Professional tool reviews for professionals
The battery-powered ZT competition is in full swing, and many brands are further pushing their limits. In the process, they look, feel and cut more like gas models. We have been using 54-inch Ryobi electric zero-turn lawn mowers instead of our gas ZT, see what you can expect.
On the surface, it has some similarities with Ryobi's 42-inch zero-turn lawn mower. However, this model received the HP Brushless designation and is expected to achieve a whole new level of performance.
We want to focus on this review in several areas, the first is how powerful the lawn mower is. In our first round of testing, we performed maintenance cuts that reduced the dry Bahia grass field by 2 inches and reduced it to 2 1/2 inches. The power is very good, it can cut with confidence and throw the cut scraps aside like our lawn mower.
It was almost the weekend, and we were soaked in the rain. We were late for more than a week because of cutting another lawn. Due to the heat in Florida, grasses in some areas are more than one foot tall. We ran the Ryobi Zero Turn side by side with the household gas ZT and were pleasantly surprised to find that it cuts more confidently.
The biggest difference is when we reach grass that is high enough and thick enough to get the blade into trouble. The height and thickness at which the two lawnmowers started to get stuck are roughly the same, but Ryobi's low-quality blades decelerate faster.
As we expected, we were able to reduce the drive speed to keep the blade at a higher RPM and still cut effectively. However, we had to cut some of the most difficult areas twice to complete it, and it couldn't spread the clippings so far.
Even with this warning, we are still impressed by the cutting power provided by Ryobi's three brushless motors for the blade. It clearly surpasses the hand-held model and is comparable to our Toro Timecutter and its 24.5 horsepower engine.
After the power question was answered, we turned our attention to cutting quality. In its inventory configuration, side discharge is your only choice. You can add an optional covering plug, but there is no bagging option.
Looking at the lawn, the cut from side to side is good and even, indicating that the deck is level. We encountered some areas and we made some uneven cuts in the drainage area, but this will happen to any size ZT you use.
If the deck becomes uneven, please check your tire pressure first. If they are level, the deck can be adjusted to make it level. In general, when it comes to cutting uniformity, we have no complaints.
Ryobi tells us that with the onboard 115Ah battery, you can cut up to 3 1/2 acres of land.
We finally had a great day to set up our runtime test and make the most of it. We started using our gas ZT to shrink the Bahia grass field to 4 1/2 inches. Then we used our Ryobi ZT to cut 2 inches from the top. But there is a caveat-it must also move the grass we just cut. This is not an easy cut. In fact, it keeps the lawn mower working hard all the time.
The lawn mower ran for 1 hour and 38 minutes, with the drive and blade speeds set to high. It's time to learn some math. At an average of 4 miles per hour (you can walk faster, but including turns), with a 54-inch cutting net you can cut 154,915 square feet-or 3.56 acres. Yes, you can really cut so much.
When we test the noise level, we test through the operator’s ears so that you know if you need hearing protection while mowing. Sitting still, the lawnmower is completely silent even when it is active. Kick the blades to low speed and they produce 83 decibels. At high speeds, it will increase to 87 decibels.
Driving and cutting, the total noise level of the blade at high speed is 89 decibels.
One thing that makes Ryobi's ZT stand out from the competition is its 54-inch deck. Since the deck on the EGO and Greenworks models stops at 42 inches, the extra 12 inches can be helpful when you have a larger property and want to complete the mowing more efficiently.
The other part of the equation is that it is a manufactured No. 10 steel deck, which impressed us as a more durable way.
With the push of a button, both the drive and blade have high speed and low speed options. The lawn mower has a maximum speed of 7 MPH, and everyone in our test team uses a lap rod to manage its high-speed operation. If you’re used to control, it’s helpful to reduce to low speed, but we think most people will default to high speed once they feel comfortable.
When you have to move a little away from the top and the grass is dry, reducing the blade speed can help extend the run time. However, you can get the most confident cut and the best cut quality at high blade speeds.
As long as you have enough running time to complete your lawn, we recommend that you maintain high-speed driving and cutting levels.
Ryobi insists on using four sealed lead-acid batteries to power this ZT. As other brands turn to lithium-ion, it is natural to want to know the relevance of this old technology.
On the one hand, today's lead-acid batteries are different from the ones we dealt with ten years ago. Due to the sealed design, they are more stable and do not require filling.
There is one more cost to keep in mind. The 10Ah battery in EGO ZT is 450 USD each, you need to purchase two extra batteries to get the best running time. When they need to be replaced, you only need $2700.
On the other hand, you can buy premium 115Ah replacement parts for this lawn mower for less than half the price each, and you only need four of them. When the time is right, you have a lot less in your pocket.
One disadvantage is the charging time. If you run out of battery completely, the lawnmower needs to be charged overnight, and if you can't get the job done, it's impossible to replace it with another set. On the bright side, you only need a standard 120V socket to charge.
Another thing to note is that lead-acid batteries do not have the same non-fading power batteries as lithium-ion batteries. We noticed that with the last 20% of battery life, the power level gradually drops.
This lawn mower has many front-to-rear seat adjustments. Going all the way back is a bit too far for my 6-foot-2 self, so if you are taller than me, you can still fit comfortably.
However, when I was on resilient terrain, my seat spring weighed 205 pounds. The tension seat will be a nice upgrade.
Then there is the armrest. It doesn't matter which lawnmower I use, they will never be completely correct. I hope there is a height adjustment similar to an office chair.
Although you should be aware of these precautions, the seat itself is sufficiently padded to make it quite comfortable even after an hour of direct mowing.
The tow hook is in the kit and can be installed with only two bolts. What is really impressive is the towing capacity-500 pounds! This is twice the score of ZT by EGO.
You can order this lawn mower at The Home Depot for $4,599, which is several hundred dollars cheaper than EGO and Greenworks. Unlike the previous 42-inch version, there is only one battery capacity. At 115Ah, it is more than Ryobi's other battery-powered riding lawn mowers.
Ryobi provides a 3-year warranty for this lawn mower.
As the next step in battery-powered riding lawn mower technology, Ryobi has taken an important step forward over previous models. Cut more confidently, run longer, build more durable. If you want to forget about the noise, emissions and maintenance of a gas engine, the Ryobi HP 54-inch brushless electric zero-turn mower is an excellent choice for 1 to 3 1/2 acres of lawn.
Learn more about this lawn mower here!
On the clock, Kenny deeply explores the practical limitations of various tools and compares the differences. After get off work, his faith and love for his family is his top priority, and you will usually see him in the kitchen, riding a bicycle (he is a triathlon) or taking people out for a day fishing in Tampa Bay.
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Professional tool reviews for professionals
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