Menards riding mower battery. Menards Masterforce 80V OPE

Menards Masterforce 80V OPE

Are you looking for an Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) tool to buy into? If so have you ever heard of Masterforce or Menards? Don’t worry if you haven’t. Today we are going to get you familiar with Menards, Masterforce, and the Menards Masterforce 80V OPE Line.

If you are familiar with Menards and Masterforce, feel free to skip down to the Masterfocre 80V line of products.

Who is Menards

If you are in the midwest, chances are you have heard of Menards. However, if you are on the coast, Menards is probably a name you don’t know.

Menards started in 1958 by John Menards Jr. He started out building pole buildings. As his reputation increased, so did his offerings. Today Menards is in 14 states in the midwest. So as you can see, they have come a long way since 1958.

Menards is a home improvement center but it’s not your typical store. When Menards stocks their store, they go big. If you look at other home improvement centers, they might have an aisle or two of lights where Menards has a huge variety of lights, fans and more. Same with the lumber. Actually Menards will rival most dedicated lumber yards. When it comes to product, selection, and price, Menards just can’t be beaten. Heck, you can even get some groceries and personal care products as well.

Who is Masterforce

You might not have heard of Masterforce before and if you haven’t don’t sweat it. Maybe you live on the coast and never heard of Menards. If so, then Masterforce is a new name for you. Heck, even if you live in the midwest, you might not have heard of Masterforce.

So who is Masterforce? Masterforce is the house brand for Menards. (See all their products at Menards website). Right now Masterforce has products such as power tools, hand tools, accessories, and more. Today we are here because now they are offering OPE tools, which we will cover in a bit. But first I want you to understand Masterforce.

So as you would guess, Menards is a distributor so they are not in the business of manufacturing tools. So who do they use for their tool line? This was the question I wanted answering because it would tell me a lot about the commitment of Menards, the quality of the products, and if this is something I can back.

Let’s just say Menards doesn’t hold back and they work with some of the best manufacturers in the world. They work with companies that build quality tools, reliable battery platforms, and tools that offer great features.

So when I look at Menards and their commitment, I know Menards is going all out since they are working with some of the best in the business for their house brand. I know the quality is there, so I know it’s a brand I can back.

The Partnership

As you would guess, I think this is the perfect partnership. Menards is in 14 states and has a ton of foot traffic because people love the stores. As Menards is expanding their stores, they are expanding the line of tools they offer under the Masterforce brand.

With offering a quality tool in a store that has tons of foot traffic, I am glad to see Menards is expanding the house brand Masterforce into OPE and I think this is a great partnership.

Masterforce The Brand

Before we jump into the OPE tools, I want to talk about three features of these tools so I am not repeating myself for each tool.

Brushless – All Masterforce 80V OPE tools have brushless motors which means they are efficient, have longer run times, and increase the longevity of the tools.
Rapid Charger – Masterforce 80V tools come with a Rapid charger. The charger will charge a 2Ah battery in 30 minutes and a 4Ah battery in an hour.
Warranty – All 80V Masterforce OPE tools have a 4-year warranty.

Before you spend your hard-earned money on a new machine, get clear on the myths and facts about gas-powered and battery-driven lawn mowers.

By Bob Vila | Updated Sep 16, 2020 7:18 PM

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The seemingly endless cycle of summer yard maintenance often motivates homeowners to think about buying a new lawn mower, one that will make the job faster and easier, and maybe even be greener for the planet. A battery-powered mower would seem to tick all of those boxes, and with today’s growing selection of battery mowers, it only makes sense that consumers would be curious about them.

When battery-powered mowers first hit the market, they made quite a splash—no cords, no gas, no sweat! Yet, even as battery options have taken up some share of the market in recent seasons, gas-powered mowers are still reliable, go-to machines—and many models have seen key upgrades that make mowing easier. Why is that so? Well, battery run time remains a big concern: When you get a maximum of between 30 and 60 minutes on one charge, you run the risk of having to stop work in the middle of a mow—and it takes about an hour for the battery to recharge.

Also, gas-powered mowers have undergone significant technological improvements in just the past five years that have made them even more attractive. Common notions about “old-fashioned” gas mowers and “newfangled” battery mowers no longer apply. So, to help you pick the best mower for your lawn, let’s separate truth from hype right here.

MYTH #1: If healthy grass is your goal, it doesn’t matter what kind of mower you use.

It’s a rule of (green) thumb: The better the cut, the healthier the grass. The latest gas-powered mowers offer improved cut quality, thanks in part to the blade design. In an effort to maximize battery life, though, some battery-powered models alter the blades’ length and lift, which can impact the cut quality.

Another consideration: Gas mowers lose little to no power when slicing through long, thick grass or damp grass, whereas cutting tougher turf on a battery-powered mower can cause performance (not to mention battery run time) to suffer.

MYTH #2: Battery mowers cost more because they’re better machines.

On average, battery mowers cost about 50 more than their gas-powered counterparts. Then, of course, for a more accurate cost comparison, you need to factor in machine features, fuel costs for gas mowers, and replacement battery for battery-powered mowers. A self-propelled gas mower, for example, can retail as low as 269 compared to a self-propelled battery mower at 499.

But the calculations can’t stop there—you also need to account for each mower’s life expectancy. Gas mowers are more durable; they simply last longer. In terms of engine life, a gas mower will run for 10 years or more, while a battery-powered mower will need to be replaced after about five years, on average. What’s more, as the battery ages, its run time degrades up to 6 percent a year (or sometimes even more, depending on the size of the battery, yard size, average annual use, yard conditions, and storage).

MYTH #3: Gas-powered mowers are a hassle to maintain.

It used to be the case that those of us who wanted the power and cut quality of a gas mower had to put up with messy, time-consuming oil changes. Not anymore, thanks to recent innovations like the Just Check Add™ Technology available on new Briggs Stratton engines. This feature allows you to simply check oil levels and fill as needed—no oil change necessary, ever!

MYTH #4: Battery mowers are easier to start and stow.

Homeowners may be attracted to a battery mower for its fast starts and easy storage. Battery mowers are activated by inserting a key and pushing a button or pulling a lever, and many models are also collapsible, so they don’t take up much room. But before you rush off and buy a battery-powered mower, know that for newer gas mowers, clunky starts and bulky storage have become things of the past. For example, there’s no need to yank a pull cord on gas mowers equipped with a push-button start. And some gas mowers offer a foldaway feature that lets you store the machine upright in small spaces, without risk of fuel or oil leaks. You literally mow and stow.

MYTH #5: If you care about the environment, you’ll go for a battery mower.

It’s true that battery mowers have zero emissions, but remember this: Recharging batteries uses electricity, which may come from coal-powered plants. Additionally, there’s the dilemma of having to dispose of the battery when it dies. Ecologically minded consumers should also be aware that today’s gas-powered mowers are much cleaner in terms of emissions than models sold just 10 years ago. In fact, in accordance with emissions standards, they’re 35 to 75 percent cleaner, depending on the model and age of the machine. And because noise pollution is also an issue, know that gas engines have come a long way in that department, too. Mowers powered by Briggs Stratton engines with Quiet Power Technology, for instance, are up to 50 percent quieter than standard gas models.

It’s clearer than ever to me why gas-powered mowers have dominated the market for so long. To learn more about the latest innovations available on today’s high-tech, high-performance gas lawn mowers, visit www.betterwithbriggs.com.

This content has been brought to you by Briggs Stratton. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.

The 6 Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mowers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Michelle Ullman is a home decor expert and product reviewer for home and garden products. She has been writing about home decor for over 10 years for publications like BobVila.com and Better Homes Gardens, among others.

Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals.

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

If you dream of a lush, green lawn, but dread the maintenance involved in keeping it that way, then a self-propelled lawn mower can make your life easier. These mowers not only power the blades but also power the wheels to make your pushing requirements little more than guiding the machine across the grass.

Brock Ingham, gardener, landscaper, and founder of the website Bigger Garden, says, The main advantage of a self-propelled mower is that it requires less effort to operate than a push mower. This can be beneficial for people with large lawns or those who have difficulty pushing a mower due to physical limitations. Self-propelled mowers can also provide a more consistent cut, since the speed is controlled by the mower rather than the operator. Overall, a self-propelled lawn mower can make mowing easier and more efficient.

Henry Bravo, founder and editor-in-chief of SmartGardenHome.com, adds, Self-propelled lawnmowers are much easier to maneuver around obstacles, and they can handle uneven terrain without a problem. Plus, I can adjust the speed so I can mow quickly or at a slower, more leisurely pace. And I love that I can easily switch between mulching, side discharge, and bagging capabilities.

We bought and tested several self-propelled mowers, both gas and electric, and evaluated many others based on their power, the size of lawn they can handle, their options for handling grass clippings, their range of cutting heights, the easiness of using the mower, and their overall value.

Best Overall

EGO Power Select Cut 56-Volt 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

Variable-speed self-propel
Generous battery runtime
Fast recharging
Folds for compact storage

Earning the top spot in our tests is a battery lawn mower that rivals the power of a gas mower but without the smelly fumes, the oil changes, or the frustrating pull cord. Instead, this self-propelled mower from EGO has a 56-volt, 7.5-Ah battery that provides up to 60 minutes of runtime on a single charge; that’s enough to mow most lawns up to a 0.5 acre and more than enough for our small yard. We put the mower to the test in early spring, mowing a lawn just out of winter dormancy that was patchy, wet, and ferny.

Other than attaching the bag, assembling the mower was easy. And a mere press of the button brought it roaring to life. This mower has a 21-inch cutting deck and a one-hand lever that adjusts the cutting heights through six different settings for grass heights of 1.5 to 4 inches. We found it very easy to adjust.

The lawn mower easily handles all common types of lawn grass, including tougher warm-season varieties like Bermudagrass, zoysia, and St. Augustine. A few buyers have complained that it struggles to lift overly tall grass high enough for an even cut. However, we found that it struggled a bit in the wet grass as well, becoming stuck at one point in a ferny patch. Aside from that, it delivers a precise and crisp cut that is sure to impress.

The speed of the mower is variable, so you can set it to match your stride from a leisurely 0.9 mph up to a brisk 3.1 mph. As this was our first time using a self-propelled mower, there was a bit of a learning curve. At first, it felt like the mower was pulling us along. However, we soon got the hang of it and appreciated the ease of adjusting the mower’s speed. We also liked the adjustable handle, which made it more comfortable to mow.

We found that the mower was easy to maneuver, even around obstacles or sharp turns. As the self-propelled function does most of the heavy work, this is also a great mower for yards with slopes. At nine inches in diameter, the mower’s wheels are fairly large, and it is rear-wheel drive, which also helps when mowing over rough terrain or hilly areas. You can dispose of the grass clippings in the included 2-bushel bag, discharge them to the side, or mulch them into fine clippings to quickly decompose them into healthful lawn nutrients. This mower even has a LED headlight, so you can mow early in the morning or at dusk to take advantage of mild temperatures.

Most of the mower’s construction is heavy-duty plastic for weather and rust resistance, but that might not be as durable as steel, although we felt it seemed quite sturdy. Once you finish mowing, the handle folds all the way down for easy storage. We really appreciated this feature, as the mower doesn’t take up as much room in the garage. This mower comes with a 56-volt battery and a fast charger that has the battery ready to go in just an hour.

How It Performed Long-Term

We are extremely satisfied with the performance of the lawn mower, particularly with how long the battery lasts. It can easily handle mowing the lawn three times without requiring a recharge. Even when it does need to be recharged, it only takes around 20 minutes. The mower is also highly effective when dealing with thick, tall grass and can even tackle 10 days of uncut grass without issue. Additionally, it can handle damp grass and leaves with ease. Initially, it took some time to become familiar with turning it on and utilizing the self-propel feature, but once we did, mowing the lawn became a breeze.

Price at time of publish: 549

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Power Source: Battery | Weight: 62.6 pounds | Grass Discard Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

Warranty Information

CRAFTSMAN® tools are backed by some of the strongest warranties in the market today. If you have a product that requires repair or replacement under warranty, simply return the product to the original place of purchase for repair or replacement, depending on the warranty coverage outlined below. Or create an account to register your product and view its warranty coverage.

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Note: Same warranty for all new CRAFTSMAN® models (Model # starting with “CMHT”) and older models (Model # starting with “9”). No proof of purchase required. Return damaged product to a stocking Retail Partner or contact Customer Care at (888) 331-4569 or using the form here for details.

THIS WARRANTY EXCLUDES ALL INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from State to State.

Simple Design(e.g. Oil Filter Wrench, 32-Blade Feeler Gauge, 4 pc. Pry Bar Set, Battery Terminal Brush, Battery Terminal Spreader, Gasket Scraper, 2 pc. Magnetic Bowl Set, Magnetic Pickup Tool 2-lb, Wire Spark Plug Gauge, Oil Filter Wrench, Digital Tire Gauge)

Note: Same warranty for all new CRAFTSMAN® models (Model # starting with “CMMT”) and older models (Model # starting with “9”). No proof of purchase required. Return damaged product to a stocking Retail Partner or contact Customer Care at (888) 331-4569 or using the form here for details.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from State to State.

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTYIf a product from the product lines below states that it comes with a limited lifetime warranty and fails to perform due to defects in material or workmanship, we will replace it. This warranty is extended only to the original end-user purchaser of the product.

Simple Design(e.g. Oil Filter Wrench, 32-Blade Feeler Gauge, 4 pc. Pry Bar Set, Battery Terminal Brush, Battery Terminal Spreader, Gasket Scraper, 2 pc. Magnetic Bowl Set, Magnetic Pickup Tool 2-lb, Wire Spark Plug Gauge, Oil Filter Wrench, Digital Tire Gauge)

Note: Same warranty for all new CRAFTSMAN® models (Model # starting with “CMMT”) and older models (Model # starting with “9”). Because we cannot control the quality of products sold by unauthorized sellers, this warranty applies only if the product was purchased from us or one of our authorized sellers, unless otherwise prohibited by law. We reserve the right to reject warranty claims for products purchased from unauthorized sellers, including unauthorized internet sites. Proof of purchase showing when and where you purchased the product may be required. Return damaged product to a stocking authorized Retail Partner or contact Customer Care at (888) 331-4569 or using the form here.

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES. ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. WE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.SOME STATES AND COUNTRIES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, OR THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE AND COUNTRY TO COUNTRY.