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I have owned a Ryobi battery-operated Riding lawn mower since 2017. I paid $2400 new. In 2022, I replaced the batteries from 50 to 100 for $1200. I replaced the batteries myself. Two years later, my batteries are not holding a full charge again.
My next purchase will be a gas engine. The maintenance may be a pain, but it will last longer.

I own an EGO battery push mower, too. Replacing the battery costs $300, which I have done twice. It is like buying a new mower. My next push mower will be gas.
I can't wait to be forced to have an electric car.

And you are lucky that the batteries haven't been obsoleted forcing you to purchase a new mower.

papajack said:

I have owned a Ryobi battery-operated Riding lawn mower since 2017. I paid $2400 new. In 2022, I replaced the batteries from 50 to 100 for $1200. I replaced the batteries myself. Two years later, my batteries are not holding a full charge again.
My next purchase will be a gas engine. The maintenance may be a pain, but it will last longer.

I own an EGO battery push mower, too. Replacing the battery costs $300, which I have done twice. It is like buying a new mower. My next push mower will be gas.
I can't wait to be forced to have an electric car.

Click to expand...

The maintenance on a gas mower really isn’t a pain. What is painful is replacement cost of batteries in equipment after say 3 years. What is painful is people throwing out 3 year old equipment because the batteries cost too much. I could go on, but that will work for now.

Tiger Small Engine said:

The maintenance on a gas mower really isn’t a pain. What is painful is replacement cost of batteries in equipment after say 3 years. What is painful is people throwing out 3 year old equipment because the batteries cost too much. I could go on, but that will work for now.

Click to expand...

So true.

I never said Hello to Electric...

Tiger Small Engine said:

The maintenance on a gas mower really isn’t a pain.

Click to expand...

I agree and easy, too. But that doesn't make it so for everyone. This forum is filled with basic maintenance questions and others from those with problems caused by improperly doing so. Beyond that, many owners bring their mowers in for a "spring tune-up". Not everyone understands maintenance, is inclined to do so, or even looks at manuals.

For example, here's a post from last night on a mower that costs over $5,000:
"I purchased a ZTS2 mid summer last year and only have 27 hours on it. I changed the oil and have fresh gas in it. I cleaned the deck and blades. Anything else I need to do before using it for the first mow?"

So true. Some people check their fingers after working on something.

papajack said:

I have owned a Ryobi battery-operated Riding lawn mower since 2017. I paid $2400 new. In 2022, I replaced the batteries from 50 to 100 for $1200. I replaced the batteries myself. Two years later, my batteries are not holding a full charge again.
My next purchase will be a gas engine. The maintenance may be a pain, but it will last longer.

I own an EGO battery push mower, too. Replacing the battery costs $300, which I have done twice. It is like buying a new mower. My next push mower will be gas.
I can't wait to be forced to have an electric car.

Click to expand...

What kind of warranty are on these batteries, just curious

woodstover said:

What kind of warranty are on these batteries, just curious

Click to expand...

Warranty is generally 5-years for non-commercial use. The OP obviously fits within the warranty but not everyone keeps receipts and RYOBI service centers and not always convenient.

For anything with batteries, you have to decide if you are OK with the cost. Look up the cost before you buy. My Ryobi takes four batteries, old-fashioned lead batteries.
For example, now stories are coming out that car battery replacements cost from $20 to $50 thousand if they still make the battery pack. My car is a 2005 Honda Civic, and my truck is a 2015 Colorado. Both are still going strong, and any repairs are within my budget. Anyone would be stupid to buy a used electric car.

TonyPrin said:

Warranty is generally 5-years for non-commercial use. The OP obviously fits within the warranty but not everyone keeps receipts and RYOBI service centers and not always convenient.

Click to expand...

True, but most batteries are dated at mfg. Ryobi has mailed me batteries under warranty.

Might also be cheaper to have them rebuilt locally as opposed to replaced.

Tiger Small Engine said:

The maintenance on a gas mower really isn’t a pain.

Click to expand...

True, but.... I'm fairly mechanical, and I've had no-start problems with gas equipment in the past, too, until I learned not to ignore the maintenance schedule. One problem, if you want to call it that, is that many OPE engines will tolerate being neglected. To a point. If someone buys a new gas mower, and does nothing to it but add gas, it will still likely last 3 yrs if it's a 4-stroke. For 2-cycles, they will last longer as they will get fresh oil in every tank of gas... until the exhaust screen plugs. Then you learn to stop running at part throttle. Then there are those who DO follow the maintenance, and after 5 yrs or so, it still gets hard to crank because the valves need adjusting. If you follow the maintenance schedule, including valve adjustments, and always run your equipment at full throttle, it will last decades. Or, at least, they used to. Equipment built 10 yrs ago would do this. Now? I'm not so sure.

Now if someone is the type who just adds gas to their gas mower until it dies, they will also likely be the type to run an electric mower until it stops, then change or charge the battery. Completely draining a battery every time is a good way to shorten it's lifespan. So these people will still be replacing their mower every 3 yrs.

GearHead36 said:

True, but.... I'm fairly mechanical, and I've had no-start problems with gas equipment in the past, too, until I learned not to ignore the maintenance schedule. One problem, if you want to call it that, is that many OPE engines will tolerate being neglected. To a point. If someone buys a new gas mower, and does nothing to it but add gas, it will still likely last 3 yrs if it's a 4-stroke. For 2-cycles, they will last longer as they will get fresh oil in every tank of gas... until the exhaust screen plugs. Then you learn to stop running at part throttle. Then there are those who DO follow the maintenance, and after 5 yrs or so, it still gets hard to crank because the valves need adjusting. If you follow the maintenance schedule, including valve adjustments, and always run your equipment at full throttle, it will last decades. Or, at least, they used to. Equipment built 10 yrs ago would do this. Now? I'm not so sure.

Now if someone is the type who just adds gas to their gas mower until it dies, they will also likely be the type to run an electric mower until it stops, then change or charge the battery. Completely draining a battery every time is a good way to shorten it's lifespan. So these people will still be replacing their mower every 3 yrs.

Click to expand...

In the 70's I had a Murray lawn mower. It lasted over 10 tens. I just put gas in it and left it out in the yard until next spring. Always started on the first pull. Like real men, they do not make them like that anymore.

I can surely empathize with your frustrations, PapaJack!
Battery tools can often be frustrating- espeically when the manufacturer coats the circuit boards with black epoxy so we can't diagnose & fix them! Most of my hand tools are plug-it-in-the-wall. I get to keep working while my co workers mess around with batteries.

Maybe One of These Will Help Ease The Pain...
(For tool batteries, including yard tools)

A) I usually rebuild the packs myself, upgrading to higher mAh cells in the process. It costs about 1/10th the cost of a ready-made brand name battery.
Open the pack & you will see markings on the cells showing you what to purchase.
If you're not really good at soldering, buy cells with the solder tabs already on them. The tabs are crazy-easy easy to solder. Low priced sources for cells are Temu, sometimes Amazon, eBay, BangGood, sometimes Bonanza. (Temu is by far the lowest priced of the group, but tedious to search.)

B) Places like Batteries Plus will rebuild the battery packs. Cost?

C) Low cost aftermarket batteries are all over the internet for many tools.
Checked Today For An Example:
Ryobi #OP4015/4050 40 volt 5aH = Two For $12.02 USD at Temu (A friend bought these some years ago & they are performing very well.)
There are lots of legitimate aftermarket sellers on line, or try the cheap places mentioned in "A" above.

Warranty The Easy Way:
Warranty for Ryobi was mentioned earlier.
With no receipt, if you happened to buy the machine or batteries at a Home Depot store; they can handle the entire warranty claim by using the credit card number of the card used for the purchase.

This can be done in the store or by calling their Customer Service number.
I've done this a few times without problems. Home Depot Customer Service is pretty peaceful about returns & warranty claims. In-Store around here is a roll-of-the-dice. Some people are happy & some are evil.

Home Depot usually tells me not to return the old part, so with batteries I get a new one from them and then rebuild the old one for a spare.

I don't know how easy Walmart & other Ryobi sellers make returns.

Enjoy Today!
Paul

I was at walmart yesterday and the gas powered t(what we use to call a throw away) push mower with b&s, was 294 bucks....were talking 89 bucks a few years ago.... They are forcing you to electric.

papajack said:

I own an EGO battery push mower, too. Replacing the battery costs $300, which I have done twice. It is like buying a new mower. My next push mower will be gas.
I can't wait to be forced to have an electric car.

Click to expand...

The EGo battery warranty is 3 years. Am still using my original 7.5Ah from 2016.

The worst thing you can do is leave it on the charger 24/7. Second only to leaving it out in freezing temperatures.

My 2013 Tesla Model S 85 still had 93% of it's original battery capacity remaining when I passed the car on to my sister this past December. Simply awful! In December it also needed it's 4th 12V battery.

ILENGINE said:

And you are lucky that the batteries haven't been obsoleted forcing you to purchase a new mower.

Click to expand...

That is the old Craftsman trick of "upgrading" to higher battery voltages every few years. Sears sure is a success to be admired!

EGo did a very good job designing one battery, right, the first time. Everything is 56V, and the same connection is used for all.

papajack said:

For anything with batteries, you have to decide if you are OK with the cost. Look up the cost before you buy. My Ryobi takes four batteries, old-fashioned lead batteries.

Click to expand...

Yes, that is why they didn't last very long. Flooded lead-acid batteries wear very fast when subject to a deep discharge. Lithium-ion doesn't like operating at full charge or low charge but is very happy in the middle. LiFePO4 costs less than lithium-ion, likes a full charge and discharges don't wear as bad as other chemistries, but weigh more than lithium-ion.

papajack said:

For example, now stories are coming out that car battery replacements cost from $20 to $50 thousand if they still make the battery pack. My car is a 2005 Honda Civic, and my truck is a 2015 Colorado. Both are still going strong, and any repairs are within my budget. Anyone would be stupid to buy a used electric car.

Click to expand...

I hear batteries cost a million dollars each! There, I've outdone you in sensationalism.

EV batteries are warranted 100% replacement for 8 years, 100,000 miles. Or more.

A good assortment of Tesla Model Y Long Range 82kWh batteries can be had on eBay for $8500. Simply awful!

GrumpyCat said:

That is the old Craftsman trick of "upgrading" to higher battery voltages every few years. Sears sure is a success to be admired!

EGo did a very good job designing one battery, right, the first time. Everything is 56V, and the same connection is used for all.

Click to expand...

Sears isn't the only one. Add Husqvarna/Poulan Pro for total customer refund of money for a blower that the battery went bad on 3 months into a 3 year warranty and the battery was NLA.

ILENGINE said:

Sears isn't the only one. Add Husqvarna/Poulan Pro for total customer refund of money for a blower that the battery went bad on 3 months into a 3 year warranty and the battery was NLA.

Click to expand...

NLA sure is the killer of many things!

For a Metabo-HPT oscillating tool that came missing a part last week, the part was "Obsolete no replacement available" the very same day that I bought it new in the box from Lowes. (Lowes gave me no problems returning it.) And, that model is still for sale locally and on Metabo-HPT's web site.

I have a Cleva Lawnmaster Brand mower. It arrived missing parts. The same day that it arrived, I contacted them. Like the tool above, "No Parts Available- and Not Returnable". The credit card company refunded the cost. I made the parts. Free Mower. Ditto on a Cleva leaf blower.
But, oddly a year after purchase, the Cleva Vacmaster workshop vacuum needed a switch. They sent a whole new vacuum free.

Crazy World!

Before determining if you like a battery powered on anything , ask if the batteries are pro-rated

While all my gear is ICE, there are rules to using lithium batteries for long life, the main one being not to run them right down continuously......been a lawn contractor for over 30 yrs, if l was starting over l'd be looking at all battery gear, KRESS perhaps?

I bought Ridgid battery operated tools because the batteries and tools have a lifetime warranty. I had a hassle with a local service shop replacing batteries on my first Ridgid cordless drill. It had my kit for four weeks when I finally called customer service and a very sympathetic employee sent me two new batteries and registered them for the warranty. I see that Home Depot has a whole new system for warranty claims that do not include having to go through a local shop.
I have a portable generator so I bought mostly 120 volt outdoor tools. I have purchased a couple of outdoor battery operated tools with the thought that they are probably throwaways. I'll have to get in touch with PGB1 for advice if the batteries fail. I use the batteries, charge them, then put them on the rack until next use.
I found it amazing about how many and how thick of branches that a Ridgid battery recip saw could cut. I bought special blades and it went through 6" and even thicker branches with ease. And a lot of them on a single charge. I wore out before the battery did.

The prices of batteries are going absolutely the wrong way of what the market should be doing but that must just be greed.

Instead of getting a replacement battery for a walk behind mower for 50 to 80 bucks they are now at least $150 if not 250.
I don't ever want to have any of the battery powered outdoor power equipment because it's simply too much of a sacrifice - at least up to now and currently.
Maybe one of these days they will have them with the power and duration of operation so it won't be a sacrifice but then the battery will be $300 and only last two to three years because they want you to amortize the amount over the number of years to justify the price.
I DON'T THINK SO!
I have tons of equipment that I haven't put a single penny into since the day I bought the item and have had many of these things for 20 plus years.
I'm literally not kidding.
Most of the things have had some oil changes here or there but very infrequently but some of them literally have never had any oil purchased by me to put into them but just topped off by whatever oil I happen to inherent as partially open bottles etc.
I guess to be technical you would have to count the gas to power them but not really because if you're going to do that you have to also count the money for the electricity you pay for to charge the batteries.

There is no doubt about it- gasoline powered wins big time!
I know that many governments and the powers that be don't want it to be this way and the big fans of battery powered stuff also don't want it to be this way but this is simply the fact.

The only thing that battery powered winds is convenience if you only need them for a short duration of time.
It is far more convenient to grab your small handheld battery pack that may also fit your rechargeable drill from the charger or from laying on the counter and slap it onto your blower and pull the trigger to go blow the cobwebs off of your front porch or blow the grass off your sidewalk.
As long as you don't need a lot of power and you don't need it for over 12 to 15 minutes it will be wonderful.
If you need a really strong blow or you need to use it for a large part of the day, the battery stuff will quickly become VERY INCONVENIENT.

I choose to skip this problem and just stay with the stuff that I know gets the job done easily.

......................

papajack said:

I have owned a Ryobi battery-operated Riding lawn mower since 2017. I paid $2400 new. In 2022, I replaced the batteries from 50 to 100 for $1200. I replaced the batteries myself. Two years later, my batteries are not holding a full charge again.
My next purchase will be a gas engine. The maintenance may be a pain, but it will last longer.

I own an EGO battery push mower, too. Replacing the battery costs $300, which I have done twice. It is like buying a new mower. My next push mower will be gas.
I can't wait to be forced to have an electric car.

Click to expand...

I have some commercial grade Ingersol Rand impact guns and batteries for those are expensive

But, I was able to find a 3rd party battery being sold online for a fraction of what the OE batteries cost and they come with a 5 year warranty that replaces the batteries of they fail within 5 years. They are working great!

Another thing to consider is some of these hand held batteries that plug in can be disassembled so the battery itself can be replaced and the same case / electronics are retained.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I have found over the years that it is always best to follow a strict regimen on Lithium batteries. Always wait a few hours after battery depletion to put in charger. If possible use the lowest charging rate. For example I am using the Ryobi slow charger that came with my leaf blower to charge the 6AH battery for my mower instead of the rapid 194 watt charger that came with the mower. Not sure how long it will take but I do not care. It will be ready the next time I need to mow. I anticipate I will get 3-4 mowings on one charge so I will run the battery down to close to discharge before slow charging again.

I have used this practice on all my M18 Fuel Milwaukee batteries and I am currently on year 14 with them and they all work well and still hold a great charge and they were all refurbs from CPO Milwaukee when I bought them in 2012.

I would never purchase an electric tractor and certainly not an EV. Modern 2.0 Turbo engines like the one in my Ford Maverick pickup are superb time tested well built engines that give great gas milage and power.

TiredRetired said:

Modern 2.0 Turbo engines like the one in my Ford Maverick pickup are superb time tested well built engines that give great gas milage and power.

Click to expand...

Wife has same 2.0L turbo'd Eco-Boost engine in her Lincoln. No complaints to date..

Hello, I'm new to the forum with targeted interest in Ryobi 80V ZTR and specifically the 42" cut.
Purchased late May 2024.

Only disappointment and truly a choice I had to make was the 42 inch "Stamped Deck".
I wasn't of a mind to pay for the larger "manufactured deck", as 42" is in my comfort zone. I have a Hustler Raptor 42" with manufactured deck with "lap bar steering" and transitioning to iDrive joy-stick steering has been a chore...muscle memory has yet to develop fully. I've never wrecked a shopping cart nor my Raptor 42, but I'm dreading the day when this Ryobi with iDrive is going to do some damage. I creep (slower than January Maple Syrup) between the 12YO Toyota Camry and 54YO Chevy CST to the Ryobi's reserved barn parking.

I see the cost of Batteries is a scalding subject of discussion. We didn't go to war to rape Afghanistan of their Trillions in Lithium Reserves but rather for their Billions in annual Opium production. We wouldn't have an opium crisis here at home without it. Somebody tell me, why any sane individual would voluntarily serve multiple tours in a carp hole like Afghanistan.

Quite true the cost of a 80V Briefcase Battery is eye opening at $900 each, 06.12.24 MSRP
(+/- $1). Outrageous in fact, considering all the warring we did to re-install Al-Qaeda into power.
But, I digress. And $350 for the 40V "supplemental" batteries (SB) that are included with a $4000 Electric ZTR Mower.

Stress Test them batteries my friends. BTW, Ryobi dropped the price on the 42" ZTR mower by $2000. Seems no one was willing to take the plunge for the Original $6000 MSRP tag. And for $4000 they are lined up, and sun-faded, ready to go at you local HomeDepot.

Stress Testing batteries led me to conclude the 1st unit received was defective. All power usage was being drained from the "SB".
Evidenced by LED readout showing charge level down to 60%; but, the 80V Briefcase Battery (BB) check indication a full tank (100%). Swapped it, the 1st unit, for a 2nd and put it to the test. Suspicion validated when LED readout of 60% was verified by BB check of 59-61% and
likewise the SB idiot lights indicating 50+%.

I read that charging is a subject for discussion. The longevity of batteries is predicated on the number of "charging cycles". That raises the question, if Li-Ion batteries don't acquire a charging level memory then why is the number charging cycles a factor?
Nonetheless, I have taken to maximizing the number charging cycles by depleting charge levels to as low comfortable. I've gone so low as to require a scurry hurry back to the barn when the Low Battery Alert arose. An upgrade would be an audible on this alert, not simply a visual on the LED.

Double-Cut blades replacements are not available at this time, 06.12.24. The blade adapters are available @ $4.20 each. The double-cut blades do an awesome job of mulching the grass, even tall grass is no problem. The problem is them thar blades are thin and won't stand up to hitting a common red house brick. Bent the carp out of the upper blade on one side. Pounded it back into reasonably same straightness but not good enough, I surmise. Removed the same blade from the other side and I'm back to mowing. But it won't mulch the grass as before. The Red Brick incident damaged the associated blade adapter. I'm waiting for Ryobi to reverse their cranial-anal positioning and restock the blades before also ordering adapters.

Well folks, those are my 1st month notables, and I hope to hear from you.

No big technological advances have come without pain. With electric vehicles of all types we are in the painful stage now. We will either get past the flaws or give up on the idea. It's good we didn't give up when our computers were crashing all the time and cost an arm and leg to replace.

Good point Joed756

I see one manufacturer's application of forced air cooling during a battery recharge cycle; while another manufacturer couldn't shivagit about the matter.
Greenworks is the former and Ryobi the latter.
Speaking of Ryobi and $4100 MSRP full boat value of installed and fully enclosed batteries having zero air-flow cooling during a recharge cycle on the ZTR mower. BAD, bad dipshitz! I suppose that is one of them thar growing pains.

I've a Greenworks Leaf Blower. Don't waste your money. It was a mistake when I ordered it; and, I was unable to cancel as it was almost immediately assigned a shipping order number. That was slick! It has a 60V battery having no amp hour identification on it. I can't image how many batteries would be necessary for clearing the average home lot. I'm lucky to get to the end of my driveway on a single charge.

Then there's the Ryobi 40V 12AH unit with a clocked 24 minute full speed max run time. How much lawn clearing can the average homeowner accomplish in 24 minutes. And a 2nd battery will cost > $350.

Heretik said:

Good point Joed756

I see one manufacturer's application of forced air cooling during a battery recharge cycle; while another manufacturer couldn't shivagit about the matter.
Greenworks is the former and Ryobi the latter.

Click to expand...

EGo chargers use forced air through the battery. Don’t know if they do the same in push mowers during discharge. The battery is in a clean, closed, compartment that could have airflow. Don’t remember any filter for that compartment. 1st generation 2016 EGo mower.

Heretik said:

Quite true the cost of a 80V Briefcase Battery is eye opening at $900 each, 06.12.24 MSRP

Click to expand...

How much is a new engine?
It doesn’t really matter.

What matters is how much service you get for what you pay. Consider cost of gasoline, cost of getting gasoline, motor oil, and replacement engine. Is pretty hard to accurate estimate for comparison which suggests the results are close.

I still use an EGo 56v 7.5ah battery from 2016. Seems to have 80-99% of original capacity based on mowing time. Not a great comparison because hard to say if I was mowing taller or thicker grass now vs then.

Heretik said:

Stress Testing batteries led me to conclude the 1st unit received was defective. All power usage was being drained from the "SB".
Evidenced by LED readout showing charge level down to 60%; but, the 80V Briefcase Battery (BB) check indication a full tank (100%). Swapped it, the 1st unit, for a 2nd and put it to the test. Suspicion validated when LED readout of 60% was verified by BB check of 59-61% and
likewise the SB idiot lights indicating 50+%.

Click to expand...

I have no idea what you said.

Heretik said:

I read that charging is a subject for discussion. The longevity of batteries is predicated on the number of "charging cycles".

Click to expand...

No!

Heretik said:

That raises the question, if Li-Ion batteries don't acquire a charging level memory then why is the number charging cycles a factor?

Click to expand...

It is not.

Heretik said:

Nonetheless, I have taken to maximizing the number charging cycles by depleting charge levels to as low comfortable.

Click to expand...

Congratulations! You are doing the worst thing possible for lithium battery life.

A lithium-ion battery wears fastest as one deviates from 50% SOC. Wear increases greatly as one approaches the upper and lower limits.

Consumer devices do not provide the user with the ability to limit total charge. Also we have no knowing of how full the manufacturer defines “full”. So we have to trust a full charge is to a safe limit and not truly 100% of the cell’s potential.

Hopefully they have done same with the lower limit protecting yourself from yourself.

Discharge to less than full discharge for getting the maximum acres mowed during the battery’s life. This is what we do with EVs. I routinely charge to 70% which is 230 miles. Few days are over 50 miles but I’m ready if need be. Today was 150 miles and charged to 270 this morning.

Previous Tesla car’s battery had 93% of original capacity at 10 years treating it this way.

GrumpyCat said:

How much is a new engine?
It doesn’t really matter.

What matters is how much service you get for what you pay. Consider cost of gasoline, cost of getting gasoline, motor oil, and replacement engine. Is pretty hard to accurate estimate for comparison which suggests the results are close.

I still use an EGo 56v 7.5ah battery from 2016. Seems to have 80-99% of original capacity based on mowing time. Not a great comparison because hard to say if I was mowing taller or thicker grass now vs then.


I have no idea what you said.


No!


It is not.


Congratulations! You are doing the worst thing possible for lithium battery life.

A lithium-ion battery wears fastest as one deviates from 50% SOC. Wear increases greatly as one approaches the upper and lower limits.

Consumer devices do not provide the user with the ability to limit total charge. Also we have no knowing of how full the manufacturer defines “full”. So we have to trust a full charge is to a safe limit and not truly 100% of the cell’s potential.

Hopefully they have done same with the lower limit protecting yourself from yourself.

Discharge to less than full discharge for getting the maximum acres mowed during the battery’s life. This is what we do with EVs. I routinely charge to 70% which is 230 miles. Few days are over 50 miles but I’m ready if need be. Today was 150 miles and charged to 270 this morning.

Previous Tesla car’s battery had 93% of original capacity at 10 years treating it this way.

Click to expand...

This ^^

7394 said:

Wife has same 2.0L turbo'd Eco-Boost engine in her Lincoln. No complaints to date..

Click to expand...

Well spoke too soon on 2 things (wife is gonna become X-wife) & her Linc threw 2 codes for the turbo.
P0299 & P144L Turbo under boost & Evap Emission Purge I think.

Not my problem.

Heretik said:

Hello, I'm new to the forum with targeted interest in Ryobi 80V ZTR and specifically the 42" cut.
Purchased late May 2024.

Only disappointment and truly a choice I had to make was the 42 inch "Stamped Deck".
I wasn't of a mind to pay for the larger "manufactured deck", as 42" is in my comfort zone. I have a Hustler Raptor 42" with manufactured deck with "lap bar steering" and transitioning to iDrive joy-stick steering has been a chore...muscle memory has yet to develop fully. I've never wrecked a shopping cart nor my Raptor 42, but I'm dreading the day when this Ryobi with iDrive is going to do some damage. I creep (slower than January Maple Syrup) between the 12YO Toyota Camry and 54YO Chevy CST to the Ryobi's reserved barn parking.

I see the cost of Batteries is a scalding subject of discussion. We didn't go to war to rape Afghanistan of their Trillions in Lithium Reserves but rather for their Billions in annual Opium production. We wouldn't have an opium crisis here at home without it. Somebody tell me, why any sane individual would voluntarily serve multiple tours in a carp hole like Afghanistan.

Quite true the cost of a 80V Briefcase Battery is eye opening at $900 each, 06.12.24 MSRP
(+/- $1). Outrageous in fact, considering all the warring we did to re-install Al-Qaeda into power.
But, I digress. And $350 for the 40V "supplemental" batteries (SB) that are included with a $4000 Electric ZTR Mower.

Stress Test them batteries my friends. BTW, Ryobi dropped the price on the 42" ZTR mower by $2000. Seems no one was willing to take the plunge for the Original $6000 MSRP tag. And for $4000 they are lined up, and sun-faded, ready to go at you local HomeDepot.

Stress Testing batteries led me to conclude the 1st unit received was defective. All power usage was being drained from the "SB".
Evidenced by LED readout showing charge level down to 60%; but, the 80V Briefcase Battery (BB) check indication a full tank (100%). Swapped it, the 1st unit, for a 2nd and put it to the test. Suspicion validated when LED readout of 60% was verified by BB check of 59-61% and
likewise the SB idiot lights indicating 50+%.

I read that charging is a subject for discussion. The longevity of batteries is predicated on the number of "charging cycles". That raises the question, if Li-Ion batteries don't acquire a charging level memory then why is the number charging cycles a factor?
Nonetheless, I have taken to maximizing the number charging cycles by depleting charge levels to as low comfortable. I've gone so low as to require a scurry hurry back to the barn when the Low Battery Alert arose. An upgrade would be an audible on this alert, not simply a visual on the LED.

Double-Cut blades replacements are not available at this time, 06.12.24. The blade adapters are available @ $4.20 each. The double-cut blades do an awesome job of mulching the grass, even tall grass is no problem. The problem is them thar blades are thin and won't stand up to hitting a common red house brick. Bent the carp out of the upper blade on one side. Pounded it back into reasonably same straightness but not good enough, I surmise. Removed the same blade from the other side and I'm back to mowing. But it won't mulch the grass as before. The Red Brick incident damaged the associated blade adapter. I'm waiting for Ryobi to reverse their cranial-anal positioning and restock the blades before also ordering adapters.

Well folks, those are my 1st month notables, and I hope to hear from you.

Click to expand...

Believe me, the stamped deck will not be your only disappointment on this mower. Wait until the batteries take a dump and you see the cost of labor and replacement. Wait until you need service and the nearest service center is in the next state 90 miles away. It is a choice people make when buying off brand products from big box stores.

papajack said:

I have owned a Ryobi battery-operated Riding lawn mower since 2017. I paid $2400 new. In 2022, I replaced the batteries from 50 to 100 for $1200. I replaced the batteries myself. Two years later, my batteries are not holding a full charge again.
My next purchase will be a gas engine. The maintenance may be a pain, but it will last longer.

I own an EGO battery push mower, too. Replacing the battery costs $300, which I have done twice. It is like buying a new mower. My next push mower will be gas.
I can't wait to be forced to have an electric car.

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My Ryobi had one bad battery. Another $239 battery fixed the problem.

I do not see electric cars working for the average person. Electric tools, yes. There will never be enough chargers, and the power grid will not support them. You saw what last winter did to the chargers. The government put so many restrictions on building charges that they haven't built a couple in two years. Maine builds zero because it does not have the proper DEI-type people in the state.
One road by me has over two hundred apartments. Where will they charge their cars?
If you want to see what life would be like to charge your car, sit at a gas pump for one hour every 200 miles.

papajack said:

I do not see electric cars working for the average person. Electric tools, yes.

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I don’t see that at all.

papajack said:

There will never be enough chargers, and the power grid will not support them.

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We have a 50% generating capacity surplus at night. Perfect time for EVs to charge. Easy money for the utility. More money 5o expect capacity.

papajack said:

You saw what last winter did to the chargers.

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Nope didn’t see anything but idiots in Chicago who try to drive an EV like an ICE and only fill up when empty. No one had issues who used a simple EVSE at home to charge overnight. Arrive at a Supercharger with a cold depleted battery, bad things happen. Takes at about 30 minutes to warm to a charging temperature and even then it can only charge at 10% of what a 250 kW Supercharger is capable of. So many were connecting, not seeing anything happening, didn’t know what was happening, declared the charger to be broken when it wasn’t. Put it on a 10kW home 240v 50a circuit (40a at 100% duty cycle) every night and it will always be ready in the morning.

papajack said:

The government put so many restrictions on building charges that they haven't built a couple in two years.

Click to expand...

”They” as in “government needs to give me things!” Tesla is building thousands without government money.

papajack said:

Maine builds zero because it does not have the proper DEI-type people in the state.

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Transportation Secretary Butthead burdened government funding of DCFC with DEI and Woke idealism to the point only 7 have been built in 3.5 years.

papajack said:

One road by me has over two hundred apartments. Where will they charge their cars?

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Once Upon A Time those apartments didn’t get air conditioning. Or dishwashers. Or swimming pools, weight rooms, spas, tennis courts, etc. When renters want it they vote with a moving truck, else landlord provides. There are many apartments near me offering EV charging.

papajack said:

If you want to see what life would be like to charge your car, sit at a gas pump for one hour every 200 miles.

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More like 20-25 minutes. I have owned and driven a Tesla for 10.5 years as my daily driver.

This past week drove 205 miles one day. Spent 15 seconds unplugging that morning, 15 seconds reconnecting that night. No charging in between. Didn’t start with full battery, arrived home with 90 miles remaining. Cost $6.89 to charge. Simply awful!

Drove 150 miles another day.

Those horseless carriages will never work. Where will we get the gas to keep them running?

Joed756 said:

Those horseless carriages will never work. Where will we get the gas to keep them running?

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Was common back in the day to buy cans of spirits from the druggist to feed the engine.

papajack said:

For anything with batteries, you have to decide if you are OK with the cost. . . . Anyone would be stupid to buy a used electric car.

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Just my personal experience, but anyone would be stupid to buy anything made by Ryobi; it's cheap Home Depot loss-leader crappage and failures are not-if-but-how-soon.

The Ryobi genius was the "keep the same battery platform" marketing. The result is one ends up with a pile of 18-volt and 40-volt tools, batteries and chargers in various stages of failures.

jack vines

packardv8 said:

Just my personal experience, but anyone would be stupid to buy anything made by Ryobi; it's cheap Home Depot loss-leader crappage and failures are not-if-but-how-soon.

The Ryobi genius was the "keep the same battery platform" marketing. The result is one ends up with a pile of 18-volt and 40-volt tools, batteries and chargers in various stages of failures.

jack vines

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I do believe EGo and DeWalt have the best batteries. Well, 2nd to Tesla.

What did they do with the replaced batteries?

strohmoose said:

What did they do with the replaced batteries?

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Hopefully they're being recycled

aussielawny said:

Hopefully they're being recycled

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Very easy to recycle batteries.

I bought the 30" Ryobi Z30Li this spring. Comes with two 80-volt 10Ah Li-ion suitcase batteries.

They have 30", 42", and 54" models. (They also have steering wheel tractor equivalents in the same 3 deck sizes at same prices as the ZTs. As someone else mentioned, this spring they dropped the price of all 3 models $2000, so prices are:
• Z30Li @$2999 (comes with two 80-volt batteries)
• Z42Li @$3999 (comes with two 80-volt batteries + two 40-volt batteries)
• Z54Li @$4999 (comes with three 80-volt batteries + four 40-volt batteries)

Turning and travel speed are single joystick controlled vs. lap bars. This is my first zero turn, so I have no experience to compare joy stick to lap bars. There was a learning curve on the joy stick, but by the 3rd mowing, I really had the hang of it - I'm pretty efficient with it now, and it is now 2nd nature.

One nice feature: The control algorithm automatically goes into an anti-burn-turn mode whenever you force it to a tight turn, as in doing a 180° for the next row. The firmware forces both wheels to keep turning - typically one moving forward, the other in reverse to varying degrees, *never* allowing it to spin around one stopped rear wheel. It's not a useless gimmick - it works extremely well - you can quickly and easily fine tune your turn with precise movement of the joystick to end up perfectly lined up to begin the next row - part of the learning curve, but it quickly becomes quite natural. Again, the algorithm continuously keeps both wheels independently moving either forwards or backwards as needed to control the effective radius of your turn, while never allowing a true zero (burn) turn. You have to experience it to appreciate it.

Someone mentioned the electricity for battery charging costing as much or more than gas for an IC mower. Not true - it's a *fraction* of the cost electricity vs. gas - see the video I linked at the end of this post in which a guy actually measured it.

I don't ever see myself getting an EV, but electric mowers for me make sense.

As also mentioned by others, the batteries are guaranteed for 5 years (only 3 years if you fail to register the mower/batteries with Ryobi).

I'm really liking it - much quicker than my 21" electric Kobalt (Lowes) self-propelled walk-behind. At 73 years old, I recently developed a back problem and could no longer handle the walking with a walk-behind. I took a gamble with the Ryobi zero-turn rider, and it causes zero back pain, and I get my approx. 1/3 acre yard cut in 45 to 50 minutes rather than 2 to 2-1/2 hours with the walk behind.

I run my two (simultaneously installed) batteries down to between 30 and 50% of charge in a complete mow depending on how thick the grass is each time. I always run blades at highest speed for best cut and mulching quality (3 blade speeds are selectable). I could get slightly less battery discharge by using lower blade speed, but I put a high priority on grass lift and quality of cut. While the 2 suitcase batteries easily lift out if needed, they generally stay in the mower all the time - there's a charging port built into the side of the mower.

I did purchase the optional double-blade kit - complete set of 4 blades (2 blades x 2 spindles) @$41. Does a very good quality of cut and mulching (I don't bag). The double-blade kits are readily available for the 3 different sizes of mowers. I'm really glad to have that option. (4-blade set for 42" @$70; 6- blade set for 54" @$63)

I'll figure on having to get new batteries maybe at 6 years (again: guaranteed for 5). I probably won't be happy at the price of replacement batteries (currently at $900 each!), assuming they are available (throw-away mower?). But at 73 y.o., how much longer will I be cutting the grass? Seriously! ‍

OK - comparing cost for electricity to charge a Ryobi to cost of fuel for a gas or diesel:
In the below video, to cut his 3-1/2 acres, the guy charged the two 80-volt 10Ah plus 40-volt 12Ah batteries of the 42" Ryobi Z42Li from 0% to 100% charge (more than enough to cut his 3-1/2 acres) for a total cost of $0.50 at a rate of 22¢/kWh. He said it used $60 in diesel @a little over $6 per gallon to cut the same 3-1/2 acres with his 60" diesel mower. Lets conservatively say that it would take $25 of gas (@around $3/gallon) with a gas mower. In most places, electricity runs around 10 to 18¢/kWh, lets say 15¢/kWh, so that would be around 35¢ for the charge.

So that's conservatively roughly $25 in gas compared to 35¢ in electricity - a factor of 70 times more for the gas than electricity.

35¢ vs. >$25 to cut 3-1/2 acres.

The video (the guy mis-speaks a couple of times saying "kW" when he should have said "kWh" - but he does the math correctly):

Country Clipper used to be about the only zero turn with joystick. They made one for Snapper for a year or two long ago. My Country Clipper dealer said most with no twin stick zero turn experience (no muscle memory) preferred the joystick. Country Clipper made twin stick as well, same price either way. I have a 42" Country Clipper Avenue with joystick and 18HP Kawasaki engine.

Last week one day of 205 miles in my Tesla Model Y Long Range required 68.9 kWh to charge back to the level I started. At 10¢/kWh that is $6.89. At $2.999/gallon I would have to get 89 MPG to equal that cost/mile.

Haven't bothered for years but used to have a Kill-A-Watt inline with my EGo charger. Cost about 8¢ for electricity to mow my 1/3rd acre with a 21" SP mulcher.

$60 of diesel to mow 3.5 acres? 10 gallons? That doesn't sound right.

GrumpyCat said:

Country Clipper used to be about the only zero turn with joystick. They made one for Snapper for a year or two long ago. My Country Clipper dealer said most with no twin stick zero turn experience (no muscle memory) preferred the joystick. Country Clipper made twin stick as well, same price either way. I have a 42" Country Clipper Avenue with joystick and 18HP Kawasaki engine.

Last week one day of 205 miles in my Tesla Model Y Long Range required 68.9 kWh to charge back to the level I started. At 10¢/kWh that is $6.89. At $2.999/gallon I would have to get 89 MPG to equal that cost/mile.

Haven't bothered for years but used to have a Kill-A-Watt inline with my EGo charger. Cost about 8¢ for electricity to mow my 1/3rd acre with a 21" SP mulcher.

$60 of diesel to mow 3.5 acres? 10 gallons? That doesn't sound right.

Click to expand...

"$60 of diesel to mow 3.5 acres? 10 gallons? That doesn't sound right."

I wondered about that too. He did say that was a 60" mower, and implied that the weight might drive the fuel usage up. Not sure if that's true or not. More weight would be more than offset by wider cut => more efficiency?

Anyway - I'm no expert, but that's why I based my gasoline estimate at $25. ($25 @$3.15/gallon works out to about 8 gallons.) That may also be on the high side. What do you think would be a reasonable generic gallons of gasoline for 3.5 acres?

I'm thinking of creating a Ryobi ZT Lithium-ion review thread and tweaking my post to use for the OP (plus there's a pretty good review article by protoolreviews.com that I'd link).

I think we're seeing here another example of electric advocates overestimating the cost savings. $0.10/KWH? I paid $0.11/KWH 5 yrs ago, and I was getting mine from TVA, which has some of the cheapest electricity in the country. And $60 of diesel to mow 3 acres? That sounds high, too. Day-to-day operating costs will be less for electric. There's no doubt on that. But there's more to TCO (total cost of ownership) than the cost of "fuel".

For gas mowers:
- gas
- oil
- maintenance
- repairs
- depreciation

For electric:
- electricity
- battery replacements
- maintenance
- repairs
- depreciation

I'm guessing that, except for oil changes, maintenance and repairs will be similar on both. Gas will be the dominant cost for a gas mower. Battery replacements will be the dominant costs for electric. The example above cites $900 batteries, and the mower uses 2 or 3 of them. So we're talking about $1800 to $2700 worth of batteries every 5-6 yrs. Is that more than the cost of 5-6 yrs worth of fuel for a gas mower? I don't know, but it certainly brings the costs closer. Personally, even if the costs are the same, I'd prefer the higher day-to-day costs over the HUGE hit of battery replacements.

Depreciation is not negligible either. A 10 yr old gas mower, if properly cared for, will work about as well as new. My push mower is 13 yrs old, my ZTR is 8 yrs old. Both work like new. Battery powered mower technology is still developing at a fairly fast pace. A 10 yr old battery mower is almost worthless.

I'm not against electric. Heck, I'm an electrical engineer. Electric has a lot of advantages, but let's not overstate them.

GearHead36 said:

I think we're seeing here another example of electric advocates overestimating the cost savings. $0.10/KWH? I paid $0.11/KWH 5 yrs ago, and I was getting mine from TVA, which has some of the cheapest electricity in the country. And $60 of diesel to mow 3 acres? That sounds high, too. Day-to-day operating costs will be less for electric. There's no doubt on that. But there's more to TCO (total cost of ownership) than the cost of "fuel".

For gas mowers:
- gas
- oil
- maintenance
- repairs
- depreciation

For electric:
- electricity
- battery replacements
- maintenance
- repairs
- depreciation

I'm guessing that, except for oil changes, maintenance and repairs will be similar on both. Gas will be the dominant cost for a gas mower. Battery replacements will be the dominant costs for electric. The example above cites $900 batteries, and the mower uses 2 or 3 of them. So we're talking about $1800 to $2700 worth of batteries every 5-6 yrs. Is that more than the cost of 5-6 yrs worth of fuel for a gas mower? I don't know, but it certainly brings the costs closer. Personally, even if the costs are the same, I'd prefer the higher day-to-day costs over the HUGE hit of battery replacements.

Depreciation is not negligible either. A 10 yr old gas mower, if properly cared for, will work about as well as new. My push mower is 13 yrs old, my ZTR is 8 yrs old. Both work like new. Battery powered mower technology is still developing at a fairly fast pace. A 10 yr old battery mower is almost worthless.

I'm not against electric. Heck, I'm an electrical engineer. Electric has a lot of advantages, but let's not overstate them.

Click to expand...

We have a lot in common - I'm an electrical/electronics engineer, and I'm one of the guys on car enthusiast forums arguing against EV mandates and pointing out the unachievable grid demands and every other reason why we are nowhere near ready to transition.

I wasn't arguing in terms of TCO, though i did mention expecting battery replacement in around 6 years at $900 x 2 for my particular Ryobi mower. I was addressing an earlier post that made it sound like cost of gasoline was less than cost of electrons to cut the same yard.

I used 15¢/kWh for my spitball comparison. I'm guessing that the guy in the video (2 years ago) lives in California since he was talking about diesel at over $6/gallon and electricity at 22¢/kWh (bless his heart!).

So let's put the thumb on the scale to ridiculously favor the use of gas vs. electricity for the mower: Let's say it cost $8 in gasoline to cut 3-1/2 acres, and the cost of electricity is 25¢/kWh. The comparison then becomes $8 in gas vs. about 60¢ for electricity a 13 to 1 ratio.

So I think we're in violent agreement on most everything.

The electric mower is a good solution for me because I'm very much a DIYer, **BUT** am 73 years old with a bad back (only mower maintenance is sharpening/swapping blades), and I face the very likely cost of battery replacement or new lawnmower (or contracting out my lawn maintenance) at close to 80 years old with eyes wide open.

I won't get into how I'm dealing with peripheral preening (weedeating and a small amount of use of the push mower (Kobalt electric)) - I'll just say I'm having to be creative. I'm trying not to be a couch potato. I haven't yet told anybody "Get off my lawn!!", but that could happen any day now.

Without experience you assume batteries have to be replaced every 3 years. You assume the cellphone/laptop model applies. Ryobi has a 5 year battery warranty for simply clicking on their website. EGo too on the 10 Ah.

Am still using my 2016 EGo 7.5Ah battery, and 2.0 Ah. Many others have not got that kind of service but I have other EGo batteries nearly as old.

Maintenance has consisted of sharpening the blade, replacing the trimmer string. No filters, no belts, no oil.

GrumpyCat said:

Without experience you assume batteries have to be replaced every 3 years. You assume the cellphone/laptop model applies. Ryobi has a 5 year battery warranty for simply clicking on their website. EGo too on the 10 Ah.

Am still using my 2016 EGo 7.5Ah battery, and 2.0 Ah. Many others have not got that kind of service but I have other EGo batteries nearly as old.

Maintenance has consisted of sharpening the blade, replacing the trimmer string. No filters, no belts, no oil.

Click to expand...

I'm still using the original 80-volt 6Ah battery on my Kobalt self propelled walk-behind that I bought 6 years ago. I bought 2 gray market ("open box") OEM batteries as spares from highly-rated sellers on ebay at half the price of buying new ones through Lowes. (Chinese-branded knock offs are available on Amazon and ebay, but I trust them less than open box OEMs off of ebay - the Kobalt batteries have some premium cells with very high current capability - I couldn't get straight answers on cell model number or current ratings from Amazon sellers, and not sure I'd believe them if they told me.)

I rotate the 3 batteries equally through normal usage - no noticeable degradation of any of the 3 so far.

Peva said:

So I think we're in violent agreement on most everything.

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Except you want to compare costs, and then use the one category ("fuel") that most favors electric over gas, while ignoring the biggest cost of electric... battery replacements. And really... operating costs aren't even a consideration to me. Whether it costs a few dollars or a few cents per mow isn't critical. Now admittedly, if it cost me $60 per mow, as the guy in the video claims, that would be significant. Purchase price is important. Repairs (if expensive) could be important. I'm a little concerned with the EFI on my ZTR. If it breaks, the repair could be pricey. The cost of replacing batteries is a big concern. I looked up the Ryobi mower from the video. The orange big box store has it for $7000, and are proud to state that it includes $5000 worth of batteries and charger. Just the batteries and charger are over double what I have invested in my ZTR. I DID get it used for a good price.* And repairs on an electric? How many shops can repair them? For me, though, I want a mower that mows my lawn with the greatest speed and comfort. My yard has a lot of bumps, obstacles, and a few slopes & hills. My ZTR has large tires, a suspension seat, a steering wheel and ROPS (which helps on slopes & hills), and a high top speed (almost double that of a residential mower). This is a combination of features that is almost perfect for my yard, and allows me to mow more quickly with more comfort than any electric mower.

* For me, being able to get a used mower at a good price is appealing, and you have a much better chance of getting such a mower if it's gas. My ZTR is a commercial unit that sold for $9000 new. I got it for $2000 because it needed work. I put about $300 into it, and it runs and mows like new. I don't think that any electric mower can match its capabilities, and certainly anything available for under $3000, even used, will be FAR worse.

Again I say, electric has a lot of advantages, but let's not overstate them. I want to be able to choose a mower based on my needs, not some agenda being pushed by the government. Overstating the advantages of electric is pushing an agenda.

GearHead36 said:

Except you want to compare costs, and then use the one category ("fuel") that most favors electric over gas, while ignoring the biggest cost of electric... battery replacements. And really... operating costs aren't even a consideration to me. Whether it costs a few dollars or a few cents per mow isn't critical. Now admittedly, if it cost me $60 per mow, as the guy in the video claims, that would be significant. Purchase price is important. Repairs (if expensive) could be important. I'm a little concerned with the EFI on my ZTR. If it breaks, the repair could be pricey. The cost of replacing batteries is a big concern. I looked up the Ryobi mower from the video. The orange big box store has it for $7000, and are proud to state that it includes $5000 worth of batteries and charger. Just the batteries and charger are over double what I have invested in my ZTR. I DID get it used for a good price.* And repairs on an electric? How many shops can repair them? For me, though, I want a mower that mows my lawn with the greatest speed and comfort. My yard has a lot of bumps, obstacles, and a few slopes & hills. My ZTR has large tires, a suspension seat, a steering wheel and ROPS (which helps on slopes & hills), and a high top speed (almost double that of a residential mower). This is a combination of features that is almost perfect for my yard, and allows me to mow more quickly with more comfort than any electric mower.

* For me, being able to get a used mower at a good price is appealing, and you have a much better chance of getting such a mower if it's gas. My ZTR is a commercial unit that sold for $9000 new. I got it for $2000 because it needed work. I put about $300 into it, and it runs and mows like new. I don't think that any electric mower can match its capabilities, and certainly anything available for under $3000, even used, will be FAR worse.

Again I say, electric has a lot of advantages, but let's not overstate them. I want to be able to choose a mower based on my needs, not some agenda being pushed by the government. Overstating the advantages of electric is pushing an agenda.

Click to expand...

??

I didn't ignore anything. I never said to look at electricity and gasoline cost and don't look at anything else. I focused on that because someone else had commented on that. You might want to re-read what I said. I mentioned cost of batteries more than once. I suggested (twice) that they might be considered throw away lawn mowers in that if the batteries go bad after 6 or 7 years, you might just get a new mower with as much as the batteries cost. I stated that I am against EV mandates for several reasons, including that no way the grid will handle it.

By the way - I did see today that the prices are back up. They had dropped the prices $2000 as I had mentioned. Where I said the prices are $2999, $3999, and $4999 for 40", 42", and 54" respectively, they are now back up to $4999, $5999, and $6999. Yikes!

Peva said:

I didn't ignore anything. I never said to look at electricity and gasoline cost and don't look at anything else. I focused on that because soneone else had commented on that. You might want to re-read what I said. I mentioned cost of batteries more than once. I suggested (twice) that they might be considered throw away lawn mowers in that if the batteries go bad after 6 or 7 years, you might just get a new mower with as much as the batteries cost. I stated that I am against EV mandates for several reasons, including that no way the grid will handle it.

By the way - I did see today that the prices are back up. They had dropped the prices $2000 as I had mentioned. WHERE I said the prices are $2999, $3999, and $4999 for 40", 42", and 54" respectively, they are now back up to $4999, $5999, and $6999. Yikes!

Click to expand...

Ok, you didn't totally ignore the other costs, but you focused on "fuel", which, to me, is the least significant cost. I estimate that it costs me $5 per mow. If that went to zero, that wouldn't affect my opinion on what I wanted.

A $2000 price increase? Wow!

GearHead36 said:

Ok, you didn't totally ignore the other costs, but you focused on "fuel", which, to me, is the least significant cost. I estimate that it costs me $5 per mow. If that went to zero, that wouldn't affect my opinion on what I wanted.

A $2000 price increase? Wow!

Click to expand...

(I explained why I focused on the cost of electricity/fuel.)

Peva said:

35¢ vs. >$25 to cut 3-1/2 acres.

Click to expand...

What you leave out is the $500 for replacement batteries then $3000 when you have to replace the whole mower because they don't sell the batteries any more.
I have my 80's mower with original engine. I got it free back in the 90's so my cost- 0+ gas. No way I have used $3000 in gas yet. If you last 30 years with your battery, it would be a miracle.

One of the many benefits of gas is that the professionals only need a few minutes to gas their mower and get back to work. They don't need to carry $5000 of batteries to swap all day and be SOL every few years to replace them. Even if, I don't know how they can service using those plastic mowers to run a business. Someday, someone will show a truck idling while they cut the grass to charge their batteries- classic gas generator to charge a tesla that ran out of power.

You also leave out the cost of gas is because we pay road tax with gas. You Don't.

upupandaway said:

What you leave out is the $500 for replacement batteries then $3000 when you have to replace the whole mower because they don't sell the batteries any more.
I have my 80's mower with original engine. I got it free back in the 90's so my cost- 0+ gas. No way I have used $3000 in gas yet. If you last 30 years with your battery, it would be a miracle.

One of the many benefits of gas is that the professionals only need a few minutes to gas their mower and get back to work. They don't need to carry $5000 of batteries to swap all day and be SOL every few years to replace them. Even if, I don't know how they can service using those plastic mowers to run a business. Someday, someone will show a truck idling while they cut the grass to charge their batteries- classic gas generator to charge a tesla that ran out of power.

You also leave out the cost of gas is because we pay road tax with gas. You Don't.

Click to expand...

Jeezo Pete!

I was addressing *only* the cost of gas and the cost of electricity for cutting the same yard - again - because someone brought that up. Nowhere did I state or imply that I was, in that analysis, covering every aspect of ownership - TCO, even though I mentioned several of those other aspects.

AGAIN - I mentioned cost of batteries. I would suggest to you to re-read my posts.

You say i left out things that I did not leave out, such as that I could very well need or decide to scrap and replace the entire mower when the batteries fail (when I'm 79 or 80 years old if I'm still cutting my own grass). Again - re-read my posts.

Nowhere did I suggest that someone use these consumer-grade mowers for professional service. The 5-year warranty in the Ryobi batteries does not apply for use professional/commercial service. I forget if it reverts to 3 or zero years, but i'm not going to the trouble of looking it up.

I'm with you on all the politics we're facing on having EVs crammed down our throats. I know about millions (or was it billions?) of $$ being legislated for chargers and only 4 charger having been built with that money 2 years later.

I am for free choice. I explained why, at 73 y.o. with a back problem that I have to minimize routine maintenance - all I gotta deal with is blade sharpening and swapping.

Anyway...

have a good day.

upupandaway said:

What you leave out is the $500 for replacement batteries then $3000 when you have to replace the whole mower because they don't sell the batteries any more.
I have my 80's mower with original engine. I got it free back in the 90's so my cost- 0+ gas. No way I have used $3000 in gas yet. If you last 30 years with your battery, it would be a miracle.

One of the many benefits of gas is that the professionals only need a few minutes to gas their mower and get back to work. They don't need to carry $5000 of batteries to swap all day and be SOL every few years to replace them. Even if, I don't know how they can service using those plastic mowers to run a business. Someday, someone will show a truck idling while they cut the grass to charge their batteries- classic gas generator to charge a tesla that ran out of power.

You also leave out the cost of gas is because we pay road tax with gas. You Don't.

Click to expand...

Well, you have learned everything you “know“ from biased media which tells you what you want to hear.

30 years from an ICE mower is not unheard of, but unusual.

So, is the battery still available for your 80’s mower? Of course it is. You haven’t spent 30 seconds on YouTube to see how much EV battery technology is being understood and advanced by the lowly masses posting on YouTube. Ain’t really that hard. The ubiquitous 18650 is the standard inside packaged batteries you don’t see. Don’t buy on eBay, most of those are fraudulent, there are reputable online sources. There are multiple vendors offering compatible (so far, inferior) EGo and Greenworks batteries. And DeWalt, Milwaukee, and most everything else. And those who will rebuild your battery using equal or superior cells for significantly less than a new battery assembly.

You pretend a $3000 box store EV mower accurately represents commercial use. That is spinning hard. You pretend all EV mowers are plastic. No serious commercial mowing service buys from box stores. There are commercial EV mowers that will run 8 hours nonstop. Isn’t always a perfect solution for all mowing services but isn’t the “never works, impossible solution” you pretend it to be. Lower maintenance, easy charging at night, quieter operation, pays.

Gas tax! You are clueless! I pay a $203/year EV fee to Alabama in lieu of the gas tax of $0.29/gallon. I prepay for 700 gallons of gasoline, 21,000 miles/year at 30 MPG. I get screwed, I am the one paying for roads I don’t use.

Someone brought me a Greeworks mower,,,,,,,battery checked ok, motor was Fried,,,,So sick of these Green new deal people

Peva said:

Jeezo Pete!

I was addressing *only* the cost of gas and the cost of electricity for cutting the same yard - again - because someone brought that up. Nowhere did I state or imply that I was, in that analysis, covering every aspect of ownership - TCO, even though I mentioned several of those other aspects.

AGAIN - I mentioned cost of batteries. I would suggest to you to re-read my posts.

You say i left out things that I did not leave out, such as that I could very well need or decide to scrap and replace the entire mower when the batteries fail (when I'm 79 or 80 years old if I'm still cutting my own grass). Again - re-read my posts.

Nowhere did I suggest that someone use these consumer-grade mowers for professional service. The 5-year warranty in the Ryobi batteries does not apply for use professional/commercial service. I forget if it reverts to 3 or zero years, but i'm not going to the trouble of looking it up.

I'm with you on all the politics we're facing on having EVs crammed down our throats. I know about millions (or was it billions?) of $$ being legislated for chargers and only 4 charger having been built with that money 2 years later.

I am for free choice. I explained why, at 73 y.o. with a back problem that I have to minimize routine maintenance - all I gotta deal with is blade sharpening and swapping.

Anyway...

have a good day.

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I might as well say my car doesn't use any gas just because I'm not driving it right now. It is pretty lame to tell me it is cheaper by ignoring certain costs and not comparing apples to apples.

I replied to your post on your electric mower. I never dragged your car into the conversation.

"30 years from an ICE mower is not unheard of, but unusual." I find a few every year- "unheard of" only to you.

Lie to yourself all you want, just don't be one of those trying to ban gas.

Peva said:

I'm with you on all the politics we're facing on having EVs crammed down our throats. I know about millions (or was it billions?) of $$ being legislated for chargers and only 4 charger having been built with that money 2 years later.

Click to expand...

Hopefully the funds have not been spent.

Our Woke DEI Secretary of Transportation burdened the funds with every woke DEI term ever known. Even has a requirement to hire felons. Only 7 or 8 have been built. That was the limit of how much even Government Farmers (those who harvest government funding) were willing to lie. Who knew there was a limit?

Meanwhile Tesla builds Superchargers with private funds. Has 2329 sites in the USA, most with at least 8 charging stalls, most new with 16-24. 162 more sites are under active construction, and 436 more are known to have leases and construction permits.

Bertrrr said:

Someone brought me a Greeworks mower,,,,,,,battery checked ok, motor was Fried,,,,So sick of these Green new deal people

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Greenworks box store mowers are bottom tier.

Greenworks is playing to be OEM to everyone Much the same as whoever it is who has taken over the box store mower business. Many ”brands” of tools are using Greenworks batteries, that is how you can tell.

EGo makes good stuff, albeit in China.

upupandaway said:

I might as well say my car doesn't use any gas just because I'm not driving it right now. It is pretty lame to tell me it is cheaper by ignoring certain costs and not comparing apples to apples.

I replied to your post on your electric mower. I never dragged your car into the conversation.

"30 years from an ICE mower is not unheard of, but unusual." I find a few every year- "unheard of" only to you.

Lie to yourself all you want, just don't be one of those trying to ban gas.

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It appears you are viewing me and GrumpyCat as one person.

GrumpyCat said:

...The ubiquitous 18650 is the standard inside packaged batteries you don’t see. Don’t buy on eBay, most of those are fraudulent, there are reputable online sources. There are multiple vendors offering compatible (so far, inferior) EGo and Greenworks batteries. ...

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You may know of the newer 21700 form-factor Li-ion cell - slightly larger package size than 18650 for more manufacturing and price efficiency for more power-intense applications - I think I read that Tesla worked with the battery mfrs. for that.

Probably most if not all (especially commercial grade) electric riders/zero-turns use the 21700 cells. The Ryobis use the 21700 cells, and it is only residential grade.

GrumpyCat said:

Greenworks box store mowers are bottom tier.

Greenworks is playing to be OEM to everyone Much the same as whoever it is who has taken over the box store mower business. Many ”brands” of tools are using Greenworks batteries, that is how you can tell.

EGo makes good stuff, albeit in China.

Click to expand...

I know that my Kobalt (Lowes) 80-volt walk behind uses the Greenworks batteries - just different package color, labeling, and socket keying (a known fact on the internet is that you can interchange them just by filing off socket keying details). I will say that those batteries use a particular model of 18650 cells that have unusually high average and peak current capability for longevity and reliability in the application. I'm guessing that any future push mower applications will be using the 21700 (or larger) form-factor cells.

If I were to buy a walk-behind today, it would probably be an EGo. I looked at the EGo zero-turn, but the Ryobi had some advantages from reviews and specs. I looked at. The fact that Ryobi dropped their prices for all models by $2k this Spring made the decision easy for me right when I needed it (though last week, they added back the $2k). Perhaps the EGo just needs another design iteration to top the Ryobi.

EGo has the dual blades (per spindle) on all but their lowest models of pushmowers. I bought the dual-blade set as an option ($42) offered for my Ryobi zero-turn. Dual blades give a significant step up for overall cut and mulching quality and lift without compromising competing lift and mulching performance (my layman opinion). I think they will become an industry-wide standard or option on all but the lowest tier of products.

upupandaway said:

What you leave out is the $500 for replacement batteries then $3000 when you have to replace the whole mower because they don't sell the batteries any more.

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You underestimate the cost of batteries. The Ryobi 80V 10AH batteries are $899 ea, and the 40V 12AH are $359 ea. The 54" mower uses 3 of the 80V and 4 of the 40V, Total replacement cost is $4133. Warranty is 5 yrs. Some here have reported Ryobi battery life of 3 yrs, some over 6 yrs. 5 yrs is a good estimate. So... $4133 is $826.60 per year. If used for the typical homeowner usage of 40hrs/yr, that works out to $20.67/hr. At 50 hrs/yr, that works out to $16.53/hr of operation. If we give the Ryobi the benefit of 7 yrs of battery life at 50 hrs/yr, that works out to $11.81/hr of operation. I did a similar calculation for my 54" commercial mower. It uses about 1 gallon of E0 ($3.80) per hr. I figure about $50/yr avg in maintenance for oil changes and air filter servicing/replacing. The air filter doesn't need replacing every year. I use my mower about 40 hrs/yr, which works out to $5.05/hr of operation. I was wrong before when I said that it cost me $5/mow. I had forgotten maintenance. My mowing takes 1.5-1.75 hrs, which works out to $7.57 - $8.84 per mow.

Of course, these costs would be less for yards smaller than mine.

I think that it's disingenuous to promote the economy of battery mowers by citing only the cheapest part of the TCO... the cost of the electricity. Battery mowers DO have advantages, but cost is not one of them. Note that I didn't even include purchase price in my cost analysis above.

Peva said:

The fact that Ryobi dropped their prices for all models by $2k this Spring made the decision easy for me right when I needed it (though they recently added the $2k back). Perhaps the EGo just needs another design iteration to top the Ryobi.

Click to expand...

I checked today, and the price is $2K lower again.

Bertrrr said:

Someone brought me a Greeworks mower,,,,,,,battery checked ok, motor was Fried.

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I don't understand this. Circuitry to protect electric motors is not rocket science. I'm guessing it would add maybe $10 to the cost of production. And that's for circuitry to protect ALL the motors.

GearHead36 said:

I checked today, and the price is $2K lower again.

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Weird - and annoying! - that they do that. Maybe so they can advertise again that they've dropped prices $2000 to get the attention of would-be buyers that haven't been paying attention.

No they lower the prices to get you to get the mower , now you have to buy the replacement batteries from them and they'll get their money back and then some

papajack said:

I have owned a Ryobi battery-operated Riding lawn mower since 2017. I paid $2400 new. In 2022, I replaced the batteries from 50 to 100 for $1200. I replaced the batteries myself. Two years later, my batteries are not holding a full charge again.
My next purchase will be a gas engine. The maintenance may be a pain, but it will last longer.

I own an EGO battery push mower, too. Replacing the battery costs $300, which I have done twice. It is like buying a new mower. My next push mower will be gas.
I can't wait to be forced to have an electric car.

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They sure do appreciate your business though. LOL Wow what a story.

You better be scrounging face trash marketplace and such for a Commercial Snapper, Toro or Honda pusher. Not making those stellar machines anymore.

woodstover said:

What kind of warranty are on these batteries, just curious

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Not many talk about this.

On other items, I don't know about these mowers, batteries mostly are not covered. Only takes one dead cell to pull the entire pack down.

Peva said:

You may know of the newer 21700 form-factor Li-ion cell - slightly larger package size than 18650 for more manufacturing and price efficiency for more power-intense applications - I think I read that Tesla worked with the battery mfrs. for that.

Click to expand...

Yes, am aware. My 2013 Tesla had 7100 some odd 18650 and my 2023 Tesla Model Y Long Range has a bunch of the 2170. For some reason they are deleting the last zero on 2170, 21mm diameter 70mm long vs 18mm diameter and 65mm long.

Tesla's LiFePO4 cells are 4680.

Peva said:

Probably most if not all (especially commercial grade) electric riders/zero-turns use the 21700 cells. The Ryobis use the 21700 cells, and it is only residential grade.

Click to expand...

Doesn't really matter, the cells will be available to rebuild the battery packs for decades.

Peva said:

I know that my Kobalt (Lowes) 80-volt walk behind uses the Greenworks batteries - just different package color, labeling, and socket keying (a known fact on the internet is that you can interchange them just by filing off socket keying details). I will say that those batteries use a particular model of 18650 cells that have unusually high average and peak current capability for longevity and reliability in the application. I'm guessing that any future push mower applications will be using the 21700 (or larger) form-factor cells.

Click to expand...

Is something that doesn't really matter to the end user other than the fact the cells can be purchased to rebuild the battery. For under $50 a proper battery welder is needed to spot weld the terminal straps, the heat of soldering will destroy the cell.

Peva said:

If I were to buy a walk-behind today, it would probably be an EGo.

Click to expand...

I have had one since 2016. But can no longer walk behind.

Peva said:

I looked at the EGo zero-turn, but the Ryobi had some advantages from reviews and specs. I looked at. The fact that Ryobi dropped their prices for all models by $2k this Spring made the decision easy for me right when I needed it (though last week, they added back the $2k). Perhaps the EGo just needs another design iteration to top the Ryobi.

Click to expand...

Couple years ago several things prompted my purchase of a Country Clipper Avenue 42" with Kawasaki engine over the then-new EGo. I liked the dealer. And I loved the optional hand rail. The handrail would be hard to fit on a twin stick, this is joystick steer. I miss the quiet of the EGo.

slomo said:

Not many talk about this.

Click to expand...

Been a lot of talk about it here.

slomo said:

On other items, I don't know about these mowers, batteries mostly are not covered. Only takes one dead cell to pull the entire pack down.

Click to expand...

Very simple search "ryobi ztr battery warranty"

"80V Battery: Five years if the product is used for personal, family, or household use, two years for any other purpose such as commercial, rental, or any other income producing purpose"

EGo batteries are warranted for 3 years, but the latest 10Ah is 5 years if one clicks the online registration within 90 days.

GrumpyCat said:

"80V Battery: Five years if the product

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Doesn't specify mower or battery at all. "Product".......

Lots of battery tools you must buy the battery and charger separate, not all the time though.

GearHead36 said:

You underestimate the cost of batteries. The Ryobi 80V 10AH batteries are $899 ea, and the 40V 12AH are $359 ea. The 54" mower uses 3 of the 80V and 4 of the 40V, Total replacement cost is $4133. Warranty is 5 yrs. Some here have reported Ryobi battery life of 3 yrs, some over 6 yrs. 5 yrs is a good estimate. So... $4133 is $826.60 per year. If used for the typical homeowner usage of 40hrs/yr, that works out to $20.67/hr. At 50 hrs/yr, that works out to $16.53/hr of operation. If we give the Ryobi the benefit of 7 yrs of battery life at 50 hrs/yr, that works out to $11.81/hr of operation. I did a similar calculation for my 54" commercial mower. It uses about 1 gallon of E0 ($3.80) per hr. I figure about $50/yr avg in maintenance for oil changes and air filter servicing/replacing. The air filter doesn't need replacing every year. I use my mower about 40 hrs/yr, which works out to $5.05/hr of operation. I was wrong before when I said that it cost me $5/mow. I had forgotten maintenance. My mowing takes 1.5-1.75 hrs, which works out to $7.57 - $8.84 per mow.

Of course, these costs would be less for yards smaller than mine.

I think that it's disingenuous to promote the economy of battery mowers by citing only the cheapest part of the TCO... the cost of the electricity. Battery mowers DO have advantages, but cost is not one of them. Note that I didn't even include purchase price in my cost analysis above.

Click to expand...

I am not defending batteries. I just pulled a price from when I saw one at the HW store. I am trying to show how battery mowers are more expensive in the long run. I mention I still have\use 1970's/80's gas mowers. That's why I challenge EV people show me a car with the original battery in 20 years(as lithium batteries go bad- used or not over time).

GearHead36 said:

I don't understand this. Circuitry to protect electric motors is not rocket science. I'm guessing it would add maybe $10 to the cost of production. And that's for circuitry to protect ALL the motors.

Click to expand...

I don’t understand either. A Greenworks over 3 years old out of warranty?

slomo said:

Doesn't specify mower or battery at all. "Product".......

Lots of battery tools you must buy the battery and charger separate, not all the time though.

Click to expand...

Yes, “product”. Is a removable battery specifically so it can be used in riding mower, push mower, string trimmer, etc. Doesn’t matter what it is used in.

GrumpyCat said:

Yes, “product”. Is a removable battery specifically so it can be used in riding mower, push mower, string trimmer, etc. Doesn’t matter what it is used in.

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Did this come from their warranty card? Makes no difference to me. If the batteries are covered so be it.

slomo said:

Did this come from their warranty card? Makes no difference to me. If the batteries are covered so be it.

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Provided the URL with my original comment. Read it for yourself. “Product” is their choice of words. They don’t care what it is used in, only that it is for uncompensated residential use. Commercial warranty is less.