What advice can you give me about electric lawnmowers? I have a problem using gas-powered mowers...I'm 5 feet, zero inches tall...when I try to pull the cord back to start the mower, my arm does not reach back far enough to pull it as far as it needs to go!!! It still needs to go back a couple of inches to start! Since I'm tired of having to have other people start it for me , I'm considering an electric mower or a gas-powered mower with an electric start.

Have you had any experience with these? Which would be better? I've heard that the batteries on electric mowers have to be replaced frequently, so it could get to be expensive. Would a gas mower with an electric start solve my problem, so I could easily start the mower by myself?

Thanks for your advice.

Gas powered lawnmowers with electric start are a major nuisance in my opinion, you still have all the problems with a gas engine and also with the battery you need for starting. What I have found least of a problem as far as lawn mowers are concerned is an electric mower without battery. All it takes is an outdoor receptacle and enough extension cord to cover the size of your lawn. Once you get used to it, the handle flips both ways and keeps the cord from getting in the way. And it starts and stops with the flip of the switch and release of the handle.

The trick to starting a gas mower is not how far you pull the rope, it's how fast you pull it.
A quick jerk on the rope is better.
My wife is 5'1" and has no problem starting ours.
(PULL)

KesMan, I tried a different mower last night (a regular gas mower) and it was significantly easier to start. I guess I must just have a crummy mower (it's always been difficult for everyone to start, but especially for me). It's good to know they are not ALL that hard to start, and that I am not as wimpy as I thought!

FrankVan, thanks for the info about electrics. I had one other reason for considering buying one: in my area, there are "Spare The Air" days, where people are asked not to use gas-powered lawn equipment because of the bad air-quality. I don't think many people have converted to electric in my area, but it might be a good idea. Next time I purchase a mower, I'll look at the kind you described (without a battery).