My Ego 21″ self propelled electric lawnmower started on its third self propel unit failure back in June of 2019. For those keeping track, I bought the Ego 21″ mower back in April 2017, and it’s self propel unit failed in October of 2017 I took it to Home Depot to be repaired (which took 6 weeks) and the repaired self propel unit lasted until July of 2018. Ego customer support was nice enough to send out a replacement mower that time, so my downtime was only 10-15 days, and I was hopeful that the replacement mower might have a better self propel unit in it. Unfortunately, that one started to fail in June of 2019, so it looks like the lifespan of my self propel units are 4 months, 10 months and 11-16 months.
So, back in June 2019, the self propel unit just stopped working much like it had previously. I called Ego customer support and they offered to ship me a replacement mower. We had that all set up, but the next day I went out to push-mow the rest of my lawn, and lo-and-behold, the self propel unit had “reset” and was working again! So I called Ego back and canceled the replacement. Unfortunately, although the self propel unit had not totally failed, it had not fully recovered, and still had some issues that got gradually worse over time. Specifically, the top speed was reduced, and over the next several months, the power and top speed appeared to keep dropping. Eventually it got to a point where it would not propel the mower up a slight hill without me assisting. Eventually, in January of 2020, the self propel unit failed completely, and did not “reset” itself.
Ego shipped me a replacement mower and I shipped the bad mower (my 2nd) to them, so I am now on my 3rd Ego mower (and year 3 of my 5 year warranty). However, for the first time in 3 self-propel failures the SP unit is different! The new mower (manufacture date October 2019) has a different style of self propel unit when compared to the three units that had failed on it in the past. The old unit had a gearbox on the drive shaft and the motor body stuck upwards at a 90 degree angle. The new unit has the motor body above but parallel (horizontal) to the drive shaft. I don’t know if the old unit had a fan, but the new unit has a fan clearly visible.
Older Self Propel Unit
New Self Propel Unit
Objectively, the new self propel drive unit doesn’t look as impressive as the older unit, but given the number of failures I have had with the old style, I’m excited to have something change (and hopefully improve). From a performance standpoint, the new self propel unit works just as well as the old style, so there is no loss in performance. I just hope that it will have more longevity than the older units.
I suspect that the size of my yard (which is large enough that it takes me two 7.5 AH batteries to mow it in the fall/winter, and up to four 7.5 AH battery charges in the heat of summer) may be the reason the self propel unit’s are failing. I suspect I’m putting a lot more “miles” on the SP unit than most Ego owners, plus they seem to be failing in the heat of the summer. I’m not sure if that is due to heat related problems, or if it’s due to the grass growing more in the summer.
Pingback: Ego 21"³ mower (LM2100SP) 2nd self propel motor failure & repair report | Jay's Technical Talk
My self-propeller finally kicked the bucket after 4+ years. Do you know if I can just order the replacement part and do the install myself?
Your mower comes with a 5 year warranty, so as long as you registered your purchase (or have the paperwork/receipts to prove you are the original purchaser) it will still be covered by warranty. I suggest you call customer support early in the morning on the next business day.
I have not heard of Ego selling parts to individuals, so if it’s out of warranty or you are not the original purchaser you may need to take it to an authorized Ego repair shop.
Pingback: Right Wheel Locking on Ego 21″ Self Propel unit | Jay's Technical Talk
power drive failed today, only moves very slowly, 2 years old, Thanks for your report, wish me luck
Evert
New Zealand
Good luck, hope the NZ repair/warranty infrastructure is good.
That may not be the SP motor. Another common failure is the wiring harness, which flexes each time the handle is extended and closed. When one wire inside the flex tube fails, the mower typically will continue to provide power, but only at the lowest or highest speed. (Mine was stuck on high. Wheeee!)
This failure also is covered under the 5-year warranty, but the authorized service provider who performed mine did a so-so job: When I went to pick up the mower (after being told it was ready), it was still in high-only mode. Three hours later, the problem was resolved — but the flex tube looks hinky, and I’m not convinced the repair will last out the warranty.
I seldom use the self-drive because the mower is so light and it conserves battery. However, when I do a 180 degree turn, the real wheels lock up and I have to use the self-drive (or pull the mower back) to unlock the wheels. I contacted EGO and they sent me a new mower, but it does the same thing. I guess it’s a flaw in the engaging mechanism, but I don’t know if there is any fix. Suggestions?
I know it has a “anti-rollback” feature that won’t let the wheels go backwards (rolling backwards down a hill and over your foot). I’ve found that when doing a 180 turn, I have to make sure the inside wheel does not move at all, and ONLY the outside wheel moves forward in a big half circle, otherwise the wheels will lock.
Had problems with the self-propel feature of the EGO 2102SP mower. After only 10 months the self-propel feature stopped working and locked up the rear wheels. After calling EGO for warranty repairs, EGO only offered $120 to repair the unit. I was told to take the mower to Lowes of Bakersfield, California. After three weeks still not word on repairs. I asked for the mower to be returned back to me without repairs. After spending over $500 on a mower, only ten months later, EGO only authorizing $120 for repairs does not seem like much of a warranty. It would be nice if EGO offered me a new mower because the mower I have has had problems with the Self-Propel unit locking the rear wheels since it was bought. EGO does not seem interested in pleasing me as one of their customers.
I’m sorry to hear that. They always repaired or replaced my mowers when I had issues, but it did take up to six weeks.
My model LM2100SP SELF-PROPEL SPEED CONTROL LEVER failed after 5 yrs and 1 month. Today I was mowing as usual, and I used the self-propel but it was like on super speed. I checked the lever, and it was on low… I put it higher and no change… lower no change. Obviously, I stopped using the lever in between otherwise the mower would have dragged me.
I wonder if this is an anomaly or the beginning of a complete failure. I will know when I mow 2 weeks from now (overseeding)
Just bought my Ego this year. So far, it has worked great. I bought an LM2135SP. However, just today I noted something. The self propelled function slowed down considerably. Normally, I have kept it on high and hit runs like a bat out of hell. Now, I am having to push it to get it to go faster. Definitely something not right with this. Also, I noted today that every so often the wheels lock up even if it NOT on self propelled. Now I am fearing this thing won’t last another year.
It’s still under warranty so call Ego and they will send you to a local repair shop. (Probably needs a replacement speed controller.)
Sounds like my exact problem. Did you ever get a resolution? I have the LM2130SP.
They replaced the mower.
The lack of any meaningful ability to communicate with EGO or the seller (Lowes in my case which means it is the pseudo repair facility for any warranty work}n creates mind numbing frustration. my mower has now suffered its 3rd failure and each time it has to go to Lowes which always acts like they have no clue how to handle although that is where EGO mandates I must go. Then the mower passes into some state of oblivion for a month or more (2nd case was almost 3 months) I am now out of mower for 5th week and paying to have someone else mow my lawn while I wait.
Id love to go back to gas as it may need occasional repair but I can either do it myself or get done in a few days. I actually think I am going to buy an inexpensive gas mower to provide as my back up when the EGO is off for its regular warranty work.
I have literally spent at least 12 hours just working to get thru to EGO customer support, completing paperwork, waiting on Lowes to get my mower checkin in and following up. I really like the mower and I have no issues with other EGO tools but would neve4r buy another one.