Tool Box Buzz

Makita LXT X2 Cordless Lawnmower XML08PT1

Makita Cordless Brushless Lawnmower XML08PT1

Manufacturer: Makita
Model number: XML08PT1
Price: 699.00
Power source: 36v [2-18v]
Motor size: cordless

Makita 18V X2 (36V) LXT® Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless 21″ Self‑Propelled Lawn Mower Kit with 4 Batteries (5.0Ah) XML08PT1

Specifications and Features

• Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive Self Propelled 1.5 to 3 MPH
• Deck Size: 21″
• Cutting Height: 1-1/4″-4″
• No gas, emissions, oil mixing, or pull starts
• Self-propelled with variable speed (1.5 MPH – 3 MPH)
• 4 bay battery system for 2 times more run time
• Powered by (2) 18V LXT® batteries with the option to insert (2) additional batteries for extended run time
• Commercial-grade steel deck
• 3-in-1 design allows for mulching, bagging, or side discharge
• 2,800 RPM
• Quiet mode reduces noise by providing constant speed control at 2,300 RPM
• Grass catcher bag holds up to 2 bushels of grass

First Impressions of the Makita XML08PT1 21″ Lawnmower

I was able to do some extended testing with the Makita after our cordless lawnmower head-to-head. The Makita has the look and feel of a mower that was built for daily nonstop use by professional landscapers. The Makita features large-diameter rubber over-molded wheels, a steel deck, and everything about it is tight and made to stand up to some hard use. Screws and bolts hold everything together including the handle (which is not adjustable or foldable without a wrench). Almost all of the moving parts are metal. In short, this high-quality tool is made for the long haul.

Getting lost in the weeds

During this testing I used this mower for work is was not designed for. Knocking down a field of very tall weeds and grass. This was a torture test for sure and while the mower did bog down occasionally it still completed the task with little complaint and usually just requiring some grass and weeds to be cleared out of the chute. Mowing in more normal situations was easy, and other than the much quieter motor and lack of gas fumes felt just like using a gas-powered mower.

The old-school style metal handle and safety bar are no frills but I personally find this style more comfortable than the fatter, rubber over-mold handles found on many cordless electric mowers.

This mower is heavy with the heavy-duty steel deck and 4 batteries on board but it was easy to maneuver in and around obstacles. The self-propelling feature keeps the mower moving at a good clip and makes larger mowing jobs go quicker and easier. The bagging feature works great and collects the vast majority of clippings during use. During our head to head, we did a runtime test, the Makita XML08PT1 ran 83 minutes, and mowed 35,000 Sq. Ft. with 4 6.0 Ah batteries.

Noise

One of the biggest questions readers have asked about cordless mowers seems to be how much noise do they make?

We did a basic decibel test to measure the sound pressure of this mower to get an idea of how much noise it makes. The test consisted of running the mower with the deck raised to its midpoint level sitting on the concrete slab floor in a large barn decibel meter at approximately user height. The decibel meter used an ITU-R 468 frequency rating.

We ran the test for enough time to have the mower reach a maximum and stable rpm speed. Makita registered at only 80.5 dB about the same as garbage disposal. This is well below the OSHA limit requiring hearing protection over a period of an 8-hour shift.

For reference, the average gas lawnmower produces approximately 95 – 100 dB. Compared to a 100 dB noise level, the Makita XMLPT081 mower reduces the sound energy you hear by over 20 times compared to a loud gas mower. (decibels are a logarithmic scale, 14 decibels difference is approximately 20 times louder). Many communities have adopted noise restrictions that limit the time that you can mow with a gas mower. Please note that the sound pressure value was measured while running on top of a concrete slab. In practice, the Makita mower would be much quieter when used on a lawn.

Storage and Transport

The design intent for Makita’s engineers and designers was to produce a mower for the pro-market. To this end, the Makita’s handle does not fold for storage. This makes for a mower that has fewer moving parts and therefore fewer potential points of failure. Pro landscapers are all about efficiency and speed so a folding handle is a no-go as that keeps them from getting on and off the job more quickly. For the home user, this may be a non-issue if you have a good amount of space and don’t want to fiddle with a folding handle. But it could be a deal-breaker for some.

One of the nice things about this mower is the big handles on the front of the deck and the back of the mower. Allowing it to be easily picked up and put in the back of a truck or trailer.

Overall

This is a great mower designed and built with the professional in mind and the price and reflects that. The only downside I can find to this mower is the lack of a folding handle. . If you are in the market for a self-propelled mower take a look at the Makita XMLPT081

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.