When Mountfield Plugged In
August 29, 2025 in Articles, Machinery
A while ago, this blog looked at Vertex engines. These were two-stroke engines which made their way onto Mountfield mowers in the mid-1970s. It was not a success. Around the same time, Mountfield experimented with adding electric motors to their mowers, but this effort also appears not to have been a great success. In fact, one of the models was advertised as “…the first ever British Rotary Electric Mower to be fitted with Power Drive”.
But where have all these Mountfield Electric mowers gone? They don’t seem to appear anywhere. Perhaps a few are lingering at the back of sheds waiting to be discovered?
In the mid-1970s (frighteningly, 50 years ago), lawnmower maker Mountfield, based in Maidenhead, took a bold step with their successful range of petrol mowers by adding a full range of electric rotary mowers; the black and white image shows a 1975 example of the electric 18″ cut M4. As an alternative to petrol-engined mowers, these electric-powered machines promised homeowners a quieter, cleaner, and more convenient way to tackle their lawns. Mountfield’s selling points were clear: no petrol, no oil, no annual overhauls, and no rust.
Mountfield proudly described their electric mowers as “designed and manufactured in Great Britain to cut and collect some of the toughest grass in the world.”. And they weren’t exaggerating. The mowers were not only intended for neat suburban lawns, but also for rougher grass areas where a good finish was still expected.
The range of mowers was based on Mountfield’s existing petrol-powered platforms – the M3 and M4 with die-cast aluminium cutting decks. Swapping petrol engines for electric motors meant that the range could now appeal to homeowners who previously may have entirely dismissed the brand because they only sold petrol machines. These buyers may have instead opted for an electric mower from established players such as Black & Decker, Flymo or Wolf. Just to make sure every base was covered, Mountfield also introduced a 14″ mower for smaller lawns, this was the M35, but it still had a hefty die-cast alloy deck.
Safety was high on the agenda. Mountfield’s electric motors were encapsulated in double-skin insulated covers, giving added protection. Even TV interference (how many members remember that?!), a common issue with some early electronics, was eliminated. As marketing described, a simple flick of a switch and the mower easily started —and stopped instantly when the handle was released, with a visible spinning disc on top of the motor indicating when it had stopped.
Every Mountfield Electric featured the brand’s trademark “Vacuum-Flo” system. This wasn’t just clever marketing—it was a genuinely effective innovation. The blade was curved to act both as a cutter and as a fan. As it spun, it generated a powerful airflow that sucked up not only grass cuttings, but also leaves, twigs, and lawn debris. All of this was deposited into a large grass box, leaving behind nothing but a well-groomed lawn. Also included were spring-loaded grass deflector safety guards (optional on M3).
The range was modified and updated over a few years, but brochures generally included:
The 14” M35 Electric (later renamed the Emblem Roller Electric in the early 1980s) – A compact, hand-propelled mower for small and medium lawns. With a 900-watt motor and five rollers, it was easy to manoeuvre and could even mow right up to the lawn edge. Rear wheels could be used when a higher cutting position was selected for rougher ground or slopes. In 1980 it was priced at £174 complete with a 32 metre cable. Earlier, in 1976, it had been offered complete with a 16 metre cable for £99.
The 18” M3 Standard Electric (Illustrated, second image above) – Powered by a 1250-watt motor but later upgraded to 1300 watts, this larger hand-propelled mower was aimed at medium to large lawns. Its split rear roller made it agile around trees and borders, while still delivering a striped finish. In 1975 it was £132. The 1300-watt was £249 in 1980, again with a 32 metre cable.
The 18” M3 Power Drive Electric (Illustrated, right) – also with a split rear roller – A real milestone: “…the first ever British Rotary Electric Mower to be fitted with Power Drive“. Driven by a powerful 1800-watt induction motor, it offered both self-propulsion and excellent cutting ability in one quiet, refined package. With a cable, it was £358 in 1980.
Illustrated below is the largest machine, the 18” M4 Electric (1250 watt, later upgraded to 1300 watts)– A four-wheeled workhorse designed for paddock-type grass, yet equally capable of producing a tidy lawn with its optional grassbox. Independent fingertip height controls gave it adaptability across rough ground or fine lawns. In 1975 it was £110 with cable. The 1300 watt model, with cable, was £211 in 1980.
But what happened to these Mountfield electric mowers? The only model which sometimes appears is the smallest, the 14″ M35. Perhaps the M3 and M4 Electrics were not big sellers, or maybe not as good as the competition. Has anyone got any knowledge of one?
Read about the Vertex engines and Mountfield here: https://vhgmc.co.uk/2024/08/vertex-engine/
Briefly, there is a huge range of electric mowers. What’s the difference between the Qualcast Concorde RE25X and the RE30X apart from £10.00 ? Or the Flymo Sprinter E25 and E30 ? A brochure would be mighty helpful!
There isn’t a Mountfield electric mower in the bottom right corner of Dickens advert, they may not have been manufacturing them at the time, but their petrol mowers show that the price nearly doubles between the Mountfield Emblem 15″ and the 16″ self propelled with electric start, both with a 3.5hp Tecumseh engine – would that be a premium product at the time? 
