Re: [EVDL] electric riding mowers? =Ryobi variable speed?

[Pestka Dennis via EV]

I don't understand the speeding up going downhills. I have some fairly steep 
hills, and can almost get it to a full stop by letting off of the accelerator.

Dennis

From: EV  on behalf of jim via EV 
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2021 2:47 PM
To: ev@lists.evdl.org 
Cc: jim 
Subject: Re: [EVDL] electric riding mowers? =Ryobi variable speed?

A good friend has a Ryobi electric riding mower and his wife has been using it 
for over 3 years.  Battery capacity is noticeably less than when new (but she 
mows until the machine slows down considerably).  They don't like the "cruise 
control" on their hilly yard as there is no regenerative braking so it speeds 
up going downhill.  The ride is very rough on their rough yard, too, and he 
found features like the charging for I-phone to be frivolous.  But he seems 
fairly happy with the machine otherwise, especially since his wife likes to use 
it.Personally, I like my E-15 GE tractor.  I replaced the controls with newer 
solid state parts but still spend a lot of time on maintenance and repairs, 
mostly mower motor bearings, leaky tires, and other things that aren't 
surprising on a machine approaching 50 years old.  I can mow a couple of acres 
of rough lawn and orchard on my 5 year old golf cart batteries, and tow pretty 
good sized loads on trailers when I need to.
Jim, in Menomonie, WI
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Re: [EVDL] electric riding mowers? =Ryobi variable speed?

[EVDL Administrator via EV]

On 16 Aug 2021 at 16:02, Steves via EV wrote:

> I was going to suggest an ET but they are showing their age. 

I think this is more of a problem for the large-frame tractors, E12-20.  

I'd estimate that 80% of the problems are with the circuit card for GE's 
toaster coil controller, and with the reversing relay (if it's fitted).  Rip 
that stuff out and put in a modern solid state controller, and you have a 
reliable tractor.  I did that with an E15, and it was a vast improvement.

The small-frame tractors (E8/10, riding mowers) don't have any motor speed 
control at all, which eliminates controller problems.  Essentially they're 
gas tractors/riders with a motor in place of the engine.  The motor is 
always off, or at full speed.  You use a clutch and a multi-speed 
transmission to stop and start and set forward speeds.  There's just not 
much to go wrong.

I got my New Idea R36 rider (GE ER8-36) in 2001, and it's served me well 
with very little trouble.  I run it hard, too, mowing something over an acre 
of pasture with lots of hidden roots and rocks.  

I had new bearings put in all 3 motors about 10 years ago, and one mower 
motor again this spring.  I also had to change a rear axle because I tore up 
the key and keyway on it by hauling too many logs in my garden cart.  

I also replaced the motor mower fuses with circuit breakers.  The fuses 
would open when I was loading it down too much mowing 18-20" high grass, and 
they were kind of expensive.

I can't think of any other problems I've had with it.  Every spring, sharpen 
and balance the blades, grease it up, and check the tire pressure.  Change 
the batteries when they need it.  The small frame tractors use three 12v 
group 27 marine batteries, except for a few "heavy duty" E8s that take 6 
marine batteries in series-parallel.  Now and then you might have to change 
the diodes or capacitor in the charger.  Or you can dump it and replace it 
with a more modern charger.

A lithium conversion sounds nice.  You'd probably want to replace the GE 
boat-anchor charger.

David Roden, EVDL moderator & general lackey

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Re: [EVDL] electric riding mowers? =Ryobi variable speed?

[Steves via EV]

I was going to suggest an ET but they are showing their age. This summer , so 
far, I rebuilt a mower motor, refurbished the mower deck, replaced two mower 
blades, replaced a main contactor, , etc. noticed yesterday the main cutoff 
switch is running hot and it seems to run high current in reverse, so more to 
do….
But still a good machine .
-Steve

> On Aug 16, 2021, at 3:47 PM, jim via EV  wrote:
> 
> A good friend has a Ryobi electric riding mower and his wife has been using 
> it for over 3 years.  Battery capacity is noticeably less than when new (but 
> she mows until the machine slows down considerably).  They don't like the 
> "cruise control" on their hilly yard as there is no regenerative braking so 
> it speeds up going downhill.  The ride is very rough on their rough yard, 
> too, and he found features like the charging for I-phone to be frivolous.  
> But he seems fairly happy with the machine otherwise, especially since his 
> wife likes to use it.Personally, I like my E-15 GE tractor.  I replaced the 
> controls with newer solid state parts but still spend a lot of time on 
> maintenance and repairs, mostly mower motor bearings, leaky tires, and other 
> things that aren't surprising on a machine approaching 50 years old.  I can 
> mow a couple of acres of rough lawn and orchard on my 5 year old golf cart 
> batteries, and tow pretty good sized loads on trailers when I need to.
> Jim, in Menomonie, WI
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Re: [EVDL] electric riding mowers? =Ryobi variable speed?

[jim via EV]

A good friend has a Ryobi electric riding mower and his wife has been using it 
for over 3 years.  Battery capacity is noticeably less than when new (but she 
mows until the machine slows down considerably).  They don't like the "cruise 
control" on their hilly yard as there is no regenerative braking so it speeds 
up going downhill.  The ride is very rough on their rough yard, too, and he 
found features like the charging for I-phone to be frivolous.  But he seems 
fairly happy with the machine otherwise, especially since his wife likes to use 
it.Personally, I like my E-15 GE tractor.  I replaced the controls with newer 
solid state parts but still spend a lot of time on maintenance and repairs, 
mostly mower motor bearings, leaky tires, and other things that aren't 
surprising on a machine approaching 50 years old.  I can mow a couple of acres 
of rough lawn and orchard on my 5 year old golf cart batteries, and tow pretty 
good sized loads on trailers when I need to.
Jim, in Menomonie, WI
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Re: [EVDL] electric riding mowers? =Ryobi variable speed?

[Willie McKemie via EV]

I've never seen one for sale in this area. Else I likely would have one
since I have a good 36v lithium solution.

I don't think Bob is up to doing much repair.


On Mon, Aug 16, 2021, 12:34 EVDL Administrator via EV 
wrote:

> Many of the GE Elec-Trak electric lawn tractors from the 1970s are still
> around and doing yeoman duty.  Buying a clean used one should cost MUCH
> less
> than $3000.  Recently an acquaintance of mine from around here sold his
> ER8-
> 36 small electric rider mower for $500 on EBAY.  All it needed was new
> batteries.
>
> The models to look for are probably the smaller, simpler ones:
>
> GE ER8-36 / Wheel Horse A-65 / New Idea R36
> Wheel Horse E-60, E-81
> GE E8 / New Idea EGT80
> GE E10 . New Idea EGT100
>
> The larger models will also serve (the E15 seems to be the most common):
>
> GE E12 / E12M / New Idea EGT-120
> GE E14 / Wheel Horse B-145
> GE E15 / New Idea EGT-150
> GE E16
> GE E20 / Wheel Horse C-185 / New Idea EGT-200
> GE I5
>
> If you're not in too much of a hurry, I suggest joining the Elec-Trak
> discussion list, and watching for someone to put one up for sale.
>
> cosmos.phy.tufts.edu/mailman/listinfo/elec-trak
>
> I got an invalid certificate warning on that website just now.  It seems
> OK,
> but I'll ask on the list today.
>
> David Roden, EVDL moderator & general lackey
>
> To reach me, don't reply to this message; I won't get it.  Use my
> offlist address here : http://evdl.org/help/index.html#supt
>
> = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
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>  time it is, pockets the watch, and sends you a bill for it.
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Re: [EVDL] electric riding mowers? =Ryobi variable speed?

[EVDL Administrator via EV]

Many of the GE Elec-Trak electric lawn tractors from the 1970s are still 
around and doing yeoman duty.  Buying a clean used one should cost MUCH less 
than $3000.  Recently an acquaintance of mine from around here sold his ER8-
36 small electric rider mower for $500 on EBAY.  All it needed was new 
batteries.

The models to look for are probably the smaller, simpler ones:

GE ER8-36 / Wheel Horse A-65 / New Idea R36
Wheel Horse E-60, E-81
GE E8 / New Idea EGT80
GE E10 . New Idea EGT100

The larger models will also serve (the E15 seems to be the most common):

GE E12 / E12M / New Idea EGT-120
GE E14 / Wheel Horse B-145
GE E15 / New Idea EGT-150
GE E16
GE E20 / Wheel Horse C-185 / New Idea EGT-200
GE I5

If you're not in too much of a hurry, I suggest joining the Elec-Trak 
discussion list, and watching for someone to put one up for sale.

cosmos.phy.tufts.edu/mailman/listinfo/elec-trak

I got an invalid certificate warning on that website just now.  It seems OK, 
but I'll ask on the list today.

David Roden, EVDL moderator & general lackey

To reach me, don't reply to this message; I won't get it.  Use my 
offlist address here : http://evdl.org/help/index.html#supt

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 
 Consultant: someone who borrows your watch, tells you what 
 time it is, pockets the watch, and sends you a bill for it.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 

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Re: [EVDL] electric riding mowers? =Ryobi variable speed?

[Willie via EV]

On 8/16/21 10:08 AM, Robert Bruninga via EV wrote:

THe promo movie says you just set the cruise control and go.
But I dont want fixed speed (mowing), I will be using this mostly for
transportation around my yard and assume there will be variable
pedal speed.Is this a wrong assumption?

Sounds like it is an on/off accellerator??


If you want the mower for people transport rather than mowing, you will 
likely find a golf cart both better suited and cheaper. With FAR more 
buying options.  But, I guess you want to mow also? A year of so ago, I 
think I paid ~$3k for my Ryobi 38".  I wouldn't pay that again.  Maybe 
more like $5k for something more durable.




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Re: [EVDL] electric riding mowers? =Ryobi variable speed?

[Willie via EV]

On 8/16/21 10:08 AM, Robert Bruninga via EV wrote:

THe promo movie says you just set the cruise control and go.
But I dont want fixed speed (mowing), I will be using this mostly for
transportation around my yard and assume there will be variable
pedal speed.Is this a wrong assumption?


Yes, it has a "normal" speed control also.  I find the "cruise" very 
nice for mowing.




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Re: [EVDL] electric riding mowers? =Ryobi variable speed?

[Robert Bruninga via EV]

THe promo movie says you just set the cruise control and go.
But I dont want fixed speed (mowing), I will be using this mostly for
transportation around my yard and assume there will be variable
pedal speed.Is this a wrong assumption?

Sounds like it is an on/off accellerator???

On Sun, Aug 15, 2021 at 6:41 AM Pestka Dennis  wrote:
>
> Bob;
>
> I purchased the 100Ahr Ryobi about a year ago, and I love it. It does have 
> lead acid batteries as you stated, but they are AGM with no maintenance. Your 
> 1/10 acre and hills will be a piece of cake for it. I have about 3 acres to 
> cut and I use it along with my wife on a zero turn. I can cut an hour with 
> some hills and flat area's, and it doesn't even use half of the range. One of 
> the main reasons I purchase it was for the bagging attachment. It is very 
> simple to take off and on, and works really well. A have a lot of trees and 
> it get a real workout in the fall picking up leaves. Tractor comes with 38" 
> mower, charger, headlights, cruise control, and even a USB plug for your cell 
> phone. It has a very tight turning radius, and an easy height adjuster for 
> the mower deck. I purchased mine through Home Depot, and they delivered it 
> right to my house.
>
> Dennis
> Elsberry, MO
>
> 
> From: EV  on behalf of Robert Bruninga via EV 
> 
> Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2021 3:01 AM
> To: Electric Vehicle Discussion List 
> Cc: Robert Bruninga 
> Subject: [EVDL] electric riding mowers?
>
> OK, I'm ready for an electric riding lawn mower.  My grass area is very
> small, probably under a Tenth acre or less, but mostly I need it for getting
> around on my yard which has a variation in elevation of 30' and sll kinds
> of terrain obstacles (and basically I can no longer walk more than a few
> feet without needing to sit.
>
> I see Ryobi and cub cadet both have models thare are leadacid. 48 and
> 56 volt models.. but I thought we would be in a time of lighter weight
> lithium.  Though I admit, for my lazy maintenance record, I'd be more
> comfortable with lead acid probably.?
>
> Bob
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