This article covers the EGO POWER+ 42” Z6, Ryobi Ryobi RY48ZTR100 / RY48ZTR75, and the Cub Cadet ZT1 42E electric ZTRs
Affordable electric-powered zero-turn mowers are a relatively new product, but the market is maturing quickly and there are now three worthy competitors for your lawn. The three mowers in this article are priced about the same as mid-range gas-powered zero-turn mowers. These electric ZTR’s have a comparable power output and cut quality to a residential gas zero turn mower.
One major benefit of having an electric zero turn mower is that you never need to pay for gas, oil changes, spark plugs, belts, and pulleys; just keep your batteries charged to get the job done. No fuel can, no trips to the gas station, and no gas stored in your garage that can go bad. These factors can easily save you $200 a year in operating expenses.
In this article, I am going to compare the three mowers and help you decide which one is best for you. I’ll rate each mower as 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in a number of key points.
When you are done with this article – check out my YouTube Channel! That’s were all the hands-on reviews are done!
Who Are These Electric Zero Turn Mowers For?
1st. Cub Cadet – For the homeowner who wants the best cut first, the best ZTR second, and is excited it comes in a battery version. Cub Cadet ZT1 42E zero-turn mower will mow up to two and a half acres on one charge and the lithium-ion battery can be quickly charged to any amount if you have “just a little more” lawn than that. It is straightforward and simple to use. This mower also comes with the best dealer service network and support of the three mowers in this article.
2nd. Ryobi – For the homeowner that wants a good cutting electric ZTR and doesn’t want to spend a lot of money upfront. The Ryobi RY48ZTR100 and RY48ZTR75 will mow up to 3 acres and two acres respectively using cost-efficient AGM lead-acid batteries. The repair network and support is currently poor.
3rd. EGO – For someone who likes all the latest tech. Three different mowing modes and a control panel that looks like it just came out of the SpaceX rocket. Wrap around lights cradle you in illumination for those night trips around the yard. Will mow up to 2 acres on a charge – more with the optional batteries. The EGO’s biggest claim to fame is swappable batteries. Since this is EGO’s first riding mower we have no idea what the repair network and support will look like.
Who Has The Most Experience With Electric Zero-Turn Mowers?
1st. Cub Cadet – Cub Cadet has had an electric zero-turn mower now for over 8 years. They have learned a lot in that time. In addition. the new Cub Cadet ZT1 42E mower is based on the proven Ultima series gas-powered ZTRs.
2nd. Ryobi – Ryobi introduced the 38-inch rider in 2017 and the 42-inch ZTR introduced last year is based off that experience.
3rd. EGO – While EGO has had cordless walk-behind mowers for a few years now this is their first entry into riding mowers.
Let’s Talk About The Batteries For Electric Zero-Turn Mowers First.
In my opinion, the quality of the mower and how well it cuts is first but having good batteries that will handle the loads and last a long time are almost as important.
The three Electric ZTRs in this article use two different types of batteries – AGM Lead-Acid and Lithium-ion. Charge times to mow 2 acres plus range from 2 hours to over 10 hours. I’ll go into the differences below the chart.
| BATTERY | Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet |
| Battery Type | AGM | Lithium-ion | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Voltage | 48 volts | 56 volts | 56 volts |
| Battery Amps | 100 Ah | 40 Ah* | 60 Ah |
| Battery Watt-Hours | 4000 Wh* | 2000 Wh | 3000 Wh |
| Battery Warranty | 1 Year | 3 years | 4 years |
| Life Expectancy | 4-6 Years | 5-7 Years | 10+ Years |
| Mow On One Charge | 3 Acres | 2 Acres | 2.5 Acres |
| Charge Time | 10 Hours | 2 Hours* | 4 Hours* |
| Charger Type | AGM | Fast | Fast |
| Battery Gauge | Digital | Digital | Digital |
Safety First: Do not charge Electric ZTR mower batteries in rain, or in wet locations.
◾ Do not use a battery-operated ride-on mower in rain.
◾ Do not wash the ride-on mower with a hose; avoid getting water in the motor and electrical connections.
◾ Store electric ride-on mowers indoors – When not in use, the ride-on mower should be stored in an indoor dry, and locked-up place – out of reach of children.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Ryobi, EGO, and Cub Cadet Electric ZTR Batteries
Each brand uses a different approach to what type of batteries are used and how they are constructed.
- 1st. Cub Cadet – Uses two 56-volt, 30 Ah proprietary cell packs. The packs are also used in the 30-inch rider and the 42-inch lawn tractor. These packs have been used now for over three years and they are working well. They are .
- No pricing yet for replacements. Individual cell packs can be replaced as they fail. The packs are easily replaced if one ever goes bad.
- Lithium-ion batteries do not develop a memory and need not be fully discharged before recharging.
- This lithium-ion technology allows for full speed and consistent, high-powered performance until the moment the battery hits 0% charge.
- Fully charge the batteries in four hours and you can partially charge them if you need to without damaging them.
- The Cub Cadet mower can be left with the charger plugged in and will not damage the batteries.
Things to know about Lithium-ion: When charging high current battery packs like the Cub Cadet and using the charging port on the EGO the proper way to connect the charger is to plug the charger into the mower first and then plug the charger into the wall outlet. When you disconnect the charger always unplug it from the wall outlet first. If you plug/unplug the charger from the mower with the charger plugged into the wall you may create a large spark at the charging plug and damage the plug.
- 2nd. EGO – Uses standard EGO 56-volt batteries. Four 10 Ah batteries are included with the mower. (EGO batteries totaling at least 15 amps required for operation)
- Replacements: The current price is $450 per 10 Ah battery. Individual batteries can be replaced as they fail.
- EGO Lithium-ion batteries do not develop a memory and need not be fully discharged before recharging.
- Every six months of storage, fully charge the EGO Lithium-Ion battery pack for the longest possible battery life.
- When charging with the standard chargers, be sure that the EGO charger cooling fan inlet and outlet are not blocked. If you have been mowing in very dusty conditions check the battery compartment and vacuum the battery slots out before charging.
- The new 10Ah batteries are designed for the higher charge rates from the optional CHV1600/CHV1600-FC charger. I highly recommend that you do not charge older EGO batteries in the mower – Especially the older batteries without the fuel gauge.
- EGO parent company – Chervon is a worldwide cordless tool manufacture and I’m going to guess that they insisted that the batteries have been tested for the extreme vibration, bumps, and jolts of a zero-turn mower.
- 3rd. Ryobi – Uses four 12-volt, 75 Ah, or 100 Ah AGM lead-acid batteries wired in series for 48 volts.
- Replacements: They are relatively low-cost, currently about $180 each. I strongly recommended all four be replaced as a set.
- The leading advantages of AGM over regular lead-acid deep cycle batteries is you can charge them up to five times faster than the regular batteries. AGM offers a depth-of-discharge of 80 percent compared to only 50 percent for regular deep cycle batteries. This allows you to mow up to 3 acres on one charge compared to 2 acres with conventional lead-acid batteries.
- There are NO advantages to using AGM/lead-acid over Lithium-ion other than the initial cost.
- Long charge time. 10 hours from full discharge – overnight is best. Should be regularly charged. Preferably once a month if in storage. Individual Lead-Acid batteries in packs like this do not charge at the same rate so even if the battery gauge says “full” I recommend leaving the charger connected for the full 10 hours so the individual batteries can equalize.
- For longest life should be regularly discharged fully. (80% – Use them until the battery warning comes on)
- Should be fully charged before use.
Courtesy of Allied Lithium
Price
| Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet | |
| Price | $4199.99* | $4,999.99* | $4,499.00 |
| Where To Buy? | The Home Depot | Dealer Locator |
CubCadet.com The Home Depot Local Dealer |
*EGO Four 10 Ah batteries Included. Additional 10 Ah batteries $449 each.
1st. Ryobi – The Ryobi Ryobi RY48ZTR100 / RY48ZTR75 is the least expensive.
2nd. Cub Cadet – Cub Cadet ZT1 42E is the least expensive Lithium-ion model
3rd. EGO – EGO POWER+ 42” Z6 is the most expensive at $4999.99. An additional $900 is needed to equip the mower with the batteries for the two extra slots.
Where To Buy Electric Electric Zero-Turn Mowers
Please Note: If you click on a link in this article and buy anything from The Home Depot or cubcadet.com I will make a small commission from the sale.
Note: The Cub Cadet and EGO should be available to purchase in the next few weeks.
1st. Cub Cadet: Cub Cadet has the most options to buy. First, and the one I like the best, is to purchase your new mower through CubCadet.com. When you purchase there an authorized Cub Cadet dealer will assemble your new mower and make sure it is ready to mow your yard. You can pick your new mower up there, usually, the next day or you can have it delivered to your home for a reasonable fee. They will show you how to use it. CubCadet.com also offers financing at great rates (currently 0% for 24 months) Second, you can also purchase your new mower through The Home Depot. You can pick the mower up at your local store or have it delivered free to your home. Be aware, you will have to uncrate it and assemble it yourself. It’s not a difficult job and you can do it with a few hand tools. Third, you will be able to purchase it at most Cub Cadet dealers. Since this is a new item, not all dealers will have one in stock and will have to order it. Use the dealer locator to find your local Cub Cadet Dealer. Local Dealer
2nd. EGO The Z6 will be available through Lowes and other retailers. Dealer Locator. It is listed on the Lowes site but there are no details as to when it will be available, what it will cost, and if it will be available at all locations.
3rd Ryobi Both the 75 Ah and 100 Ah versions are available through The Home Depot online and you can order them in your local store. Purchases online will include free delivery to your home. (You will have to uncrate it and assemble it yourself with a few hand tools) Your local store may also have a few assembled to take home. (If you buy a store model be sure you get the box with the charger, manual, and mulch cover!) The Home Depot also offers six months financing options at this time.
Getting Service and Parts For Electric Electric Zero-Turn Mowers
In my opinion getting service and parts is one of the most important details of helping you decide which electric zero-turn mower is the best for you. Be sure to register your mower and keep a copy of the receipt. (I take a picture of the receipt and keep the picture on Google photos. Google photos stores your pictures permanently so you’ll always be able to find the copy of your receipt.)
1st. Cub Cadet – If you purchased your mower through Cubcadet.com all you have to do is contact the dealer who delivered the mower to you for any questions you have or service it may need. If you buy this through The Home Depot and have questions or issues refer to the dealer locator at Cubcadet.com. Cub Cadet has the largest service network by far of the three mowers and even if you move you will be able to easily find parts and service for your Cub Cadet mower.
If you have issues with your mower I highly recommend that you talk to the dealer who delivered it to you first. If you purchased it through The Home Depot ask your store manager what local dealer to go through. All U.S. brands – not just Cub Cadet, rely on the local dealers to give you fast, efficient help. The online, social media, and phone call centers today are used for general questions and NOT for warranty/service issues.
2nd. Ryobi – If you have any questions or problems with your Ryobi mower you have to call 1-800-860-4050 to locate your nearest Authorized Ryobi Service Center. Ryobi has had a tough time in the last 12 months. Hold times for getting parts and service have been excruciatingly long and call-backs don’t happen on time. I blame some of the problems on the pandemic but I hope their 800 number service center gets it’s act together soon.
3rd. EGO – EGO is brand new to riding mowers so we really don’t know what the level of service will be. If you have any questions or problems with your EGO mower you have to call EGO Customer Service Toll-Free at 800-346-9876 to locate your nearest Authorized EGO Service Center. Like Ryobi, their customer service tanked in 2020. Hold times are in the hours and callbacks rarely happen. Personally, I had a battery fail – I called multiple times and never got through – even waiting on hold for over an hour each time. I also used their contact form and never got a response back. Again, I blame some of the problems on the pandemic but I hope their 800 number service center gets its act together soon.
Electric Electric Zero-Turn Mower Specs
| Speed | Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet |
| Mowing Speed | 0-7 MPH | 4 speeds | 3-5 MPH |
| Top Transport Speed | 7 MPH | 8 MPH | 7 MPH |
| High/Low Speed | NA | 3/5/6/7 MPH | 7/4 MPH |
| Reverse Speed | 3.5 MPH | 3.5 MPH | 3.5 MPH |
| Transmission Motors | 2 Brushless | 2 Brushless | 2 Brushless |
| Cutting Deck | Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet |
| Deck Series | NA | NA | AeroForce |
| Deck Cutting Width | 42 inch | 42 inch | 42 inch |
| Deck Motors | 2 Brushless | 2 Brushless | 2 Brushless |
| Cutting Modes | Side Discharge Mulching Bagging |
Side Discharge Mulching Bagging |
Side Discharge Mulching Bagging |
| Deck Wash | No | Yes | No |
| Deck Material | 12 ga. | Stamped Steel | 13 ga Steel |
| Deck Engagement | Electric | Electric | Electric |
| Deck Construction | Stamped | Stamped | Stamped |
| Spindle Construction | Brushless Motor | Brushless Motor | Brushless Motor |
| Blades (s) | Twin | Twin | The same Cub Cadet blades used on gas powered decks |
| Cutting Height Range | 1-4.5″ | 1-4.5″ | 1-4.5″ |
| Anti-Scalping | 2 front deck | 2 front deck | 2 front deck |
| Deck Lift | Lever | Lever | Foot Spring Assist |
| Cutting Positions | 12 | 10 | 15 (Dial) |
In general, these decks are residential decks. They will cut your lawn well and last many years but they are not designed for commercial work. For example, the Cub Cadet is designed to cut best around 4-5 mph. Yes, the mowers will go faster and if you don’t want the “perfect” cut, you can mow faster with them.
1st. Cub Cadet – This is their good Premium Cut Ultima AeroForce deck – the same 42-inch deck that mows so well on the gas-powered Ultima series. They just replaced the spindles with electric drive motors. Each blade is powered by a brushless motor delivering optimal airflow and efficiency, along with side-discharge, bagging, and mulching capabilities.
One of the biggest advantages for the Cub Cadet is that it uses the same blades, mulch kits and bagger as the gas powered models. It will be easy to find parts from Cub Cadet and aftermarket parts for many years to come/
2nd. Ryobi – Ryobi does not specify the thickness of the deck. After reading over 200 reviews and watching all the video reviews NO ONE complains about the cut of this deck. The deck cuts well and has plenty of power for weekly mowing.
3rd. EGO – EGO does not specify the thickness of the deck but Lowes lists it as 12 ga. The EGO unit has an IPX4 weather rating meaning it is safe to splash water on it. DO NOT use a pressure washer to clean this unit. Note: EGO gets the IPX4 rating because they have a grease cup under the deck motors. The blades have to be removed and that cup needs to be filled with grease every 50 hours of operation.
| Warranty | Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet |
| Warranty | 3-year | 5-year Limited | 3-year Unlimited Hours |
| Frame Warranty | 3-year | 3-year | Lifetime Limited |
| Battery Warranty | 1-year | 3-year* | 4-year limited |
| Chassis | Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet |
| Frame | Rugged Steel | 2″X2″ Tubular Steel | |
| Front Axle | ? | ? | Offset 2″X2.5″ Tubular Steel |
| Turning Radius | Zero Degrees | Zero Degrees | Zero Degrees |
| Protection | 2″X2″ Rear Tubular Steel | ||
| Rear Tow Hitch | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| Towing Capacity | 500 lbs | 250 lbs | 250 lbs |
| Corrosion Protection | ? | ? | Triple Guard Coating |
- 1st. Cub Cadet – The front axle is offset to the right so trimming is easier. Cub Cadet uses the same frame as the gas-powered ZTR’s. It’s rugged and built to last. Fully welded 2″x2″ tubular steel. e-coated so it won’t rust. Lifetime warranty on the frame. The floor panel where you rest your feet is removable for cleaning the deck and makes removing the deck easy. The rear of the Cub Cadet is fully protected with a high and low rear bumper. This mower can take a lot of abuse. Since this is a “ZTR first – electric mower second” design the mower is balanced well to give you great traction for slopes and turning in soft soils.
- 2nd. Ryobi – Ryobi states they use a “rugged steel frame” It is gusseted in all the right places but they don’t state the frame’s size or thickness. The Ryobi has no rear sticking out. The batteries are tucked up under the seat. This may be a problem if your lawn is sandy because there may be too much weight on the front making the front of the mower want to dig into soft soils.
- 3rd. EGO – EGO makes no mention of the frame’s strength or quality. From the pictures, the EGO’s rear end sticks out much farther than other ZTR’s. If you have a lot of areas with inside corners you may have to get used to the rear sticking out so far so you can mow without damaging your fences, shrubs, landscaping, and the mower itself. With all the battery weight sticking out the back I will be listening to hear if anyone complains about the front end is too light and the mower won’t handle slopes well. I also don’t know if the rear is all plastic. Plastic is not a good choice for the rear of a ZTR because they do get a lot of abuse back there.
- I’m sorry but when I saw the rear of this mower the first thing that came to my mind was this video:
My Opinion on the EGO: There is a lot more to building a zero-turn mower than just making it look good and then letting the marketing department sell it using fancy words. I’ve been at this since 1993 and buying a first-year mower has always had it’s challenges. I’ve bought mowers from “name-brand” companies that looked good but suffered major flaws in their first year. For example, I purchased two brand new zero-turn mowers and my crews knocked the decks off both of them in less than an hour. I purchased four standon mowers and the frames cracked within 50 hours. I’ve had engines vibrate loose, decks crack, plastic fenders fall off, electrical connections constantly vibrate loose and/or corrode. In all those cases it wasn’t wear and tear, but poor design.
So because of that experience, I’m a little concerned with the battery compartment and batteries on the EGO zero-turn mower. Will that huge poly tray hold up to the stresses of the six, 10 lb batteries and all the vibration that a zero-turn mower has flying around a yard at 6-7 mph? Will the locking mechanisms hold up or will the batteries start bouncing loose? Will all that poly crack from the stresses of mowing a lawn at 6 mph? Is the top cover cushioned in the right places so the hinges and latch don’t break? I’m worried that having all those batteries in separate compartments is like having six 10 lb bricks bouncing around inside a Sterilite tote.
Other companies like Cub Cadet put their mowers through rigorous testing. Shake tables, frame twist contraptions, corrosion baths, and hundreds of hours of outdoor, all-weather hills, bumps, water hazards, and load tests. At this point in time EGO has shown us none of those needed tests to give me the confidence of recommending a first-year product.
| Controls | Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet |
| Handle Grips | Basic Adjustable | Fully Adjustable | Ergonomic Fully Adjustable |
| Brakes | Foot Pedal | Foot Pedal | Foot Pedal |
| Steering Control | Lap Bar | Lap Bar | Lap Bar |
| Control Panel | Basic | Complicated | Basic |
| Comfort | Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet |
| Seat Type | ? | High Back | 20″ High Back |
| Seat Suspension | ? | Dial Adjustable | Polymer suspension |
| Seat adjustment | Yes | ? | Lever 4 ” Travel |
| Floor Mats | NA | NA | Rubber Pad |
| Wheels | Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet |
| Tread Pattern | ? | ? | Turf Master |
| Front Wheels | ? | 11×4 – 5 in | 11×6 – 5 in |
| Rear Wheels | 18 in | 18×8.5 – 8 in | 20×8 – 8 in |
| Dimensions | Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet |
| L/W/H | 66″x49″x42″ | 76″x44″ | 80″X54″X47″ |
| Weight (approx) | 597 lbs.* | 440 lbs.* | 500 lbs. |
| Additional Specs | Ryobi | EGO | Cub Cadet |
| Head-Lights | Yes | 360 LED Lighting | Dual-LED |
| Discharge Chute | Included | Included | Included |
| Mulch Kit | Combo Included | AMP4200* | 19A30046100 |
| Bagger | ACRM005 | ABK4200 | 19B70054100 |
| Striping Kit | NA | NA | 19A70060OEM |
| Steel Fender Kit | NA | NA | 19A70062100 |
| Armrest Kit | NA | Included | 759-04252 |
| Utility Trailer | NA | 250 lbs MAX | 19B40026100 |
| Model Number | RY48ZTR100 RY48ZTR75 | ZT4204L | 34ABA2CS710 |
| Buy From Cub Cadet | NA | NA | 34ABA2CS710 |
| Buy From The Home Depot | The Home Depot | NA | Ultima ZT1-42E |
Summary. Which is the best Electric Electric Zero-Turn Mower?
1st. Cub Cadet: To put it plainly – the Cub Cadet ZT1 42E is simply a great mower that just happens to be battery-powered. It mows, drives, and operates just like the ZTR you now have – and it’s a LOT quieter. It is simple to operate and easy to use. It’s a zero-turn that is a mower first and it just happens to be powered by electricity…
2nd. EGO: If you are still sporting a flip-phone and don’t want one of those “new” touch screen phones because they are just too complicated the EGO is not for you. If you have bought into the EGO infrastructure or want the “latest” tech the EGO may be a good choice. The EGO has a wide range of settings so you can mow anyway you want, but it is over-complicated for just mowing your lawn. With EGO’s large fan base and marketing savvy, they will sell a lot of these mowers.
3rd. RYOBI: I have a soft spot for Ryobi mowers, They introduced the first electric mowers that mowed well and people love to use them – until the batteries start to fail. The mower itself is a great mower. I just hope Ryobi switches to Lithium-ion batteries soon.
To see all the available electric riding mowers for 2021 go here: https://Going green – The Best 2020 Electric Riding Mowers, Lawn Tractors and ZTRs
Steve
So I’ll give the author a break since he posted this review without even trying the Ego….but that break is only slight. In my book, NO ONE should review ANYTHING they haven’t had hands on time with it.
With that said, just about every concern the author posted about the Ego has been dispelled. It has a 5 star rating on Lowe’s after 586 reviews, even the most recent ones are excellent reviews.
The unit does not cost $6k like the author posted, but $5400. And if you are a Veteran you can get $550 off if you register as a Veteran with Lowe’s!
I have not tried the Cub Cadet nor whatever that other electric one was he mentioned in the review, it’s kind of a non issue since Cub Cadet and Ego are the only two you should consider after doing a very, very extensive comparison between every electric riding mower out there.
I went with the Ego over the Cub Cadet mainly because I have several other Ego tools that I can use all these batteries with. It truly is a wonderful machine.
Paul
Hi Steve, I’m glad you like the EGO, and having other large batteries for spares will help you mow more. Yes, the reviews from people last year are good – but – I’ve been at this a long, long time and I’ve seen what mowing “normal” lawns can do to ZTRs. So, because of all the plastic on the EGO ZTR and all the individual batteries, I’m going to hold off saying it’s a great mower until a few owners get 4-500 hours on it.
Steve
That is a hard point to not agree with for sure. And that point was the main reason I almost didn’t get it. But with that said, I’ve owned a few other Ego products for a long time and have ZERO issues with the batteries or the products themselves. So far, this little mower has a year under its belt with no major issues that I’ve been able to find, hopefully it keeps going strong!
Keep up the great content, your experience is a welcome thing!
Ed
Thank you for the form, method and content of this comparison review. I was leaning heavily toward EGO because it is an electric first and only manufacturer and my experience with their other products. But I found the comments about manufacturer experience with lawn equipment and zero turn performance very compelling. Got the cub cadet and hope it was the right call. In March 2022 $5,499 from the HD wtih free home delivery. Would have liked to have used a local dealer but none of the CC dealers in the Charlotte, NC area carry it, want to carry it, nor seem to have had any interest in even sourcing one for me. Hopefully they will service it, if it becomes necessary in the future.
greg
As of the time I’m submitting this comment, the prices for both the Cub and Ego have climbed significantly. A quick Lowes search shows they want $5499 for the Ego and the Cub Cadet website says $5599 for their unit,
Paul
Hi greg, and they’ll most likely be higher yet by the end of the year.
Cliff
Regarding the following statement by Paul, made on October 18th, 2021, in response to “Gus” regarding the lack of a deck water port on his Cub Cadet:
“Hi Gus, Currently, no one is letting you use water to clean the deck. It’s too easy to get water into the electric motors and circuitry”.
The EGO Z6 does in fact have a wash port located on the deck of the mower.
As a follow-up to my original review of our EGO Z6 (June 6, 2021), let me say that we are completely satisfied with the mower, and have now added the grass collection system which is doing a wonderful job of picking up the fall leaves that our many trees blanket our yard with. The EGO option to increase your blade speed on the fly, really helps with the collection efficiency.
Hi Gus, Currently, no one is letting you use water to clean the deck. It’s too easy to get water into the electric motors and circuitry.
October 18, 2021
Paul
Hi Cliff, Yes, I need to spell out exactly what is allowed each time someone asks. On page 44 of your operator’s manual, it goes through the deck cleaning procedure. Yes, you may use the washout port on the underside of the deck. BUT – on the topside, you should use compressed air. Also, it high recommends that you do not use a pressure washer to clean the mower – including the top or bottom of the deck.
Jesse
Thought it would be useful to weigh, since I now have experience with both the Cub Cadet and the Ryobi. While I wanted to love the Cub Cadet, the reality is they haven’t done a great job with the engineering on it. The frame is beefy, and it feels rock solid. The battery life is great, and the lithium ion charges quickly enough that you can use it again after a few hours. Unfortunately the motors they used in the wheels are really jerky, and seem to be underpowered. Ultimately after around 20 hours of use my Cub Cadet gave me a list of battery errors, one of the packs needed to be replaced, so back to Home Depot it went. I tried the Ryobi, which I have currently. The battery is the weakest link, while the power is fine, the long charging time is an issue, and the battery indicator is not accurate in my experience. I have the 115 amp hour model, which has a really nice 54 inch deck. The mower is much more responsive, without any of the jerkiness that the Cub Cadet suffers from. The cut quality is also head and shoulders above the Cub Cadet.
So basically neither mower is perfect, the Cub Cadet has a better frame and lithium ion batteries, but is poorly engineered resulting in a less than pleasing experience, plus reliability issues (and a 6-8 week lead time for getting it fixed in my case). The Ryobi isn’t as robust a frame, and the batteries take a long time to charge, but much better motors in both the wheels and the deck.
Hopefully both companies take note and make improvements, battery powered mowing is so much more pleasant. Just need the technology and build quality to improve!
Gus Monezis
I own a ZT1 42 E Cub Cadet this is the one big problem to me , can’t wash the mowing deck. Can’t understand why they did that. In your reviews nobody mention this , I had the original cub cadet electric for 6 years , The only problem was it is not as powerful and I could not let grass grow too long before cutting. a good dealer is vital .
Paul
Hi Gus, Currently, no one is letting you use water to clean the deck. It’s too easy to get water into the electric motors and circuitry.
Buyprobattery
I appreciate your blog on battery comparison and replacement. I will keep this information in mind.
Steve
I purchased the Cub Cadet ZT1 42e based on your recommendations and I am extremely disappointed. It is EXTREMELY difficult to control. It will be getting returned. I really think you should get hands on reviews before you post these comparisons.
Paul
Hi Steve, Yes, all electrics are more difficult to control than the hydro versions. Even with dampeners, the Cub Cadet takes a lot of practice to get used to how sensitive it is. I wish there was a way to add “gates” to the controls so you couldn’t move them as much at high speed. (Like the Country Clipper single joystick) That would solve the problem.
Another way would be for Hydro-Gear and Tuff-Torq (the manufacturers who make the electric drives) to build a proportional controller for the lap bars so the steering rate would not be as fast at higher speeds.
Cliff
I’ve been committed to the EGO product line for almost three years now, and just last month purchased the EGO Z6 Zero Turn mower. I also purchased two additional 10Ah batteries to fill the empty two battery compartments (Which are also eligible for the extended warranty of 5 years with registration within 90 days).
Because my corner lot is mostly uphill, both front and back, there are a few spots where I still trim out the yard with my self-propelled EGO mower (example; along the top of my stone retaining walls that are layered down the backside of my property, or when cutting along the front street ditches that may exceed the 15% angle restrictions most riding mowers impose).
In regard to the durability of the rear battery compartment, the lid itself is plastic, but the underside is like a steel bathtub. I have never had a battery shake or bounce out of a battery compartment from an EGO self propelled mower, and have always been impressed with the solid feel of installing an EGO battery, whether it is on the line trimmer, blower, chain saw, hedge trimmer, or the regular mowers
One final real world example of how my EGO battery’s help serve me is the fact I can install them in my EGO Nexus Power Station, that in the event of a power outage help keep my basement freezer and refrigerator powered on.
About the only thing I have not tried yet is pulling my small garden cart around my yard, using the attached hitch, with my wife’s mulch and soil bags for her gardening. EGO lists the weight limitations for such an operation as 250lbs. I should know next week how that works out.
I think that when selecting a battery platform, there is a great deal to consider, aside from the color of the product.
p.s. for those needing to move snow, EGO also makes a snow blower that comes with the appropriate tires for snow and ice (as opposed to the turf tires that come on a zero turn mower.
Deb
We purchased a cub cadet battery zero turn a month ago. It was horrible! No matter how slowly you drove it, it was all over the place. Could not drive it in a straight line. Anyone with motion sickness would be sick every time you tried to use it. Re-calibrated it twice and still no better. Returned it. Definitely will not purchase another Cub. I am now leaning towards the Ego.
Paul
Hi Deb, Try the EGO before you buy. The steering is also very sensitive. The problem is the drive motors are electric “stepper” motors and they develop instant torque when you move the controls. With electric lawn tractors, cars, and other vehicles you don’t notice this touchiness because you are using one motor to drive a rear differential. But when you try to control your speed and steering with them in a residential ZTR they are proving to not be the best choice. The industry is going to have to develop a different design or a way to electronically regulate the instant torque.
Brian Wilson
Deb, I bought the EGO Z6 and so far it’s a good unit. I only have a couple hours on mine, but over all a nice machine. You have a few options to control how the unit drives and how fast you want to go, so with all the choices you should be able to find a comfortable control setting for you. Just make sure that you only have about an acre and a half ( MAX) or you will have to wait a while to finish your mowing job. Charge time is about 2.5 hrs depending on how many batteries you are using. I’m selling mine based on my acreage (4) which is about three full charges for me, and I don’t want to wait that long to finish the task, But for a smaller property it’s great.
Nathanial Skinner
Paul,
I’ve been seriously considering a purchase of an electric ZTR, and hadn’t even considered the Cub Cadet brand until reading further here. This detailed breakdown you have provided is beyond helpful. I live in Minnesota and will have to store the mower in an unheated shed, or underneath my deck (I’d buy a cover). Are the batteries on the Cub Cadet at all removable, so I can bring them inside for winter storage? Is there any information on cold weather storage for these units in general?
Paul
Hi Nathanial, The batteries are designed to stay in the mower but like any other type of mower – with a set of tools you can remove them for storage. You will have to unbolt a cover and then unbolt the batteries from the mower. I suggest having your dealer’s mechanic go through the steps with you before you take the mower home.
Note: I strongly suggest buying the Cub Cadet from an authorized dealer at this time. Here is Cub’s dealer locator to help you find a dealer: Cub Cadet ZT1 42E. Why? We’ve been having issues with the Home Depot units – they sent the wrong charger and getting the replacement is taking WAY to long.
BallardFlyer
Think you should read the reviews of the Cub Cadet electric riding mowers carefully before you put them in position 1.
You’ll see dozens of 1 & 2 star reviews with people with major failures. Not just me. Roughly half of all units so far.
The newest models – this ZTR and the revised “blue trimmed” version of LT42e seemed better at first, but now the failures are starting to roll in there too.
The Cub dealer network will not touch them. If you check parts supply most key electric components are back ordered. There is a reason. They are failing left and right.
The positive reviews are for people with less then 30 hours run time who have not suffered a major defect and been stuck with a paperweight.
The Cub Cadet support staff do not have any troubleshooting steps for these machines – their core components are built under contract by a 3rd party. They only thing they can do is replace items. That is why all the key components are on backorder.
Instead of replacing a $45 spindle you have to replace a $500 electric motor if a rock is hit.
Instead of a simple tune up and basic parts for engine starting issues, its a Vehicle Control Module is replaced for $1000 – backordered and revised 3 times already.
Buyer beware
Paul
Hi Ballardflyer, Yes, I’m been keeping up to date with the reviews. So, let me go through the list.
1. Charging Issues. It looks like they have a bad batch of chargers or simply the software is wrong and needs to be updated. I expect that problem fixed soon.
2. Mowing times. New lithium battery packs take at least 10 full cycles before they are at peak capacity. This fact is further complicated when you have large packs like the Cub Cadet is using. Unfortunately, people don’t read their operator manual or they don’t know this from owning other lithium battery equipment.
3. Regenerative braking, hard to steer. Gas engines and hydro transmissions all have an internal resistance that holds the mower going downhill. But-electric systems don’t have any of that backpressure so they will coast down a hill. The transmission drive motors on these electric mowers don’t use large motors so the regenerative braking is negligible. To make this worse many electric mowers don’t have variable braking like your car. They just have a parking brake. That means mowing down a hill can be tricky. If you’ve ever driven an electric golf cart you understand this.
I’m also noticing that most of the electric ZTRs are having a hard time getting the high speed right. The stepper motors that they use are very precise – meaning it’s very hard to get a little “slop” in the system so that people don’t jerk the mower all over the place at high speed. But – most people – with practice will be able to learn these sensitive drives.
4. Delivery issues. It’s very hard to find delivery drivers right now. Finding one with experience is impossible.
5. Support. Computer and cable companies have online/phone support because they don’t have local dealers. But, even then it took me over 2 hours Monday and at least 5 support people to get my wifi problem solved.
But, since power equipment manufacturers have local dealers they have little or no online/phone support. In fact, NONE of the manufacturers have certified mechanics just sitting at a desk waiting for you to call. If you have a problem you really, really should go right back to the dealer where you bought the mower. If you bought the mower from a box store go back to the store and ask them for the authorized dealer to take your mower to.
Ariens, Toro, and John Deere all have agreements with all their dealers that they will accept and do warranty work on the mowers sold at the box stores. MTD (Cub Cadet) and Husqvarna do not.
To compound this fact not all Cub Cadet dealers have to carry and service all the Cub Cadet products. Most dealers have chosen not to carry the electrics because they don’t have the mechanics who have training in battery products or their customers have not shown enough interest. That’s probably the case with the Lowes customer you mentioned. I’m lucky I have a dealer only 30 miles from me that does sell and work on the electrics. To me, that’s not a big deal because he’s also the closest New Holland dealer so I’m used to driving that far to get parts for my Boomer.
Parts. It’s not that parts are failing. The current problem is COVID completely messed up the supply chain and parts are impossible to get. If you notice most dealers don’t have near enough stock, they can’t get parts and even new models are being delayed months before you see them in the stores (including this model)
Ford currently has over 12,000 fully assembled pickups sitting in Louisville, KY that are all missing one part. It may be another 6 weeks before they get the part so they can sell the trucks.
My brother is the maintenance manager for a company that makes many of the gas tanks you see in gas-powered equipment. He can’t even get the repair parts for his production line – let alone the raw materials to make the tanks.
This labor/parts shortage is so bad that one of the largest mower manufacturer’s executives took three weeks last month to work on one of their suppliers’ assembly lines. That was the only way they have enough components to get one or two new ZTRs to each of their dealers.
Push mowers are even worse. There is currently a 60% tariff on Chinese vertical shaft push mower engines. Because of that, the demand for Briggs engines is so large some manufactures may not get engines to put on their mowers until the middle of next year!
Ken Williams
I purchased a Ryobi 100ah ZTR last May. Over the winter it was stored inside and on the charger as recommended. The batteries failed late in March-they would no longer hold a charge. Service network is a joke as no one has seen them. Warranty claim on the batteries was first rejected then, after much hassle, Ryobi shipped the batteries to me. I reinstalled but the connections are so fragile a couple of the connections broke. I’m trying the service provider end again tomorrow but wish I had never purchased this POS. Works great if it runs but the batteries are junk, no one can fix it, and Ryobis help line is an endless hold. If I could get my money back I would return it in a second. Avoid this mower!
Brian Wilson
Dosen’t sound like you have even seen the EGO yet , and are just using data and company history to determine the potential of the machine. Time will tell….I guess.
Paul
Hi Brian, You are correct. At the time none had been sold and there was only two demos that were making the rounds of the YouTubers. That said, If you want to see what’s going on I suggest reading the reviews of the EGO Power+ 42 Z6 at Lowes. Sort the reviews into “read newest first” and you’ll get an idea of what’s happening with the mower.
JD Taylor
I just got the EGO, we’ll see how it stands up (I extended the warranty 😉 ) One note, they stated that there is a “5 year tool, battery, and charger warranty with registration”
avh
Do you think a reason Ryobi hasn’t moved to Li-on (besides price) is liability? Lead-acid batteries don’t burn like Li-on. Ego is ok because they use cells and smaller packs designed designed for handling and probably being dropped. Do you know what Cub Cadet uses? Cells or pouches? At some point these mowers are becoming like cars and think about all the design that goes into a car Li-on pack including cooling. Even if this is part of the reason Ryobi sticks with lead-acid I think the one year warranty is a deal-breaker.
Paul
Hi avh, I think Ryobi is still using AGM batteries because of the price point. To switch to Lithium-ion they would have to add $500-$1000 to the price of their mowers to keep the same profit margin.
Everyone in the Lawn & Garden space is using cells. Yes, the pouches are common in electronic because you can build them to fit into a phone, etc. But space is not an issue with our handheld and walk-behind products.
We have no problems with packs shorting out and burning up. All the major brands’ battery packs use vents for air cooling, thermal protection, and over-current protection. The chargers all have thermal protection so the battery won’t charge when it’s above a certain temperature and fans to cool the battery during charging.
Most brands charge the batteries at the proper rate so the cells will last thousands of cycles. (EGO pushes that rate so they did have more issues with cells failing than other brands like Husqvarna and Stihl)
Like cars, Cub Cadet is using high capacity, non-removable packs. They use one pack in the 30-inch rider and two packs in the lawn tractor and zero-turn. Ariens is using the same tech but has swappable packs in their commercial mower. Four of their packs will run a 60-inch commercial zero-turn for 6 hours or more and can be charged in the field so the mower can run all day long.
avh
“3rd. RYOBI: I have a soft spot for Ryobi mowers, They introduced the first electric mowers that mowed well and people love to use them – until the batteries start to fail. The mower itself is a great mower. I just hope Ryobi switches to Lithium-ion batteries soon.”
Ryobi just intro’ed a 54″ zero turn with 4 115Ah lead-acid batteries. Still 1 year battery warranty. Wonder what the replacement cost would be for these?
Paul
HI AVH, $304. https://www.battsys.com/centennial-cb12-115-12v-115ah-group-31-sealed-lead-acid-agm-battery?___store=battsys
avh
“3rd. Ryobi – Uses four 12-volt, 75 Ah, or 100 Ah AGM lead-acid batteries wired in parallel for 48 volts.”
Small point- they would be wired in series not parallel. Also a factor with reliability because if one has a problem then all do. All four have to be working well.
Paul
Hi avh, Thanks.
Chris
Thank you so much for this comparison and review! Do you know what the battery replacement cost is on the Cub Cadet? I have the original Ryobi RM480e and the 1yr battery warranty is disappointing. Now I am stuck with $1000 replacement for the batteries, and I am considering the Ego or Cub Cadet to replace it. The simplicity of the battery replacement and 5yr warranty on the Ego is great, but I like your point about how Cub is 8 years seasoned on electric batteries/mowers. I want a premium cut and something that is reasonably priced when I need to replace the batteries. Ego makes quality products and I have loved the accessories I have now, but how will they fair with a riding mower? To be an early adopter with the Ego…..I don’t know. Tough choice!.
Paul
Hi Chris, No, Cub Cadet has not listed a price for the batteries yet. But they are 30 Ah Lithium-ion packs that are purpose-built to handle the stresses of mowing lawns. The two packs can be replaced individually if one goes bad but I expect them to last AT LEAST 10 years. The Cub Cadet batteries are a completely different style of battery than the AGM batteries in the Ryobi. They are basically the same style as used in the Toyota Prius – so they are built to withstand the abuse they will get in a mower.
In reality, The Ryobi batteries are off-the-shelf 12-volt batteries designed for stationary or automotive use. They were never designed for the vibrations of a lawnmower. The Ryobi AGM batteries are a big step up from the previous lead-acid batteries but still really lack in the durability needed to last more than a couple of years in a lawnmower. Ryobi used them because they are cheap – one third the cost of the Lithium-Ion batteries.
If you want a battery mower the Cub Cadet is the best choice this year. I’m not going to recommend the EGO this year. I added a section to this article since you read it a few days ago that explains why.
“My Opinion on the EGO: There is a lot more to building a zero-turn mower than just making it look good and then letting the marketing department sell it using fancy words. I’ve been at this since 1993 and buying a first-year mower has always had it’s challenges. I’ve bought mowers from “name-brand” companies that looked good but suffered major flaws in their first year. For example, I purchased two brand new zero-turn mowers and my crews knocked the decks off both of them in less than an hour. I purchased four standon mowers and the frames cracked within 50 hours. I’ve had engines vibrate loose, decks crack, plastic fenders fall off, electrical connections constantly vibrate loose and/or corrode. In all those cases it wasn’t wear and tear, but poor design.
So because of that experience, I’m a little concerned with the battery compartment and batteries on the EGO zero-turn mower. Will that huge poly tray hold up to the stresses of the six, 10 lb batteries and all the vibration that a zero-turn mower has flying around a yard at 6-7 mph? Will the locking mechanisms hold up or will the batteries start bouncing loose? Will all that poly crack from the stresses of mowing a lawn at 6 mph? Is the top cover cushioned in the right places so the hinges and latch don’t break? I’m worried that having all those batteries in separate compartments is like having six 10 lb bricks bouncing around inside a Sterilite tote.
Other companies like Cub Cadet put their mowers through rigorous testing. Shake tables, frame twist contraptions, corrosion baths, and hundreds of hours of outdoor, all-weather hills, bumps, water hazards, and load tests. At this point in time EGO has shown us none of those needed tests to give me the confidence of recommending a first-year product.”
Jake
Thanks for the reply and clarification Paul! Although the Ego ZTR is more expensive upfront, being able to use the batteries in other tools (back pack blower or snowblower) has a lot of upside and I would be able to recoup some money by buying the bare tool. The batteries are quite heavy and wouldn’t use it on a string trimmer though. Still up n the air but leaning towards the Ego platform. Again, thanks for the comprehensive side by side comparison!
Paul
Hi Jake, After owning cordless yard tools and having 2.5 Ah, 5 Ah, and 7.5 Ah batteries I always grab the 2.5 Ah unless I’m blowing leaves in the fall. There is so much weight difference between the 2.5 and a 10 that I’d never use a 10 Ah in one.
Jake Nguyen
Great in depth review! In your first chart you specify that the warranty on the Ego battery is 2 years. Then in the warranty chart it states the Ego battery has a 3 year warranty with an option for it to be 5 years if registered within 90 days. Can you confirm the warranty? This will make a huge difference in my decision making especially if it truly is a 5 year warranty of not having to worry about the battery! Lastly, is the Cub Cadet 80” assembled length? That would be the longest of the 3 ZTR.
Paul
Hi Jake, Sorry I thought I changed that. Originally the 10 AH batteries were only warrantied to 2 years but they recently changed the warranty to 3 years for all batteries with the fuel gauge.
Batteries 3 years. You can get an additional two-year warranty (5 years total) for the batteries that come with the mower if you register your mower within 90 days of purchase.
I’m never quite sure of the dimensions. Are those the dimensions of the mower or the packing crate it comes in? Most of the manufacturers don’t list dimensions anymore and I have to go to Home Depot or Lowes websites to get it – so it’s probably for the shipping crate.
drew foo
how about to put a snowplow to these three? it seems that EGO is not easy to do so. thanks
Paul
Hi Drew, It’s not recommended that you put snowplows on ZTR’s but there are a few companies that still offer them. Ohio Steel and Nordic plow may make a plow for them eventually. Cub Cadet has a plow for the ZT1 so I’m going to assume it will fit on this one.