HART 30-inch Riding Lawn Mower Offers Battery-Powered Gas-Free-dom
HART invited us to Anderson, South Carolina in 2022 for an outdoor event highlighting some of its newest batter-powered tools. As it turned out, through HART Tools, Walmart shoppers can now purchase their 30-inch riding mower in-store. We got to spend some quality time testing the mower personally on lots of grass to get a feel for who might be a good fit for this small riding mower.
HART Battery-Powered Riding Lawn Mower Controls
HART uses a very familiar interface to control their 30-inch riding mower. As you might expect, the turn of a key fires it up (though it’s silent at that point). Next, release the parking brake and pull up on the red blade activator knob when you’re ready to engage the cutting blades.
If you go into reverse using the foot pedal, the blades will automatically stop. If you want to go in reverse while keeping the blades running, press the “Reverse Mode Option” button on the control panel. It allows the blades to stay running until you shut off the mower.
You Can Mulch, Bag, or Use the Side Discharge
As with most riding mowers, it comes configured for side discharge. HART Tools does include a mulch plug so you can also operate it in mulching mode (perfect for those of us in Florida). HART Tools also plans several optional bagging options. The first uses a traditional bag while the other has a blower assist. The assisted bagger includes a blower that clears the tube with 700 CFM of air. Just press the “Clear Bagger Chute” button on the control panel to activate it.
Comfort
The HART 30-0inch riding mower features a cushioned, spring seat to ease your ride. It doesn’t include armrests and we’ve definitely sat in more comfortable seats—particularly larger mowers that feature air cushion systems. With the Hart Riding Mower targeting smaller lawns, you likely won’t be in the seat as long as those with larger properties.
Additional Highlights
- LED headlight for early morning or late evening cutting
- 1 1/2 to 4 1/2-inch deck height with single-point adjustment
- Fits through 42-inch gates
- Maintenance-free design
HART 30-inch Riding Lawn Mower Performance
A New 80V Battery System
Coming out with an 80V battery system makes for a huge leap for HartOne of the big deals for HART is this mower jumps up to a completely new voltage level for them: 80-volt. Twin 15-inch blades handle the cutting while three brushless motors take care of driving them and the rear wheels.
Cutting
With acres of grass to test on, we gave the Hart riding mower quite a workout. The size and overall design remind me of the old Snapper rear-engine model I used to use as a kid. Even being over 6 feet tall, I could still comfortably ride this mower once I slid the seat all the way back.
Vary the speed using the right-side pedal. For reverse, a secondary pedal right behind the main one lets you guide the mower backward. That differs from some other models we’ve used which have a rocker switch in the control cluster.
Even though I didn’t get an accurate speed, it moved quickly through the grass as it cut. We did see some loss of cut quality when at full throttle.
The test cutting I performed occurred on grass that I would consider higher than what I’d expect to see on a normal weekly cut. The blade motors kept up the RPMs, however, and the mower never stalled or failed to make it through a higher area of grass. Even dropping the mower deck down to its lowest position let me effectively cut. Slowing down helped me maintain good cut quality.
Runtime
The two internal 80V batteries aren’t removable. The HART Tools super-charger plugs directly into the mower and recharges the onboard batteries in about two hours. Expect to operate the mower for around an hour and cover an acre on one charge.
HART 30-inch Riding Lawn Mower Price
HART is putting its riding lawn mower in select Walmart stores and online for $3,999 starting May 1, 2022. Both the mower and the battery have a 5-year warranty.
The Bottom Line
The HART 80V battery-powered riding lawn mower does its best work on lawns from 1/4 to a full acre. It’s an easy mower to learn and use, and it’s not as intimidating as moving all the way to a zero-turn mower. If you’re a homeowner who wants to make your weekly lawn chores easier than using a walk-behind mower and leaving gas behind sounds appealing, this is a good fit for you.
Specifications
- Model: HART H80RM01
- Power Source: 2 x internal 80V batteries
- Deck Size: 30 inches
- Blades: 2 x 15-inch
- Coverage Area: Up to 1 acre
- Price: $3999
- Warranty: 5 years
