Ryobi RM480E 38″ riding mower won’t move!
Anyone have any experience electrically with such a beast? There is 0 repair/technical service info on these mowers. Seems a lot like a golf cart chassis and has some similar parts. I have spent a few hours trouble shooting. I have unplugged almost every accessible plug to check connections. I have voltage checked in various sections as well. If I move the rocker to forward or reverse It won’t move. Blades can engage though! The 48v selanoid is fine. If I turn the key on and off enough times it will suddenly work fine like nothing is wrong. But if I turn key off and on during use it will not move once again. Turning it on/off powers the selanoid each time with a common click sound. I’m really at a loss. Jumped out all possible circuits that could cause this as well such as parking brake and seat switch. Any ideas? I’m really guessing it could be the pedal sensor or the main drive control unit. This mower is only 2 years old
The 1st question is have you contacted Ryobi?? I have three of their products and have talked to customer support more than once (for various reasons other than problems) and found they are above average to deal with. That also depends on whom you speak to (like any place else).
Do you hear the drive motor(s) engaged (powered) by listening for any hum like noise (assuming one could/would hear something like that)? Can you check for power going to those motors?
videobruce
Mower won’t move: Start key not installed or is in OFF position. Parking brake is set. Direction control switch is in neutral (N). Brake is depressed and/or accelerator pedal is not pressed. Charger is connected to mower.
Attached is a wiring diagram if that helps thou it’s not the exact model as far as I can tell. There is the possibility it could be electronic (PCB related).
Attachments
Forum Newbie
Thanks for the reply, and it’s definitely an electronic issue. If it cooler outside 40ish degrees or below it’ll move around perfectly fine and at that point I just leave the key on all day until I get home from work to mow the yard and at the point it’s 60 plus degrees outside and works like a charge. But if I turn that key off and back on in that temp range it will not move, but blades will engage just fine.
And you are right about Ryobi. They were trying to force me to bring in for a repair, place was 2hours away and was gonna charge 300 for a pick up and drop off with a 2 week minimum turn around. After speaking with Ryobi I demanded and new drive motor controller, 300plus dollar part. They ended up sending me a blade motor controller. They let me keep that and have since just shipped out the correct part. I’ve also purchased a 12v power converter for a great price. I’m starting to stock up parts when I find them cheap so I can make any future repairs needed. Almost 3 years old and the 75ah batteries still have an excellent charge as well. Just hope I get it sorted out soon because it’s very annoying.
AngLws
Forum Newbie
This may help. It is a service bulletin I talked someone into sending me when I had my very first power problem. There is something called a temp sensor lead that must be properly attached so that batteries can charge correctly. Please let me know if that’s the issue with yours. I have had kind of the opposite problem. My mower will move fine without blades engaged, but once reaching max speed or if I try to go up the slightest incline will stop and start beeping to return and charge. When blades are engaged, well that’s weird too. If the ground is level and if I go very, very, slowly and don’t lower the blades more than 3 or 4 notches from the top, it will mow a half hour or so, but even going down hill will just turn off if I try to lower blade to reasonable level.
Attachments
Forum Newbie
Thanks for the reply, and it’s definitely an electronic issue. If it cooler outside 40ish degrees or below it’ll move around perfectly fine and at that point I just leave the key on all day until I get home from work to mow the yard and at the point it’s 60 plus degrees outside and works like a charge. But if I turn that key off and back on in that temp range it will not move, but blades will engage just fine.
And you are right about Ryobi. They were trying to force me to bring in for a repair, place was 2hours away and was gonna charge 300 for a pick up and drop off with a 2 week minimum turn around. After speaking with Ryobi I demanded and new drive motor controller, 300plus dollar part. They ended up sending me a blade motor controller. They let me keep that and have since just shipped out the correct part. I’ve also purchased a 12v power converter for a great price. I’m starting to stock up parts when I find them cheap so I can make any future repairs needed. Almost 3 years old and the 75ah batteries still have an excellent charge as well. Just hope I get it sorted out soon because it’s very annoying.
Did this ever get resolved? My RM380e is also 2 years old and is acting similarly. Everything works except the drive motors. After my last grass cutting I parked it in the garage with charger on an now it just won’t go. I can’t believe there is not some built in diagnostics.
Lithium-Ion or Lead Acid Deep Cycle AGM/SLA?
Lawn Mower Manufacturers are currently using two types of batteries in electric riding mowers. Lithium-Ion and Lead-Acid AGM/FLA. Lithium-Ion is the way to go because they last longer, are lighter, and are better for the environment but they do cost more upfront. Because of that some manufacturers still offer lead-acid batteries in a few of the residential models for cost-conscious buyers.
Lithium-Ion Batteries are Best
Lithium-ion batteries are the same battery as in your phone – just bigger. Lithium-Ion Batteries last longer, maintain the same power throughout their discharge cycle, and can be discharged repeatedly without damage. Because of this, a 48 Volt, 60 Ah Lithium-Ion battery will mow about the same area as a set of 48V, 100 Ah Lead Acid batteries. Lithium-Ion batteries can be stored in freezing temps. They do not need to be charged periodically during storage although a few brands are recommending charging them every six months in storage.
Using the supplied factory charger a 56 Volt, 60 AH battery will charge in 4 hours. In addition, you can partially charge the battery and not damage it.
When used in a residential riding mower a Lithium-Ion battery should last 1000-1200 cycles or 10 years.
Lead Acid Batteries Are Cheapest Up Front.
Lead Acid AGM batteries are similar to the starting battery in your new car. AGM batteries cost less upfront, have a much shorter life span than Lithium-Ion, loose power/voltage during discharge, and can only be discharged down to 60-80% repeatedly without damage. Because of that, you need a 100 Ah AGM battery to mow the same amount of lawn as a 60 AH Lithium-Ion battery. AGM batteries need to be stored in temperatures between freezing and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and periodically charged when stored for more than a month. They are much larger and heavier than Lithium-Ion batteries.
Using the supplied factory charger a 48 Volt, 100 AH lead-acid battery set will charge in 12-14 hours. You should always leave the battery on the charger the full time to equalize the charge in all the batteries (usually four).
When used in a residential riding mower an AGM battery set should last 150-400 cycles or 3-5 years. (If you never run your battery below 60%, charge it correctly, and store it correctly you may get 400-500 cycles)
Lithium-Ion Battery Mowers
2021 Cub Cadet CC30e
This is a proven rear engine riding mower and the gas version (CC30H) has been around for many years. “No more gas, no spark plugs, no belts, no nothing. I only wish it was heavier on the drive wheels because I have some slight inclines to climb. Owner Review.”
Ryobi 38-Inch Electric Riding Mower Review: Good for the Lawn, Good for the Environment
The Ryobi 38-Inch Electric Riding Mower is just what you need for your home lawn and more. It works well and rides like a go-kart. But the best part about it is that it is great for the environment.
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About The Ryobi 38-Inch Electric Riding Mower
Climate change is real and we should all do something to alleviate the global environmental crisis. Good thing the Ryobi 75 Ah 38” Electric Riding Mower exists.
It is an environment-friendly mower that can do its job of maintaining well-manicured lawns with zero carbon emissions.
Ryobi is a Japanese manufacturer of electronics, automobile components, power tools, builder’s hardware, among others. It’s lineup of lawn mowers is also top-notch as it aims to be the pioneer in innovative equipment.
The brand knows that in this generation, we need to be more mindful of the environment, hence, an electric riding mower that doesn’t use gas and has zero carbon emissions.
You get to ride your electric mower to cut around two acres of grass without harming the environment. That’s exactly what you will get with this Ryobi lawn mower: two hours of straight mowing for every charging.
Okay, maybe you don’t really need to do two hours of mowing but if you do, it’s not a bother because the RY48110 has a comfortable seat with backrest. You can adjust the seat based on your comfort level.
The mower has a width of 40 inches with a cutting width of 38 inches. In terms of height, it cuts a minimum of 1.5 inches to a maximum of 4.5 inches.
It also comes with 12-position deck height adjustment so you can have a wider range of preference. It has a side discharge with mulching and bagging capabilities.
It has three brushless motors, two of which are direct drive or beltless brushless blade motors for mowing and cutting. The other motor is a direct drive brushless drivetrain.
It has cruise control capability with speed at a maximum of eight miles per hour. The cutting speed is at five miles per hour and three miles per hour for the reverse speed. You can also do a 16-inch radius turn with this baby.
Other features of the lawn mower include LED highlights, quiet operation and parking brake, among others. It has a cup holder so you can stay hydrated while mowing, and it has a phone holder plus USB phone charger so you can be reached even while working on keeping your lawn neat.
The Good
Most of the features of this electric mower scream modern. It has the cup holder and phone holder to make mowing more like cruising through the streets on your car rather than doing actual work on the lawn. importantly, you don’t have to feel guilty using it because it is ecologically sound.
But you don’t necessarily go looking for a lawn mower because it is environmentally friendly. That is more like icing to the cake.
So let’s get down to business
Gas-gozzling lawn mowers are so last decade. The electric kind, like the RY48110, will save you money and you don’t have to deal with fumes. As a direct result of not having to use gas, this also means that you don’t have to deal with spark plugs, filters and belts common in gas-run equipment. Basically, this is a low-maintenance mower.
You can mow as early in the morning as you like without fear of waking up the rest of the household or your neighbors because this mower runs quietly. You may also mow at night, if that’s your preference, because it comes with a bright LED light.
The battery actually lasts 10 hours if you don’t use the mowing deck. That’s actually great especially when you have a speed of around eight miles per hour. With the 75 Ah, you can cover two acres of land.
Riding is quite smooth. It’s just like driving a go-kart. It really is a fun ride!
This product is a bit pricey, which is not something you want to hear. In this case, it is justifiable as the mower is durable. You know it because every part used in manufacturing this product is of great quality. This is definitely a good investment because it can be used for many years.
Learning how to use this mower is also quite easy. However, if you have been using a different kind of mower before, this will take some getting used to.
The Not So Good
Okay, so the lack of suspension may mean that the equipment is low maintenance. But on the flip side, it is not ideal for uneven ground. If you are going through a lot of uneven patches of ground, be prepared to really feel it in your bones.
And while the lack of suspension means the drive is much quieter, you might have to deal with a squeaky steering rack. However, that is not really a deal-breaker as you can always fix the annoying noise with grease.
Well, here is another source of irritation: charging time. You might have to wait for six hours for the mower to fully charge. According to Ryobi, the mower should be charged when not in use. This way, you wouldn’t have to wait hours to be able to use it again.
Even more trying is if it’s winter. If you don’t use the mower, you have to charge the battery at least once a month as maintenance. However, it will be hard to charge if it’s frozen. So you definitely cannot leave the mower outside. You need to store it in an insulated place.
This is not ideal for steep mounds. So if you have a 15-degree-plus-angled hilly patch of land, then this is not the mower for you.
This electric riding mower is perfect for home lawns or an even ground of around an acre or two. This is definitely not for large tracts of ranch or farmland. It is also not for areas hilly places.
This is a mower that you have to use regularly because grass that grows beyond half a foot would be hard to tend for this kind of mower.
Ryobi RY48ZTR100 review
The Ryobi RY48ZTR100 is a super riding mower that offers the quiet and maintenance-free running of battery power while still churning out the high power and wide cutting area of a ride on mower. Little touches like LED lights, phone charger and cup holder are great but the build quality is solid and performance consistent. earning that high price tag. The ability to add a plough for snow clearing in the winter really helps this earn its value.
Pros
- Three hour battery life
- Zero-turn controls
- 12 height positions
- USB phone charger and drinks holder
- Plough attachment
Cons
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The best electric lawn mowers will get your lawn back on track with ease. Whether you’re looking for features that help with getting through narrow edges or simply want to avoid the muckiness of refueling with oil, the electric lawn mowers on our list are all about power, convenience and sustainability.
With its super convenient all-electric functionality and easy height adjustment, the Ryobi RY48ZTR100 is well-suited for homeowners with large gardens. It comes with onboard conveniences such as mobile phone charging facilities, cup holders and LED headlights. There is a helpful low-speed setting for the drive and blade motors, however, it may lack the same ability as a gas mower to cover unruly patches.
Max cutting height: 4.5 (in)
Min cutting height: 1.5 (in)
Warranty: 3-year tool and 1-year battery
Energy Star Certified: No
The Ryobi RY48ZTR100 mower doesn’t really seem to struggle in its runtime which is a huge advantage and time-saver. The Ryobi mower runs noiselessly and flawlessly on approximately three acres of land, but the runtime is likely to go lower if the machine really has to work through tough overgrown lawn.
Lap steering is becoming extremely common even with electric mowers and Ryobi is no exception. The steering uses a zero-point system and helps with working in great precision near obstacles. If you prefer a high-end model and price is not an issue, then the Ryobi RY48ZTR100 mower is a great choice for you.
Ryobi RY48ZTR100: Design and build
The Ryobi RY48ZTR100 zero turn riding mower is powered by a mighty 100Ah battery which drives four brushless motors. These are used to power each wheel and the two blades.
The deck and frame are built from steel making them strong and long lasting. As such, you do get a one year warranty and a three year limited warranty on this mower.
The ride height of the deck can be varied as can the seat itself to find comfort and control over the cut. The dual handles mean you can get that zero point turn accuracy and these are covered in a soft mould to make sure they stay comfortable even after prolonged use. The saddle also has comfort offerings thanks to a dual spring support system that takes the worst out of the ride bumps.
There is a built in cup holder as well as a USB port for charging your phone, which can be housed in a handy little slot space next to the charger port.
The front of the mower features two rows of LED lights allowing it to be used at night too. This will impact battery life but barely noticeably since these are super low power LEDs.
You get a mulch plug and tow hitch but can add a grass and leaf collection bag as well as a side discharge chute for side firing clippings, should you want those.
Ryobi RY48ZTR100: Features
The Ryobi RY48ZTR100 ride on mower offers an impressive 12 different ride heights to allow you to get the cut length just right. That ranges from as high as 4.5-inches to as low as 1.5-inches. This is adjustable using a lever handle located within reach so that it is easy to change as you mow.
The steering uses a zero point system which is controlled using to the two padded lap bars. These allow you to vary the amount of turn very subtly for the most accurate control.
The drive train is capable of several modes including forward drive and reverse. But, rather impressively, you can also cut while going in reverse. There is also the ability to stop the cutting blades and just drive where the extra power gets you a bit more speed of up to 7 mph – ideal for getting back to the start when done.
The USB charger and LED lights deserve another mention as they’re great little extra features that aren’t always needed but will be appreciated when you’re doing a long stint of cutting and it’s getting dark.
Ryobi RY48ZTR100: Performance
The Ryobi RY48ZTR100 lives up to the claims that it can last for three hours. It does this easily and also keeps you aware of how long you have left with a useful readout display. This shows the bars of battery but also the time left – which is actually very accurate. When done you just drive this into wherever you have the 120V transformer charger setup, plug in and leave to charge overnight.
Power is now a problem here with those four brushless motors churning out all the juice you need to cut through almost any job. If you do hit a patch of wet or particularly thick grass and notice a slow in power, then you can slow down or raise the height easily to avoid a potential cut-out.
The bar controls are easy to use and, unlike some electric mowers of this type, aren’t overly sensitive. That’s not to say you can’t drive very accurately, they just don’t jerk the power on and off but rather distribute it evenly as you’d want.
That 42-inch deck offers a large cutting area (twice that of walk-behind mowers like the Ryobi 40V 21-inch Brushless Smart Trek and STIHL RMA 510 V) which does mean you get nice wide cut lines and it also means you don’t have to spend ages going up and down, making it fine for larger plots of land. Perhaps it’s not commercial grade big enough but for homeowners, it’s likely more than enough while remaining small enough for storage.
Ryobi RY48ZTR100: User reviews
The Ryobi RY48ZTR100 mower scores an average of three out of five stars on Amazon. Negative reviews highlight issues with the battery charging capacity. Some users have praised that it works well with every battery charge and covers large patches of land with ease.
I have used it every week to mow several acres of lawn. It has performed every task flawlessly.
Amazon customer
Should you buy the Ryobi RY48ZTR100?
If you want a riding mower that’s hassle-free electric, goes for a good three hours, offers plenty of power, easy height adjustments and zero point bar controls, this is perfect. It’ll even keep going with LED lighting at night and keep your phone charged up for music throughout.
If you’re looking to use this professionally then you could go for a larger and more powerful model but for everyone else this is likely enough.
If you’re still set on a gas mower, then check out our round up of the best gas lawn mowers, while those with big lawns will want to take a look at our guide to the best riding lawn mowers.
If this product isn’t for you
The EGO Power 21-inch LM2102 battery mower offers gas-level power while operating quietly with LED lights and for a long time on a charge thanks to the large 7.5Ah battery. This isn’t self-propelled which means it’s lighter than most and can last up to an hour, about a quarter of an acre, before you need to charge. Even then the battery will fast charge in an hour to full.
The Greenworks 21-inch 60V MO60L410 operates a dual battery system that gives you self-propelled power to make mowing easier and the battery lasts up to 90 minutes. The battery life indicator on the handle makes timing your cuts a breeze.
The Snapper XD 82V Max StepSense is a self-propelled battery mower that still manages to offer up to an hour of cutting thanks to its dual battery bay. The mower is Smart enough to up power when needed in tougher grass areas and save battery on simple cut sections.
RYOBI RY48111
Being cheap is not offensive [1] if you’re buying a great product like RYOBI RY48111. Unlike the traditional gas mowers, this unit operates with a 100Ah Lead Acid Battery that produces fewer sound emissions during the cutting operation.
Equipped with a dual blade, its mower deck has a cutting width of 38 inches. Its easy deck adjustments are also the main reason why we included this unit in our list.
Equipped with cruise control features, maneuvering this riding mower in bumpy slopes on the lawn is easy. You will not be burdened with a riding mower that fails to forward or reverse when working on your lot. It also has LED lights, which help us to operate the unit any time of the day.