Electric Riding Mowers

[bdhsfz6]

Anyone have experience with these electric riding mowers? I mow our 7 acre yard with a tractor but I'm looking for one the wife can use to mow around her plantings. She's a bit "mechanically challenged" and also allergic to exhaust fumes so a gas powered model wouldn't be practical. She has a self propelled electric walk behind mower now which works well but we're getting older and the chore is getting more difficult for her.

Lately, I've been looking at this one from Ryobi:

RYOBI 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Battery Electric Cordless Zero Turn Riding Mower (2) 80V Batteries (2) 40V Batteries and Charger RYRM8021 - The Home Depot

Introducing RYOBI's first lithium-ion battery powered zero turn riding mower, the RYOBI 80V HP 42

www.homedepot.com

It's a redesign of an earlier lead acid battery powered model which wasn't well reviewed.

Yeah, at $6K, it isn't cheap. I could get a better quality gas powered riding mower for less but as mentioned above, the exhaust fumes are a problem. Upkeep would also be an issue with another gas engine to maintain. Other than blade sharpening, these electric models appear to be truly "plug & play".

 

[YanmarFever]

You might check out how much replacement battery's are. I saw one of these mowers at home depot the other day, and I could not figure out how it steers.

My experience with electric mowers has been that, they are under powered and only cut short grass.

You might see if you can rent one first and let your wife try it out to make sure she likes it, 6 grand is a lot for a mower, I agree.

 

[2manyrocks]

No experience with it, but because of the price and being a new model with only 31 reviews, I'd certainly compare the ego ZTR which has has 1,600+ reviews. https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-Dual-H...ower-with-Mulching-Capability-CARB/5000200347

$6,000 for a 42 inch ZTR strikes me as a lot.

 

[scootr]

She will need to learn how to use and charge the battery properly. I'm assuming lithium. Be sure to only buy Lifepo4 type battery as they last longer and are more forgiving. Recharge large lithium batteries out doors

 

[bdhsfz6]

No experience with it, but because of the price and being a new model with only 31 reviews, I'd certainly compare the ego ZTR which has has 1,600+ reviews. https://www.lowes.com/pd/EGO-Dual-H...ower-with-Mulching-Capability-CARB/5000200347

$6,000 for a 42 inch ZTR strikes me as a lot.

The Ego is also on my list but I've had problems getting parts for other Ego equipment. I bought a string trimmer and leaf blower on Amazon several years ago and eventually had to replace them because service and repair parts were too difficult to obtain.

I suppose I could have the same problem with Ryobi but they seem to be a bigger well established brand.

This one from John Deere looks promising too but it's only available for pre order now:

https://www.deere.com/en/mowers/zero-turn-mowers/z300-series/z370r-ztrak-mower/?cid=PPC_MDS_00491_02425&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3ueiBhBmEiwA4BhspEsYrSJr45E16kDEgAgeTw5ohLFQ7PFOF7cl_P2U52k51bERY5UydhoC9ZoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[2manyrocks]

You might have better luck buying a mower from a dealer that offers in house repairs and parts service.

 

[RandyT]

You might have better luck buying a mower from a dealer that offers in house repairs and parts service.

And even that is not a guarantee that parts will be available in 6 months.

 

[scootr]

You could probably pay a neighborhood kid to mow for 10 years for the cost of that mower.

 

[ultrarunner]

You may be ahead of the curve in that the ban forbidding the sale of 25hp and smaller Landscape equipment is already inked in California…

It’s a full court press to electric with no signs of turning back as best I can tell.

StackPath

 

[2manyrocks]

At least with a gas or diesel ZTR, the engine and the exhaust is behind the operator if that makes any difference in regard to allergies.

 

[cdaigle430]

While I dont have the rider yet-
Ive had the Ryobi self propelled mower with two 40v 8ah batteries and it does what it should. I can mow for 30 minutes plus per battery and it handles the tall grass well. Light and quietish-easy maintenance and storage. I have been using Ryobi outdoor tools for 7 years now and never lost a tool or battery. So far I have 19 40volt batteries because Ryobi, unlike Milwaukee doesn't sell tool only at Home Depot.

It is the 40volt self propelled HP mower and I would buy it again at 600 usd vs the Milwaukee mower M18 at $1100.

I dont like the battery operated mower blades------way too thin, but I havent damaged mine yet.

I also get free lifetime fuel with my solar panels

 

[newbury]

trail system I know of runs from Wyoming to Mexican border

The Continental Divide Trail

It is the 40volt self propelled HP mower and I would buy it again at 600 usd vs the Milwaukee mower M18 at $1100.

When considering battery operated it is important to consider the cost of the fuel storage.
For instance I'm virtually locked into the DeWalt 20V/Flexvolt camp.
I even have the 1800 Watt Portable Power Station and 20V/60V MAX Lithium-Ion Battery Charger. Holds 4 batteries and can provide 120V out. So when buying the DeWalt lawnmower I valued the two 12AH batteries it came with at street value which made the purchase of the lawnmower easier to justify.

 

[Lastkidpicked]

I'll jump in as we just accidentally bought the same exact mower. The neighbor bought one, never mowed once, and changed his mind for some reason. He offered me a deal I just couldn't pass up so now we own one.

Our experience so far:

1) As far as power, it has as much power as a gasoline version of a homeowner zero turn.

2) It is far less intimidating for Grandma to use than a gas powered mower. She comes up on a stick or a toy, and she steps off the mower and moves the object. Then she steps back on the mower. No killing the engine because she forgot to set the brake, no killing the engine because she grabbed the steering arms before she released the brake.
I'm surprised how much of a difference this makes. Jump off, jump on.

3) @scootr is correct. We could probably hire a kid or a lawn service for cheaper. But this is a good way for people to get involved who normally are a bit intimated by the gas powered equipment. Anything we can do to keep the older generation involved and active is good with me.

No prediction yet on battery life, but whoever is mowing tends to either finish or physically tire out before the batter gets below half a charge. I'm hoping that will help extend the battery life.

Bottom line:
If this hadn't fallen into my lap, I would have simply continued to mow for Grandma and Pops. But this does seem to be working out even better than I expected.

 

[Dundertaker]

I've had Husqvarna battery system blower and weed eater for about 4 years. The original 2 batteries are both doing a "I may or may not work today" mode. Bought a replacement battery...$179. These are used very sparingly...as I have gas stuff and these are for blowing off the porch and mower...etc...and the wife uses the battery weed wacker for the weight around her garden. IDK if I'd buy another set at this point. The original cost + the batteries/time limit unless I had a very small lawn/property. Almost $200 for a battery (there are not cheaper alternatives out there) for about 20-30 of time is really pushing the value proposition. They work well when they work. I just have a problem with the limitations when you need more power. I solved that with 2 batteries...but I'd be in the $400 range if I bought another battery and then I'm worried the actual tools might not outlive the batteries. That's a LOT OF GAS and the cost of entry for the gas counterparts is lower or you get a much better tool for the same money. #my2cents




getting back on the actual TOPIC at hand....

Here is a longterm test on Ryobi:

 

[jjeff]

Careful considering how expensive batteries are. I read requirements where you can store your batteries off season. Looked into an ego zt briefly luckily I read its manual online before I got to serious, said to store all batteries at room temp during winter. Where I was planning to use it I only keep the place at 40 degrees when not in use. #1 on 56v storage instructions.

 

[bdhsfz6]

The Continental Divide Trail

When considering battery operated it is important to consider the cost of the fuel storage.
For instance I'm virtually locked into the DeWalt 20V/Flexvolt camp.
I even have the 1800 Watt Portable Power Station and 20V/60V MAX Lithium-Ion Battery Charger. Holds 4 batteries and can provide 120V out. So when buying the DeWalt lawnmower I valued the two 12AH batteries it came with at street value which made the purchase of the lawnmower easier to justify.

I also use DeWalt tools and have a dozen or more flex volt batteries. I have the same walk behind mower and it works well. Unfortunately, DeWalt doesn't make a riding mower at this point.

 

[Richard001]

While I dont have the rider yet-
Ive had the Ryobi self propelled mower with two 40v 8ah batteries and it does what it should. I can mow for 30 minutes plus per battery and it handles the tall grass well. Light and quietish-easy maintenance and storage. I have been using Ryobi outdoor tools for 7 years now and never lost a tool or battery. So far I have 19 40volt batteries because Ryobi, unlike Milwaukee doesn't sell tool only at Home Depot.

It is the 40volt self propelled HP mower and I would buy it again at 600 usd vs the Milwaukee mower M18 at $1100.

I dont like the battery operated mower blades------way too thin, but I havent damaged mine yet.

I also get free lifetime fuel with my solar panels

So you have accumulated 19 Ryobi 40v 8ah batteries. Home Depot is listing these at $279 each. So if my math is correct, you have 19 X 279 = $5301.00 invested in batteries. That's a lot of money.

I hope that works out for you.

 

[2manyrocks]

There are Dewalt branded ZTRs that use Kawasaki gas engines.

Roughly speaking, an electric XTR is about twice the price of a gas ZTR. How do you even estimate the life expectancy, availability and cost of replacement batteries for these ZTRs that use significantly larger amp batteries and higher voltages than power tools?

 

[RalphVa]

We've both a 40v self propelled mower and a ZT48e. Both are great. Haven't used the self propelled mower much after buying the ZT about 3 years ago.

Don't know why you're mowing 7 acres. I'd just mow trails in it to enjoy it and bush hog it about once/yr. The ZT will do somewhere between 2 and 4 acres on a charge. I seldom see much below 75% on ours doing the 1/2 acre around the house.

 

[Lastkidpicked]

Update from our experience over the weekend:

Used the mower in some taller grass, and it did just as well as the gas powered unit we own.

I noticed some conversation around the electric not saving money over gas, and I agree that you would not purchase electric planning to save money.

That's okay with me, it's the other benefits that are working well:

1) Pops used to start the gasoline, self propelled walk mower. Then he felt he had to mow the entire yard, or at least an entire area all at once. He worried if he shut down the gas mower it would be hard to re-start (pull start on that one).

2) Grams would shy away from the gas powered riding mower. It seemed like every time she stopped, she would forget one safety or another and then couldn't start it up again. With the electric, once the seat occupancy sensor knows she's back on, she's good to go.

Bottom line-- We wouldn't buy it to save money, but when it comes to ease of use, the electric has definitely won us over.