a little quantity of oil into the cable’s end. Replace the traction control cable if lubrication is ineffective.
Expect a runtime of 45 minutes or more for most moderate trimming. On a single charge, that’s enough to cover most 1/4-acre lawns and up to 1/3-acre for some grass varieties.
Make sure the safety key is inserted before pressing back on the yellow handle and then down on the yellow push button to start the mower.
Knowing how to properly care for your DeWalt batteries will help you save time, energy, and money. Here are some tips for keeping your battery in good shape: Once completely charged, remove it from the charger: Overcharging might harm the device and reduce its lifespan.
