This Electric Mower is Great! Until it Isn't...

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  • Опубликовано: 9 май 2022
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Комментарии • 3,8 тыс.

  • @agingwheels
    @agingwheels  2 года назад +167

    To start comparing quotes and simplify insurance-buying, check out Policygenius: Policygenius.com/agingwheels Thanks to Policygenius for sponsoring this video!

    • @vibingwithvinyl
      @vibingwithvinyl 2 года назад +18

      This is pretty much the only channel where I don't skip over sponsored sections.

    • @John.0z
      @John.0z 2 года назад

      Probably your most insane video intro.
      I loved it!!!!

    • @avaviel
      @avaviel 2 года назад +4

      Cool commercial... But these comparison insurance websites are shit. They say they save you money, but it's really just a way for them to have target ads at you for insurance and other products.

    • @woodworkerroyer8497
      @woodworkerroyer8497 2 года назад +7

      I'd toss li ion batteries in this one. You can do a lot with $7000, why spend money on a new mower when the only issue with this one is the batteries

    • @TheStuartstardust
      @TheStuartstardust 2 года назад +4

      7:45 - if you start at 100% and mow 2 acs, then you do the single charge and then mow the 2 acs more, then you did 4 acs on a single charge. Pure math, you are welcome.. 😉😁🤣😂
      /s

  • @antibrevity
    @antibrevity 2 года назад +2492

    I would LOVE to see you upgrade this mower to LiFePO4 if you've got the cells, can get a decent BMS, and the existing controllers will work. Any of these could be deal-killers and I don't want you to waste a lot of money on a high-risk, low-reward project, but the fact that you've already got some batteries on hand makes this sound reasonable from my perspective as a mere viewer ;).

    • @chelarestelar
      @chelarestelar 2 года назад +42

      And if he hasn't, USA got really cheap batteries available. Add a BMS from Daly and all set

    • @kennorcott7074
      @kennorcott7074 2 года назад +89

      It would probably be cheaper than a new mower though and he’ll get a video out of it

    • @tims8603
      @tims8603 2 года назад +17

      I was just going to say this. I don't know what size the batteries are on there but there are 12v LFP batteries similar to car starting ones. There are also cylindrical ones like the Headway that Battery Hookup sells. Probably would need a new charger also. I think the blade motors would have more power with LFP too.

    • @exi
      @exi 2 года назад +32

      Using lithium based cells also opens up on overvolting the motors - but i'd first check that the lead-acid battery arrangement didn't undervolt them in the first place.

    • @premasisdeb2079
      @premasisdeb2079 2 года назад +1

      I would love to see that too

  • @isaacplaysbass8568
    @isaacplaysbass8568 2 года назад +798

    We ALL know that you want to do the lithium swap, you've got the experience, creativity, and the resources. It'd make a great series to see how you disassemble the mower, figure out optimal packaging of the lithium power packs, and then the side-by-side comparisons of the old lead-acid set up versus the lithium ion setup, as you race former yourself on a circuit.

    • @Igeltod
      @Igeltod 2 года назад +24

      the problem is he still needs to mow his lawn, so making a long project out of it now is not an option. only during next winter.

    • @UltraSuperDuperFreak
      @UltraSuperDuperFreak 2 года назад +15

      Yea, but he doesn have the time ... while hes good at all those things ... he aint good at being "fast" about hes project haha. *Caught" Bus *caught* :P

    • @zorktxandnand3774
      @zorktxandnand3774 2 года назад +12

      @@Igeltod in the mean time put a gas powered generator on the back 😋

    • @studuerson2548
      @studuerson2548 2 года назад +3

      Not to mention the fact there's up to a 6 month wait to get the cells from China, unless you want to pay the full US price. 50-100% more.

    • @Woburn-RoxburyMedia
      @Woburn-RoxburyMedia 2 года назад +17

      At $5K Ryobi took the short cut, which will now cost them sales/reputation from all those in the know, thanks to this video and other reviews. Short term thinking yet again from a company which should know better.

  • @mrchopitup6832
    @mrchopitup6832 Год назад +25

    I've lithium swapped a few of my cordless tools and I notice a big difference in power and reliability,I would have to say go for it,I think a lithium swap on that Ryobi would make it a beast!

  • @IGotYourBack91
    @IGotYourBack91 Год назад +22

    I've had my MTD built zero turn for 4 years now, and over 200 hours. I've performed 4 oil changes, and 1 hydrostatic oil change. I would argue my total is $2400 for the mower and maintenance is $75 or less.
    The lower uses 1 gallon of gas mowing 2 acres, mowed once a week.
    Hard to beat gasoline still.

    • @OhPhuckYou
      @OhPhuckYou Год назад +2

      Lithium would be nice for a smaller yard in the city, but outside of that I'm unable to see the massive advantage of an electric mower. They're more expensive, over complicated, and have a 'Best By Date'. Putting gas in a mower, stabilizer before off season, and oil changes are not difficult tasks.

    • @clintstathis
      @clintstathis Год назад +3

      You can't talk logic with these people. Apparently they all have unlimited time, money, and patience.

    • @JK-sf3vg
      @JK-sf3vg Месяц назад

      Wait till $10/g gas

  • @TooMuchGrapeSalad
    @TooMuchGrapeSalad 2 года назад +227

    I can hear it in my head already "So I decided to build an incredibly over-engineered replacement battery pack that took way too long and is only half as good as I expected, here's how I did it!" And I'll watch every second of it.

    • @snjert8406
      @snjert8406 2 года назад +9

      I could hear that with his voice in my head and I'd watch it as well hahaha

    • @Blox117
      @Blox117 2 года назад +1

      self built battery packs are better than manufactured ones

    • @gatorspike
      @gatorspike 2 года назад +3

      @@Blox117 "can be better"

    • @Blox117
      @Blox117 2 года назад

      @@gatorspike if you are a shitter who doesnt know what they are doing.

    • @GDMHificationranpitc
      @GDMHificationranpitc 2 года назад +2

      Hahaha

  • @DeviantOllam
    @DeviantOllam 2 года назад +470

    I enjoy thinking about how our viewers would possibly never believe how much time we all spend trying to get through a shot without noise in the background from our small critters, etc. And I particularly love those of us -- you, Beau, Snubs, me, etc -- who have resigned to the fact that there is going to be the occasional bird squawk or dog bark or cat litter scraping in the background and folk just have to deal with it. 😎

    • @DunnDifferent
      @DunnDifferent 2 года назад +13

      I swear my rooster knows when I’m filming 🤣

    • @davidthehillbilly7995
      @davidthehillbilly7995 2 года назад +15

      I, for one, enjoy the occasional intrusions of reality in videos. Indicates a trustworthy chap....

    • @Reman1975
      @Reman1975 2 года назад +13

      It's not just you fancy videos stars that have issues with noise pollution mate, I've got severely degraded hearing, and it's crazy how even quiet sounds (Like a fridge compressor, or a distant lawnmower) right in the middle of my remaining hearable frequency range totally annihilates my ability to hear someone's voice if their pitch is on the periphery of what I can hear.
      In my case, it tends to be higher pitched female voices that get lost the easiest, and a lot of woman think I'm an arrogant git because of this.
      Anyway kids, Always wear ear protection whenever you're in noisy places, because being semi deaf REALLY scr*ws with your love life ! :D

    • @arthurpizza
      @arthurpizza 2 года назад +5

      I like the critter sounds in the videos. I live in the city and a lot of my videos have sirens in the background.

    • @russellzauner
      @russellzauner 2 года назад +4

      isolate, invert, mask. Dither the results. Discoverable in a court of law inspection but not on youtube.
      works even better if you drop another mic near the door when you're recording and you can pull that signal, inverted, directly into the mix, and since the relative volume of the noise is opposite the other mic, you'll reduce the side noise way more than your target noise.
      the hard part is not being distracted by the side noise even though you know it's not significantly effecting your results.

  • @danatassler8776
    @danatassler8776 Год назад +12

    Holy smokes, that was a completely honest review! Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to produce such a helpful review. I'm currently using a gasoline cub cadet garden tractor which has a 46" mowing deck. I feel like it's not quite doing the job on the two acres we have and I'm considering upgrades. My research led me here.

  • @KevinFinkbeiner
    @KevinFinkbeiner 2 года назад +36

    Came from the YTP, stayed for why I shouldn't buy this electric mower. 11/10

  • @parkerfiskar3589
    @parkerfiskar3589 2 года назад +66

    I’m a longtime viewer of this channel. I also happen to work at Home Depot. Reviews like this help me know what these products are really like and can sell (or not sell) them better.

    • @agingwheels
      @agingwheels  2 года назад +35

      I never imagined my videos being used in this manner, but cool!

    • @NJRoadfan
      @NJRoadfan 2 года назад +11

      @@agingwheels Product reviews in the lawn mowing space rarely do long term testing. It's mostly about how well it mows a lawn, how it maneuvers around the yard and how long the battery lasts when new.

    • @FalconFour
      @FalconFour 2 года назад +4

      Just know that it's the batteries, not the "Electric" itself, that's making the (awful) difference in electric yard tech. If it's lead, it's crap. Don't sell lead crap. Try and push the purchasers to acquire lithium tech! It's way past high time to stop selling antiquated gas-engine yard crap! With the price of lithium batteries having been cut in nearly 1/10th over the past decade, the only reason to still be selling lead-based crap is ignorance. Better electric tools are out there!

    • @IWasAllLikeG93
      @IWasAllLikeG93 2 года назад +6

      @@FalconFour Gas engine mowers are going to be around for longer than you think. Anyone with a yard even approaching the top end of these claims is likely to end up in the same situation having to mow in multiple sessions. Lithium has drop off too, just not as drastic as lead acid. My yard is just over 4 acres, and I won't be giving up my gas powered zero turn any time soon. Professional lawn care companies can't even consider using electric tools. They need equipment that can run all day and be refueled/recharged in minutes, not hours.
      It's the small engines that are going to be going away in the near future for nearly every domestic user. Chainsaws, leaf blowers, string trimmers, etc. are all easily powered by electric motors for most home uses. I made the switch to electric for all my small engines and I enjoy them immensely. I remain skeptical that an electric riding mower can accommodate my yard in one session for as many years (14) as my gas one has. They're a great option for people with smaller yards, though, and I look forward to the batteries advancing to a point where they're a reasonable option for myself in the future.

    • @parkerfiskar3589
      @parkerfiskar3589 2 года назад +1

      @@NJRoadfan I guess we have similar tastes in RUclipsrs, I remember seeing you on Uxwbill’s channel years ago. We get “product spotlight” videos about products but they aren’t ever too far in depth. Like you said, always about the capabilities on the newest stuff, never anything long term.

  • @alexandernovakovic6075
    @alexandernovakovic6075 2 года назад +129

    I want to see the battery swap, or at least a video explaining what a battery swap would require, how much it would cost, and why that cost isn't worth it.

    • @raven4k998
      @raven4k998 2 года назад +1

      he bought it and now he can upgrade it to lithium ion battery's

  • @coconuthead1361
    @coconuthead1361 2 года назад +4

    I only found this channel from the YTP, and I'll be honest I had no idea the lawnmower community was so big online

  • @dianathornton2724
    @dianathornton2724 Год назад +16

    You didn't mention how hard it is to change out the batteries. I have the 42 inch of this and I LOVED it - until it started having problems after 2 months. They swapped it out, and I LOVED that one - but it's now 13 months later and it won't even come on. Ryobi said "just pull out the batteries and charge them" except that is incredibly hard to do (hint - you can't just pop open the hood and hook up a charger). It's a procedure I don't have the tools or ability to do (and I'm pretty handy). Ryobi and Home Depot are playing games with me and I'm furious.

  • @twinklingwater
    @twinklingwater 2 года назад +211

    I think the Coda-conversion is the way to go. There's certainly enough space under those cars for a mower attachment.

    • @honorharrington4546
      @honorharrington4546 2 года назад +44

      You joke, but back in 1983 I worked on a small Honda car that the owner had raised and put on 15" rims with wide tires and stuffed an extra wide mower deck under to mow his 20 acres. AC and stereo with a fairly quiet ride despite the blades cutting.

    • @polybius223
      @polybius223 2 года назад +13

      @@honorharrington4546 That’s amazing.

    • @Apollyon67
      @Apollyon67 2 года назад +13

      @@honorharrington4546 Jeep Wrangler with three 48" self powered pull behind trail mowers. I thought my father would have a cow when he saw that set-up. 2nd gear in low range would idle all day long. Keeping the gas filled in the mowers was the only down side. I think the Honda was a much better option though. That is pretty cool!

    • @jd_the_cat
      @jd_the_cat Год назад

      @@honorharrington4546 What a legend.

  • @lizburgess4398
    @lizburgess4398 2 года назад +44

    Wow! Brian and I just bought an electric Cub Cadet Friday. I hope the guy at Home Depot is watching. He told us ALL electric mowers have lithium batteries. We knew better and he looked it up and learned the Ryobi does indeed have lead acid batteries. Great video.

    • @thetman0068
      @thetman0068 2 года назад

      Never believe what any of the schmucks at Home Depot or Lowe's tell you. They almost universally have no training or experience on the types of projects they sell materials and tools for.

  • @brosevthedog
    @brosevthedog 10 месяцев назад

    Answers to my exact questions about this exact mower!
    Appreciate you waiting the year!!🤙

  • @Subangelis
    @Subangelis Год назад +4

    I like what EGO does. They have a range of powered yard equipment that uses the same battery. You can plug the mower as he did with the Ryobi, or you can pull the batteries out and use a separate charger. And ALL the yard equipment uses the same batteries, which are like the rechargeable batteries from a cordless drill.

    • @Mr_Chode
      @Mr_Chode 11 месяцев назад

      i like how you can get that 2 acre charge with 2 batteries i believe, but you can put up to 4 i think.

  • @carolbayasca9275
    @carolbayasca9275 2 года назад +214

    Aging Wheels has showed off his 42-inch deck, thanks to cs188.

    • @coastaku1954
      @coastaku1954 Год назад +17

      Theres an Aging Wheels RUclips poop? I'm gonna go look this up~!

  • @PendragonDaGreat
    @PendragonDaGreat 2 года назад +328

    I would definitely consider the lithium swap as your best option.

    • @cybertrk
      @cybertrk 2 года назад +4

      Yup!!! It’ll cut 4ac with lithium

    • @chelarestelar
      @chelarestelar 2 года назад +12

      Lifepo4 seems best since it'll probably be in the heat and cold on the regular, plus they fit better the 12v multiples
      Edit: better than the common 3'7v cells, might I add

    • @nobodynoone2500
      @nobodynoone2500 2 года назад +6

      Make. It. Hybrid. :-D

    • @ionstorm66
      @ionstorm66 2 года назад

      That's why they make a lithium one now.

    • @MrPaxio
      @MrPaxio 2 года назад +7

      either swap $130-200 batteries (thats just price for one cell) every year or two on a $5000 mower, or change the $10 oil of a gas powered one every year or two. even free considering you can use the left overs of car oil changes. why does he care about the noise? he doesnt live in middle of LA

  • @CaptainBlackBread
    @CaptainBlackBread 2 года назад +11

    Cs188 made a YTP of this. Figured I'd let you know.

    • @raven4k998
      @raven4k998 14 дней назад

      the turkeys are being noisey turkeys🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @CHRISINMCNEILL
    @CHRISINMCNEILL Год назад +1

    My first zero turn was a Snapper with a joystick. I own Scag’s now. The joystick is very simple to use. You will feel right at home in :30 mins of using it.

  • @CMFL77
    @CMFL77 2 года назад +211

    I'm on team "lithium swap your current mower" - aside from the joystick I'll bet things like the deck are stamped, etc as a way to cut costs when adding the lithium cells to the new model. This way you have an over-engineered starting point with familiar controls. Hell, you may be able to uprate the blade motors yourself too lol

    • @MarcusHawksley
      @MarcusHawksley 2 года назад +1

      I wonder if there is space to add belts to the mower deck. It would provide the assistance of all the blades momentum and knock up the torque available

    • @davidquinn9676
      @davidquinn9676 2 года назад +4

      @@MarcusHawksley It would only borrow energy from one spindle to another, not increase the total, actually lose some to friction. The real problem is that the total power available is less than a decent gas engine provides, even accounting for losses in its PTO drivetrain.

    • @rogerdickinson3168
      @rogerdickinson3168 Год назад +2

      If he upgrades the batteries those issues may go away because the lithium batteries will hold there voltage and provide more current then the lead acid.

    • @LifeAsDane
      @LifeAsDane Год назад +1

      new 80v 54" is a 10gauge fabricated deck

  • @SETX_Sirens_and_Rail_02
    @SETX_Sirens_and_Rail_02 2 года назад +44

    And CS188 did a ytp of this. Congratulations

  • @waltnassty
    @waltnassty 10 месяцев назад +1

    I own the OG ev-zero turn, the Hustler Zeon, since 2014. Same deal, 48v lead acid. After they expired after about 3 years, I swapped them out for two Tesla Model S "60"-type modules. They work great. Smaller yard, but I estimate around 2.5 hours runtime @ ~70 Amps avg draw. Really easy swap. Two stacked modules are around same area/volume/dimensions of 4 deep cylce lead acids, and around half the weight.

  • @marionk995
    @marionk995 Год назад

    I’ve had my ryobi 48 inch ,not a zero turn, for over 3 years I live in LA (Lower Alabama) meaning we get away from mowing for about 31/2 to 4 months a year. During the summer I mow my 11,000 sq ft lawn twice a week and so far I have had zero issues with this mower love it thank you

  • @JTD121
    @JTD121 2 года назад +96

    Is it weird that I knew this was going to center around the '48V' emblazoned around the mower, without knowing the battery issue?
    I mean, who in their right mind, in the last few years, would use 12V lead-acid batteries in a yard tool of any kind? Even deep-cycle batteries are kind of the same stripe.

    • @Likeomgitznich
      @Likeomgitznich 2 года назад +12

      I mean, I get where they are coming from. Just looking at the prices makes me wanna consider lead acid. I can get a LiFePO 12v for $250-$299 or a DCLA 12v for $100-$120. Times that by 4 and my wallet is crying lol
      It would be cool if now they offered a first party lithium swap out, but I doubt it.

    • @pleasedontwatchthese9593
      @pleasedontwatchthese9593 2 года назад +1

      I'm guessing they are using up their spare parts 🖖

    • @CampGareth
      @CampGareth 2 года назад +4

      Agreed, but they're sometimes useful. I bought a deep cycle lead acid battery and some solar panels to recharge my robot mower because I didn't know exactly how much power I'd need the battery to store and you get more leeway for your money with lead acid. 20Ah 12v lifepo4 might be fine, but if I need 30Ah one day a 100Ah SLA will cover that while the lifepo4 won't.

    • @namAehT
      @namAehT 2 года назад +9

      It's weird too because Ryobi already has a 40V battery system. Why didn't they just take 4 of them and parallel them for the needed amperage?

    • @monkeybarmonkeyman
      @monkeybarmonkeyman 2 года назад +1

      You mean like DeWalt does for their hand tools? Friggin' crazy, the battery packs are usually 80-90% of the cost for a new device designed to operate with the higher voltages. Nah, I'm picturing him buying a whole lot of ebay/amazon batteries, building battery packs and being very happy with the results. Dreaming? Yea, I know.

  • @thatairplaneguy
    @thatairplaneguy 2 года назад +54

    My neighbor has one. He’s all electric. Two Tesla’s, all electric lawn equipment including that mower BUT he’s had so many problems with the mower he went and bought a gasoline cub cadet to replace it. That should tell you something.

    • @MarcusHawksley
      @MarcusHawksley 2 года назад +1

      I prefer the combination of hydraulics and electric. There is a pretty much everything available in a hydraulic format with centuries of experience and reliability. Adding a clean power source is a smaller engineering step.
      Additionally the same tech is backwards compatible, pretty much all hydraulic driven machines are convertible to electric.

    • @richevans7214
      @richevans7214 2 года назад +4

      @@MarcusHawksley no, this never happened.

    • @mattoney4094
      @mattoney4094 2 года назад +3

      He’ll have the same problems out of the Tesla’s eventually. I’m 100% all for electric power but Tesla has struggled with Quality. Every single unit they’ve sold has had a recall of some sort. It’s too early to say how things will turn out but I’m not too optimistic. I wish I was and I would love to have one to drive too and from work since I drive about 90 miles per day round trip.

    • @MarcusHawksley
      @MarcusHawksley 2 года назад +1

      @@richevans7214 What never happened? Hydraulic machines have been around for centuries. Electric hydraulic pumps are around and available in the size needed for small machinery

    • @richevans7214
      @richevans7214 Год назад

      Hey, just look at the most efficient vehicles on earth. For the last 40 years. Trains. Basically a generator charging a huge battery bank. The traction motors expend their power from the battery bank.

  • @Zappy1210
    @Zappy1210 11 месяцев назад +1

    My father had the same issue with his. Replaced the batteries with Dakota lithium 14 ah batteries. Half the weight and cuts his 2 acres easily taking battery down to only about 50%. About $160 per battery, you'll need 4, but the mower is well made and IMHO worth the investment.

  • @MSchwartzNWV
    @MSchwartzNWV 2 года назад +3

    I've got a gas Ferris zero turn and test mowed with a Country Clipper that was joystick controlled. I don't know what the Ryobi control will work like but the Country Clipper control would have been my preferred control method. Considering the electric nature of the mower, I would guess it's control will be even better. Great review and I'm in the replace with lithium ion battery camp here too if you've already got them. Good luck!

    • @danbsimpson
      @danbsimpson 11 месяцев назад

      My first lawn care job used a Snapper which used the same as country clipper, and on a mower having a free hand to drink coffee etc is nice

  • @IndaNood
    @IndaNood 2 года назад +41

    I've mowed extensively with with a gas zero-turn mower that had a joystick and LOVED it. I found it incredibly intuitive, but it might just be my love of arcade games bleeding over.

    • @lawnmowerdude
      @lawnmowerdude 2 года назад

      Good to know.

    • @ian3580
      @ian3580 2 года назад +3

      I would hate that it's on the right side, I'd be more comfortable using it left handed

    • @alfderbabybenz7092
      @alfderbabybenz7092 2 года назад +1

      Gas movers are just better

    • @Jehty21
      @Jehty21 2 года назад +2

      @@ian3580 I wonder if Ryobi thought about that and made it possible to change the side for the joystick.

    • @ian3580
      @ian3580 2 года назад +1

      @@Jehty21 I doubt it. I'm not saying a leftie couldn't drive right-handed, I just feel like if doing that for 2 hours I'd be more comfortable left-handed.

  • @SeenOrHeard
    @SeenOrHeard 2 года назад +63

    I also own this mower. You're right on nearly every level. And, I'm sorry so many people buy this thing without realizing that they're not LiFePO4 or similar. Here are some things I have learned:
    - Desulfation is key to maintaining useful operating endurance. Ryobi should have both installed a BMS to manage overall balance, AND that BMS should have also introduce individual battery desulfation.
    - I've installed Desulfation onto each battery, in the hopes that I can reach the ephemeral "200 hours" of use. SO far, on my second year, I still mow 1.5 Acres to 65% charge. Sadly I only have just over 50 hours of operating time. We'll see about that........:P
    - The SLA's installed on this mower are actually "Deep Cycle". While I understand that in most cases hearing the term deep cycle doesn't mean much, these are actually warranted for discharge to 15%. Being conservatively minded, I'm going to assume that actually means maybe down to 30%.
    - Lastly, The provided charger DOES NOT provide a full charge to entire series!! IN fact, even when brand new, the 3rd battery in the chain would sit at 87% or so charge when the 48V charger moved to float. This is not good, as you're already seeing fade.
    SOLUTION to keep the Deep Cycle Batteries fresh:
    - Purchase [yes I know that sucks] Qty 4, Battery Minder Model 2012 chargers. Attach to each battery. [BTW support from Minder is really nice and they recommended the 2012, and NOT the 2012AGM for this]
    - Top up the entire Mower with the Ryobi Charger. Once full, move to the 2012's. THe 2012's will carefully bring all batteries to their individual stable maximum, and will float while also desulfating. I mow weekly, so that means one night the mower gets a Ryobi charge, and then the next day, I unplug the Ryobi charger, and connect the 4 other connectors for a full charge and leave it that way.
    Got questions?? Hit me up :)
    Oh!!!! There is OIL! You have to check it. Manual doesn't say anything about it, but the rear motors contain gear oil and it may need to be changed every couple years, and the front casters need greasing, or at least a clean and repack every year too. Moving parts - so you maintain them just like any other ZTR.
    Cheers

    • @petersack5074
      @petersack5074 2 года назад

      Battery operated equipment, anything larger than a DRILL, should BE CORDED, OR GASOLINE POWERED. ALL that fumbling around, baby-sitting 3 or 4 batteries, waste of time. Earth is going to hell anyway.....we humans got no choice anymore. Gas is POWER IN A MOWER....ELECTRIC is just making the very few, ALOT MORE RICHER. (money-wise, not brain smarter )

    • @francisphillipeck4272
      @francisphillipeck4272 2 года назад +6

      so much for no oil changes

    • @SeenOrHeard
      @SeenOrHeard 2 года назад +3

      @@francisphillipeck4272 right? I mean, even my electric car’s motor-gearbox has oil. It will have to be changed…

    • @Lizlodude
      @Lizlodude 2 года назад +1

      Was wondering about whether they were deep cycle, since if not that would be hilarious; non-deep cycle aren't really even meant to be discharged almost at all.

    • @alexbrown1050
      @alexbrown1050 2 года назад

      I hate it when the manual doesn't say when things need oiling and greasing. They just want you to break it and buy another...

  • @toms6756
    @toms6756 Год назад +17

    I can't imagine spending $10,000 on mowers in less than 2 years. I also never would have expected lead acid batteries from Ryobi or for the price tag.

  • @OnionRingsGaming
    @OnionRingsGaming 10 месяцев назад +3

    EGO is really good because you can use the batteries on ANY of the equipment, and if you did happen to run out of juice mowing, you can just put more batteries in, even with the zero turn I believe, which is why it was that dino looking back.

  • @ZGryphon
    @ZGryphon 2 года назад +85

    Also on the list of negative (no pun intended) traits of lead-acid batteries are their tendencies to make an explosive gas while charging and catch fire if an internal short occurs between cells. Ask your nearest World War II submarine sailor about those fun bonus features!
    I would only accept the lawn mower joystick if it came with an ostentatious flip-up safety cover over a thumb trigger that activates the mower deck, so that I can yell "FOX TWO" every time I engage grass slaying mode.

    • @agingwheels
      @agingwheels  2 года назад +27

      Is that explosion hazard still a thing with sealed AGM batteries? That's what this mower has. Although you can still hear is bubble and sizzle while charging

    • @ZGryphon
      @ZGryphon 2 года назад +9

      @@agingwheels They claim not, but I dunno, I mean, the chemical reaction is the same, and the gas has to go somewhere...

    • @zznet2
      @zznet2 2 года назад +10

      @@ZGryphon Open any Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) with failing batteries, and the same AGM Sealed Batteries are either: swollen to the point of being stuck inside or the housings are cracked and you have some crusty battery juice to contend with.

    • @jeremyloveslinux
      @jeremyloveslinux 2 года назад +6

      AGMs have a catalyst to recombine the hydrogen and oxygen into water. Works most of the time (hence the swelling sometimes)

    • @ShinoPuppy
      @ShinoPuppy 2 года назад +7

      @@zznet2 Can confirm; IT guy at a manufacturing plant, and I've had to shimmy out my fair share of swollen "sealed" lead acid batteries. I'm just thankful we have a hazardous waste staff on site to deal with the leftovers. Lead acid is a technology that needs to go away, IMO. Sealed or not.

  • @denoftools
    @denoftools 2 года назад +262

    Either do the swap or get the Ego. I can't imagine that iDrive being fun to use.

    • @btwbrand
      @btwbrand 2 года назад +37

      Used both the single stick control and the double push/pull bars and I can say that using a single stick is the way to go until the day your mower deck gets caught on something immovable while you are traveling at a high rate of speed. ( such as a pipe, rebar, or road sign post broken off at ground level and firmly attached to a concrete anchor ) * Yes all three of these I have experienced in the past *
      At that point as you are flying out of the seat and over the front of the mower towards the ground you'll realize that driving around by pushing two metal bars away from your chest for a few hours is a small price to pay for ensuring your ass stays connected to the seat.
      The bent Rebar I hit while using a Craftsman riding mower at maximum speed. Resulted in a broken rib and punched a hole into the stamped steel deck.
      The Road sign snapped at the base sent me flying off the front end of a stick controlled "bad boy" mower and into the overgrown parking lot surface and gave me a bit of road rash on my left side which was already tender from sun exposure.
      The pipe at ground level was a central anchor point for two swinging gates which I discovered did not move after my deck caught it and I continued moving forward into the two control bars of a Snapper zero turn. The bars were bent out of shape and needed to be realigned and the left bar had to be bent into proper shape. Personal damage was minimal but it did knock the wind out of me.

    • @minecraftchest1
      @minecraftchest1 2 года назад +33

      @@btwbrand Personally, I thought that is what seat belts were invented for.

    • @mrinquisitive7240
      @mrinquisitive7240 2 года назад +24

      @@minecraftchest1 For what it's worth, I believe you are only supposed to use seatbelts when you have a ROPS bar and it is up. Most people drive with them down due to tree branches.

    • @minecraftchest1
      @minecraftchest1 2 года назад +3

      @@mrinquisitive7240 Learn something new every day.

    • @Channel-gz9hm
      @Channel-gz9hm 2 года назад +14

      That joystick looks like a tremendous way to induce carpal tunnel at an early age.

  • @RevJR
    @RevJR Год назад +1

    The EGO is actually pretty good. I have the push mower and 14" chainsaw, and weed trimmer. The fact that the batteries are cross compatible is slick, and the fact the big riding boy can take 6 batteries and each can be up to 12ah at that 56v I think would whip any two acres pretty easy to 80% discharged unless it's perhaps incredibly hilly. I can push mow my neighbor's yard and mine on one charge of a 7.5ah in the self propelled push mower, and it's a fair size with about half hill.
    Build quality of every battery and tool I've got from them seems fantastic, too. Life hasn't really dropped in several years, and I might even get that snow blower some day when I get a concrete driveway.
    Also it was on sale recently at Lowes for $4999 so make of that what you will.

  • @ruchirsajwan
    @ruchirsajwan 2 года назад +2

    I’m a new subscriber and I just love the way you narrate a story and present information.

  • @RangieNZ
    @RangieNZ 2 года назад +83

    You've got to lithium swap it. Maybe a slight increase from 48v to 54/60v would work well too! :)

    • @kevinragsdale6256
      @kevinragsdale6256 Год назад +8

      you should not have to do shit to a mower thats still under warranty

  • @davidjulian8536
    @davidjulian8536 2 года назад +26

    Thanks for the report, I have had the 42" version for a couple of months and it does well on 3/4 acre, usually has 70% charge remaining so I'm hoping to get reasonable battery life. A couple of days ago I drove it on the street 2km to a friends house to cut her lawn and it surprised me to only use 5% for the drive. Mowed her acre and drove home, arrived with 60% left.

  • @dr.freddyb.wilson4541
    @dr.freddyb.wilson4541 7 месяцев назад

    Thanks for your review! I’ll have you know I just bought the 54” I-Drive RYOBI riding mowers with the lithium batteries and I love it. I cut my 1.5 acres and had 52% battery left. My only problem is getting used to the zero turn functions and the limitation on the inclines in my yard.

  • @aaronmiller912
    @aaronmiller912 Год назад

    Great video, very informative and entertaining. Editing is great. Keep up the good work.

  • @DrDLightful
    @DrDLightful 2 года назад +108

    So I run a small engine shop and by pestering my regional parts supplier I was able to weasel my way into cub cadet electric school last year. I can say I'm less than impressed. First off, the electric deck motors aren't weak. They're just not what is meant to be used for mowing. A motor produces most torque at low rpm, but draws more power. In heavy grass they slow down and pop the circuit breaker. Then you have to shut them down and reset them. Happens all the time. Next, the lithium ion battery is very expensive. Last year the replacments listed for $1500. I'd imagine with the demand of lithium continuing to rise with little increase in supply, that'll get worse. Back to the deck motors, the blades are bolted directly to the motor shaft. Don't hit something while you're mowing, sound like a profitable day for guys like me. Lastly, keep in mind that these things operate via CAN communication network, all deck motors, wheel motors, control panel, power distribution system, and even the battery communicate with each other on this network, same way a car does. Automotive techs will be able to diagnose em but most homeowners won't have a clue. I imagine they will hold up ok for awhile but once the weather and elements start to take a toll they will be a money pit like any other cheap mower.

    • @JAMESWUERTELE
      @JAMESWUERTELE 2 года назад +31

      This electric push will end once common sense comes back.

    • @twocyclediesel1280
      @twocyclediesel1280 2 года назад +4

      I own a Cub Cadet gas version; I'd never buy another CC no matter what powers it. Nothing but problems. No problems with the engine itself, but the electronics are unreliable. The push to start computer module is junk, and over kill just to start the damn thing. The main reason I wanted it was for the locking differential due to a steep hill I need to mow. It worked great for awhile but now shuts the blades down when I engage it...on a hill, which is why I bought it in the first place. I've not had a chance to troubleshoot what's going on there as I've been dealing with, yet another, no crank scenerio. Maybe the 2nd starter button/computer I'm putting in it will solve that as well...POS.

    • @DrDLightful
      @DrDLightful 2 года назад +5

      @@twocyclediesel1280 Well cub cadet was originally a Case / IH product until MTD bought them in the late 80s. They earned their reputation in the 70s and 80s and now they are the same as any other MTD, with a different paint color. Not sure what model you have that's got a push to start, haven't seen one. But all safety switches and keyswitches are usually made by Delta or Indak. Which make switches for probably 95% of the industry. Electrical is a big problem coming out of winter so i can't imagine electrics lasting.

    • @twocyclediesel1280
      @twocyclediesel1280 2 года назад +2

      @@DrDLightful Mine's an XT-2, GX-54. It has an electronic "key" that plugs into the computer module/display to activate it. Then you push a start button to engage the starter. EVERYTHING runs through that little module. It also tracks your oil/filter changes and hrs. I don't really care about that. I just write the hrs on the oil filter with a Sharpie 🤷‍♂️ The CC guys here say they replace alot of those modules. After talking to the customer about battery and the basics, they say "yep, another start module".
      Actually, the key is the start button as well.

    • @jC-kc4si
      @jC-kc4si Год назад +3

      Do the electric mowers now have OBD2 ports just like cars are legally mandated?

  • @leifhietala8074
    @leifhietala8074 2 года назад +34

    A couple years ago my son and I went in halfsies on a 50-year-old GE Elec-Trak E20, an old school lead-acid electric garden tractor, the largest of the line. We're about to pop out the existing, crazy heavy LA batts to replace with a single LI battery that, by itself, has more capacity than the entire pack while weighing 200 pounds less. Steering gets lighter, range goes up, etc. No downsides. The ONLY downside is the cost of the new battery and oh yeah, it was marked down on Battery Hookup, so it was significantly less expensive than repowering the tractor with more of the specified golf cart batts. Like, $300 cheaper.
    No downsides.

    • @jameswyatt1304
      @jameswyatt1304 2 года назад +5

      When the economies of scale shift w/newer generations, some of the older stuff gets pricey enough to replace.

    • @derrickfoster644
      @derrickfoster644 2 года назад +8

      Weight in a tractor be it garden or otherwise can have it's own advantages

    • @goawaygoawaynow
      @goawaygoawaynow 2 года назад +5

      You might want to add weights to make up the weight difference. A significantly-lightened tractor might not be able to pull as well as a heavier one, everything else being equal

    • @leifhietala8074
      @leifhietala8074 2 года назад +2

      @@derrickfoster644 No denying, but this change will keep batts in the rear, above the drive wheels, and remove over 130 lbs from the front. Even with LI batts this tractor will still weigh in around 800 lb, pretty solid for a garden tractor.

    • @derrickfoster644
      @derrickfoster644 2 года назад +2

      @@leifhietala8074 ya that should do most of what you would want it to do

  • @itsmewoodG
    @itsmewoodG Год назад

    I have an older snapper zero turn that has the joystick control. I love it because I always have one hand free. Especially helpful when mowing around trees with low lying limbs. Also good for waving at the neighbors.

  • @JESSEWENEEDTOLIFT
    @JESSEWENEEDTOLIFT 11 месяцев назад +1

    That intro was straight out of a cartoon😂 love it😭😭

  • @brianfulwood7827
    @brianfulwood7827 2 года назад +53

    I went from “go go” sticks to the joystick set up on my skid steer and its really nice. Much more intuitive to control, multiple functions on one stick is nice.

    • @PinkPandaKatie
      @PinkPandaKatie Год назад +3

      100% agree, I used to work for a Cat dealer, and all their skid steers had joystick controls for both drive and bucket. I occasionally had to drive Bobcats with the two sticks for drive and foot controls for the bucket and it was super tricky and unintuitive.

    • @keithklassen5320
      @keithklassen5320 Год назад +3

      The go-go sticks are still much better for fine control. Not everyone needs that, but if you do, stick with sticks. I work in construction and we use skidsteers to lift and position heavy things, whether on the forks attachment or a longer boom attachment, and we can never get enough fine control.

    • @obeseperson
      @obeseperson Год назад +4

      This is crazy for me to read because I’ve never liked anything but the sticks. I can’t understand how anyone would prefer a joystick.
      That’s fine though

    • @lookingthroughice7843
      @lookingthroughice7843 Год назад

      @@PinkPandaKatie ya your full of shit, cat joy sticks crap out all the time. Bobcat is a far better machine and much easier to use then silly joy sticks.

  • @th3oryO
    @th3oryO 2 года назад +251

    The man's made it. He's been YTP'd by a legend. Time to channel some of that Drug DeMuro energy

    • @trackrat62
      @trackrat62 Год назад +16

      Few minutes into the video, never seen this channel before, totally got Doug vibes

    • @jetstream454
      @jetstream454 Год назад

      Who did it? 😯

    • @PovidisII
      @PovidisII Год назад +10

      @@jetstream454 Probably cs188 ytp it

    • @jetstream454
      @jetstream454 Год назад +5

      @@PovidisII Yeah I found out after watching this 😂

    • @andycanoy863
      @andycanoy863 Год назад +2

      But not really

  • @agannon42
    @agannon42 Год назад

    I have had one for three years, and it's awesome. Does a great job

  • @KazeWolfen
    @KazeWolfen 2 года назад +2

    The two kinds of comments I see:
    1- people that know a thing or two about mowers
    2- people that know a thing about ZERO TURN ZERO TURN ZERO TURN ZERO TURN (we love you cs188)

  • @jeremyreynolds4
    @jeremyreynolds4 2 года назад +28

    Definitely battery swap it. The joystick seems like it would suck. I have an ego push mower that I love and I would like to get their smaller zero turn but I can't justify the expense as my yard isn't that big but it does take me an hour and a half with the push mower which sucks. If ego came out with a smaller rider I think I'd have to get it. Having the ability to bring the batteries inside for storage is nice especially in the winter since I'd likely store it outside in a unheated shed.

    • @mattv5281
      @mattv5281 2 года назад +3

      I wish someone would make a 30 inch electric mower, like the Toro Timemaster. There's definitely a market for something bigger than a push mower without stepping up to riding mowers.

    • @Jehty21
      @Jehty21 2 года назад +1

      What makes you think that the joystick would suck?

    • @jeremyreynolds4
      @jeremyreynolds4 2 года назад +6

      @@Jehty21 my bumpy yard and a joystick sound like a bad combo to me

    • @maintenanceman4800
      @maintenanceman4800 2 года назад +2

      @@Jehty21 I had one on a riding floor cleaner. it sucked! It's broke down once a week, sometimes for a weeks waiting for parts. Also cutting the grass at a school campus for 9 years with a zeroturn. I can tell you a joystick would have been hell with the ground was very uneven, & steep hills... No thanks!

    • @Jehty21
      @Jehty21 2 года назад +2

      @@maintenanceman4800 but just because the one on your floor cleaner constantly broke doesn't mean that the one on the lawn mower also breaks.
      Was your floor cleaner even a Ryobi?

  • @FliesLikeABrick
    @FliesLikeABrick 2 года назад +44

    Well I just had one of these mowers delivered yesterday, we'll see if mine does better over the next couple years. As a Lithium replacement, are you talking about LiFePo4? I would be *very* interested if you saw that through, as I have zero doubt I would do the same to ours when the time comes.

    • @agingwheels
      @agingwheels  2 года назад +23

      Yep! I theoretically have plenty of lifepo4 cells lying around waiting for a use. And I hope you like yours!

    • @volvo09
      @volvo09 2 года назад +6

      The less yard you have to mow, the better. If you are only draining the battery 30% it should last a few years, I wouldn't even want to drain it to 50, it's just too deep of a cycle, too often.
      And keep it plugged in, or charge it and plug it in for a day every month over winter. Depending on the charge circuit it could also be taking life away from the batteries by constantly topping them off, which really takes it's toll over a winter... Just saying that because I've had battery tenders (cheap ones) that killed batteries coming on waaay too often, unlike the battery tender brand.

    • @joshuafullington6128
      @joshuafullington6128 2 года назад +2

      I own this mower. Bought it in June last year. I have 4 acres of mowing and I can’t tell any difference or degradation. I have 22 hours on it. One thing that makes a huge difference is sharpening the blades!

  • @JMRSplatt
    @JMRSplatt Год назад

    Your tenacity is unwavering.. and that's awesome.

  • @GG-si7fw
    @GG-si7fw 2 года назад +2

    Thanks for giving a review after a year vs what a typical RUclipsrs would do like 2 weeks to a month.
    I like your idea of swapping out for lithium iron phosphate batteries as they can be cycled 1000-1500 times and be charged to 100% without the dendrites forming that destroys the cells, which degrades the batteries. They also do not contain nickel or cobalt. The nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminum chemistry in a lithium ion battery really can only be charged to 80-90% and not drop below 10-20% to optimize the cycles, so only a 60-80% usable range. CATL, is building a factory to make sodium iron phosphate batteries with a similar energy density as the LFP batteries at around 200-230 watts/kg. That means no nickel, cobalt or lithium. You're right, the future is electric, but knowing the chemistry is like knowing if an engine is carburetor or fuel injection and OHV vs pushrod.

  • @zachyoung1754
    @zachyoung1754 2 года назад +32

    You do have a fourth option, the Gravely 60 inch electric! They claim 15.5 acres on a charge, and it's only $32,000!

    • @Tony-rl2fr
      @Tony-rl2fr 2 года назад +5

      What a steal, I'll take two! Here, take my money!

    • @tamiwu0346
      @tamiwu0346 2 года назад +3

      Woah, its only worth 10x my car! I'll one up Tony and get 3!

    • @butchgrisso3313
      @butchgrisso3313 2 года назад +3

      At that cost it would need to take me back and forth to work too.

    • @justinjones5281
      @justinjones5281 2 года назад

      @@butchgrisso3313 it will.

    • @brad3378
      @brad3378 2 года назад +1

      The 27-horsepower gas variant of the Gravely 60-inch mower goes for about $7,000.
      Even with Biden's gas price inflation, I don't think I would have hit the break-even point to justify buying the electric version.

  • @Geniusinventor
    @Geniusinventor 2 года назад +20

    May we all take a moment to appreciate the man is back to deliver us the amazingly entertaining video. Man thank you very much

  • @minecraftchest1
    @minecraftchest1 Год назад +2

    I have never heard of a mower needing fluid changes. The only maintenance I have known a mower needing is a blade sharpning and belt maintenance.

    • @LLPOF
      @LLPOF Год назад +1

      Where can I get one of them mowers that doesn't use oil?

  • @dboysix26
    @dboysix26 Год назад

    As a a forklift mechanic. First issue usually with lead acid batteries is that they are low on water. 2nd l.a. batteries that are for depth are usually gauges to show dead at 80% discharge to help battery life. If you can put a la battery on a very low amperage charge for a long period of time and watch the specific gravity of the cells, you can bring it around a decent amount. Equalizing charges do this to a reasonable degree.

  • @mattt198654321
    @mattt198654321 2 года назад +30

    I bought a gas zero turn last year for $2,500. The $2,500 I saved over the cost of an electric mower will be more than enough to pay for gasoline and oil changes for many years.
    Maybe my next mower will be electric, but I'm not satisfied that the current models are up to the job, as you've pointed out here.

    • @JohnWayneCheeseburger
      @JohnWayneCheeseburger 2 года назад +5

      Gas is probably still the best opinion I agree lol it takes less than 2 days and it can cut thick grass and or trees and other junk

    • @VanquishedAgain
      @VanquishedAgain 2 года назад +6

      yea honestly I can't even begin to see the point of an electric ride on lol.

    • @joshstorch3315
      @joshstorch3315 2 года назад +2

      This is the point ive been saying Electric is underpowered and overpriced... Tbh I dont understand why they even make these especially zero turn ones

    • @doncarlton4858
      @doncarlton4858 2 года назад +3

      It will be a couple of decades until electric powered power equipment comes close to gas and diesel power. And perhaps they never will.

    • @JohnWayneCheeseburger
      @JohnWayneCheeseburger 2 года назад +1

      @@doncarlton4858 probably just a few years, cordless tools were usless junk 3 or 4 years ago now lots of pros use em they are brutally expensive tho

  • @irdmoose
    @irdmoose 2 года назад +37

    Lead acid batteries in electric tools are just as dense from an atomic standpoint as the people that design the tools. If I were in your shoes and liked the mower, I would look into doing a Lithium mod, even without the Coda battery packs. Not knowing the form factor of the batteries, I'd wager they are either small equipment batteries or car batteries. More than likely you could find a pre-built lithium pack with protection circuitry built in. That way if you hit something that stalls one of the motors you don't over amp the battery pack.

    • @slome815
      @slome815 2 года назад +3

      There is no way they are car batteries. Deep cycle or traction batteries for sure. Car batteries are great when you need high current for a starter motor, and when the battery is constantly recharging when the car is running. They make no sense in a mower. It are probably generic traction batteries as used in pellet jacks and forklifts.

    • @stuartd9741
      @stuartd9741 2 года назад

      @@slome815 lead acid batteries seem like dumb idea in a mower... definitely deep cycle.
      I'm just wondering if he could just swap out for the same/similar type of battery for now to allow continued use...?
      Not ideal...I know....

    • @slome815
      @slome815 2 года назад

      @@stuartd9741 I meant there are deep cycle lead acid batteries, as used in forklifts and electric pellet jacks. They are fine as long as you don't discharge them entirely. Much, much cheaper then a Lithium battery, and as long as you dont discharge them entirely multiple times they will last for years. The manufacturer should have given a more accurate number for acre size this mower can mow without fully discharging.

    • @irdmoose
      @irdmoose 2 года назад

      @@slome815 Yeah, I meant the form factor. Lots of deep cycle batteries are in a typical "car battery" form factor.

  • @kman2220
    @kman2220 Месяц назад

    This is the way a review is supposed to be done! You need to use a product for a full season before commenting how great it is. Thank you for this review!

  • @Ishtar-337
    @Ishtar-337 Год назад

    Policy genius is amazing! I love you using them whenever I get new car insurance.
    A great company to work with!

  • @fmixthings
    @fmixthings 2 года назад +42

    I just picked up my Craftsman T2400 yesterday and did my first test mowing today. I used to have a Troy Bilt Bronco with 42" deck and 20hp Kohler. The T2400 is a 46" with 23hp v-twin Kohler and a super tight turning radius, almost as good as a zero turn. I hadn't mowed in 3 weeks because I was told I'd get the mower in a couple days....... So I sold my Troy Bilt...... The T2400 muscled through my damp 18" tall grass without blinking. The tight turn meant I spent less time backing up and fidgeting around and more time mowing. My test ended up cutting 3/4 of my yard in an hour, the Troy Bilt would take over 3 hours for this condition. I have about 3/4 acre of grass in a 2.2 acre yard.
    All with the low low cost of $2500!!!! If I use a gallon of gas per mow the money saved on an electric (roughly $2500) will buy me about 27 years worth of gas..... I'll keep gas thanks.

    • @bullfrogjay4383
      @bullfrogjay4383 Год назад +2

      Good point on the price of gas vs increased cost of electric mower. I prefer gas engine solely because I like the maintenance and I am confident in fixing nearly every problem that comes up.

  • @FH4Player6397
    @FH4Player6397 2 года назад +21

    CS188 Definitely brought me here! Liked and subscribed!

  • @David_Quinn_Photography
    @David_Quinn_Photography Год назад

    thanks for sharing this great info, I bought my 1st 0 turn in 2019 and will not go back to tractor mowers other then for hill billy toying and I am glad we are going electric for mowers but if you do it just do it right the first time, I can already see scrap yards full of lead acid mowers in the next 5 years.

  • @josephfurtado8531
    @josephfurtado8531 14 часов назад

    I'm an aircraft mechanic with 16 years under my belt, and that makes me an expert on mowers cause mowers are just airplanes pointed at the ground.
    I have a JD LA175. It has a scootch over 400 hours on it and it's running like new. I pulled apart the spindles so I could remove the internal bearing seals so that when I grease the spindles it actually greases the bearings too. I have upgraded the front end with wheel bearings and "poor man's power steering", plus adjustable steering rods. Have also removed the K46 transmission and put proper 5W-50 synthetic in it.
    If you take care of your equipment, it can last forever. The same cannot be said for batteries. Don't go electric. Just do your maintenance properly.

  • @rakeau
    @rakeau 2 года назад +10

    I've got Ego stuff and so far it's been great (nothing ride on tho, just general stuff for a regular house). I think everything they do is 56v. I wonder if the Ego ride-on has stronger motors on the blades which give it the "lower" range? Would be interesting to actually compare the actual technical specs of the motors, battery capacity, etc, rather than some obscure brochure numbers like "x acres".
    Have to agree on electric being quieter too - still noisy sure but the sound "drops off" a lot more (i.e. much quieter at a distance, so good for the neighbours). As well as being easier. Slap on a battery and go. No mixing fuels, ripcords, maintenance, all that. So 100% agree on your praises for electric.

  • @charlie_nolan
    @charlie_nolan 2 года назад +7

    “I don’t have to change oil” lol my dad never changed the oil on any lawn mowers or other appliances, and never uses fuel stabilizers. That being said he is slowly migrating to electric yard tools

  • @nathangant7636
    @nathangant7636 Год назад

    As far as the electric mowers work for me, I definitely recommend the Greenworks 60v mowers, the riding mower uses (6) 60v, 8 amp-hour batteries. With (3) dual port chargers so you can plug them all in at the same time as needed. It's about $4k brand new.
    My first electric mower was a Greenworks 21in mower purchased over five years ago and it's still running great, although some of its metal frame has been patched from small rusting sections. I even use Greenworks 60v batteries for my electric mountain bike which is running on a 48v engine but I have it souped up with the bigger 60v battery. Replacement 60v batteries of various amp-hours are commercial-grade and very competitively priced with any other brand out there.

  • @jvcyt298
    @jvcyt298 Год назад +1

    My sister bought a house in a golf course community and it came with a golf cart that was made in the 1990s. She and her husband had no clue how to maintain it, so after a few months, it died, when I looked at it the battery cells in the back had exposed plates, so I didn't think that it could ever come back, but I added battery fluid until hydrometer readings looked good and after that, I check the water level once a month, and add distilled water as needed. That was lucky because a new set of batteries runs about $1,300, and the golf cart is only worth about $2,000. I did some research on converting it to lithium, and that wasn't worth the money..

  • @matthewbalos1729
    @matthewbalos1729 2 года назад +19

    cs188 brought me here

  • @AndyClements
    @AndyClements 2 года назад +16

    As someone who works at a certain orange hardware store, I played with the steering wheel version while it was on the floor. And kept pondering what it would take to put a proper battery in it - and how large a battery I could mount underside a trailer for whatever reason.
    Also, the Cub Cadet zero turn, at least last year's, is just as twitchy on the inputs as that Ryobi is.

  • @HennysWorldYT
    @HennysWorldYT Год назад

    Great video. I have the same mower, bought it last year. This year, it won’t start most of the time. When I turn the key, it either doesn’t click at all or clicks rapidly then stops clicking. After like 20 tries to turn the key, it will usually start and then stay running to mow the entire yard. Have you ran into this issue or have any recommendations?

  • @46GarageUSA
    @46GarageUSA 2 года назад

    GREAT VIDEO, have to compliment you on the way you speak and share information, well done ... Just like an actual television show

  • @susan_halla
    @susan_halla 2 года назад +27

    Alternate idea: More chickens! Keep increasing your chickens until they take over enough acreage that your mower can handle the rest in one charge. I mean, who doesn’t love more chickens?

    • @peha524
      @peha524 2 года назад +1

      We all do, even the foxes, wolfs and so on.

  • @Rebel9668
    @Rebel9668 2 года назад +7

    Yeah, I'll keep my 20hp 46" cut gas rider I bought new in 2010 that still cranks right up as I actually enjoy doing maintenance on it. I bring the battery indoors to my utility room in winter and trickle charge it occasionally with a manual charger and I don't use gas with ethanol in it so I have no need for fuel stabilizer either as the Co-Op gas stations here (Countrymark) sell non ethanol gas. I've only had to change the belts on it once in the last 12 years and I change the oil and filters once a season. It's on it's 2nd spark plug now and it's 2nd battery which I only just bought 2 seasons ago, so I got 10 years out of it's first one. I did buy a 58v push mower to do trim work and while it is lithium ion I don't like it as much as my old gas push mower because the frame is a lot larger and that makes it difficult if not impossible to get into tight areas that my old gas push mower went through with ease. I'll soon be selling it and buying a new gas push mower. The old gas one still runs, but at 22 years old the old deck is just about shot. The only regret I think I'll have is that the new ones don't use side valves anymore like my old one.

  • @dyates6380
    @dyates6380 Год назад

    I'm sixty five years old, recently retired, and living a happy life. I rent my house out and moved in with my girlfriend (at this point that sounds silly - at our age - we are both sixty five and retired - I refer to her as my wife) as her son rents from me and we have been together over 17 years. I've always used a gas lawnmower in the several properties I've owned through the years and that includes about an acre I had with an ex wife, probably forty years ago now, in a country like setting. We have a battery powered mower now. Typical, suburban sized lawn, but nice amount of it. She does most of the outdoor yard work because she really enjoys it and takes her time, while I prefer to sit on a lawn chair and drink beer, but I did cut the lawn a few times last summer and that was my first taste of battery powered lawn equipment. At first, I thought it was great. We even bought an extra battery because one wasn't going to get us through the front and back - especially when the spring kicks in and the lawn is thicker and heavier. I won't go into too much detail here, but suffice to say I am buying a gas powered one this coming week. Oh, she still likes the battery one a lot, it's me that doesn't. I hate it. I don't want to have to stop halfway through cutting a lawn to go into the garage and insert a fresh battery. It's okay. I'll just put gas in the new one and cut the whole lawn without stopping except to empty the clipping bag. Nope. Plus, it lacks a lot of power. I couldn't even imagine buying a battery powered riding lawnmower. No way.

  • @scottnunya2441
    @scottnunya2441 Год назад

    I've a Gravely Pro 160 62" ZT gas hydraulics. All of my other lawn tools are lithium (Kobalt 80v and 24v), and I pretty much have every Kobalt electric tool sold. I mow roughly 6 acres, chunking it up into 1/4's (back yard and around pond, 2 side yards, and 1 front yard with an island) so it takes about 4 days start to finish, total run time of around 4 hours. I keep watching these type reviews, as I want these electric mowers to succeed, but so far, nothing can compete. I switched to electric tools years ago after finally getting frustrated with the never-ending spring startup (or lack thereof) of my various implements. I'm very happy with all of my electric tools, and Kobalt's service has been second to none (lost an oil cap off my chainsaw...they sent me an entire chainsaw as a replacement without asking for the original to be returned). Economical, takes punishment, and easily equal to gas products, but I don't think the ZT's are up to snuff.....yet. The direct drive motor to blade setup has me a bit concerned too....I wonder if any of them have a clutch brake system so you don't bend shafts or misalign shafts.

  • @colinsdad1
    @colinsdad1 2 года назад +11

    This video popped up in my Suggestions- my Folk's gas rider mower was stored outdoors this past Winter, where the local nice had a field day. The Shop that had maintained it from New went out of business this past year. I gave it to their neighbors as a project as a Thank You for helping them out when I'm not available. I was looking for electric options with a smaller footprint that were low maintenance (read: preferably Lithium powered). Sent it to my Dad, as he was looking at a similar unit. Thank you for the bluntly honest (and humorous) review, it saved us some headaches down the road!

  • @kc4cvh
    @kc4cvh 2 года назад +9

    I came mighty close to buying one of these a few months ago. But when I learned of slow, "hope you'll give up and go away" warranty service and that the lead-acid cells are in costly proprietary packaging, I shelved the Ryobi purchase. I would buy it if inexpensive, readily-available GC-2 batteries were used, but those bespoke batteries take away the lone desirable trait of lead, low price.
    Update: I have since learned that the batteries used aren't in plastic plug-in boxes, but are a square prismatic AGM cells which may be purchased from multiple sources. This changes my conclusion to a somewhat more favorable one.

    • @andrewk8636
      @andrewk8636 2 года назад +2

      I wouldn't ever buy a zero turn with lead acid because of weight. Zero turns are already prone to getting stuck on wet patches and hills and such. Adding that mush weight just makes it worse, plus deeper ruts and more likely to tear up the grass

    • @davidquinn9676
      @davidquinn9676 2 года назад

      Ugh, proprietary lead-acid? Can he just modify the structure to take some car batteries?

    • @andrewk8636
      @andrewk8636 2 года назад

      @@davidquinn9676 I'm sure you can find some that are similar enough. There is charts that have all the dimensions of different lead acid batteries and you can find what works best and swap them

  • @alancapes5644
    @alancapes5644 Год назад +1

    I love the Ego 42" Z6 zero turn. Expensive but I have been using Ego yard tools for 4 years, BMS and batteries still perfect, and all batteries are interchangeable across all tools, less expensive 8n the long run.

  • @darin7784
    @darin7784 2 года назад

    Thank you very much. I was unsure which to go with. Now I know thanks again.

  • @deusexaethera
    @deusexaethera 2 года назад +6

    "No I'm going to comparison shop my existing car insurance..."
    _[three hours laterrrr]_
    "Hey, I can't find a 1980 Trabant in the vehicle list!"

  • @Off-Grid
    @Off-Grid 2 года назад +3

    We have an old commercial mower with a joystick. It takes getting used to but works fine.

  • @rogerwallace1976
    @rogerwallace1976 11 месяцев назад

    I bought one a few months ago used from a thrift store, and I was totally impressed by the suction power, then the belt broke. So I bought a new one online, the same model.

  • @majortom2540
    @majortom2540 10 месяцев назад

    Thank you for the video. You saved me the trouble. Thank you again.

  • @ravenouself4181
    @ravenouself4181 2 года назад +89

    1. The battery-swap sounds fun
    2. I would go for the $7K instead of the $6K mower, Rayobi have shown to not be trustworthy and the joystick sounds like a liability rather than a benefit.

    • @T_gaming28
      @T_gaming28 Год назад +3

      Ryobi*

    • @Tightwad64
      @Tightwad64 Год назад

      My ? Is how much can you mow before the battery dies

    • @Subangelis
      @Subangelis Год назад

      I like what EGO does. They have a range of powered yard equipment that uses the same battery. You can plug the mower as he did with the Ryobi, or you can pull the batteries out and use a separate charger. And ALL the yard equipment uses the same batteries, which are like the rechargeable batteries from a cordless drill.

    • @T_gaming28
      @T_gaming28 Год назад +2

      @@Subangelis same with ryobi

    • @jaykoerner
      @jaykoerner Год назад

      @@Subangelis that's the same with the lithium ryobies, they use a mix of 40 volt and 80 volt batteries, not sure if you can independently charge the 80 volts but they are removable so I'd assume so, the 40 volts of the standard consumer line for push lawn mowers blowers string trimmers chainsaws etc so are obviously chargeable independently

  • @pXnEmerica
    @pXnEmerica 2 года назад +45

    Be interesting to see what the cell fluid level and specific gravity look like. Maybe the charger was boiling off fluid all winter and now you're running cells dry(er).

    • @clownbooface2624
      @clownbooface2624 2 года назад +1

      Pretty sure they'll be agm, tho they also do lose electrolyte over time

    • @WJCTechyman
      @WJCTechyman 2 года назад +1

      @@clownbooface2624 Also overcharging them can be bad too. I had a battery for four years on my one tractor and it wasn't age that killed it, it was me dropping it and cracking its plastic shell. I tried charging it, it did charge but it leaked the electrolyte all over my work bench. Luckily baking soda neutralised it.

    • @pXnEmerica
      @pXnEmerica 2 года назад

      @@clownbooface2624 That’s somewhat my assumption here, the charger isn’t of great quality and it bakes the cells over the winter venting it off. Granted it’d be much harder to test with glass mats.

  • @seabumbb3067
    @seabumbb3067 Год назад

    Sorry about that battery issue. I have had one of those mowers for just over a year. Yes, same 54" Ryobi. So far, my batteries are still working great. I only cut 1 acre so even a loss would not be too bad since I only use about 40% battery cutting the entire lawn (unless I wait too long and it is wet, then I might use 60%). I have been very impressed with the machine but the battery life has concerned me. I do not think it has ever been able to cut the Ryobi claimed yard size (2.5 acres?) on one charge, but not a problem for me. The only difference is usage, from what I can tell, is that here is SE Texas, the grass must be mowed year-round so the machine was never stowed for the winter. I will be paying attention to see if you change out the batteries.

  • @auvidman1
    @auvidman1 Год назад

    Thankyou for sharing your experience.
    I am in Australia and purchased a ryobi mower with similar electrical configuration to yours.
    From new I installed a 4 cell battery monitor.
    At 1 year of age, 1 battery died. it affected the performance of the mower significantly.
    I contacted ryobi and provided my graphs from data logger and the offered a 4 battery set free as replacement.
    I agree with your comments about agm batteries but wonder if the issues may have also included 1 failing battery.

  • @dhansel4835
    @dhansel4835 2 года назад +11

    I have a 42" gas Snapper Yard Cruiser and it has a joy stick. I like it. It steers great, just think which way you want to go and your hand does the work. I have had it for over 24 years. It still works fine.
    Maybe Ryobi will give you an upgrade to a newer mower. I would write a old fashion letter to some of the top people at Ryobi and see what they say. You never know.

    • @velvetypotato711
      @velvetypotato711 Год назад

      now the need to invent away to not even be on it

  • @PedroTP15
    @PedroTP15 2 года назад +16

    cs188 brought me here :D

  • @dsbennett
    @dsbennett Год назад

    My WORX battery-powered lawn mower was awesome for several years. Then one year, I forgot to keep the battery charged over the winter, and it died. When I tried to by a new battery, WORX said they don't make that model anymore. They said I needed to buy a new lawn mower! I bought a so-called refurbished battery that worked for about two times and died. So I gave away the mower and bought a $100 electric corded mower and that is now my favorite mower.

  • @reedstemen
    @reedstemen Год назад

    Thank you for the honesty!

  • @startedtech
    @startedtech 2 года назад +3

    My dad's got a 20+ year old John Deere riding mower for the leaves, and in 2020 he got a new Ryobi 40V 20" push mower. (non assist).
    It's amazing how much more pleasant it can be to mow the yard when your arms aren't being rattled off and you're not going deaf. With the 6Ah it came with, it's enough for the front+back yard at ~.7 acres if you're brisk.
    Although there is a design flaw that requires you to retighten some torx screws every now and then or some dumb safety feature stops it from working.

    • @shiftymiata
      @shiftymiata 2 года назад +1

      Put lock washers on those torx bolts and they won't loosen themselves anymore

    • @MartysRandomStuff
      @MartysRandomStuff 2 года назад +1

      I've been mowing my .6 acre yard with the Ryobi 40V 20" for about 5 years. On my second one, first one lasted 3 years. I'm up to 5 batteries now, all 4Ah, the oldest one is down less than 50% life but the rest are still going strong, Usually I go through 3 batteries to mow and also trim with the 40V string trimmer. It's funny, in the 3rd year when I figured the mower wasn't going to last another full year and my one battery was dying, I went to get a new battery but there was a sale and it was only $100 more to get another mower and charger.

  • @purplegill10
    @purplegill10 2 года назад +144

    7:40 actually another huge advantage: VERY recyclable. Even though lead-acid batteries suck, they are arguably the most "green" battery type available.

    • @h8GW
      @h8GW 2 года назад +27

      Still, it's better to do the reduce and reuse before you get to the recycle, which lithium batteries are arguably better at and LiFePO4 batteries are definitely better at.

    • @markglanville6495
      @markglanville6495 2 года назад +7

      Think lifepo4 have no Cobalt or zinc and contents not too toxic!

    • @RingingResonance
      @RingingResonance 2 года назад +10

      Would make a great grid storage battery if you had a system to monitor and control cell electrolyte level and concentration. A cell goes bad, replace the whole bunch with ones sitting in standby that just need to be filled with electrolyte and have the old ones recycled on site. Could make an autonomous system that does all this with very little human interaction. In addition, good lead acid batteries aren't designed to fail within a year like most that are available to the public. I'm talking about cartel stuff like what had happened with lightbulbs in the past.

    • @purplegill10
      @purplegill10 2 года назад +11

      @@markglanville6495 The only negative is that all lithium-based cells, that I know of, can't really be reversed into their original state like lead acids can.

    • @purplegill10
      @purplegill10 2 года назад +7

      @@h8GW Absolutely. It's just moreso in the decades-long impacts rather than the impact in a few years where people, unfortunately, often are more likely to throw them away at the first signs of wear or when whatever device they have becomes "obsolete"

  • @curtismmichaels
    @curtismmichaels Месяц назад

    I bought a Ryobi 40V push mower in 2018. It worked wonderfully on my 1/3 acre. It had the grace to drop the motor through the body a month before the warranty ended. I now have my second one. I like it even more. Glad they got rid of the lead acid batteries on the big mowers. That makes no sense to me now.

  • @a.castillo6624
    @a.castillo6624 Год назад

    Great video man. Appreciate the effort and information.

  • @tacomas9602
    @tacomas9602 2 года назад +9

    11:30
    Country Clipper made some really nice machines that used a hydrostatic control on one stick. It worked awesome but took a mower session or two to get used to it. I really loved the feel on those hydro sticks, but the electric one concerns me.

    • @micholob86
      @micholob86 2 года назад +1

      I have that mower and it's great. I had no trouble learning it at all.

    • @Studio23Media
      @Studio23Media 2 года назад +1

      I currently have a Country Clipper with a joystick and it's definitely the way to go. Joysticks on zero turns have been around for a long time. Used to have a couple Snappers with the joystick too.

    • @robertchapman3481
      @robertchapman3481 2 года назад +2

      Another Country Clipper owner. The joy stick is so much better than the twin levers. They have never been very popular because the commercial lawn care industry is married to the twin lever model, and they don't want to change. I previously had a twin lever Rich Convertible model (that I other wise loved) that just killed my hands. The joystick is like flying a Piper Cub! The Country Clipper with the joystick comes with a cup holder that you can actually use while mowing since you have one hand free to actually hold the drink!

    • @tacomas9602
      @tacomas9602 2 года назад

      @@robertchapman3481 the best two handle zero turns have to be Dixie Chopper built ones. The single stick is still my favorite but DAMN those Dixies have the smoothest drive control ever

    • @robertchapman3481
      @robertchapman3481 2 года назад +1

      @@tacomas9602 The Country Clipper will probably outlast me as I don't use it commercially. I bought it used and have had it half a dozen years. It's about 10 years old now and in great condition. I previously bought the Rich mower used at 4 years old. I used it another 15 years and sold it for half what I bought it for! I shop for very lightly used commercial grade mowers (HARD to find) and maintain them well. The only thing I've had to do to their Kohler engines is replace electronic ignition systems that age out.

  • @coolapphd92
    @coolapphd92 2 года назад +23

    Hope this won’t get YTP 😂

  • @DustyOlLlama
    @DustyOlLlama Год назад

    I'm so glad I found this video. I bought the 42 in deck version and when I mowed for the first time.. it would not charge.. searched RUclips... Found your vid... Returned the mower. Imma stick with my gasser for a few more years until lithium ion is more mainstream in price.