Common Questions About The Ryobi RM480e and RM480ex:
1. What is “some assembly required?”
Ryobi has created and posted an assembly video on YouTube. It is very easy and uses just a few hand tools. Most owner state it takes 45 minutes if your rider is delivered in the crate or 30 minutes without the crate. If you opt to pick it up at your local Home Depot it should be already assembled. If it is assembled at the Store make sure you get the cardboard box which includes the battery charger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwqtBEDpv_c&t=11s
Basically, the only assembly required is to attach the steering wheel/column, plug the battery connector (just one connector), connect the safety switch connector to the seat and attach the seat to the mower with two shouldered screws. If you do not have a torque wrench as suggested in the video, tighten the nut with a wrench to the point of initial resistance and then continue to tighten about another 1/3 revolution so that the nut is securely attached to the steering assembly. Another little not. Back it off the crate per the instructions. Be sure you let it charge fully – 8-10 hours – before your first mow.
2. How do I get this to My House?
The Ryobi RM480e can be purchased online or at your Home Depot store and taken home with a trailer. You may purchase it online or in the store and have it delivered to your home. Home Depot currently shows free delivery. You may also purchase it online and have it shipped to your home in the crate. If you buy online and have it shipped to your home, there will be some minimal assembly upon delivery.
3. Who Repairs This and How?
For service and repair: RYOBI has approximately 1800 Authorized Service Centers across the US. Call Ryobi customer service center can help you find the one closest to you: 1.800.860.4050. At this time it looks like you are responsible for getting the mower to the repair center.
4. What does rust-resistant deck mean? What is it coated with? Is this mower made mostly out of steel?
The mowing deck is a stamped deck and made from 12 gauge steel. Rust-resistant means it has a powder coat finish applied. Powder coat is a process where the metal is cleaned of all oils and contaminants. It is them electrostatically sprayed with a colored powdered poly paint. That powdered paint is them baked on to create a very durable finish that is very hard to chip and won’t flake off.
The second picture in the picture review on page 2 shows the full metal frame of the Ryobi RM480. The mower is made mostly of steel and the plastic you see on the outside is like the fenders on your car. Your car fenders are there more for looks (and aerodynamics) than for structural integrity.
5. Specs state a 38.5″ width with a 38″ cutting deck which I presume is the shipping width (with the deflector chute folded up). What is the overall width with the deflector chute down in the operating position?
I don’t have an actual number because I’m at work, but the deflector shield sticks out about 10″. You can fold it up if you need to go through a gate or something.
6. What are the crated dimensions?
The crated dimensions of this unit are: 46” wide X 63” long X 38.5” tall.
7. How long is the mower on it?
This question is hard to answer. Most people ask who wide the mower is so they know if it will fit through a gate or doorway. The cut is 38 inches wide. The mower deck with the plastic side discharge up is about 41 inches wide. So it will go through a 48 inch gate easily. With the discharge down it’s about 51 inches. How long is the mower deck? If you are going to take the deck off and store the it separately the front to back length would be about 24-26 inches.
8. Mowing speed?
When the blades are spinning (engaged) The Ryobi RM480 has a top speed of 5 MPH but I’ll guess that the normal mowing speed is like that of other lawn tractors – about 3-4 MPH. With the deck turned off the Ryobi RM480 will tool around your yard and over to the neighbor’s at 8 MPH! That 2.5 MPH faster than your neighbor’s lawn tractor!
9. Are there rebates on this mower since it’s environmentally friendly?
“Going Green” rebates and allowances are usually distributed through your local government so it would definitely be worth checking on.
10. Any plans to make provide attachments for use the year around ? Specifically such as a snow blade?
Not at this time
11. What is the horsepower?
The Ryobi RM480 uses 3 independent brushless motors that deliver max torque and power to the deck motors and the transmission. Electric motors operate differently so trying to compare the available power/torque of the brushless motors to a gas engine is very hard. Users have stated that the mower deck motors and the transmission drive motor provides all the torque needed to deliver all of the power and run-time to mow your lawn. In fact, owners are stating is has more than enough power for the 38 inch cut.
12. It states “up to 2 hours of run time or 2 acres”. Do you get those times with the included 75 AH batteries or only if you upgrade to the 100 AH batteries.
Consumer Reports just reviewed the Ryobi RM480e with the 75 AH batteries and stated they got the two hour run times during their testing. They also rated it the best of the “rear engine rider class” and “very good” for the areas they test. Subscription required: https://www.consumerreports.org/products/lawn-tractor/ryobi-r48110-388396/overview/
13. Battery maintenance? Are the 75 AH batteries that come with this mower maintenance free, or standard old school lead acid that need to be topped off with distilled water every now and again? I didn’t see anything in the manual about the batteries except they are Ryobi 75 AH lead acid and how to change them out.
These lead acid batteries are maintenance free. They are a sealed gel type battery so you never have to check them or add water.
If you want to get the most life out of these batteries here is an article on the subject: 5+ Ultimate Electric Riding Mower Battery Care Tips
14. How many amps does it draw when charging?
The charger for this lawn mower is rated at a 13 amp max current so any 15 amp 110 volt outlet will work. The charger will be warm/very warm to the touch when in operation.
15. What is the charge time for the batteries? Is this a quick charging unit?
Page 16 and 17 of the use and care manual states the charge time is “overnight.” The manual also suggests that you leave the mower plugged into the charger when you are not using it. The charger not only charges the batteries but also maintains (peak charges) the batteries so they are always ready to use.From a practical standpoint these are deep-discharge sealed lead acid batteries and quick charging them can greatly shorten the life.
16. Is it possible to purchase multiple batteries and switch them out for longer cut times to avoid waiting on recharge?
Hi, Robert- thanks for the question. While it’s possible to change the batteries out, it is more for long-term maintenance than for swapping out during each use. The 75Ah batteries that come with model RY48110 will get you up to 2 hours of straight cutting time which equates to 2 acres of grass. If you require more run-time than that, we sell the 100Ah version (RY48111) which will get you up to 2.5 hours of cutting time or 2.5 acres of grass. We hope this helps!
16. Why is the warranty on the 4 batteries only 1 year? Is that their expected life? Would this mean that I should expect to by 4 new batteries every year? What is the cost of a replacement battery?
Most batteries are only warrantied for one year because the life is very dependent on how the owner treats the batteries. If you don’t take care of them they may only last 2 years but with a few simple habits you can easily get 5-8 years before they have to be replaced.
This is an excellent article on how to maximize the battery life. It more or less follows the same advice that’s in the manual, but gives the “why” behind it. If you want to get the most life out of these batteries: 5+ Ultimate Electric Riding Mower Battery Care Tips. If you follow the hints in the article and the charging procedures on page 16 and 17 of the Operator’s Manual I expect you should get 4-6 years of use.
Replacing the batteries every 5 years is less expensive than properly maintaining and running a gas rider over the same period of time.
For replacement, there are a number of different sealed lead acid batteries that will work with the riding mower. The replacement should be AGM, sealed, maintenance free lead acid battery. The riding mower is powered by 4- 12V lead acid batteries. The replacement cost per battery can range from $150-$200. My understanding is Home Depot will carry replacements in the future.
17. If delivered from the store is it already charged at all? Would it be delivered to the end of my sloped drive(2 cars deep) or the top? I want to make sure I can get it in the garage to charge overnight.
The battery does have some charge – probably more than enough to complete any driving you’d like to do, but the instructions are pretty clear on charging it fully before any mowing tasks. If the mower does not move at all when you get it there is a plug under a panel under the seat that needs to be connected.
18. Are these Lithium Ion Batteries?
It’s a mistake to dismiss this mower because of the battery type. Here’s why:
While lithium batteries are better in cars and even portable appliances the differences diminish in mowers and tractors. The main benefit of lithium’s is their weight to power ratio. What this means is that for a given weight lithium batteries supply more power. This does not mean that lithium batteries are more powerful. Power in batteries is measured in Ah (amp/hours). What this means is that the battery can supply a specific power (watts – amps x volts) for a measured period of time (hours). So if a lithium battery has say 100Ah and an AGM (absorbent glass mat) battery has 100Ah they both are capable of supplying the same amount of power. The difference is that the lithium batteries are smaller and lighter but both give the same results.
Mowers and tractors don’t care about overall weight, in fact they get better traction when they are heavier so the heavier battery is actually a plus in this type of machine.
What is an AGM battery? This is a lead/acid battery with a big difference! First it is sealed so no acid leaks out and you never need to add water. They can fly on airplanes and are safer than lithium batteries. The batteries in mowers has another difference, they are deep cycle. That means they can withstand discharges better that the battery in your car that starts your engine which can put out a lot of power for a very short period of time.
Treated correctly and charged properly they will last a long time. Not as long as lithium batteries though. Here’s why. Battery life is measured in cycles, how many times it can be charged and discharged. and lithium wins in this category but for a big price they cost 3 to 4 times more than sealed batteries. So in the end it evens out, you spend less for the battery but it doesn’t have as long a life. To get the longest life try to never let the batteries discharge below 50%, 70 or 80% is better. Battery life is also dependent on how deeply the batteries are discharged, so the number of cycles a battery will last drops with deep discharges.
Bottom line: AGM batteries like in the Ryobi mower are a very good design choice. Lithium batteries are great batteries in many ways but in mowers that don’t have weight restrictions their added expense is just not justified.
19. Are the batteries shipped with the mower or separate ?
The batteries are shipped installed in the mower.
20. Does this mower mulch? Is there a mulching option? Does this mower come with mulching blades?
The mower comes equipped with combination mulching – side-discharge blades. The Ryobi RM480 is also shipped with the mulch plug.
A bagging kit (with bagger and high lift bagging blades) is also available separately.
21. If you are using the mulching plug, is it okay to remove the side discharge cover?
It’s not recommended. The hardware that mounts the cover is a pin that uses a press on cap. (You should be able to find a replacement cap at any hardware store.) In addition, the cover is spring loaded and the spring is very difficult to install. However, it is hinged, so you can raise it up if you need to store it in a smaller space or move it through a narrower gate. Most owners use a rope or bungee strap to hold it up with the mulch cover in place. That allows you to mow from either direction thru/near obstructions – narrow paths, gates, trees, flowerbeds, etc.
22. How difficult is it to remove the mowing deck to replace the blades and clean the under side?
Removing the deck is easier than most lawn tractors because the deck is smaller/lighter and there are only four hairpin cotter keys, and two electric connections that pull apart. No belts to route or belt keepers to loosen and reinstall.
Your owners manual shows you the steps on page 22.
23. Can I remove deck and drive only tractor ?
The deck is removable for cleaning and blade changes.
24. Is the mower deck hard to clean and how do you clean it?
The deck is not hard to clean but the procedure is a little different from what we have been telling you to do to clean a lawn tractor deck for the last 10 years. Why? About 10 years ago the industry switched to sealed bearings on the deck. Those bearings were sealed well enough that many brands started to include the deck washing port where you hooked up a garden hose and used water to clean the underside of the deck. It worked well IF you cleaned the deck each time you mowed. The water pressure was low enough that it usually didn’t force water into the bearings, ruining them. By the way, never use a pressure washer on any deck, especially ones with sealed bearings or a deck with electric motors like this one. Even though they are sealed – they are not sealed that well! You will accidentally force water into them and they will quickly fail.
So, to clean this deck. What I state here pretty much follows the Ryobi RM480e operator’s manual. Clean the topside by wiping it off with a rag or brush. You can also use a vacuum or leaf blower to blow the debris off. I suggest cleaning the underside when you sharpen the blades or replace them. You only have to remove four pins and disconnect the electrical plug. The deck slides right out from under the riding mower. You may want take pictures of where the pins go with your cell phone before you disconnect the deck.
Remove the blades. Even dull blades can cut you if you accidentally slip. Use a plastic scraper and a shop vac to clean the underside. I have an old kitchen spatula (pancake flipper) and a boot brush that works really well. If you use plastic you won’t scratch the paint causing corrosion later on. It doesn’t have to be perfect – just get the big chunks. That’s it! Install the blades, slide the deck under the rider, connect the pins and electrical plug. The whole process will take you less than 20 minutes the second or third time you do it.
25. How does it handle tall grass? I assume it’s not as good at cutting really tall grass as gas-powered ones.
The Ryobi will cut tall grass just fine but please remember riding lawn mowers are designed to cut your lawn – not the field out back or the garden/paddock you haven’t mowed all year. It’s understandable how one might think an electric mower couldn’t handle tall grass as well, but we’re confident that it can. This unit is powered by 3 independent brushless motors that deliver max torque and power to the deck motors and the drivetrain. The mower uses the torque of these electric brushless motors to deliver all of the power and run-time the customer will need. Thanks again for your interest, and we hope this helps!
Works just like a gas-powered riders.
26. What is the max slope?
The rider has a lot of weight in the rear compared to a conventional lawn tractor so it will climb slopes up to 15 degrees better than most lawn tractors. The Max Slope for using the Ryobi RM480 is 15 degrees. Page 36 of your operator’s manual has a diagram to help you determine your max slope.
27. Hi, I bought my RM480e two weeks ago, used it twice and love it. However, the parking brake on my unit does not work. The brake itself works fine but not the parking handle. It probably needs an adjustment. Where are the instructions for adjusting the parking brake?
To use the parking brake push all the way down on the left foot pedal then lift the red parking brake handle. If the brake will not set the brakes may be adjusted to tight. The operator’s manual show you how to easily adjust the brakes. This is another great feature of the Ryobi RM480. The brakes are real brakes and you can use them just like the brakes in your car. Most lawn tractors have just a parking brake and you can’t feather the brakes to stop slowly or adjust them.
28. Can this fit through my 3 feet-4 inch fence gate?
Yes. Raise the discharge chute up and it will go through. Drive slowly because it will be close. With the discharge chute lifted up, the width of the deck is 37 inches. Your gate is just wide enough to fit, at 40 inches.
29. Tow behinds Any products like aerator, dethatcher, or seeder coming soon?
Most lawn tractor attachments from all the manufactures that hook up to the rear hitch and has wheels to pull it around will work. Lawn Sweepers, Yard Carts, Dethachers, Spreaders, etc. I would limit aerators to 40 inches or less and put no more than 2 cinder blocks on the aerator for weight.
Manufactures include, Agri-Fab, Brinly-Hardy, Craftsman, Cub Cadet, John Deere, Ohio Steel, Polar, OxCart, Precision Products, Midwest Products, and many others.
30. Can it tow a trailer? I have a small steel wagon that is capable of being towed behind a lawn tractor and was wondering if this was capable of towing it. The Wagon is rated to 1200 lbs but is really too small to get anywhere near that and I was wondering if this could pull it.
Yes it has a hitch plate in the rear. Be realistic though and only tow a small yard cart with garden tools or a bag or two of mulch/dirt. Total towed weight must not exceed the weight that you can safely control the mower.
31. I have less than an acre but a good-sized hill , how will this mower perform on large hills ?
The operating manual states NO MORE than a 15 degree slope. Many other factors go into how it will handle including wet grass, loose dirt, ruts and bumps.The area you can mow on one charge will be reduced by driving it up and down a hill.
32. Can the cruise control be set at any available speed, especially a very slow speed?
The cruise can set at any speed as long as you’re on level ground or traveling uphill. There is no engine braking so will not control the speed if you’re traveling downhill. The mower will accelerate downhill and does not return to the set speed until you encounter an uphill or level-ground condition. If the brake is applied (just touched or fully) at any time, the cruise is disengaged.
33. Do the headlights offer enough light to mow at night?
They should be plenty bright to allow you to mow at night. And it’s quiet enough not to bother the neighbors!
34. Does the mower CUT in reverse?
Yes, There is a reverse mode option button on the control panel. When this button is depressed, the customer is able to mow in reverse until the mower is turned off or the button is depressed again turning off the reverse mode option.
35. What is the top speed and turning radius?
The top speed for this mower is 8 MPH without the blades in use and 5 MPH when mowing. The turning radius is 16”.
36. Does it Vibrate
The easy answer is no. There is no gas engine vibration or vibration from spinning pulleys and v-belts. This riding mower will also be quieter than a gas powered rider. I own an electric riding mower with a 46 inch deck and there is no vibration from the spinning blades. I am going to assume that this 38 inch will have no vibration either. Be aware the speed control is a foot pedal. If you have problems with having your knees in one position for long periods of time the foot control may be a problem. Yes, there is cruise control but that is only good for open areas that you are mowing. Most of the time you will still be using your right foot.
37. Do I have to switch blades to go from mulching to bagging? I see there are both mulching blades and bagging blades, but does one set of these blades work better if I want to mostly mulch but occasionally bag?
Yes, I strongly suggest that you switch to the bagging blades when you’re bagging. If you use the mulching blades for bagging they will not have the throw required to get the grass into the bagger and fill the bagger with grass clippings. The mulch blades may work for dry leaves in the fall but don’t be disappointed if they work poorly.
Where to buy:
The RM480 is available exclusively at The Home Depot. Here are the links to read more and buy. I do make a commission from the sale when you use these links.
Ryobi RM480e, 38 inch, 75 AH Cordless Electric Riding Mower Model # RY48110 (about 2 hours run time)
Ryobi RM480ex, 38 inch, 100 AH Cordless Electric Riding Mower Model # RY48111 (about 2.5 hours run time)
Available Accessories:
Ryobi 38 inch 2 bin soft bagger for RM480e and RM480ex Cordless Electric Riding Mower Model # ACRM001 Note: Bagger comes with bagging blades
Ryobi 38 inch bagging/side discharge blades (2) for RM480e and RM480ex Cordless Electric Riding Mower Model # ACRM003 Note: The bagger comes with bagging blades
Ryobi 38 inch mulching/side discharge blades (2) for RM480e and RM480ex Cordless Electric Riding Mower Model # ACRM002 Note: Mower comes with these blades and a mulching cover.
Hi, I’m Paul Sikkema. Don’t know me? Check out this About Page or my LinkedIn Profile. #mycountryacre
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References:
https://www.ryobitools.com/outdoor/products/details/rm480ex-electric-riding-lawn-mower
https://www.ryobitools.com/electric-riding-mower/
https://www.ryobitools.com/landscapes/how-to/rm480e-ryobi-riding-mower-assembly-guide
Larry Cecil Singleton
I need to get a replacement charger for my Ryobi RM4803. Does anyone know where I can get one? It is out of stock on the Ryobi site.
max pizano
Hi Paul, Great review.
I just replaced all batteries on the 480e. Did this carefully and know they are in properly. They are not charging though. the Green light was on after i plugged it in. there was evidence of mice when i pulled old batteries out. (it’s a horse barn tractor). could mice have damaged charging wiring? If so, would the green light have come on when plugged in?
Cookie Yauger
I need help! The rm 480e we have is wonderful but when I cut the grass the blades stop working after 20 minutes. The blades shut off but I can still drive it. I put it back on the charger for 20 minutes then I have blades again for another 20 minutes. What do you think is wrong?
Paul
Hi Cookie, What does the battery indicator say? If the indicator says under 20% charge then you have one or more batteries that need to be replaced.
If the battery indicator is above 50% you may have a blade motor that’s overheating or going bad. With the mower turned off and the key removed clean the top of the deck and get all the debris from around the motors (the black circles on the deck) Then look under the deck and make sure there is nothing wrapped around the blades or the shaft above the blade. Wire, string, rope, long grass can all get wrapped around there and cause it to bind up – overheating the motors.
If that is not the problem call Ryobi and let them help you troubleshoot the problem and help you get it repaired. https://www.ryobitools.com/support/contact
Jacque
Hi Paul,
Do you happen to know what kind of plastic the Ryobi 32″ riding mower is made of around the PTO also known as the handle that raises the deck?
Paul
Hi Jacque, No I don’t. You won’t be able to find that out unless you talked to one of their design engineers.
Bob S
Have you compared the Ryobi RM480E to the Weibang WB76E E Rider (both from Home Depot)? Consumers Report likes the Ryobi but has not reviewed the Weibang for an overall score. I have downloaded both operator’s manuals, so I know spec differences, but I don’t know which may be considered the better choice for my 1/2 -acre, mostly 15-degree property.
Paul
Hi Bob, A few of my readers have purchased the Weibang and like it because it’s small and you can tip it up for storage. But, I’ve also read that the battery life is greatly reduced mowing slopes and they can’t get 1/2 acre mowed on one charge. It takes 10 hours to charge.
So, I’m going to recommend the Ryobi for you. It has plenty of battery for your lawn, the power to go up the slopes and a wider footprint so it will be more stable when turning on the slope. It also has a hitch if you want to pull a yard card, etc.
amf
Hello! I personally own the Weibang, have had it only 4 days and am looking to upgrade to the Ryobi. I am mowing about 1.5 acres in a back lot only; am using the EGO push mower from home depot for my front yard and love it! I am perfectly fine with the charge time, which was about 6 hours to be full, found it to be strong enough to mow through my grass and the speed was much better than me pushing as that is what I did before! My issue came in the stability or lack there of! I have a “flat” lot with no obstructions but 5 trees along a fence line, problem is I have a TON of natural ruts which of course are not visible under grass. In the 2 evenings I used the mower I nearly tipped it completely onto its side 3 times and rocked very badly countless times…all of which scared the shxt out of me! The wheelbase of the mower is very narrow in my opinion and simply can’t handle any surface other than something perfectly flat. If you have a pristine flat lot, it is a really good option. If however you don’t, then pass on the Weibang mower…I actually only bought it to save on a rider because I was holding out till EGO made a rider before I spent a ton…plan didn’t work clearly but I am also considering just continuing to push my 1.5 acres. If you can handle it physically, I highly recommend the EGO self propelled push mower, it is priced at $600 and I use it to mow my front yard which is 1 acre, doing so to get a cleaner cut and look that I don’t think a rider can provide in comparison; battery charges in 1 hour to full and the battery can be used for other EGO branded tools. Good luck!
Paul
Hi amf, I also have two old maple trees that I can’t mow around with a 30-inch rider. The crown is over 15 degrees. When I owned the smaller riders I had to cut that area with a walk-behind or string trimmer.
I went and read the Weibang operator’s manual and I was very surprised it did not include a rollover chart. ALL riding mowers under 36 inches should never be used on slopes greater than 10 degrees. Mowers 42 inches and over should never be used on slopes greater than 15 degrees.
Jay Lipovich
Paul,
I read and appreciated your review of the Ryobi RM480e. The information helped me decide to order one from Home Depot (using your link). I wanted you to be aware of problems Home Depot is having fulfilling orders. When I ordered, it stated delivery would be May 23. May 23 came and went. On May 24, I checked the status online and it said it would be delivered May23! I called Home Depot and was told they could not see the status and they would open a case to determine delivery status. On May 29, having heard nothing further, I called again, and was told they did not see a case opened, but they would open one. My credit card has been charged for the mower, I have no idea when it will be delivered, and Home Depot cannot seem to answer that question either. While the mower may be great, the sole source provider, Home Depot, is not doing well at servicing their customers. Since you are promoting the mower, and Home Depot, you might consider adding a note that deliveries appear to be inconsistent.
Regards,
Jay
Paul
Hi Jay, I will not make excuses for The Home Depot. It appears there is a disconnect between the ordering system, actual warehouse inventory and the customer support center. That said,
– Do you have a support ticket number? The next time you call make sure you get that number and use it each time you call. I’ll bet like everyone else, Home Depot uses multiple locations for Customer Support and sometimes the computer systems take a while to sync up. Having a ticket number helps them to find your status easier.
– Home Depot has multiples warehouses located around the country. The Ryobi mowers are in very hot demand so it’s easy for you to order your mower and have all the mowers at your nearest warehouse sell out before your transaction is approved – especially with the sale they had last week.
– Finally, large retail warehouses like Home Depot’s are very dependent on logistics. In fact, Your mower may be on a truck headed to a warehouse and for some reason, the truck is delayed. Until that truck makes it to its destination and the shipment is offloaded at the warehouse it’s kind of in “limbo” and the customer service operator will not be able to see where your order is at.
I know this because I drove Semi for a few years before I moved to Wisconsin. Even though these warehouses are huge, they only have the room to keep 2 days to 2 weeks of inventory on hand. Most are “flow-through” meaning the inventory is taken off a semi and moved right into another truck headed for your local store (or shipping company if the product is shipped to your home) Someday, over a beer, I’ll tell you about the time the GPS on the truck broke on a four-day delivery. The trucking company and the warehouse I was headed for was in panic mode by the time I arrived.
Jay Lipovich
Paul,
Agree with your assessment. The mower just arrived! – no advance call or notice. But I found out that Home Depot did ship it on May 24 to the carrier. Although May 24 was after the date Home Depot had listed for delivery, it appears the delay has mostly been the carrier. Given that it weighs over 800 pounds, delivery requires more than a hand dolly, so there are additional logistics involved. That said, Home Depot is the vendor, and could use some better integration of their order management and delivery system in order to better manage customer expectations. Once I get it unpacked and charged, I’ll let you know how it works. The grass is in need of cutting, again.
greg Dixon
Paul, where is this mower manufactured? I know Ryobi is a Japanese company but they make products in many places. Are the blades for this an aluminum alloy? It’s been a couple of years since this review, so any news on how well these blades hold up vs more conventional steel blades? Cub Cadet has their RZT electric on sale right now for a similar price ($2999) to the Ryobi 100 aH unit. Have you reviewed that mower or are you familiar with it? How does it stack up against this unit? Looks like Ryobi is also offering a ZTR version as well.
I had commented last year about Troy-Bilt’s lithium ion battery powered rider…looks like they discontinued it. Any idea why? It looked like a winner to me.
Paul
Hi Greg, The Troy-Bilt is now Craftsman, Stanley, Black&Decker at Lowes.
Ryobi blades are steel but lighter/thinner than what you are used to. Ryobi is owned by Techtronic Industries (Hong Kong) who also controls Milwaukee, Homelight, Empire, Hoover, Oreck, Dirt Devil, etc.
The Cub Cadet RZT S ZERO ELECTRIC ZERO-TURN RIDER is actually their LZT-S mower converted to electric. It is a lot more heavy duty than the Ryobi or Craftsman electrics. At $2999 the Cub Cadet is a great deal. I wouldn’t even consider the Ryobi at that price.
Aaron
Would the rm480 pull a lawn roller? Does it have the power a hydrostatic has?
Paul
Hi Aaron, It’s not designed to pull anything except a small yard cart. Lawn rollers are too heavy for most lawn tractors and the Ryobi is just a small riding mower. That said, if the load you are trying to pull is too heavy the electronic circuits may automatically shut off the current to the motor’s transmission or you may blow a fuse in the drive circuit.
John Stadel
Hi Paul–In Common Questions #37 you answer “I strongly suggest that you switch to the bagging blades when you’re bagging. If you use the mulching blades for bagging they will not have the throw required to get the grass into the bagger and fill the bagger with grass clippings.” Can you use the bagging blades effectively when NOT using the bagging system or would you suggest switching to the mulching blades?
Paul
Hi John, Bagging blades will give you more lift than the mulching blades. I use them all the time because my lawn is generally poor and the bagging blades lift the thin grass and cut it. Mulching blades don’t have enough lift for me and I get a very uneven cut with them.
If you are using the mulching plug you may get some clumping and the grass clippings won’t be as fine when using the bagging blade. I side discharge all the time so the bagging blades work for me.
Brad
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Some comments:
I have adapted to cleaning the mower by dropping the deck to the lowest setting and using a high strength leaf blower (ego 580) to clear everything off and make certain stuff is out from the motor housings. Learned the hard way not to rinse with hose as then it clumps and is much more difficult to remove. Then i raise the deck as high as it goes and just use my gloved hand to feel and scrape the clumped grass off the blades and housing – amazing how much can get stuck! I have found this by far the best and quickest approach (open to suggestions though!). I reserve water only for clearing the tire tread or mud splatters on the frame when needed.
I noticed play in the brakes after 20hrs – but manual tells you how to adjust (I still need to do this as reverse has “run away” from me now) I do not see the required electronics to support regenerative braking (bummer).
RMO (reverse mow) button stays engaged for the duration of the blade engagement – does not have to be turned off/on each time direction is changed.
My powder coating was chipped on the rear of the frame. There is no stock touch-up paint to prevent rust. Had a “sample size” of high gloss exterior made at HD to use. $6ish. We just used a Ryobi box that had a large area of their green to color match the sample.
Brad
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Some comments:
Doing the math of amps and current; I’ve calculated that it takes roughly 12.5h to charge dead to full on the 100amp (charger max draw is 8amp, even though it’s 13a out) – which wood make you think <8hr) [time =amphours/amp throughput]. However I have gotten a battery reading of half charge in little as 2hrs on the charger (from the point of it cutting off the mower for low charge).
The charge gauge is all but impossible to read in any light, you have to cover it with your hand just to see the display; and it really isn't intuitive at all, as greater than dead but less than 40% has no illumination even. The hours shown are total operator hours – for tracking the maintenance schedule.
The original blades that shipped with mine were bent (during transit?) With one being lower than the mower deck. Glad I ordered a backup set at the same time; but now impossible to find more replacements.
Ryobi claims a canopy accessory, but no one seems to know about it.
I removed the side discharge chute, as I have no plans to ever use it. Cut the retention ring off with tin snips. 5/8" cotter pin (70c at home Depot) serves as the reusable replacement.
Have but have not used bagging assembly yet.
Debating if I would get a better mulching cut without the discharge assist plate on the mower deck – just seems to catch extra clippings when mulching (anyone have comments on this?).
Jay Snyder
Input current is 120VAC, output is about 54VDC
So, 120VAC * 8amp = 960W
13A * 54V = 702W. The rest of conversion losses.
Brad
[ in parts due to some posting script error]
Some comments:
I have the EX (100amp) version of the mower. My yard is about 1.5acres of constantly varying terrain – about half 10-15 degree slope. Somehow i got through the very first cut on one charge, but have not been able to again. So it pretty much takes 2, if not 3 charge cycles to finish the property. This depends greatly on the speed I go, and how thick & choking the grass gets. In the thickest of grass (all the rain this summer, only a week between cuts) the mower barely lasted 2hrs; on multiple common cuts days (no drastically wet weather during the week) I have gotten 4-4.5hrs from a single full charge.
I’ve towed the cadet 10cuft dump trailer with no issues – just bumpy.
All the weight on the rear wheels is a pro con. I have great traction as long as the grass is very dry and the ground hard. But i have spun out the rear wheels more times than I can count when the ground is soft. The treads on the rear wheel also quickly clog with clippings, effectively creating slicks – still trying to figure out the right answer on this one, just bought rubber chains to see if that helps improve things.
It can be very bouncy ride, do not trust the cell phone pocket or bottle pocket if this is you. Bottle pocket only fits your skinny 16z bottle size, nothing insulated or larger.
Brad
Question for you, or any other owner of the RM480e / RM480ex.
I am constantly left with a grass mohawk with this mower, forcing a 50% overlap in cutting, which greatly increases the duration it takes to get the job done (about 6.5hrs). When i line both mulching blades up under the deck, it appears to have an almost 1 inch gap – not the expected blade overlap to ensure even cutting. Does anyone else have this problem? If so, how did you correct it to maximize the cut width correctly? In need of some help here!
Nat
I have this same problem: A grass mohawk on the right side (the side with the mulching plug) that forces me to overlap. I suspect this is related to substantial grass clumping that I get on the underside of the deck (enough that I stop every so often to clean it by hand–with the mower off!). I’ve taken the mower deck off to clean it by hand and reattached, but I still get the same problem partway through the next mow. I’m trying to determine if there’s a simple fix or if there’s a need to contact Ryobi for warranty service.
Jim Tenhundfeld
Paul, IS there a way to charge the batteries without plugging it directly into the mower? It would be stored in a shed with no electric and 75′ away from an electrical outlet. Please respond to my email address.
Jim
Paul
Hi Jim, Not the way it is designed – but- each battery is a 12 volt. You could remove them from the mower and then use a trickle charger to maintain them. I use these for maintaining batteries around my home: BLACK+DECKER BM3B 6V and 12V Automatic Battery Charger/Maintainer. They are inexpensive and very reliable.
Brad
After reading through the manual, it’s not feasible. The way the batteries install is not meant to be quick or efficient. You are dissembling much of the mower backend to remove/replace them. I plan to run a buried electrical line out to my shed, but my stop-gap is a 100ft heavy duty electrical cord from the house; as the charger only draws 8 amps.
Ean Gibson
Paul – all of the photos appear to be missing. Is it possible to get them back up for this review? Thanks!
Paul
Hi Ean, Try again please, the pictures don’t load until you scroll into that part of the page. Your internet may be running a little slow which causes them to load slow.
Paul
Hi Greg, I have not been able to see one yet but it does look like it’s going to use many parts from the neighborhood rider. But that’s a good thing. The TB-30 has been a great little rider and using those parts will ensure you can get parts for the electric version for many years. (Cub Cadet will have a version next year)
My only concern with it right now is a 30-inch single blade is a lot for one brushless electric mower to spin. I’m sure it will mow your normal weekly grass very well but it may not do that well on tall grass. In reality that’s just a minor concern.
Price: The 1500 watt-hour lithium-ion battery is expensive. Most likely that’s $1000-$1300 of the cost. It’s 26 AH at 56 volts. To put that into perspective a 5 AH 56 volt battery for the EGO trimmers is $220! This battery has 5 times the capacity!
Is it worth it? Compared to the Ryobi the Troy-Bilt will mow for about an hour and charge back up in 4 hours. The Ryobi will mow for about 2 hours and charge back up in 10-12 hours.
Compared to the Ryobi the Troy-Bilt’s battery will last around 400 cycles – for most people that’s 10-12 years. The Ryobi’s 75 AH lead-acid batteries will have to be replaced every 4-5 years. JUst guessing the cost to replace the Troy-Bilts will be $1000-1200 while the Ryobi’s replacement cost will be about $550. I also expect the cost of lithium-ion batteries to keep going down like they have been for the last 10 years.
I’ll give you another perspective of the cost. I want an electric 4-wheel scooter that I can use at trade shows and outdoor demos. It needs to only go about 6 MPH but go for at least 10 miles on a charge. The “best” one I can find to fit my needs is Chinese made with a 10 AH lithium battery for $2100. I could buy the Troy-Bilt -take off the deck – and have over twice the battery capacity for just a few dollars more. And! It’s from an American company!
greg Dixon
Hi Paul. I wanted to ask about the new Troy Bilt electric mower coming out that is using Lithium Ion batteries. Troy Bilt is touting the quick recharge time and says this mower is the first of its kind. However, the mower appears to be largely based off of their cheapest gas model which can be purchased at the large box stores for around $1000. In the electric form, the price is $2500. Is this unit a good buy or just a good idea that is a bit overpriced in current form?
Paul
Hi James, For 2 acres a 46-50 inch deck is a good choice. There are a few good ones that meet you under $2000 criteria.
I’ll list them in my order of preference.
Craftsman ProSeries 27042 46″ 725cc Kohler Riding Mower with TurnTight Extreme® & Smart Lawn Technology. Best engine, great cutting deck, best turning radius.
Craftsman 46″ 656cc Briggs & Stratton Riding Mower with Smart Lawn Technology. Good engine, great cutting deck, standard 16 inch turning radius.
John Deere E140 48 in. 22 HP V-Twin Gas Hydrostatic Lawn Tractor. Good engine, good cutting deck, standard truning radius.
Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT 46 in. 22 HP V-Twin Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor. Great engine, great deck, standard turning radius.
Cub Cadet XT1 Enduro Series LT 50 in. 24 HP V-Twin Kohler Hydrostatic Gas Front-Engine Lawn Tractor. Great engine, good deck, standard turning radius
James Douglass
Hi Paul. I discovered your website just the other day and I’m so thankful. My home is on a mostly flat 2 acres and I’m thinking about going green with this mower and the benefits are very attractive and I appreciate your comprehensive article. To be perfectly honest, it’s a little bit above my budget and I wanted your option on some good gas alternatives below $2000. Thanks.
Lakeman
Thanks for your thoughts on this mower. Was curious about this mower and your comprehensive photos and comments have provided enough info to quash my concerns with an electric system and the benefits seem to be more than worth the price tag on this.
Bill+Forman
I’m interested in the Ryobi electric rider but it would have to be stored in and unheated garage in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. This winter it has gotten into the 20’s in the garage. Can the Ryobi electric rider be stored and the battery charged in this unheated garage?
Paul
Hi Bill, Yes, I do suggest turning on the charger once a month and peaking the batteries during the winter.
Charles
Hi Paul. Love your review of this mower. I have a 2 acre flag lot with about 1.7 being grass. I am considering this mower. Being a flag lot means I have a lot of long straight aways. Also have some mature pine trees along the property lines.
Wondering if it makes sense to pursue this Ryobi unit. Some folks online appear to have purchased it for my size lot, and give it positive reviews, but they never state how long it takes them to mow the lawn. With a 38″ deck I am worried that I could finish it faster with a large walk 60″ behind, and I wouldn’t mind the exercise. Perhaps a cheap ztr or traditional tractor would make more sense?
What would you recommend for the kind of lot I have, which is largely flat.
Thanks Paul!
Paul
Hi Charles, according to my Acerage Chart the Ryobi will mow about 1.25 acres an hour. By the time you add in trimming and cleanup I would guess about 3 hours.
Joseph
Hi Paul,
We’re getting close to that time for winter storage of lawn equipment. I’ve never had to store one before (this was my first year in the mowing world). I have a Craftsman push mower, riding mower, and weed wacker. Some suggest running them dry. Others suggest adding a fuel stabilizer and filling up. My questions are:
1) To run dry or not? What would you recommend?
2) If running dry is not necessary, what fuel stabilizer would you recommend to add? Should I fill up completely?
3) Is there any need to drain the oil?
Thanks a bunch, Paul!
Paul
Hi Joeseph, I use fuel stabilizer all the time – even when I run an engine dry for storage. It helps to keep the internal parts of the carb from oxidizing.
This article has all the tips: Fall Maintenance and Storage Tips From Briggs & Stratton
Paul
Hi Joeseph, I use fuel stabilizer all the time – even when I run an engine dry for storage. It helps to keep the internal parts of the carb from oxidizing.
This article has all the tips: Fall Maintenance and Storage Tips From Briggs & Stratton
Joseph
This is a big help! Thanks, Paul!
David
How long does the ryobi electric ride along mower take to get a full charge from being totally drained?
Paul
Hi David, Overnight.
Terri
Hi Paul
I am on the market for a riding mower, love your reviews, would love your thoughts on a couple things maybe? Do you like PoulanPro products specifically the PP105630 30” or the 42″ automatic from the home depot. I am 115lb female with almost an acre lot, and many leaves to clean up in the fall as we butt up to woods…would the 30″ suffice? Thanks! Did research on the Troys ie pony, bronco…and they haven’t been good reviews…
Paul
Hi Terri, I absolutely don’t recommend the 30 inch Poulan Pro Rider. It’s hard to use and hard to get repaired. I suggest the 42 inch. It’s a little wider but easier to use. The parts are easily available and most repair shops will work on it. Plus it mows ok. You can get a bagger or mulching kit for it for your leaves.
Terri
Paul thanks for the advice. Wondering now about your review on the craftsman 42″ twin…in your opinion the Poulan 42 or the Craftsman(although the Craftsman is almost $1500 from Sears….thanks for being out here to help us!
Regards!
Paul
Terri, Don’t be afraid to spend $1500-$2000 on a lawn tractor. There is a big difference in build quality and long life over the $1000ish machines. I’d pick the Craftsman everytime.
Terri
thanks Paul…thing is, Sears standing in the universe is questionable at best…what would happen with the warrenty…if they go and I get my machine from them? Thanks again!
Paul
Hi Terri, Did you know Sears is building/remodeling stores? Of course you didn’t – the main stream news only wants you to know the negatives about Sears and other things that don’t agree with their viewpoint on the world. Sorry, that’s my politics for the day……
Three points you should know. I hope this helps.
1. Sears may or may not go out of business but that will not affect the repair/warranty and parts for Craftsman. The company who actually repairs your tractor is Sears Repair Services and the company you get parts from is SearsPartsDirect. These two companies are not part of the Sears that the news says is going under.
2. Craftsman is now owned by Stanley/Black & Decker. Sears sold it off in January. Part of that sale allows Sears to sell Craftsman products for quite a while but the sale also allows Stanley/Black & Decker to sell Craftsman anywhere they want.. I wouldn’t be surprised in the next 5 years to see Craftsman in the same stores that sell Black & Decker and DeWalt.
3. When you buy your tractor there will be a model number under the seat. If that model number starts with 247 the tractor is made by MTD and 90% of the parts are also found on a Cub Cadet, Columbia or Troy-Bilt. If the model number starts with 917 the tractor was made by Husqvarna and 90% of the parts are also found on Husqvarna and Poulan Pro Tractors. In addition, the engines and transmissions are made by companies that sell to all brands and you can get parts for them at any mower repair shop.
Terri
I love your politics! Thanks for letting me know this info…was at Sears yesterday and the folks in the lawn and garden are NOT any help concerning the machines but ask them about a video game and experts they become….Yoda!
Terri
Me again….is hydrostatic easier to maintain than reg belt driven unit? There is too much info out here for me….it seems Lowes has the best customer service as far as getting a machine out for repair if the need arises? If your mom wanted you to pick a unit for her to use (riding lawn mower) with a budget of 1400k what would you suggest…I am going crazy…thanks!
Paul
Hi Terri, Yes, this can all get complicated quickly.
The drive mechanism from the engine to the transmission is a belt. The typical transmissions are hydrostatic or CVT. Both the hydrostatic and CVT will need that belt replaced every 5 years or so. (depends on the slope of your lawn and the loads you pull with it)
Lowes is great for getting your lawn tractor shipped off to some remote service center. Some of these repair centers can be 50-150 miles away – getting it back can be a problem though. Many of my readers state it can take 4-6 weeks to get their tractor back. I don’t have a Lowes within 100 miles of me and I only hear from readers who have had problems with Lowes service so I’m really not the person to ask though.
I suggest any one of the first seven mowers on this list. Seven Best Riding Mowers Under $1500 for 2017.
Terri
Again, Thanks! You just confirmed my thoughts on the Cub Cadet xt1…appreciate all your help Paul! Cub Cadet it is!
SDY
Paul,
Your articles are for sure the most helpful for the average guy looking to purchase a lawn tractor, so thank you for taking the time to write them. I am looking to buy a tractor and would like some advice. Use case: mow .5 acre, pull dethatcher, MAYBE plug aerator if I can find the right mower for the right price. It seems like the key to pulling the dethatcher and aerator is getting a quality transmission. I am willing to buy used in the Huntsville, AL area, but pricing the used tractors is not intuitive, nor is knowing the transmission in some of them will work.
Is there a “ranking” of sorts of the most popular transmissions that have been put into mowers? So that when I see Peerless LTH 2000, I know if it is good enough to pull a plug aerator? Few used ones I am looking at linked here:
https://huntsville.craigslist.org/grd/6148854597.html
https://huntsville.craigslist.org/grd/6172428758.html
https://huntsville.craigslist.org/grd/6147015293.html
https://huntsville.craigslist.org/snw/6192882721.html
There is also a Toro Wheelhorse within range: https://huntsville.craigslist.org/grd/6171082152.html
Is it worth getting one of these. Other plan is to buy a CC XT1 and a detatcher (Can it pull a dethatcher without trying too hard?) and just rent an plug aerator when I need one. Puts me at slightly higher price point, but new is nice.
Thanks. Hope you read this, lol.
-SDY
Paul
Hi SDY, I don’t ever recommend used lawn tractors unless you know precisely how to repair them and maintain them yourself. The labor cost of having someone else get them ready to mow is too high. One minor issue and you will have more in one than purchasing new.
In addition anything more than 10 years old usually has issues finding all the parts. For example the Toro looks like it has an Onan engine and that manufacture has been out of business for many years.
Finally, most if not all of the tractors you list have a history of needing transmission repairs around the 400 hour mark. If the owner does not have proof that these have had the transmissions replaced you are looking at $800-$1400 for the repair.
Yes, the Cub Cadet XT1 can pull a 40 inch aerator or 48 inch dethatcher just fine.
Justin
Hello,
I am in search of a new riding mower. I will be mowing about 2 acres, half flat and half with a fairly steep grade. I was looking at the Troybilt Super Bronco XP that has a 50″ cut and 24HP Kohler. Do you know how well this mower will hold and stick on the hills? I normally run a bagger as well. Sometimes on the hills, my current mower doesn’t do well if it is pulling me when the grass is damp. Thanks for any help!
Paul
Hi Justin, The Super Bronco won’t do any better than your current mower. I suggest the Craftsman Pro or Cub Cadet garden tractors with the diff lock.
Bill Brenner
Paul,
Just found your web site and have the wife mad at me because I’m reading your articles, such is life, she’ll get over it.
Could not find where to ask the following question, so if it is in the wrong place, please forgive me.
I am located rurally near Crockett, TX. Have less than 2 acres to mow and have been thinking about picking up a Husqvarna R220t. the area that I mow is a very sandy loam make up, pretty flat with mostly doggy holes around. (With 5 dogs, doggy holes happen.)
I would appreciate your thoughts on the R220T and any suggestions you might have concerning maybe a different mower instead.
Thanks in advance, Bill
Paul
Hi Bill, My answer is going to depend on the deck your dealer offers with the R220T. If he has a model with the 48 inch deck then I’d say the Husqvarna Rider is a good choice. It will mow high enough to get over the holes.
If he can’t get the 48 inch deck and only has the Combi deck available then I suggest looking at something else. The Combi deck is only 41 inches and it can only be raised up to about 2.5 inches. (the Combi deck is designed for smooth European Lawns)
Charles Hall
Thanks for the comprehensive review Paul. It drives me nuts when product descriptions don’t state what battery technology is used. I think you answered *all* the questions I had about this unit!