Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22025 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Solaris
• Model: EP21H
• Released on: 2009-03-09

Features

• Most advanced electric motor technology equals more power and longer run times
• 7 position height adjustment from 1.5-inch to 3.5-inch
• Removable Batteries Featuring On-Board And Off-Board Charging
• Push Button Start With LED Battery Level Indicator
• 2 Year Limited Warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Powerful. Pollution-free. Low-maintenance. Combining strength and innovation, the Epic 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Rear-Wheel Drive Self-Propelled Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Lawn Mower is an extra-wide rotary mower that cuts the average yard in one charge. Thanks to its high-performance motor, the Epic is the first cordless lawn mower with self-propelled rear-wheel drive, making this mower perfect for hilly or dense terrain.

Features include a self-propelled option for cutting on small or sloping lawns.See More.

Accessories include an optional solar panel (not included).

The Terra Phase High-Performance Motor provides enough power to cut long, thick, or wet grass.See More.

The quiet, zero-emission design is advantageous for you, your neighbors, and the environment.See More.

The cordless Epic requires no gas, oil, or cords, cutting maintenance to a happy minimum.See More.

Easy Maneuvering with Self-Propelled Rear-Wheel Drive
If you are seeking the low-maintenance, zero-emission benefits of a cordless mower but don't want to forgo power and mobility, the Epic is the answer. A combination of strength and innovation, the Epic is the first cordless mower with self-propelled rear-wheel drive. This feature allows you to mow on sloping terrain, a great advantage when tackling small or hilly lawns.

Hassle-Free, Emission-Free, and Extra Quiet
With the Epic it's simple: just push and go. This cutting-edge mower requires no engine maintenance and absolutely no gas, oil, or cords. So when you decide it's time to mow, you can get right to work without wasting valuable time on upkeep. The hassle-free design also means you can store the mower (even upside down or hanging on the wall) without worrying about spills.

To save you time, the Epic also boasts a three-in-one capacity to mow using the side discharge, mulch, or bag. Its handy mulching ability eliminates the need for an additional mulching device. The side-discharge and bag components on the deck allow for efficient waste collection, and the wide 21-inch cut capability speeds up the mowing process.

Producing zero emissions and no greenhouse gases, this mower is perfect for anyone who is looking for an easy way to protect the environment. And if you are someone who wants to reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible, you can choose to recharge the Epic with an optional solar panel (sold separately), which makes mowing your lawn absolutely carbon neutral. Plus, the quiet motor helps make lawn maintenance more relaxing while reducing noise pollution in your neighborhood.

High-Performance Motor Cuts Long or Wet Grass
The superb Terra Phase High-Performance Motor has a brushless, electric construction, which increases the mower's run-times for maximum efficiency and gives the mower the torque to cut through long, thick, or wet grass. Using this state of the art technology and a durable solid steel deck keeps the Epic performing and looking like new for the long term.

Powerful Batteries Let You Tackle Your Lawn in One Charge
An average lot (7,000 to 10,000 square feet) can be cut in just one charge of the Epic's highly efficient batteries. The included batteries only take 12 hours to charge, or they can be charged in four to five hours with the Rapid Charger Station sold separately. Charging can be done on board the mower with the built-in charging plug, or you can remove the batteries and recharge them using the included off-board charging cradle. Also, a built-in LED battery level indicator on the mower keeps you in-the-know about your battery power levels.

What's in the Box
Epic 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Rear Wheel Drive Self Propelled Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Lawn Mower #EP21H, two batteries, charger, off board charging cradle, and manual.

From the Manufacturer
The revolutionary Epic EP21H 21-Inch 24-Volt Cordless Rear Wheel Drive Self Propelled Bag/Mulch/Side Discharge Lawn Mower outperforms gasoline mowers with a touch of a button. Featuring Terra Phase Brushless Motor Technology - the future of lawn mowing is here. And here is why: Superior cut, Longer life, Quieter operation - Neighbor Friendly, Easier to start (push button), Easier to handle (self propelled), No spills (flip to sharpen or store without spills), Convenient to store (can hang on the wall), No Gas/No Oil/No Emissions, Can be powered by a solar panel, More economical to operate. The Epic Cordless Electric Self Propelled Lawnmower is powered by the Terra Phase Power System, is rear wheel drive self propelled, has a 3 in 1 steel deck (includes side discharge, bag and mulching option), no gas/no oil/no emissions, is quieter than a gas mower, includes a push button easy start system, no engine maintenance is required, features a LED battery power indicator, and On and off board charging options. If the Epic Lawn Mower is purchased with the solar panel option, it will produce no greenhouse gasses and no pollution of any kind. The solar panel will recharge the batteries in approximately 3 sunny days or 4-5 cloudy days. The lawn mower is self propelled, easy to use, and will typically cut 7,000 to 10,000 sq. ft of grass per charge depending on conditions. Offering consumers a viable electric alternative when choosing to replace their gas mower. The total pollution generated by all gasoline-powered lawn mowers is the equivalent pollution generated by 1.7 million cars; all of this pollution would be eliminated if they were replaced by Epic mowers. In addition, gas mower users regularly spill fuel during fill-ups; that all adds up to the amount of fuel contained in 2,800 tanker trucks. That too, would be eliminated by using Epic mowers.

Customer Reviews

First Generation Cordless
I've had this for about two weeks but just had a chance to use it today. I was very impressed at how quiet it was. Even my wife made a comment about how nice it was not hearing the noise of our gas mower wile she worked in the office. I wasn't sure what to expect as we have a large corner lot and several clumps of thick crabgrass spread throughout the yard. I didn't take it easy on the mower. I used the same cutting height as my gas mower and I left in the mulch plug just so I could compare them side by side. There really wasn't much difference between my 6.5hp 21 inch Yard Man and my new Epic Electric. As I ran them side-by-side they both choked in the same places on thick grass (about 8 inches high) on the first mowing of the season. I did notice that the Epic left some tall grass standing after the cut but I'm guessing that will even out after the grass fills in. It did not leave any clumps of cut grass and even did a better job of mulching than my gas mower. I think it is a winner.

Pros:
First one in my neighborhood.
60% less noise than a gas mower.
Instant on.
Self-Propel works well. Took me along at a nice clip.
Comfortable handle and controls.
Steel deck. Looks like it should last a long time.
Yard looks nice. I was impressed how well it mulches.

Cons:
Manual is a joke. The one for the charger is in broken English. Luckily it is easy to assemble and run.
There is a key in the battery area but no clear directions how to remove it.You have to rock it either forward or backwards with a pretty good push to get it to snap out. I was afraid the first time I did it that I would break it but it is strong plastic.
There is a black adapter you have to put on the batteries (facing each other) if you want to charge the batteries out of the mower. Put them in position first as they are heavy and hard to move after they are connected.
When you engage the Self-Propel it kind of pulls you quickly for a second and then it slows to a normal pace. Took me a couple of times to get the hang of it.

It's good to go GREEN!

Runs great
The Epic 21-Inch 24-volt cordless mower appears to work very well. The batteries were about 75% charged when we received the mower. Our grass had not been cut all spring and we had just had two days of rain. The weeds were about 3' tall and the grass is about 6" tall. The mower encountered no more difficulty in this tall wet grass than a regular gas mower.

Noise: makes about a 1/3 of the noise of a gas mower

Speed: the self-propel is too fast if the self-propel is fully squeezed

Blade: spins up when first started (takes about five seconds). No noticeable difference in cutting performance if the self-propel is used. If the mower cuts out to protect the engine in very thick & tall grass, the safety switch must be released to restart the mower.

Mulch: at least as effective as gas mulcher

Power: there are no polariy indicators on the mower or external charger. However, the battery shapes only allow for a single charging configuration.

Packing: the poorly packaged, which created a few minor scratches. But, it's a mower, so it will get more soon.

Charger: neither the on-board or external chargers have charging indicators, so not sure how long it takes to charge batteries. The external charger can handle both batteries simultaneously, which is convenient.

Safety: the green key between the batteries is easily removed -- pull forward or back. Leaving the key in when the mower is not in use will cause the unit to beep.

Defective, of course
So you do hours of research on the mower you want and settle on this self-propelled electric mower. It's perfect! Low maintenance. Quiet. Very green. And the wife says "I don't know, it never seems to work out when you buy these cutting edge things." And you say "Not to worry, it'll work." You take the plunge. Then the mower comes and you try it out. Something is not right. The power is running out too fast. Maybe the batteries weren't fully charged? Charge and try again. Again the mower cuts off after only a short time. Maybe a minute. Use the self-propulsion and it cuts out after only a few seconds. Sometimes it won't start and I get an LED warning that there's a "fault."

Just great.

Contacted the manufacturer and they didn't seem to think it was the batteries... faulty wiring or controller, maybe. Had me do some tests. They weren't able to nail it down after a few days and the spouse brought down the hammer. Back to Amazon it went.

One defective item does NOT mean this is a bad product line... but I thought I would share my experience.