Something a little lighter with a Lithium battery, and an Aussie owner and Korean hotpot for the battery supplier!
72V 18Ah Samsung Lithium battery.
(That’s equal to around 8 standard batteries as used on battery push mowers.)
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And cheaper…by $600.
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If I was to waste so much water on lawn, surely it would be right to fill the atmosphere with exhaust gas as well? I’ll keep my John Deere LX188 thankyou - in semi-retirement as I have no lawn 
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Perhaps we need to take another look at the problem.
One part of this photo from the test line up represents the field of many home owners urban dreams.
Another portion looks more like our back yard.
They are of course sold as ‘residential lawn’ mowers.
Amazing the transformation the test team accomplished in just one afternoon? 
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I agree with Mark M - I’m an 80 year old with 2 lawn tractors (18 & 28 HP) both bought new 20 and 10 years ago I am on a half acre block and I find that about 90% of engine hours were and are used for pulling lawn trailers - I do all my own maintenance on the mowers (recently replacing the engine of one from 23hp Kohler to a 25hp Briggs and Stratton) I really feel happy knowing I do all my own work - but I realise that I’m weird in this respect
I’m also probably also the least “green” reader of choice but I will change over to rechargeable lawn tractors in a shot as soon as a suitable one arrives - ICE lawn tractors are now walking dead - However this is not likely to happen for a few years yet
It is crucial that lithium ion batteries are installed and are of proper voltage and amp hours to do the job - Also that the wheels ant tyres are of such a size as to be suitable on lawns and slopes - Also the price for what you get is ridiculous at the moment -Au$2500 for the equivalent of a 18HP ICE lawn tractor would be a fair price and with full replacement battery packs at under $150
I remember throwing out about $1000 worth NICAD tools once I saw the benefit of lithium ion powered tools and the initial prices came down - now I mostly ignore the petrol driven equipment I have except for where heavy duty power is needed as in post hole digging and water blasting ( although even in that I like the Worx Hydroshot for low power water blasting like a/c condenser coils)
So to sum up rechargeable lawn tractors are the future BUT not for about 3-5 years
One more option - Toro eS3000. A similar style to the Ryobi available from Bunnings. Toro might say otherwise. 72V lead acid AGM battery pack, not lithium at the price point.
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Choice have previously reviewed the EGO lithium battery push mower/s. While EGO have an Australian distributor, they don’t import a full range of their US available garden equipment.
One item of interest is a 42” cut zero turn mower with 4/6 lithium batteries and a claimed 8000sqm/2acre endurance.
Pricing US$5499-$6999 or approx AU$7400-$9350 depending on exchange rate and how the taxes fall. Note ICE powered 42” zero turns locally start at around AU$5000 which may partly explain the lack of import of the better quality battery alternatives.
A lithium battery powered alternative that is available, but with just a 30” cut and lesser duty.
https://www.mowersupastore.com.au/bushranger-72v-battery-powered-30-ride-on-mower-e-rider/
There is a premium for lithium battery technology in Australia. Other battery ride on options (various battery technologies) include products from Ryobi, Toro and Hasqvarna (currently not avail in Aus). It would be great to have an independent test of what is available, similar to how Choice has tested the battery push mowers. The efficiency and power of the battery models are difficult to reliably compare with the current popular petrol powered alternatives. Annually the fuel, filters, oil and other maintenance needs for a petrol mower are significant and may offset the added cost of a battery ride on. It assumes equal performance.
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One more to add to the list of options for battery zero turns. I’m not one to frequent Bunnings. Perhaps some have seen these in store. I’ve yet to see one locally. Ryobi USA indicates there is also a 50” deck model.
Interesting observations the electric version is very similar in operation to a conventional ICE powered zero turn. The one major difference is the addition of a dual purpose foot and park brake.
With a kerb weight of 300kg the battery the Ryobi is 60-80kg heavier than a run of the mill John Deere.
The battery pack appears to be lead acid AGM, which are best not run to flat. Performance suggested by Bunnings.
Impressive run time with up to 2.5-3hr / 3 acres of coverage (Run time may vary depending on conditions)
3 acres is approx 1.2ha.
The battery system is nominally 5kWh of storage. Whether that is usable and corresponds to 100% dod or the pack had a hidden reserve to improve battery longevity is not mentioned.
Curiosity is to ask whether a lithium battery pack would be a better option.
The Bunnings pricing is competitive with ICE equivalents. 
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Has anybody bought or used the EGO 42 in deck, Li-ion battery zero turn mower?
@BrendanMays could you enquire please if there are any plans for Choice to review it?
It seems quite capable and overseas reviews are favourable but I am uncertain about its capacity to deal with heavy conditions on acreage.
If you have used one or seen it used a report would be very welcome.
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That’s a pretty serious piece of equipment!
CHOICE has reviewed six ride-on mowers, but not the EGO. I will pass on the suggestion to the product testers.
I’ve seen and used some similar zero-turn mowers in this type of setting, the models in this case were from Walker and Husqvarna. Generally speaking, they handle large lawns or ‘uncomplicated’ parks or paddocks pretty well. But heavier stuff (thick grass longer than calf/knee height or tussock, rocky ground or other debris etc) and especially measured in acres, then no doubt you’d also be considering a traditional slasher. We also used a hand propelled slasher, they can get you out of trouble if there’s only a few areas of really tough stuff or if the terrain is not suitable for a tractor.
I think @syncretic when considering heavy conditions would be referring more to the thickness and type of grasses rather than free ranging paddocks with taller pasture.
The two obvious concerns are the cutting power/ability and reliable battery run time for varying lawn or acreage conditions.
Is there value in a desktop review, pending the market maturing?
There’s an increasing availability of battery ride ons. The EGO 42” is near the top. My pick for a battery ride on would be the front deck mounted Husqvarna (not currently available in Oz?). It’s more than suitable (at the top of the price range) for smaller blocks where manoeuvrability is important.
Food (mowers) for further thought, ($4k -$11k)
‘eS3000SD 30" (76cm) Battery Powered Ride-On Mower - Toro Australia
Or
Electric Ride On Mowers | Cub Cadet
Or
‘https://www.greenworksaustralia.com/product/60v-42-ride-on-mower/
And some more,
https://aussiegreenthumb.com/electric-riding-mowers/
The cheapest at present $3699?
‘https://www.edisons.com.au/garden/garden-power-tools/lawn-mowers/ride-on-lawn-mowers
I was about to suggest that until John Deere join the electric revolution it’s not worth considering.
And 3 out of our price range?
‘Electric 52" & 60" Commercial Ride-On Mowers | Eco Teq Mowers | Electric Zero Turn Mowers
Aside from the commercial versions, I suspect the others are more suited to a playing field or sports ground standard of lawn than a horse paddock? I may be wrong.
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The Robb Report, and the fact they reported on John Deere deserves perspective on the demographic the Robb Report targets. Price is not so much of an issue for their core readers 
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One can buy more expensive mowers than the John Deere and the EGO if one needs the most luxurious toys. If you go into the all terrain and ‘professional’ levels, something for the kids to burn around the summer holiday property will cost you upwards of $15,000 and $25,000 is not out of the question.
I am looking at the EGO because it would be healthier to ride and over its lifetime cheaper to own and run than replacing my ageing petrol mower with another. Fuel, oil, belts etc cost serious money over a year, where a battery mower needs none of those and can be charged from the solar array. And I do look forward to not doing the maintenance too.
It is interesting that many of the battery ride-on mowers available OS (the JD and Husqvarna for example) are not available in Oz AFAIK.
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There’s a significant degree of variance in efficiency between different products. Note only the last 2 are currently available to the Aussie market.
Husqvarna with 33.5” deck up to 4700 sqm (nom 2kWh lithium battery).
John Deere with 42” deck up to 8100sqm (nom 3.2kWh lithium-ion battery)
EGO with 42” deck up to 8100sqm (nom 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery)
Ryobi with 42” deck up to 12000sqm (nom 4.8kWh lead acid AGM batteries)
The EGO is the most optomistic performer, although for approx AU$1100 it can be supplied with
2 extra battery packs.
The Ryobi is priced comparable with the lower end 42” brand name petrol powered alternatives. The AGM batteries are the greatest obvious difference. The Bunnings retail advantage (sales per sqm per staffing) may also be a factor.
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Same might be said for the availability of BEV’s.
We’ve a local mower specialist who handles EGO. Several of the neighbours have been successful in talking the local mower and small farm machinery retailers to bring a demo machine to their acres for a trial demo. One way to size up the cutting power and speed for your typical backyard. It might need a longer run to size up the battery life.
Note:
Looking to personal experience with a larger sized zero turn (50” deck 18kW Vee twin ICE) which consumes 3-4 litres of fuel per hour. Higher in summer and the lower in winter. IE 7-9 kg CO2 plus other emissions per hour, and approx 7.5-10kWh of average ICE output to the deck and transmission drive belts. Practical mowing speeds deliver around 4000 sqm per hour depending! Pristine couch lawn it’s not.
This suggests for us up to 5-7kWh of battery capacity would be required to cut 4000 sqm if the total drive losses were 30%. YMMV? For endurance the John Deere spec mower might come close if the task is split into 2 sessions, or the EGO if an extra 2 batteries are purchased for a total of 3.1 kWh.
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I am looking for a demo too. Please post it you hear any solid reports on that.
As for endurance, I am thinking along the lines of a couple of hours of mowing in the morning, re-charge while the sun is high (and I retreat out of the sun and re-charge self) then another couple of hours mowing when the sun is lower. The optional sun shade is looking good too. There is value in being on your own timetable!
With ride-on mowers, especially battery powered, compatibility of the batteries with other tools is relevant, and in many cases a key decision criterion. e.g. Chainsaws, edgers, blowers. As we get older, (or sadly more arthritic), the weight of these tools becomes important. A plug-in cable connector to a large battery source to run a larger electric chain saw would be pretty useful without having the battery weight on the saw.
FWIW, I I’ve had a trusty old Cub Cadet 38" for ~20 years. It’s cut through creeper vines around 2 feet thick without blinking. Mulching blades. I entertained replacing it with something the Ego, but at $10K I’d want to be certain it will be at least as good as the old CC, and realised that you need to buy into the entire eco-system - of other power tools, and longevity of connectors and other compatibility sensitive parts. E.g. would the batteries readily work with other brands of appliance, assuming voltage/current compatibility (as in are the plugs proprietary).
Or are these like certain computers, where you’re essentially locked in?
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One is essentially buying into the brand ecosystem. Aldi and others have also changed the battery designs on newer products, leaving owners of older equipment stranded.
At 3.5kg the 12Ah 56V batteries used with the Ego ride on mower are likely too heavy to be practical for many other tools/yard equipment.
Stihl for one does offer a back pack (extension cable) heavy duty battery system that reduces the accessory weight. I’ve seen it in use with Energex Staff doing fallen tree clearing. There are also belt mount battery options for several brands.
Amazon etc list a variety of so called universal adaptors to use non OEM battery packs in place of the original. Caution advised.
The EU has seen fit to force all mobile devices to use the same charge connector in the future. To the average consumer it seems worth the argument, standardising rechargeable battery mounts/connection will offer a greater benefit. After all the industry has long accepted competition and standardisation of battery/cell packaging. EG AA, C, D etc.
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Yes and no. The lithium mower batteries are all a proprietary format as far as I can see (EGO is) and only interchangeable with the same brand’s gear. The AGM (sealed lead-acid) batteries are common and can be used in many things in principle as they have standard terminals. In practice high capacity AGM batteries are rather heavy and unless you also have a golf buggy, mobility scooter or similar they are not much use as they don’t go into power tools or garden equipment.
Although the EGO batteries could be used elsewhere the charger plugs into the mower not the batteries, so it looks like they are intended to be recharged in-situ and not swapped out. Having two sets to allow you to keep mowing while the spares charge does not look like a planned design feature and would be very expensive if you could get a charger for them.
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If it assists to clarify - our local dealer suggested the batteries as used in the Z6 ride on mower fit all other Ego power tools. The mower does come with a dedicated charger 56V 24A (1600W) to charge the installed 4 or 6 pack in situ.
The following indicates the 56V 12Ah batteries used in the Z6 can be charged independently using the Turbo 700W and 360W standalone chargers, one battery at a time.
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