Electric mower deck motor. John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower, 42-in. Deck

US5502957A. Electric lawn mower with intelligent control. Google Patents

Publication number US5502957A US5502957A US08/412,733 US41273395A US5502957A US 5502957 A US5502957 A US 5502957A US 41273395 A US41273395 A US 41273395A US 5502957 A US5502957 A US 5502957A Authority US United States Prior art keywords mower operator drive wheel motor Prior art date 1995-03-29 Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.) Expired. Fee Related Application number US08/412,733 Inventor Charles W. Robertson Original Assignee Robertson; Charles W. Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.) 1995-03-29 Filing date 1995-03-29 Publication date 1996-04-02 1995-03-29 Application filed by Robertson; Charles W. filed Critical Robertson; Charles W. 1995-03-29 Priority to US08/412,733 priority Critical patent/US5502957A/en 1996-04-02 Application granted granted Critical 1996-04-02 Publication of US5502957A publication Critical patent/US5502957A/en 2015-03-29 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical Status Expired. Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
A01D34/00 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
A01D34/01 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
A01D34/412 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters
A01D34/63 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis
A01D34/67 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis hand-guided by a walking operator
A01D34/68 — Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having rotating cutters having cutters rotating about a vertical axis hand-guided by a walking operator with motor driven cutters or wheels
A01D34/6806 — Driving mechanisms

A — HUMAN NECESSITIES
A01 — AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
A01D — HARVESTING; MOWING
A01D2101/00 — Lawn-mowers

B — PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60 — VEHICLES IN GENERAL
B60L — PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
B60L2200/00 — Type of vehicles
B60L2200/40 — Working vehicles

B — PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B60 — VEHICLES IN GENERAL
B60L — PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
B60L2260/00 — Operating Modes
B60L2260/20 — Drive modes; Transition between modes
B60L2260/28 — Four wheel or all wheel drive

Abstract

There is disclosed an electric mower, preferably of the riding type, in which microcontrollers are interposed between quadrature controllers and motors operating each of the drive wheels. The microcontrollers are programmed to provide pulse width modulated current drive control and braking. Other functions are controlled electronically to assure operations that are not harmful to the operator, the motors, the battery or the lawn being mowed.

Description

This invention relates to the field of self-propelled electric vehicles, particularly to relatively small electric vehicles and even more particularly to self-propelled, riding electric lawn mowers.

Electric lawn mowers are desirable for environmental reasons in that they greatly reduce, if not entirely eliminate, the noise pollution and the atmospheric pollution inherent in the more commonly used mowers driven by small internal combustion engines. However, it is more common to find electrical drives in walk-behind mowers that are tethered to an electrical outlet by a power cord than it is to find them in larger and heavier riding mowers.

Self-propelled electric mowers and especially self-propelled riding electric mowers, are not common. This is largely due to higher cost and lower efficiencies of the electrical motors previously available, and the high cost, relative inefficiency and low reliability of electrical controls previously available. Recently when efficient large permanent magnet motors and low cost, reliable electronic power control devices became commercially available such machines became feasible. The art, therefor has not provided the other advantages that on-board electrical power provides. These include control by flexible wire, or optical fiber, of remote functions such as drives permitting articulation without complicated connections and control by programmed controllers interposed between the operator and the functioning parts to provide optimal, smooth operation and safety for both the operator and the lawn being mowed.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide intelligent control of an electric mower, or any related small, self-propelled, wheeled-device, particularly self-propelled riding electric mowers, and to provide control by wire of the driving wheels thereof and a contour-following mower deck.

Electric Zero Turn Mower from John Deere

a frame supporting at least two opposed wheels driven by individual associated reversible electric motors through gear reduction boxes or the like, source of electrical power for said motors, operating controls for directing electrical power selectively to each of said motors for mower-operator actuation, an electrical system interconnecting said source of power, said operator controls and said motors, the mower preferably having at least one swiveling tail wheel and an articulated sub-frame from which a ground following mower deck is suspended to carry at least one motor driven cutter blade; the improvement comprising:

an intelligent control system programmed to avoid conditions harmful to said electrical system and its components and to avoid conditions harmful to safe operation of said mower or harmful to its operator or damaging to the lawn being cut, and to optimize in real time mower operation;

said control system further receiving informational input from said operating controls indicating both existing status and any actuation indicating operator’s control directives;

said control system still further receiving input from said motors indicating the current status thereof in terms of one or more of the conditions of speed, direction of turning, back EMF, drive current, temperature and load.

The invention provides an intelligent control system for controlling the speed of an electrically powered lawn maintenance vehicle or the like, the vehicle having a known weight and comprising: source of electrical power; a drive subsystem comprising at least one motor drive unit and at least one electric motor for propulsion, a motor speed and direction sensor, and at least one temperature sensor; a power distribution subsystem; and an operator control unit; the control system comprising: a microcontroller, programmed to sense motor speed and direction, operator commands from the operator control unit, and temperature of the drive subsystem components, and to generate pulse width modulated speed control signals; whereby the microcoontroller, being programmed with tables of speed control values for generating corresponding pulse width speed control signals, and the motor drive unit being capable of supplying current to the at least one motor in accordance with the speed control signals, and the operator control unit, having a control handle operatively connected to a handle position sensor, the position sensor having a home position to indicate a desired STOP condition and at least two forward and two reverse speed positions, being capable of generating operator commands, the liable of speed control values being selected in accordance with the dynamic operating characteristic of the electric motor and the weight of the vehicle, whereby safe and effective operation of said vehicle is achieved, conditions harmful to the drive subsystem are avoided, and forces harmful to the lawn and to the operator are avoided.

FIG. 6A is a schematic functional diagram showing the operation of the quadrature encoder used with the invention.

FIGS. 6B and 6C are timing graphs associated with the functional diagram of FIG. 6 showing the response of optointerupters B and A respectively as labeled.

The mower 10 of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. Visible are the drive wheels 12, 14 which propel and support the main frame 16 of mower 10. These are driven by motors 8, 8′, one of which is seen in the figure, which drive through a gear reduction boxes not shown. The drive motors 8, 8′ are electronically controlled, as will be seen, from signals generated in electronic enclosure 44 by controllers 11, 11′ (see FIG. 3 where one such, 11, is shown) and transmitted to motor drive boards 13, 13′ which are mounted in housings either next to or near the motors 8, 8′. Mounted on frame 16 is seat 18 and carry container 20 behind seat 18. Pivoted to frame 16 at its forward end by pivot pins 22 is articulating frame 24 which is supported at the end away from the main frame 16 by swivel wheels 26. Note that a single, centrally located, swivel wheel might be used but the two wheel arrangement shown is preferred for stability. Mower deck 28 is pivotally supported, by hanging brackets 33, from the forward end of articulating frame 24. The rearward end of deck 28 is supported from the ground by wheels 32. One centrally placed wheel can be used. Mower blade drive motors 34 are fastened to the top of deck 28. Conveniently placed for handling by an operator sitting on seat 18 are left wheel control stick 36 and fight wheel control stick 38. As will be seen later, control sticks 36, 38 pivot forward and backward to regulate direction of rotation and speed of the respective drive wheels 12, 14 and, as is known, any difference in speed and or direction of rotation determines the degree and direction of turning. Control sticks 36, 38 also can be pivoted, when in the central (stop) position, outward to provide room for the operator to get into or out of the seat 18. The necessary storage batteries are located under seat 18 within enclosure 42. A trailing pivot wheel 40 supports the back end of mower 10.

Now consider FIGS. 2, 2a which show a flow chart of the program employed by controllers 11, 11′ to control the drive motors 8, 8′ according to the operator’s control inputs to control arms 36, 38. The full program listing of the controller program is given in Appendix A.

Functionally, the control arms 36, 38 must be in the central or home position for the program to begin execution. This is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 2a at 204. If the control arms are not in the home position, the program waits until they are. Once home position is detected, the controller checks for current in the motor drive board 13, 13′ by reading the current sensor 407 (FIG. 4). Relays 401, 402 short circuit (disable) the drive motor when the control arms are in the home position. If current is flowing, the drive motor is turning indicating mower motion and the current flag 1 is set, 210. At startup, current will not be applied to the drive motors until no short circuit current is detected in the drive motors, indicating the mower is stopped. It is well known in the art that applying current to a permanent magnet DC motor in the direction of the motor generated back EMF can generate sufficiently high armature magnetic fields to permanently damage the motor magnets and sufficiently high currents to damage drive electrical components and this condition is avoided. When no short circuit current is detected, the current flag is set to 0. As long as the control arms are in the home position, the position register controlling the setting of the drive motor current will be set to home position value 205. Each loop checking the control arm position will check for errors in the reading of position and set a position error flag if an error has been made in position determination.

As the operator moves the control arm from the home position to operate the machine, the control loop beginning in 206 determines the fraction of time the current will be turned on in the drive motor associated with that control arm position by looking up the drive number in the lookup table shown in FIG. 9. This drive number indicates how many of the 54 loops in each current control cycle the current should be on. This control strategy, called pulse width modulation (PWM) turns the drive motor current on for integral numbers of the 54 loops in the PWM control cycle. Similarly the number of loops the motor will be electrically shorted when not turned on will be derived from the control arm position value for braking in the same table. The first few position values for the control arm are mostly for braking to facilitate operation down steep slopes. This permits steering when descending a steep hill when no driving force is: needed. The next few positions have both drive and braking times so the drive motors behave in a damped fashion permitting slow controlled motion on smooth surfaces or speed control and steering down modest soft surfaced slopes. The remainder of the position values cause increasing current-on times for the drive motor current, full on coming toward the end of travel of the control arm. The same control strategy holds for forward and reverse.

Now return to FIGS. 2a and 2b. Which represent schematically the functions of the program residing in the microcontrollers 11 (a preferred computer program is seen in Appendix A0. At powerup, the tables residing in the ROM memory space of microcontrollers 11, 11′ for controlling the current and brake pulse width modulation (PWM) timing are loaded into the microcontroller register section 202. An example of one such table is shown in FIG. 9. Each PWM cycle is composed of 54 loops. The number of loops for which drive current and braking are to be applied to the motor are specified as described above for each position of the 32 positions into which the control motion is divided (32 positions for forward and 32 steps for reverse drive). In some implementations the reverse drive is made more coarse by double stepping through the table. Since no more than 16 of the steps employ braking, this part of the table is shorter. The control routine will use the stored values for both drive current and/or braking from the position in each of the tables corresponding to the position of the control handle. Note that the values for current are not linear in response to movement of the quadrature (that is there is not a direct proportional relationship between step number and current value in the table) but are tailored to practical operating requirements. Current increases rapidly at first to overcome motor losses at low speed, and then increases less rapidly at higher drive levels.

Once the tables are loaded, the timer is set up to control the overall routine loop timing and control function begins. First the status of the control handle is checked 204. Power will not be applied to either drive until its control handle is in the home position. The current sensor on the motor power control board is checked 206, and power will not be applied until the drive short circuit current is below detection threshold, i.e. the machine is not moving at speed above the sense threshold. Once power control has started, if current is detected, a bit (current flag) is set from 0 to 1 in the flag register 210. This flag will be used by other control sections to prevent the drive from applying forward or reverse drive current if the machine is moving in reverse or forward respectively. Thus the machine must be moving at a speed below the current-sense threshold for the control to shift from forward to reverse or vice versa.

Next the control routine checks the position error flag 208 to determilne if the quadrature plate position has been lost 212. If the position has been lost, it will be reestablished 216, the flag reset, and the level of drive current held at the value in effect at the time of last valid position until home is reached on the control handle.

Next the temperature debounce counters are checked 214. If a high or over temperature condition is detected, four counts are added to the appropriate register. Each time the registers are checked, they are decremented one (but are never decremented below zero or incremented above 255) and they must indicate a count of 128 or more for the high or over temperature condition to be valid. This serves to debounce the process and minimize the possibility of a temperature response to electrical noise.

Next the PWM loop is checked 220 and appropriate counters are incremented or decremented to control the level of drive current to the motors. Exit from this loop is via one of several paths 224, all leading to the reading of the quadrature plate, position 222.

Exit from the quadrature plate routine is either a home or not home response. If the control is home, the pattern of the quadrature plate will be updated, and the overall loop returned to its beginning 240. If the control is not in its home position, exit will take the control routine to the section where it is determined if a change has taken place in the quadrature plate position or not 226. If no change has been made, control will transfer to the temperature checking routine. If a change has been made, the appropriate decisions for whether to increase or decrease the current in either the forward or reverse directions will be made 228 and control will transfer to the temperature checking routine 242.

The last section of the control routine checks to see if the temperature of the drive motors or the drive electronics is high or over temperature 242 and multiply increments the appropriate register and sets the appropriate flag if the counters are above their threshold level. The routine also shuts down the drive if the temperature is over the acceptable limit. From here the routine returns to its start.

Now consider FIG. 3 which shows one of the two drive motor controllers. A control stick 36 or 38 engages with slot 317 in the end of a quadrature plate 309 there being one plate 309 and associated elements in the control for each drive motor and wheel. One of skill in the art will recognize that a single joy stick or even a steering wheel could be substituted with appropriate circuitry in place of the preferred two control sticks 36, 38. For illustrative purposes the drive will be described for left wheel drive control stick 36. Forward and backward motion of the stick causes quadrature plate 309 to rotate about its axis as indicated by the curved double arrow 319. Holes 321 along the edge of plate 309 alternately interrupt or pass light from the light emitting diode (LED) 323 of the optointerrupreter 300 (p/n OTS271 made by Opto Technology, Inc. of Wheeling, Ill.), designated B, whose signal from photo IC sensor 324, also a part of optointerrupter 300, is accessed by a microcontroller 11. Similarly the signals from optointerrupter 301, designated A, whose signals are out of phase with those of 300 are accessed by microcontroller 11. We use a model Z86 microcontroller from the Zilog Corporation of Campbell, Calif. This permits microcontroller 11 to determine the extent of motion of control stick 36 as is explained below. One hole 325, placed out of line from the others, can only pass the light from LED 327 of optointerpreter 340, designated home, and serves as a reference point in the rotation of quadrature plate 309 and, therefor, as a reference point in the position of control stick 36.

Reference should be made to FIG. 6 for an explanation of the quadrature encoder. Such systems give signals indicating direction and magnitude of motion. A more complete explanation of quadrature controllers can be found on pages 238 and 239 of Incremental Motion Control. Volume II. Step Motors and Control Systems, Edited by Benjamin C. Kuo, SRL Publishing Company, Champaign, Ill., 1979; Optical: Encoder Design Guide, pages 6 and 7 from the Industrial Encoder Division of BEI electronics; or 28 mm Diameter Two Channel Incremental Optical Encoder Kit data sheet from Hewlett Packard, page 2.

Microcontrollers 11, 11′ also accept signals from the motor driver boards 13, 13′ (see FIG. 4) from the current sensors 407 and from thermistors 403 which are mounted in the drive motors 8, 8′. The thermistor 403 in motor 8, when indicting the motor temperature is too high, will cause microcontroller 11 to disable the drive for drive motor 8 and communicate through line 315 to the microcontroller 11′, not shown, to also shut down the drive control to drive motor 8′ so that mower drive operation ceases completely and safely. Similarly, an over-temperature condition in motor 8′ will cause that drive to be shut down and communication through line 315 will cause the drive for motor 8 to be shut down. The current sensor 407, see FIG. 4, is comprised of a magnetically sensitive reed switch coaxially mounted in a coil of wire, carrying the motor drive and short circuit current. This lets microcontroller 11 know if sufficient current is flowing in the short circuited motor to cause drive motor, or drive motor controller damage or loss of machine control if control direction were reversed with the machine moving. Thus a reversal in the drive at speeds capable of damaging the drive motor or its controller or causing loss of control is avoided. over, sharp reversals of drive wheels 12 can damage the turf and/or pitch the operators out of seat 18 and these dangers, too, are avoided.

Now consider FIG. 4 showing the schematic of the motor driver board 13. Power to the drive motor 8 is controlled by alternately switching on and off, pulse width modulating, the drive FET (p/n IRFP044 from International Rectifier of El Segundo, Calif.) 406 with the ratio of the on and off times dictating the fraction of full drive needed. The drive relays 401 and 402 (p/n VF4-15F13 from Potter and Bruinfield of Princeton, Ind.) control the direction of the current to the motor 8 thus controlling drive direction and, when both are either on or off, the motor is shorted providing strong dynamic braking. Transient suppressor (p/n 1.5KE33C from Fagor Electronic Components, Inc. of Elk Grove Village, Ill.) 429 on motor driver board 13 provides a short to the inductive flyback transient from motor 8 when it is switched off by drive FET 406. Resistors 404 provide flyback suppression for the drive relays 401 and 402. FETs 405 and 406 are driven from the microcontroller 11 through the driver 314, see FIG. 3, which is a MIC5022BN from the MICREL Corporation of San Jose, Calif. Brake FET 405 (also an IRFP044) is controlled to provide dynamic braking to the mower by shorting motor 8 for variable fractions of the pulse width modulation (PWM) cycle when drive FET 406 is off. The driver 314 prevents both FETs, 405 and 406, from being turned on at the same time.

Now consider FIG. 5 showing the interconnection of all of the electrical components on the mower. Power from the batteries 512 is connected to the main control circuit board 500 through key switch 508. Power to the drive motors 8, 8′ and the mowing deck motors 34 passes through power contactor 510. Control power to this contactor is additionally controlled through seat interlock switch 506. Power to the drive control electronics 502, shown in FIG. 3, is interlocked through switches 504 which detect the position of control arms 36 and 38 and disable the drive when the control arms are moved out to let the operator on or off the machine. Energy monitor 503 shown schematically in FIG. 7 and deck motor kill switch 522 can either shut the deck motors 34 down through the auxiliary coil on circuit breaker 524 (BB2-X0-03-180-231-C from Carlingswitch of Plainville, Conn.). Quadrature plates 309 also mount to this circuit board. Relay 516 shorts the deck motors 34 through power resistors 514 when the deck is shut down to stop them more quickly for safer operation. Suppression diodes 520 short the inductive flyback transients on deck motors 34 when they are shut down. Thermostats 526 provide over temperature shutdown for deck motors 34, shutting down power by acting through the auxiliary shutdown coil of circuit breaker 524. Control signals are carried from the control electronics to the motor drivers 13, 13′ attached to the motors 8, 8′ by means of cables 518.

Now consider FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C. As the two optointerrupters A and B (see 300 and 301 of FIG. 3) are subjected to the motion of holes 321 in the quadrature plate 309 showing motion here from bottom to top the signals shown in the lower portion of the figure are generated. By optointerrupter is meant the pairing of a LED light emitter and a photo IC light sensor as is shown in FIG. 3 as 300, 301, and 340. It can be seen that motion of one pitch (one hole and one space) produces four transitions on the two optointerrupters. Direction of motion can be determined by noting the state of B as A transitions from high to low. For motion from left to right, B is low when A transitions from high to low. For motion from right to left, B is high when A transitions from high to low. Distance can be determined from the sum of A and B transitions (there are two transitions on each for each passing hole) which is in essence a count of the pitches multiplied by 4.

The energy monitor is shown schematically in FIG. 7. This system keeps track of battery voltage when the mower is running, displaying the current battery voltage on an LED array, 702. When the voltage drops below 21.0 volts, the 80% discharge point for a 24 VDC lead-acid battery system, the microcontroller, 700, a Zilog Z86, shuts down the mower deck, preserving the remaining power to permit the machine to be driven back to its point of storage. Battery voltage is measured by comparing the voltage of the system battery, 512, with the voltages of a resistor divider chain, 710. The divider chain provides 4 voltages between 0 and 5 VDC which are compared by means of the comparitor internal to the Z86 (microcontroller 700), the voltages being accessed by multiplexer 708 (CD4052BCM-ND made by National Semiconductor) to a voltage derived from the battery voltage. The system battery voltage is dropped through an 18 V Zener diode, 706, and divided by resistor divider 704. The comparison of the voltage from the divider 704 and the voltages from divider 710 gives 4 comparisons that approximately divide the stored energy in the mower batteries into four quarters much like a fuel gauge (i.e. full, 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 full). The bottom voltage, 21 VDC, represents the mower deck shutdown voltage. Approximately 80 percent of the full energy storage of the mower batteries has been used when the system voltage reaches 21 volts. A flow chart for the operation of this controller is shown in FIG. 8.

Now consider FIG. 9, a table of control values for the drive motor current and braking. Each of the control arms 36 and 38 have 32 positions for forward drive and 32 positions for reverse drive. The pulse width modulation of the drive and braking has 54 possible values (e.g. the drive current or braking can be on for 10/54 of the time or 54/54=all of the time). For each position in the table a value for both the drive and braking is specified. For instance, for position 5, the motor is on for 10/54 of the time and the braking is on for 10/54 of the time (drive and braking cannot be on at the same time ). The remainder of the time the drive motor is not connected during drive operation (with the controls disabled or in the home or center position the motor is shorted by relays 401 and 402). Braking is not used for higher drive currents as it reduces the effective power of the drive motors. Thus the table has only 15 values for braking. Braking is only needed at lower speeds to damp the drive motors action since when they are not connected they provide neither drive force nor braking action. The non sequential (non linear) nature of the drive current numbers that provides the smoothness of operation was determined from testing. Turning the motors on for less than 5/54 of the time has little effect and the full resolution of the 32 possible positions was found unnecessary. As can be seen from the table, the motors are turned on 54/54 of the time, or full on, for positions 22 through 32.

While this disclosure has been written, largely in terms of lawn mowers, it will be recognized that the invention is applicable to related vehicles such as golf carts, carriers for the handicapped, garden vehicles and the like. ##SPC1##

Claims ( 13 )

a frame supporting an operator station, a mower deck with at least one cutter blade rotated by an electric motor, and at least two opposed wheels driven by associated reversible electric wheel-drive motors,

source of electrical power for said wheel-drive motors and said at least one blade motor mounted on said frame,

operating controls for mower-operator actuation associated with said operator station for directing electrical power selectively to each of said wheel-drive motors, and for directing said power to said at least one blade motor,

an electrical system interconnecting said source of power, said operator controls and said wheel-drive motors and interconnecting said controls and said at least one blade motor;

an intelligent control unit electrically interposed between each of said wheel-drive motors and said operator controls and a sensing unit associated with each of said motors for providing informational input to each of said control units from said wheel-drive motors, said control unit providing means to control current applied to each of said motors responsive to said mower-operator actuation of said operating controls.

The mower of claim 1 wherein said mower is disposed for riding by an operator and said operator station comprises a seat and foot rest for the operator.

The mower of claim 2 wherein said operating controls comprises a quadrature encoder for each said wheel drive motor.

John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower, 42-in. Deck

Images may depict options and attachments not included in base price. Price shown includes 100 freight charge, but does not include applicable taxes, setup, and delivery fees. Pre-order delivery date is an estimate and not guaranteed. Offers end July 31, 2023.

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Pricing does not include applicable freight, setup, taxes, delivery, and other fees.

Run with us to an electric tomorrow.

Welcome to the future of lawn care. It’s a future that’s quiet, easy to maintain, always smells like fresh-cut grass on a Saturday morning – and it’s led by the John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower. Built with dependability and ease of use in mind, it’s the newest addition to our zero-turn mower lineup that gives you the exceptional performance you’ve come to know and love, now green in more ways than one.

The Z300 Series is known for being the reliable, comfortable, easy-to-own zero-turn that’s versatile enough to be used on tons of properties. They make quick work of mowing and put yard work back on your get-to-do list – and the John Deere Z370R Electric model was built to take that experience to a whole new level. Mow up to 2 acres per charge, then plug in when you’re done and walk away. Because you don’t need a green thumb to have a great-looking property – you just need 2 thumbs up for an easy, electric tomorrow.

Contact us today for more information on the John Deere Z370R Electric Zero-Turn Mower, and see why Van Wall is the Midwest’s clear first choice for over 70 years!

Mow up to 2 Acres per Charge
3.2 kWh Sealed Lithium-Ion Battery
42-Inch (107-cm) Accel Deep™ Mower Deck
Zero Operating Emissions and No Engine Noise
5-Year/200-Hour Battery Warranty

Actual mowing area per charge will vary based on conditions and attachment usage. Term limited to 5 years from date of purchase or 200 hours of machine usage, whichever comes first. All residential ZTrak™ Mowers come with a 3-year/200-hour bumper-to-bumper, machine warranty. For full details, see the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com or JohnDeere.ca/TUWarranty.

Electric performance without compromise

The Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower delivers the productivity and cut quality of a gas-powered Z300 ZTrak™ Mower. Many proven components, including the frame and Accel Deep™ Mower Deck, are shared with the gas-powered models.

Mower deck is 4.97 inches (12.6 cm) deep with a flat top and large discharge opening.

Cut and suspended material can exit the mower deck without getting recut.
Improves mowing capacity.
Reduces power consumption to extend run time.

Stamped-steel construction eliminates sharp edges and corners.

Less material buildup.
Industry-leading cut quality.
Less turbulence and power consumption.

Two adjustable mower wheels, positioned just above ground level, give a more even cut and reduce scalping.

Optional MulchControl™ enables you to mulch frequently.

Deep mower deck design allows for optimal recutting and even distribution of clippings.
Converts to side-discharge in seconds if the grass is too tall to mulch.

Optional 6.5-bushel (230-L) rear bagger is available for collecting grass clippings and leaves.

The electric transaxle has the same 7 MPH (11.3 km/h) maximum forward travel speed as the transaxle used on gas-powered Z300 ZTrak™ Mowers.

Standard 3.2 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery has up to 40% more capacity than competitor’s batteries.

The efficient Accel Deep™ Mower Deck with optimized blades extends run time.

Optimized blades give excellent cut quality, resilience to damage, and long wear life like the blades used on gas-powered Z300 ZTrak™ Mowers.

Go home mode gets you back.

When the battery nears depletion, the mower blades switch off and a battery reserve allows you to drive the mower to a charging outlet.
Use the battery to depletion without getting stranded.

Free yourself from gasoline

The Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower frees you from the hassles of gasoline.

Start your weekend with the scent of fresh cut grass instead of a trip to the gas station.

No spilling, transporting, smelling, or storing gasoline, plus minimal maintenance for easy ownership.

No engine oil changes or disposal concerns.
No engine air filters to clean or replace.
No belts.
No grease points.
No need to add fuel stabilizer or remove fuel for seasonal storage.

Smart charger is built into the mower.

Doesn’t consume wall or counter space.
Doesn’t require moving the batteries between charger and mower.
No battery contacts to deteriorate.
Charge anywhere with a standard 120-V outlet and grounded extension cord.

Smart charger continuously monitors battery.

Ensures optimum charging rate based on battery level and environmental conditions.
Stops charging when battery reaches full charge, no need to unplug the mower.
Maximizes battery life.

Built for the outdoors

The Z370R Electric ZTrak™ is designed to withstand dust and water so you can confidently weather the conditions, wash the mower with a water hose, and even store the mower outdoors. The same weatherization technology used on John Deere’s agriculture and construction products is found on the Z370R for dependable, trouble-free performance.

The battery is sealed to protect it from the elements.

Meets IP66 (ingress protection) rating.

Solid protection – no dust can enter battery.
Water protection – no water can enter battery from washing.
Competitive electric mowers do not meet this standard, leaving them vulnerable.

The mower deck motors are also sealed to keep dust and water from entering. High-quality electrical connectors are also used throughout the mower.

All John Deere mowers are painted with a dual-stage E-coat process using powder paint coatings to provide protection from fading and corrosion.

Rugged and durable construction

The Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower is built tough to provide many years of trouble-free service. Several proven components, including the frame and Accel Deep™ Mower Deck, are shared with the gas-powered Z300 ZTrak™ models.

The Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower frame is constructed of heavy-duty formed and welded steel for strength, reliability, and long life.

Robust, 2.5-inch x 2-inch (6-cm x 5-cm) steel tubing in front and 1.5-inch x 2-inch (4-cm x 5-cm) steel tubing on the sides.
A front bumper protects the front of the mower from damage.
Caster wheel pivots have sealed bearings for easy steering and long life.

The electric transaxle is maintenance-free and reliable.

Sealed, with no hose connections that could leak.
Beefed-up 1-inch (2.5-cm) axles with four-bolt hubs.

The 42-inch (107-cm) Accel Deep™ Mower Deck is built from 12-gauge, 0.105-inch (2.7-mm) steel to withstand impacts.

Formed spindle s, side gutters, and deck shell ribs provide extra strength.
Double-captured mower wheels for increased durability.

Comfort features make mowing enjoyable

Look forward to the weekend and mowing with your Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower. The mower’s seat, operator station, styling package, ergonomic controls, and even the mower deck are designed to give a clean, quiet, and smooth riding experience.

Thick seat foam and spring suspension smooths out rough ground.
Stabilize yourself with side-bolstering.
Rest your arms on standard armrests.
Eye-catching embroidered John Deere logo and green accents.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of an electric powertrain.

No gasoline engine noise, vibration, or the high-pitched whine of a hydrostatic transmission.
Accel Deep™ Mower Deck keeps the grass and dust under the deck and away from you.
Optional MulchControl™ enables you to mulch frequently.

Prevents the discharge of material in mulching mode.
Converts to side-discharge in seconds if the grass is too tall to mulch.

Thoughtful design prioritizes your ergonomics.

Enjoy a roomy and uncluttered operator platform with lots of legroom.
Rest your feet on footrests at the front of the platform.
Adjust the seat and motion control levers to you.

No tools are required to adjust seat fore and aft.
Use the included tool to adjust the height and fore-aft position of the motion control levers.

Attractive and modern styling accommodates creature comforts.

Glance down and see the trim edge of the mower deck without leaning.
Contoured fenders improve visibility to the drive tires.
Securely hold your refreshment in a cup holder.
Store your cell phone in the covered storage compartment, and charge it with the standard USB-C charging port.
Use the light-emitting diode (LED) lights to finish mowing at dusk.

Forward LED lights illuminate in front of vehicle.
Mid-LED lights light up the sides of the mower deck.

Smoother ride.
traction for improved slope performance.

Familiar and intuitive controls

The Z370R Electric ZTrak™ is designed to be intuitive to use, with controls at your fingertips.

Get started with the power button.

A simple hold of the power button activates the mower to be ready to drive.
Key pin can be removed to prevent unintended access.

Two easy-to-see displays keep you informed.

Located on the console near power button and mower controls.
Shows you battery level, operating mode, and operating hours.
Advises if an unsatisfied PTO, seat, or motion-control interlock is preventing operation.
Advises when the mower is in push mode or when park brake is applied.
Backlit for night visibility.
Status display is built into footrest to increase visibility while mowing.

Displays battery level in five vertical segments.
Indicates mower status in top horizontal segment.

Green – You’re ready to turn on PTO and start mowing.
White – You’re in standby; you need to satisfy a PTO, seat, or motion-control interlock.
Red – There is a mower fault that needs to be corrected by cycling the PTO switch, cycling the power button, or dealer service.

The electric transaxle of the Z370R Electric ZTrak™ is tuned to be smooth, responsive, and operate like a gas-powered ZTrak™ Mower.

Three operating modes enable you to tailor the performance to your preferences and yard conditions.

Low Mode – 5 MPH (8 km/h) travel speed for trimming or precise maneuvering.
High Mode – Full 7 MPH (11.3 km/h) travel speed for most mowing situations.
Bagging Mode – Increased mower blade speeds to support material collection or challenging mowing conditions.

Operating mode can be changed using the mode switch.

The integrated park brake is automatically applied when motion control levers are stowed outward and disengaged when levers are placed into operating position.

Easily lift the mower deck using the foot-lift pedal.
A cut-height preset ensures the deck returns to the correct position.
Mower deck cutting height adjusts from 1.25 to 4.5 inches (3 to 11 cm) in 0.25-inch (0.64-cm) increments.

The foot-lift pedal also provides a convenient way to temporarily raise the mower deck over an obstruction while mowing.

Simplified maintenance

The Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower has several features to simplify maintenance.

No engine oil changes or disposal concerns.
No engine air filters to clean or replace.
No belts.
No grease points.
No need to add fuel stabilizer or remove fuel for seasonal storage.

Accel Deep™ Mower Deck is designed to reduce buildup and simplify cleaning.

Mower deck is 4.97 inches (12.6 cm) deep with a flat top.

Reduces the amount of material that escapes and drifts on the operator and mower.
Reduces the accumulation of debris on the underside of the shell.
Few places on underside to catch material.

Prevents the discharge of material in mulching mode.
Converts to side-discharge in seconds if the grass is too tall to mulch.

The service interval decal includes recommended service points, intervals, and part numbers.

You can quickly adjust the tracking from the operator seat using the included 13-mm wrench.

If you need to push or tow the mower, you can activate the push mode switch which allows the drive wheels to roll freely.

John Deere riding lawn mowers are supported by owner information web pages that include links to:

Safety and How-To Videos
Operator’s Manuals
Parts Catalog
Maintenance Reminder Sheets
Attachments
Warranty Statements

To speed access to owner information web pages, a QR code is printed onto a PIN label located under the seat. Since each vehicle model has its own web page, the links are specific to the owner’s model. The QR code also includes the vehicle’s unique PIN which allows for additional customization of the owner information web page in the future.

Front and rear tie-down locations are provided for convenience and safety when trailering the mower.

3-year or 200-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty

The Z370R Electric ZTrak™ is covered by a 3-year or 200-hour, whichever comes first, bumper-to-bumper warranty. The battery has even more coverage, with a 5-year or 200-hour coverage period. An optional PowerGard™ Lithium-Ion Battery Protection Plan covers the battery for 10 years or 400 hours. An optional PowerGard™ Protection Plan Residential is available to cover the remaining components.

All repairs are serviced and administrated by your John Deere dealer. There is no need to file claims with component suppliers.

Do more with your Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower

The Z370R Electric ZTrak™ provides the same versatile attachments as gasoline-powered Z300 ZTrak™ Mowers.

Standard rear hitch provides towing capability.

Pull a cart up to 250 pounds (113 kg) of weight.
Use tow-behind spreaders, sprayers, aerators, and thatchers.

Converts to side-discharge in seconds if the grass is too tall to mulch.

Help maintain your Z370R and lawn with the MowerPlus™ app

Keep your Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower running its best with the John Deere MowerPlus™ app. The Z370R includes connector functionality that wirelessly transmits mower information to the MowerPlus™ app.

Remotely monitor battery charge level and operating hours.
Record mowing history with battery usage, time, distance, area, and speed.
Five-day weather forecast based on location.
Walk-through setup guides.
Expert mowing tips.
Learn about attachments.
Maintenance reminders.
Safety instructions.

To download the free MowerPlus™ app, visit the Apple® App Store® or Google Play™ store. The John Deere MowerPlus™ app and operating system requirements can be found in the mobile device’s app store. The MowerPlus™ app is only available in the English language, and it is not available in all countries.

Apple and App Store are trademarks of Apple, Inc. Google Play and Android are trademarks of Google, LLC. iOS is a trademark of Cisco Technology, Inc. used under license by Apple, Inc.

Key Specs

Battery: One 58-V Lithium-Ion (3.2 kWh); Sealed and meets IP66 rating.

Charger: On-Board, 700 W (120-V Input)

Forward Speed: 0 – 7 MPH (0 – 11.3 km/h)

Front Caster Tires: 11×6-5

Drive Tires: 18×8.5-8

Seat Back Height: High Back with Armrests, 20 In. (51 cm)

Width of Cut: Accel Deep™ Mower Deck – 42 In. (107 cm)

Mulching System: Optional MulchControl™ Attachment

Warranty: 3-Year/200-Hour Bumper-to-Bumper, 5-Year/200-Hour Battery

Term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first, and varies by model. See the LIMITED WARRANTY FOR NEW JOHN DEERE TURF AND UTILITY EQUIPMENT at JohnDeere.com or JohnDeere.ca/TUWarranty for details.

Drive Train

Battery: One 58-V Lithium-Ion (3.2 kWh); Sealed and meets IP66 rating.

Charger: On-Board, 700 W (120-V Input)

Transmission: Dual Electric Motor with 1-In. (2.5-cm) Axles

Travel Speed

Forward Speed: 0 – 7 MPH (0 – 11.3 km/h)

Reverse Speed: 0 – 3.5 MPH (0 – 5.6 km/h)

Speed and Direction Control: Twin Levers

Control Adjustment: 3 Heights, 11 Positions

Chassis

Frame: Heavy-Duty 2.5-In. x 2-In. (6-cm x 5-cm) Front, 1.5-In. x 2-In. (4-cm x 5-cm) Side Tubing

Primer/Paint: E-Coat/Powder

Front Caster Tires: 11×6-5

Front Caster Bearings: Sealed Ball Bearings

Drive Tires: 18×8.5-8

Hour Meter: Yes

Service Interval Decal: Yes

Storage Compartment: Standard Covered

Cup Holder: Yes

Maximum Towing Capacity: 250 Lb (113 kg)

Seat

Seat Back Height: High Back with Armrests, 20 In. (51 cm)

Fore-Aft Adjustment: 2.9 In. (7 cm)

Seat Suspension: Two Springs

Lift System

Type: Foot-Lift

Mower Cut Height: 1.25 – 4.5 In. (3 – 11 cm)

Cut Height Increments: 0.25 In. (0.64 cm)

Preset Cut Height: Yes

Mower Deck

Width of Cut: Accel Deep™ Mower Deck – 42 In. (107 cm)

Type: Side-Discharge

Mower Deck Material: 12-Gauge Steel, 0.105 In. (2.7 mm)

Mower Drive System: Electric Motors

Dimensions

Wheelbase: 49.4 In. (1,255 mm)

Overall Length: 75.4 In. (1,915 mm)

Width without Mower: 43.3 In. (1,100 mm)

Width with Mower: 50.4 In. (1,280 mm)

Width with Mower, Deflector Raised for Storage: 46.5 In. (1,180 mm)

Height: 43.3 In. (1,100 mm)

Weight: 490 Lb (222 kg)

Operation

Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS): No

Slope Operating Limit: 13 Degrees (10 Degrees with Material Collection System)

Operator Presence System: Yes

Park Brake Interlock: Yes

Operator Video: Yes (Online)

The 10 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Sage McHugh has written for Dotdash Meredith since 2019. With over a decade of experience in consumer-oriented content, Sage has a passion for products and how they enhance our everyday lives.

Barbara Gillette is a Master Gardener, herbalist, beekeeper, and journalist. She has 30 years of experience propagating and growing fruits, vegetables, herbs, and ornamentals.

Shereen Jegtvig is an author, fact-checker, and expert with over two decades of experience in health and wellness in the lifestyle space. In addition, she is a Developmental Editor for Dotdash Meredith where she reviews the work of other fact checkers.

Electric lawn mowers have many advantages over gas-powered models. For example, electric models don’t release exhaust fumes and can be significantly quieter and easier to operate, resulting in a much more pleasant mowing experience all around. “Electric lawn mowers come with many features to help owners stay safe, comfortable, and productive,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).

We researched many different types of electric lawn mowers and tested several in our own backyards across the country. We then evaluated products based on their setup, design, performance, usability, safety, and value and selected our favorites in a range of categories for this list. During our first run with the mower, we timed the assembly process and made careful notes about how clear and simple the included directions were. Following this, we utilized the mowers on three separate occasions, taking note of the grass length cut, the total area of the yard mowed, and the time it took to complete the task.

In our latest round of testing, we put six riding lawn mowers through their paces in our personal yards and selected the best electric ones based on its power, maneuverability, and noise level.

Best Overall

EGO Power Select Cut 56-Volt 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

Powerful and easy to use
Lightweight and foldable for vertical storage
60-minute runtime and recharging
Relatively affordable

After testing other electric mowers across the country, the EGO LM2102SP POWER 21-Inch Cordless Self-Propelled Mower is our best overall pick because it is very easy to use, lightweight and compact, and offers additional power when you need it, all at a relatively affordable price. Self-propelled mowers make mowing—especially over hills and rugged terrain—much easier because the mower moves for you at your pace, while you simply guide it around your yard. This option is no exception. While we tested this mower, we almost found it too powerful at first, especially because it was our first time using a self-propelled mower. But once we got the hang of it, we turned it off and on easily, and adjusted the speeds when needed by using the levers on the handle. We found the self-propulsion helpful for going up small hills (the lowest speed was all we needed) and turned it off when navigating around obstacles.

We also appreciated the battery life and fast recharging this mower offers. Although it comes with just one EGO 56V ARC Lithium battery, it has a 60-minute runtime and only takes about the same time to recharge using the included Rapid charger. And while it only took 50 minutes to mow our lawn, we are happy to report that the battery did not run out. If you have other EGO products at home with the same battery, you could always swap in that battery if you have a larger lawn and want to continue mowing without much of a break.

Other user-friendly features we love include the easily-adjustable handle: You have two options for the height and three options for the angle, so you can pick the one that is most comfortable for you. We also found adjusting the cutting height to be a simple task, with six settings to choose from ranging in height from 1.5 to 4 inches. And when you are done, the handle is just as easy to fold, so you can store your mower vertically in your garage or shed. We do want to note that while we think this mower did a great job mowing in dry and damp conditions, once when mowing over a particularly wet area, an orange light came on and the mower stopped. However, once we moved the mower to a more drier area, we were able to start it again easily. The only other minor issue we reported is putting on the grass collection bag. We found it would be much easier with two people since it clips on tightly and it’s a bit hard to get around the support bar (it popped off a few times during this process). But other than those small issues, we think this is an excellent electric mower for navigating different types of terrain with ease.

How It Performed Long-Term

We’ve been testing this lawn mower for three months and are impressed with its long-lasting battery life. With the ability to mow the lawn three times before requiring a recharge, which only takes around 20 minutes, it is a reliable and efficient machine. This mower can effortlessly handle thick, tall grass and can even manage up to 10 days of uncut grass without any issues. While we initially experienced some issues with the mower stopping and a light running orange while mowing grass, we have since been able to handle damp grass with ease. Overall, this mower is ideal for individuals who may not have the hand or upper body strength to adjust tires or use a pull cord.

Price at time of publish: 549

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 62.61 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

Best Budget

Greenworks 12 Amp 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower

Affordable, powerful, and compact
Unlimited run time
Seven cutting positions
Bag, mulch, and side-discharge settings

We’ve tested the Greenworks Electric Corded Lawn Mower several times over the last few years, and it continues to stand out as the best affordable choice for small yards and tight spaces, even those with somewhat challenging terrain. In fact, while testing this mower in our latest round of testing, we had no issues navigating over divots, clumps, bumps, and other parts of our lawn that were uneven—we found that this mower powered right through them. Plus, the 12-amp motor is powerful enough for tough cutting and mulching, including the tall, spindly weeds in our yard. We didn’t report any issues mowing over slightly wet grass either.

The 20-inch cutting deck is narrower than some other options, but we found that it helped us get through the tight areas of our yard easily. Adjusting the cutting height (seven different heights ranging from 1.5 to 3.75 inches) is simple as well, and really is the only setting you need to worry about. However, we did note that the mower didn’t go quite low enough to cut some patches of clover. Although it’s budget-friendly, we love that you have three options for your grass clippings—bag, mulch, or side discharge—and you don’t have to purchase any of these features separately (which would add to the cost). The grass collection bag was easy to clip on, although we did spill some grass clippings the first time we removed it and noted that the bag was not even full. However, we think this won’t be an issue once we get the hang of it.

Although this electric model is corded, we appreciated the unlimited runtime and didn’t find the cord to be cumbersome. We did find ourselves holding on to the cord even though there was a cord restraint system that kept it in place, but we were able to mow the lawn easily with our other hand. It’s important to note that this mower must be used with a 14-gauge 50-foot extension cord or a 12-gauge 100-foot extension cord (not included). Overall, we found this to be a really easy lawn mower to set up (just a few screws are needed for the handle), use, and store (just fold the handle), and it continues to impress us with its performance and price.

Price at time of publish: 230

Cutting Width: 20 inches | Weight: 56 pounds | Power Source: Corded | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

Best Self-Propelled

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower

Powerful performance
70-minute runtime
Fast, 60-minute charging
Lightweight and folds for storage

Although it is a little more of a splurge compared to other options we tested, The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21 Inch Cordless Self-Propelled Mower stands out for its powerful performance (comparable to some gas models), and long, 70-minute runtime. We tested this mower on the first grass of the season and were quickly impressed by its ease of use and quiet performance (we thought it almost sounded like white noise), especially compared to gas models we’ve used in the past. Thanks to the self-propelled technology, it was a breeze to mow over uneven terrain, even over hills, with little effort on our part. It did take a little bit of time to select the right cutting height for our uneven lawn (the blade did get stuck a few times), but once we adjusted the height, we were impressed by the cutting performance. Luckily this mower offers seven adjustable cutting heights (1.5 to 4 inches), so you can easily pick the one you need. We also want to mention that like our best overall mower, the EGO LM2102SP POWER 21-Inch Cordless Self-Propelled Mower, the self-propelled feature does take some time to get used to, and you may feel like the mower will run away on you at first until you figure out which setting you need for each part of your yard.

This model comes with two 40-volt batteries and a Rapid charger. Since only one battery is needed at a time, you will always have one ready to go should you need it. Our lawn took only 45 minutes to an hour each time to mow, and we never had to stop and recharge it to finish the job. However, we did have to stop the first time we mowed to empty the grass collection bag, which we found to be surprisingly small. It filled up after mowing about 25-30 feet of tall grass. The next two times weren’t as much of an issue because the grass wasn’t as overgrown. It was very simple to remove the full bag, but we found that it spilled easily and a few blades even spilled when the mower was in use (whether or not it was filled.) These few issues aside, we appreciated the bag, mulching, and side-discharge options for the grass clippings overall, although it is worth noting that it did not break up older leaves very well.

Like most of the mowers on this list, the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21 Inch Cordless Self-Propelled Mower is easy to fold and store vertically to save space. We were equally impressed with all of the safety features. Although it has a simple, push-button start, the mower has a key that you can store separately so no one can accidentally start the mower. When ready to use, the key has to be inserted behind a flap. Plus, the mower only works while you are gripping a lever. The LED headlights provide extra light that might be helpful when mowing around dusk or dawn. Although this mower is a bit more pricey than our best overall (which is also a battery-powered self-propel model), we think it’s worth the extra cost for the power, long runtime, and extra battery.

How It Performed Long-Term

After three months of use, we can report that this lawn mower has continued to impress us with its ease of use and quiet operation. The self-propelled feature makes navigating hills and uneven terrain a breeze, and we were able to get up to 4 uses out of a single charge. The mower excels at cutting grass and collecting clippings, and while it may struggle with heavier weeds, we had no issues with damp grass. It’s worth noting that the grass bag became heavy with clippings, but overall, we are confident in recommending this lawn mower to anyone in need of a reliable and efficient cutting tool.

Price at time of publish: 799

Cutting Width: 21 inches | Weight: 75 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

Best Push

Sun Joe MJ401E-P2 Electric Lawn Mower

Lightweight and easy to handle
Budget-friendly
Relatively quiet
Folds for compact storage

While testing, we found that the Sun Joe MJ401E-P2 Electric Lawn Mower was as easy to use as a corded vacuum. At under 30 pounds, this mower is very easy to push, even though it’s not a self-propelled model. It is corded, so you will most likely have to use an extension cord. However, you won’t have to worry about the battery running out, stopping to recharge a battery, or fumes from a gas model. We were also impressed by how quiet this mower was, especially compared to gas mowers we’ve used in the past. This mower was simple to set up—we just had to attach the bag and two parts for the handle.

Thanks to the 14-inch cutting deck, we found this to be a great push mower for navigating around tight corners and spaces. However, we do want to point out a few issues we came across while testing. We found that the grass collection bag filled up pretty quickly (after mowing about 20-30 feet). And when we mowed without the bag, we did notice that the grass would get stuck underneath the blades. As a great safety feature, the mower would immediately shut off. The grass was easy to remove though, and we were able to get back to mowing quickly. Also, it’s worth noting that this mower only has three settings for the cutting height, ranging from 1.12 to 2.52 inches. While you won’t get as a precise cut as other models, and you may have to stop to empty a bag or remove grass from underneath the mower when tackling long grass, we think this is a great budget-friendly push mower that is perfect for small lawns.

How It Performed Long-Term

We are still very satisfied with its performance, even after using it for three months. The grass has grown thicker and longer since we first tested the lawn mower, but we were able to adjust the height of the mower to handle it with ease. Even after it rained, we were able to cut through the grass without any problems. However, it should be noted that the grass catcher bag becomes heavier with damp clippings and more difficult to empty. Although we appreciate not having to refill the mower with gasoline constantly, we believe it would be more convenient if it ran on batteries rather than a cord. Having to connect the extension cord to different outlets in the yard can be a bit inconvenient. All in all, we believe it is a dependable mower for its price.

Price at time of publish: 108

Cutting Width: 14 inches | Weight: 29 pounds | Power Source: Corded electric | Cutting Options: Bag, side-discharge

Best Riding

Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Electric Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor

Powerful Performance
LCD Screen and app for tracking battery life
13 cutting heights
Many extra features

If you have a larger yard to mow, a riding lawn mower can save you time and energy with its speed and efficiency. While testing the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-inch Battery Riding Lawn Tractor we were impressed with its exceptional cutting performance, long battery runtime, and maneuverability. The electric mower has four steel blades that provide 13 different cutting height positions, ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 inches, for a very precise cut. We found that the mower was able to handle a variety of debris with ease, effectively chopping up sticks, leaves, grass clippings, and even short dandelions that normally would be difficult to cut. The cutting height can be adjusted using a manual lever on the mower’s right side. However, we did find that the lever was surprisingly close to your leg, which can result in unintentionally changing the cutting height, although we did not experience this issue ourselves.

While putting this battery-powered mower to the test after a rainy morning, we found that it had no trouble dealing with wet grass and cutting it evenly. Even when the grass was damp, the lawn mower effectively discharged the grass clippings. While we love that this mower gives you three options for grass clippings—bag, side-discharge, or mulch—note that you will have to purchase the bagger and mulching kit separately. We were also impressed with the riding mower’s quietness despite its size. When the cutting blades were not moving, the riding mower sound resembled that of a battery-powered ride-on car for kids. And, when the blades were spinning, the noise level was super low compared to traditional gas mowers.

The mower has an onboard LCD screen that lets you check the runtime and charging status and control the LED headlights, drive, and blade speeds. The battery percentage also appears on the digital display menu. You can even monitor the charging status while you are taking a break, using the Ryobi Riding Mower app. We found charging the mower to be a simple process. The battery arrived with just 23 percent charge, and it only took us about an hour to fully recharge. For each mowing session we did, only about 10 percent of the battery was utilized. While we would have preferred a physical speed control lever, we found it manageable to switch while driving. The mower has an accelerator pedal that allows for slow and precise maneuvering around obstacles while providing instant speed when necessary. The mower is also equipped with a backup beeping noise, which is intended as a safety feature but we found it annoying over time.

All in all, the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-inch Battery Riding Lawn Tractor is a great riding mower that offers a quiet and efficient mowing experience that eliminates the hassle of gas and oil. While this isn’t the best choice for small yards, if you want to keep your large yard looking great without a lot of effort, this is an excellent choice with lots of extras.

Price at time of publish: 4,999

Cutting Width: 42 inches | Weight: 557 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Cutting Options: Mulch, bag, or side-discharge

Best Zero-Turn

Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Battery Electric Cordless Zero Turn Riding Mower

12 height settings
Powerful performance
LCD screen and app to monitor battery life
Joystick steering

Zero-turn mowers are built to be fast and easily navigate obstacles, and the Ryobi Battery Electric Cordless Zero Turn Riding Mower does just that. We put the riding mower through its paces and found it to be a highly intuitive and easy-to-operate machine. Instead of a steering wheel, this riding mower has a joystick that can be operated with just one hand, for better maneuverability while turning. The joystick gave us complete control over the mower’s direction and speed, from a complete stop to top speed. With its impressive turning abilities, we were effortlessly able to mow around trees in a single pass, a task that would have previously required about four passes with a different mower.

Setting the cutting height was equally simple, thanks to the conveniently located lever that offered twelve height settings ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 inches. The mower even comes with a height-stopping key, that allowed us to adjust the mowing deck to our desired cutting height quickly. Overall, the mower did a phenomenal job of cutting the grass evenly. We did encounter some thicker grass areas in the yard, but we found that slowing down the mower’s speed allowed it to power through without any issues. We were able to mow our half-acre yard much faster with this mower compared to the Troy-Built Pony 17 HP 42-inch Deck Rider we previously used. In fact, it took us 40 percent less time to complete the task. It also is much quieter than the gas riding mower, and you don’t have to deal with flammable gas or oil changes.

The RYOBI 80V HP Brushless Riding Mower is equipped with two 80-volt, 10-amp hour batteries and two 40-volt, 12-amp hour batteries, providing ample power for extended mowing sessions. During our testing, we appreciated the ability to install up to three 80-volt and four 40-volt batteries, allowing us to extend the mower’s runtime even further. Charging the batteries was a breeze. We simply had to plug the charging cord into the rear of the mower to simultaneously charge all the onboard batteries. We were also delighted to find out that the 40-volt batteries can be used with different cordless Ryobi tools like trimmers and blowers, expanding the range of our outdoor power equipment collection.

And while it has many of the same features as the Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42 in. Battery Riding Lawn Tractor, this option has the power equivalent of a 31-horsepower gas engine and the ability to cut up to three acres on a single charge, according to the manufacturer. It also offers an app to monitor the battery status and has an LCD screen onboard so you can control the LED headlights, blade and drive speed, as well as monitor the battery, runtime, and charging status. This is an expensive mower, but we think it is an excellent zero-turn option that will make your lawn look great quickly and efficiently.

Price at time of publish: 6,999

Cutting Width: 42 inches | Weight: 700 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, side-discharge

Best Heavy-Duty

Toro 22 60V MAX Electric Battery SMARTSTOW Personal Pace High Wheel Mower

Automatically adjusts to walking pace
Nine cutting positions
Vortex Technology results in finer grass clippings
Quick-connect bagging and mulching

Toro’s cordless, walk-behind mower is a powerful and precise piece of machinery. It has a three-phase brushless motor that maximizes RPM and torque, and a 22-inch deck. While it may come with a fairly steep price tag, its advanced features make mowing hassle-free. There are nine different cutting positions available, ranging from 1 inch to 4 inches, so you can make a clean cut even in tight spaces. Toro’s patented Vortex Technology also ensures finer grass clippings and a healthier lawn.

The mower comes with one battery that can run for up to 40 minutes, allowing you to cut up to 0.33 of an acre on a single charge. However, some users have reported the battery running out of juice in half that time. The mower’s 10-inch rear wheels provide excellent traction on tough terrain without damaging your lawn. It also features a self-propelled transmission that adjusts to your walking pace, making it easy to maneuver. Thanks to its quick-connect bagging system, you can easily switch from mulching to bagging. Despite its heavy weight, the Toro Recycler Walk Behind Mower folds up compactly for easy storage.

Price at time of publish: 729

Cutting Width: 22 inches | Weight: 95 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Cutting Options: Mulch, bag, or side-discharge

Best for Small Yards

Worx WG779 Power Share 40-Volt 14-Inch Cordless Walk Behind Mower

Lightweight and easy to maneuver
Dual charging port for batteries
Battery charge indicator
Batteries compatible with other Worx tools

The Worx Power Share Battery Walk-Behind Mower has a 14-inch cutting deck that can cut up to 0.12 acres per charge, making it an ideal choice for smaller yards. At 29 pounds, it’s light enough for almost any user to handle. This unit is equipped with two batteries and a dual charging port to maximize the recharging time. For added convenience, there’s an on-board battery charge indicator that lets you know when you’re running out of juice. Another great thing about these batteries is that they’re compatible with a variety of other Worx tools.

This mower has six height adjustments, and you can easily add more torque with the turn of a knob. It also has the ability to mulch or bag grass clippings, and you can easily gauge when the bag is full, thanks to its transparent plastic top. Keep in mind that this compact model is best-suited for smaller jobs, so you will need to limit your expectations when it comes to performance. According to some reports that we read, it has difficulty powering through tough grass, and it sometimes stalls on lips and edges.

Price at time of publish: 300

Cutting Width: 14 inches | Weight: 29.1 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch

Best Cordless

Makita 36-Volt Lithium-Ion Push Lawn Mower

Powerful motor
Durable construction
10 cutting heights
Optional quiet mode
Includes extra set of batteries

If you’re looking for a cordless, battery-powered option, this push mower from Makita won’t disappoint. The brushless motor is incredibly powerful, delivering up to 3,300 RPM. This tool is powered by two 18-volt batteries, but four batteries are included, so you can swap them out for extended run time. All together, the batteries deliver up to 43 minutes of runtime. The handlebar has a rubberized grip for user comfort, and the handles fold for compact storage.

The Makita Push Lawn Mower has an 18-inch commercial-grade steel deck for optimal durability. It features a wide range of cutting heights—10 settings ranging from 0.81 to 3 inches. Though it performs well on most turf types, this mower may struggle a bit in overgrown grass. It has the ability to bag, mulch, or rear-discharge clippings. There’s even a quiet mode so you can mow your lawn without disturbing your neighbors.

Price at time of publish: 599

Cutting Width: 18 inches | Weight: 60.46 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Cutting Options: Bag, mulch, rear-discharge

Best Robot

Worx Landroid Robotic Mower

Fully automated
Customize mowing schedules via app
Navigates 20-degree slopes
Detects rain and avoids obstacles

Tired of mowing the lawn? This fully automated, robotic lawn mower does all of the work for you. It can mow medium-sized lawns up to 1/4 acre in size. To set it up, you’ll need to put down a boundary wire around your yard and connect the mower to the app. You can start or stop the machine, set up a mowing schedule, and check the mowing progress via the app. The Landroid is equipped with an 8-inch cutting width, the height of which can be adjusted between 1.9 and 3.5 inches. Two brushless wheel motors give it enough traction to navigate 20-degree slopes.

If the mower encounters an obstacle, it will simply back away. For more precise detection, an additional collision is available at an additional cost. It can also be programmed to avoid certain areas of your yard. When the Landroid detects rain or the battery runs low, it will return to the docking to either recharge or wait until the lawn is dry. With all of these features, the Landroid Robotic Mower is certainly worthy of its steep price tag. One thing worth noting is that even though this robotic option gets fairly close to the edges of a yard, you’ll likely need a string trimmer for touch-ups every so often.

Price at time of publish: 2,000

Cutting Width: 8 inches | Weight: 48.5 pounds | Power Source: Battery | Cutting Options: None

Compare

After testing this mower in our own backyard, the EGO LM2102SP POWER 21-Inch Cordless Self-Propelled Mower earns our top spot. This powerful mower offers up to an hour of uninterrupted runtime and is easy to use, thanks to self-propelled technology. We also love the adjustable and foldable handle for compact storage. If you’re looking for a more affordable option for your small yard, we found the Greenworks Electric Corded Lawn Mower to be compact and lightweight enough to navigate around obstacles with ease, and offers unlimited runtime, as long as you don’t mind a cord.

How We Tested the Electric Lawn Mowers

We tested eight walk-behind lawn mowers including gas, electric corded, and cordless, battery-powered models in our own yards across the country. After putting them to the test on our own lawns—ranging from small to large—we evaluated them on setup, design, performance, usability, safety, and value. For the first use, we timed setting up the lawn mower and noted what assembly, if any, was required, and if the instructions were detailed and easy to follow. We also recorded the battery charging time if it was a cordless model. We then used the mowers on three separate occasions when the weather and growing conditions allowed and recorded the length of grass cut, the surface area of the yard mowed, and the time it took to accomplish the task. We noted how easy (or not) it was to start the mower, adjust the handle, adjust the speed (if self-propelled), and change the cutting heights. We also evaluated the different features including bagging, mulching, and side-discharge options (if included) for the grass clippings. Aside from evaluating each mower’s set up and features, after use, we noted how easy it was to navigate around obstacles, up slopes, and other challenging areas including uneven or tall grass. We then looked at the appearance of the lawn and noted if it looked evenly cut. We also noted all of the safety features as well as any extra features such as LED headlights, foldable handles for storage, cord management systems, and more. After testing, the top electric mowers were added to this list. In our latest round of testing, we tested six riding lawn mowers in our yards and evaluated them on the same criteria explained above. We conducted thorough testing and compared the results with our previous product recommendations in order to provide the best suggestions possible. We made adjustments to the categories based on standout performance, either by swapping out or adding new options.

What to Look for in an Electric Lawn Mower

Mower Type

Electric mowers fall into four main categories: push, self-propelled, riding, and robot mowers. Choosing the right model depends on the size of your lawn, budget, and how much labor you’re willing to put in. Push mowers require that you walk behind them and manually propel them. Since they lack many of the features that you’ll find on more advanced electric lawn mowers, push mowers tend to cost significantly less. Push mowers also require the most amount of labor, making them an ideal choice for small to medium-sized yards with relatively flat terrain. We like the Greenworks Electric Corded Lawn Mower because it is very easy to navigate around your yard and comes at a very budget-friendly price. Self-propelled mowers are equipped with technology that propels the wheels as you mow. These mowers are often significantly pricier than push mowers, but they require a lot less effort on the user’s part. A self-propelled mower like the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21 Inch Cordless Self-Propelled Mower is a great choice for medium-sized to large lawns with sloped or uneven terrain. An electric riding mower is the most powerful option—and likewise the most expensive. Users must either sit or stand on the machine in order to operate it. With an ultra-wide cutting swath and the ability to navigate difficult terrain, a riding mower is well-suited for large yards with steeper slopes. We love the Ryobi Battery Electric Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor because it can cut up to two acres on a single charge and offers plenty of great features. Robot lawn mowers are typically programmed through an app, allowing them to operate autonomously with little to no effort. Some initial setup is required, but a robot mower can be programmed to mow your lawn automatically, avoid collisions and inclement weather, and more. Although they’re incredibly convenient, robotic models also have a shorter runtime and a smaller cutting width swath, limiting their use to smaller yards. Our top choice in this category, the Worx WR147 Landroid Robotic Mower, is almost 100 percent autonomous once it’s been set up.

Power Source

Cordless electric lawn mowers run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. A cordless model gives you more flexibility and portability because it doesn’t restrict your movement. However, you will have to be mindful of the battery life, which typically runs down between 30 and 60 minutes. Some cordless electric mowers come with extra batteries that can be swapped out to extend their runtime. You could also purchase a second battery to increase the operating time. That way, you don’t have to worry about running out of juice mid-task. Our top choice for a cordless model, Makita 18-Volt X2 LXT Lithium-Ion Push Lawn Mower, includes an extra set of batteries so users can mow longer without having to recharge. The biggest advantage to a corded electric lawn mower is that it provides unlimited power. Corded models typically cost less than their battery-operated counterparts. However, your movement is restricted to the cord’s length. A corded mower must be used with a heavy-duty extension cord, which is often sold separately. Most manufacturers recommend a 12-gauge or 14-gauge cord, but you should always refer to the owner’s manual to ensure safe operation.

Deck Size

Deck size refers to the width of the mower, and determines how wide a path it can cut. A wider deck size results in a wider cutting swath, allowing you to cover a larger area in one pass. The standard deck size on both push and self-propelled mowers typically ranges from 13 to 22 inches. Robotic mowers usually have a much smaller cutting deck between 5 and 10 inches. Riding mowers, on the other hand, can have a deck size as wide as 54 inches. A riding mower is best-suited for large lawns that normally take a good deal of time to mow. Our top pick for zero-turn, the Ryobi Battery Electric Cordless Zero Turn Riding Mower has a 42-inch deck and 12 cutting heights to make short work of a big job, navigating around obstacles with ease.

Motor Power and Type

Cordless electric mowers that run on batteries produce anywhere from 18 to 20 volts of power. The higher the voltage, the longer the motor will run on a single charge. Likewise, a mower with a higher voltage will allow you to cover more ground in one pass. Higher voltage is usually necessary to mow large lawns and generate enough torque to cut through tall, dense grass. The amp rating is also important in determining how powerful an electric lawn mower is. For example, a 12-amp electric mower can power through tough grass, while a 6-amp model would struggle. A corded electric lawn mower typically draws between 6 and 13 amps from a standard outlet. The battery on most cordless models delivers about 18 amps per hour.

Brushless vs. Brushed Motor

Brushless motors are more efficient, because they don’t lose much energy through friction and heat, both of which could potentially damage the motor. Plus, you don’t have to worry about replacing brushes when they wear out. All of these factors contribute to a more reliable performance and less maintenance. Brushed motors, on the other hand, generate more heat, which explains their tendency to stall and overheat. Although brushed motors are more affordable upfront, you may pay more for maintenance in the long run. You’ll also need to replace worn-out brushes as needed, which is an additional expense.

Standout Features

Grass Bag Catcher

A grass bag catcher attaches to the side or rear of a lawn mower and collects grass clippings. Grass cuttings are collected in a bag at the same time as they are cut. This is a convenient feature because it saves you from having to bag or clean up the clippings yourself. With a grass-catching bag, your lawn will look neat and well-maintained after mowing.

Mulcher

An electric lawn mower with mulching capabilities will chop grass up finely and drop the clippings back onto the lawn. As the clippings decompose, they release nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, into the soil. Since mulching naturally improves the health of your lawn, it may need fewer fertilizer treatments.

Adjustable Cutting Height

Most electric lawn mowers have an adjustable cutting height, ranging from 1 to 4 inches, which allows users to cut a variety of grasses and tackle tall, overgrown lawns. As a general rule of thumb, the ideal height for cool-season grass is about 2 1/2 inches. When mowing, you should only remove about the top third of the grass blades.

“The lifespan of an electric lawn mower varies, based on make, model, and consumer care practices,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI). “Just like other outdoor equipment, with proper maintenance, charging, and battery storage practices, then the electric lawn mower can easily meet the user’s expectations.”

Regularly inspect the cords for nicks and frays, as well as the batteries for any damage or deformities.
Confirm that all of the vents are free from debris.
Be sure to only use batteries and chargers in conjunction with manufacturer recommendations.

In the case of electric lawn mowers, convenience comes with a cost. Push mowers are on the lower end of the price scale, but they also require the most amount of manual labor. Self-propelled mowers typically cost several hundred dollars more than push mowers, but they reduce the amount of manual labor that’s needed. advanced models, such as robotic and riding mowers, can be quite expensive, but they essentially do all the work for you. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to put in the labor or pay more to make your life easier.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Sage McHugh, a home and lifestyle writer who has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019. To select the best electric lawn mowers for this roundup, she considered dozens of products, carefully evaluating their motor type, power source, cutting width, special features, and overall performance. McHugh consulted hundreds of customer reviews, as well as write-ups from third-party websites. For additional insight, she interviewed Kris Kiser, president and CEO of Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI).

Jenica Currie, Commerce Editor for The Spruce updated this list with insights gathered from testing various electric lawn mowers in our own backyards across the country. She also added additional picks and reporting.

What Is The Spruce Approved?

Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure that we fully stand behind every product we recommend and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all of these products ourselves, though occasionally, we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut.

Why Is Your Electric Lawn Mower Smoking? 10 Causes

Are you mowing your lawn with an electric mower and noticing some smoke coming from the machine? It’s not just your lawn that’s in trouble – you could be doing damage to the mower, too. But why is your electric lawn mower smoking?

If your electric lawn mower is smoking, it could be due to an overheating motor. When the motor overheats, the insulation around the wires can break down, causing a short circuit. This can cause the wires to overheat and melt, emitting smoke.

This post will discuss ten potential causes of smoking electric lawnmowers. I’ll also give some tips on how to fix each problem so you can get back to mowing your lawn without any smoke. Read on to learn more!

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The Motor Is Overheating

One of the common reasons why an electric lawn mower is smoking is because it’s overheating. When an electric lawn mower overheats, the motor can start to smoke.

Some of the things that can cause the motor to overheat include:

The motor is dirty: Over time, the motor on an electric lawn mower can get dirty. This can happen if you don’t clean the underside of the mower deck regularly. When the motor gets too dirty, it can’t cool itself properly and will start to overheat.
Something is caught in the blades: If something is caught in the blades of your mower, it can cause the motor to overheat. Be sure to check the blades regularly and remove any debris that may be caught in them.
The grass is too tall: If the grass is too tall, it can put a strain on the motor. That can cause the motor to overheat and start smoking.
The mower is old: An electric lawn mower that’s starting to smoke may just be old. Over time, the parts in the motor can wear out and cause it to overheat.

Here are a few signs that your mower’s motor is overheating:

The mower’s blades stop spinning.
The mower starts to smell like it’s burning.
The mower starts smoking.

How To Fix

If the mower is smoking because the motor is overheating, you’ll need to take it to a repair shop. The technician will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it.

Besides taking it to a repair shop, there are a few things you can do to prevent the motor from overheating:

Clean the mower regularly: Be sure to clean the underside of the mower deck and the area around the blades.
Check the blades often: Remove any debris that may be caught in the blades.
Don’t let the grass get too tall: Cut the grass when it’s no taller than 3 inches (7.62 cm).

The Motor Is Worn Out

Another common reason your electric lawn mower is smoking is that the motor is worn out. Over time, the motor will wear down and eventually need to be replaced.

Here are a few signs that your mower’s motor is worn out:

The mower doesn’t run as well as it used to.
The mower starts to smoke.
You’ve had your mower for a while.

How To Fix

If the motor on your lawn mower is damaged, it will need to be replaced. However, before you replace the entire motor, you should take it to a professional to have it inspected. They may be able to repair the damage and save you some money in the long run.

Besides, a new motor is a big investment, so you want to be sure that it’s absolutely necessary before you make the purchase.

That said, here are a few tips to help you choose the right motor for your lawn mower:

Choose a motor with the same voltage as your old one.
Choose a motor with the same manufacturer as your old one.
Choose a motor with the same model number as your old one.
Check the owner’s manual for compatibility.

John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Zero Turn Mower

The Mower Is Overloaded

Another common reason for an electric lawn mower to start smoking is that it’s overloaded. When a mower is overloaded, it can cause the motor to overheat and start smoking.

Some of the things that can cause a mower to become overloaded include:

The grass is too tall: If the grass is too tall, it can put a strain on the motor. Try mowing the lawn more often so that the grass isn’t too tall when you do mow.
The blade is dull: A dull blade can also cause a mower to work harder than it should.
You’re going too fast: Mowing too quickly can also overload the motor. Slow down and take your time when mowing the lawn.

How To Fix

If your mower is smoking because it’s overloaded, consider these tips to prevent it from happening again:

Try mowing the lawn more often so that the grass isn’t too tall.
Sharpen the blades on your mower.
Slow down when you’re mowing the lawn. Take your time, and don’t try to hurry through it.

There’s a Short in the Wiring

Another reason why the mower may be smoking is that there’s a short in the wiring. This can happen if the wires are frayed or damaged in some way, causing an electrical current to arc between them.

The current can create a lot of heat, which can then cause the insulation on the wires to start burning. In addition, a short circuit can also damage the electrical components in the mower, causing them to fail.

How To Fix

If the wiring on your lawn mower is damaged, it’ll need to be repaired or replaced. That said, before you start tinkering with the wiring, it’s important to disconnect the mower from the power source.

Once the mower is disconnected, follow these steps:

Inspect the wiring. If you see any damage, such as frayed wires or exposed insulation, it will need to be repaired or replaced.
Reattach any loose wires.
If the wiring is damaged beyond repair, you’ll need to purchase new wiring and have it installed by a professional.

You Have Worn-Out Blades

Another common reason for an electric lawn mower to start smoking is worn-out blades. When the blades on your lawn mower are worn out, they can cause the motor to overwork, which can lead to it overheating and smoking.

Additional signs that your mower’s blades are worn out include:

The mower isn’t cutting the grass well.
The mower is leaving streaks in the grass.
The mower is making a lot of noise.

How To Fix

If the blades on your lawn mower are damaged, they’ll need to be replaced. That way, you can be sure that they’re sharp enough to cut the grass properly without straining the motor and causing the mower to smoke.

However, be sure to check the manufacturer’s website or the owner’s manual to find the correct blade size and type for your model of lawn mower.

The Deck Has Accumulated Grass and Debris

The deck of your lawnmower is an important part of the machine. It helps to deflect grass and debris away from the blades and motors, keeping them running smoothly (source).

However, if you don’t clean the underside of the deck regularly, it can start to accumulate grass and debris. That can cause the motor to overheat and start smoking. In addition, it can make it difficult for the blades to spin properly, resulting in a less effective cut.

Here are the typical signs that it’s time to clean your mower’s deck:

The deck is visibly dirty.
Grass and debris are accumulating on the underside of the deck.
The mower is leaving clumps of grass behind.
The mower is leaving a trail of debris behind.

How To Fix

If the deck on your lawn mower is dirty, it’s time to give it a good cleaning. As I mentioned, a build-up of grass and debris can cause the motor to overheat and smoke.

Here’s how you can clean your lawn mower deck:

Switch off the mower and disconnect it from the power source.
Tip the mower onto its side so that you can access the deck.
Use a putty knife or a stiff brush to remove any built-up grass and debris.
Use a hose to rinse off the deck and remove any remaining dirt.
Allow the deck to dry completely before you use the mower again.

The Mower’s Belt Is Broken or Worn Out

Another common reason for an electric lawn mower to start smoking is a broken or worn-out belt. The belt is what drives the blades on the mower, so when it’s not working properly, it can cause the motor to overwork. That can lead to the motor overheating and smoking.

Additional signs that the belt may be the issue include:

The blades are not spinning.
The mower is making a squealing noise.
There is visible damage to the belt.

How To Fix

If the belt on your lawn mower is damaged, it’ll need to be replaced. The good news is that lawn mower belts are relatively inexpensive and easy to find.

Here are a few tips to help you choose the right belt for your lawn mower:

Check the manufacturer’s website or the owner’s manual to find the correct belt size and type for your model of lawn mower.
Be sure to measure the old belt before you purchase a new one. That will ensure that you get the right size.
If possible, take the old belt with you when you go to purchase a new one so that you can compare them side by side.
If you’re unsure about which belt to purchase, ask a sales associate at the store for assistance.

Note: For the best results, ask a professional to help you install the new belt. That way, you can be sure that it’s installed correctly and won’t cause any damage to your lawn mower.

The Discharge Chute Is Blocked

The discharge chute on your lawn mower is responsible for directing the grass clippings away from the blades and out of the back of the mower. However, if the discharge chute becomes blocked, it can cause the grass to build up under the deck. That can lead to the motor overheating and smoking.

Here are a few signs that the discharge chute is blocked:

The grass isn’t being discharged from the back of the mower.
The engine is working harder than usual.
Grass is building up under the deck.

How To Fix

If the discharge chute on your lawn mower is clogged, it’s time to clear it out.

Here’s how you can clear a clogged discharge chute:

Switch off the mower and disconnect it from the power source.
Remove the discharge chute from the mower.
Use a garden hose to rinse out the discharge chute and remove any built-up grass or debris.
Reattach the discharge chute to the mower.

Caution: Be sure not to tear or damage the discharge chute while you’re clearing it out. Otherwise, you’ll need to replace it.

The Mower Is Old

Another potential reason why your mower is smoking is simply because it’s old. Like any other machine, lawn mowers have a lifespan. And after a certain amount of time, they just aren’t able to work as well as they used to. So if your mower is starting to smoke, it may be time for an upgrade.

That said, here are the tell-tale signs that your mower is on its last legs:

It’s hard to start.
It doesn’t run as smoothly as it used to.
It’s leaving clumps of grass behind.
It’s smoking.

That said, be sure to check out When To Replace a Lawn Mower (and How To Choose) for more information on how to tell if your mower is due for an upgrade. Besides, the article provides some great tips on how to choose the right lawn mower for your needs.

How To Fix

If your lawn mower is smoking and you can’t figure out why, or it’s just not working properly, it might be time to buy a new one.

While it’s certainly not the cheapest option, it will save you the hassle of trying to repair an old mower. Plus, you can be sure that a new mower will be more reliable and won’t cause any smoking problems.

When you’re shopping for a new electric lawn mower, be sure to read the reviews. That way, you can find one that’s right for your needs and won’t have any smoking issues.

In that case, a lot of folks have been pleased with the EGO Power LM2101 21-Inch 56-Volt Lithium-ion Cordless Lawn Mower (link to Amazon). It provides up to 45 minutes of uninterrupted runtime and has a 21-inch cutting deck for a fast and efficient mow.

You’ve Been Mowing for Too Long

Finally, an electric lawn mower to start smoking if you’ve been mowing for too long. Remember, these machines are not built to run for hours on end. So if you’ve been mowing your lawn for an extended time, it’s not surprising that the motor would start to overheat and smoke.

How To Fix

If you’ve been mowing for a while and the motor starts to smoke, the best thing to do is to take a break. Turn off the mower and let it cool down for a few minutes. Once it’s cooled off, you can start mowing again.

That way, you can avoid damaging the motor and prolong the life of your mower. Besides, a little break can do you some good too.

Summary

An electric lawn mower can smoke due to many factors. A common cause is that the motor is overheating. However, there are a few other potential causes, such as a clogged discharge chute or old age.

If you’re having trouble with your lawn mower smoking, the best thing to do is to call a professional for help. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs.

Electric mower deck motor. John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower, 42-in. Deck

US5502957A. Electric lawn mower with intelligent control. Google Patents

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Abstract

Description

Electric Zero Turn Mower from John Deere

Claims ( 13 )

John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower, 42-in. Deck

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Run with us to an electric tomorrow.

Electric performance without compromise

Free yourself from gasoline

Built for the outdoors

Rugged and durable construction

Comfort features make mowing enjoyable

Familiar and intuitive controls

Simplified maintenance

3-year or 200-hour bumper-to-bumper warranty

Do more with your Z370R Electric ZTrak™ Mower

Help maintain your Z370R and lawn with the MowerPlus™ app

Key Specs

Drive Train

Travel Speed

Chassis

Seat

Lift System

Mower Deck

Dimensions

Operation

The 10 Best Electric Lawn Mowers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

EGO Power Select Cut 56-Volt 21-Inch Self-Propelled Cordless Lawn Mower

How It Performed Long-Term

Best Budget

Greenworks 12 Amp 20-Inch 3-in-1 Corded Lawn Mower

Best Self-Propelled

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21-Inch Dual-Blade Self-Propelled Mower

How It Performed Long-Term

Best Push

Sun Joe MJ401E-P2 Electric Lawn Mower

How It Performed Long-Term

Best Riding

Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Electric Cordless Riding Lawn Tractor

Best Zero-Turn

Ryobi 80V HP Brushless 42-Inch Battery Electric Cordless Zero Turn Riding Mower

Best Heavy-Duty

Toro 22 60V MAX Electric Battery SMARTSTOW Personal Pace High Wheel Mower

Best for Small Yards

Worx WG779 Power Share 40-Volt 14-Inch Cordless Walk Behind Mower

Best Cordless

Makita 36-Volt Lithium-Ion Push Lawn Mower

Best Robot

Worx Landroid Robotic Mower

Compare

How We Tested the Electric Lawn Mowers

What to Look for in an Electric Lawn Mower

Mower Type

Power Source

Deck Size

Motor Power and Type

Brushless vs. Brushed Motor

Standout Features

Grass Bag Catcher

Mulcher

Adjustable Cutting Height

Why Trust The Spruce?

What Is The Spruce Approved?

Why Is Your Electric Lawn Mower Smoking? 10 Causes

The Motor Is Overheating

How To Fix

The Motor Is Worn Out

How To Fix

John Deere Z370R Electric ZTrak Zero Turn Mower

The Mower Is Overloaded

How To Fix

There’s a Short in the Wiring

How To Fix

You Have Worn-Out Blades