Silent electric lawn mower. Does John Deere Make an Electric Riding Lawn Mower

Does John Deere Make an Electric Riding Lawn Mower?

Interest in electric vehicles has continued to increase over recent years. With more people interested in “going green” and reducing their carbon footprint, John Deere is joining the electric revolution and offering their first fully electric residential lawn mower, available for purchase in 2023. Continue reading to learn more about John Deere’s new electric riding lawn mower and what it has to offer your property.

What electric riding mower models are available from John Deere?

John Deere is adding to their well-known residential line of ZTrak™ mowers with the Z370R Electric ZTrak ™. This is a residential-size, zero-turn mower. While John Deere has plans to offer a full line of battery-powered residential lawn mowers, the Z370R Electric is the first to be released. Keep an eye out, as more models will be available in the future.

How does the electric mower work?

The Z370R Electric mower works and offers the same performance you’ve come to expect from John Deere’s lawn mowers, except it is powered by a 3.2-kWh (3.56 kWh maximum) sealed lithium-ion battery. Charge your mower by plugging a standard extension cord into a 110-volt grounded outlet. The battery does not need to be removed from the mower to charge, and there is no special charger to purchase. Once your mower is fully charged, you are ready to go.

What kind of power does an electric mower offer?

The electric Z370R ZTrak offers excellent power to mow your lawn efficiently. The 58 Volt lithium-ion battery operates a dual electric motor transmission that provides enough power to mow up to 2 acres with a full charge. With forward speeds up to 7 mph and reverse speeds up to 3.5 mph, you can mow your lawn at the same speeds as a gas-powered mower.

What maintenance does an electric mower require?

John Deere electric mowers might not have oil or filter change needs, but they still require some maintenance to keep them in proper working condition and increase their lifespan.

Battery maintenance – Since a lithium-ion battery powers the mower, it is crucial to keep it charged after each use and store it in a cool, dry place.

Electrical connections – Electric mowers include multiple electrical connections. Routinely check that your connections are secure and show no signs of corrosion.

Moving parts – Even though there are fewer moving parts on an electrical mower than on a gas-powered mower, it is important to keep them lubricated for proper operation. Prevent wear and tear by routinely lubricating axles, wheels, and other moving parts.

Blades – Your blades are the most important piece for a clean-cut lawn. Check your mower blades and sharpen them as needed. If your blades are dull, you risk damaging your grass and increasing your chance of disease.

As always, be sure to follow specific maintenance instructions included in your Operator’s Manual.

What are the pros and cons of an electric mower?

With any purchase, it is important to consider the pros and cons before making your final decision. Fully electric riding lawn mowers are the ideal solution for some properties, but not all.

Pros

Quiet operation – Electric mowers offer more silent operation than gas-powered mowers. The quieter operation makes them ideal for residential areas, as you will be less likely to disturb your neighbors. If you want to mow early in the morning without waking people up, this is an ideal feature.

Easy start – Electric mowers are quick and easy to start, with no manual choke.

Low maintenance – Electric mowers do not need gas or oil, meaning less maintenance than gas-powered lawn mowers. Without gas or oil, there is no need to change the oil or replace fuel and oil filters.

Cost-effective – Electric mowers are cheaper to maintain and operate in the long run due to fewer maintenance requirements.

Environmentally friendly – If lowering your carbon footprint is important to you, an electric lawn mower can help. Electric mowers are powered by batteries that do not emit harmful gases like gas-powered lawn mowers.

Cons

Initial cost – While cheaper to maintain in the long run, electric mowers are more expensive than gas-powered mowers when first purchased. An electric lawn mower is an investment in the beginning and might not be a feasible option for some.

Charging time – The lithium-ion batteries take several hours to charge and power your electric lawn mower fully, so it is important to always plan when you would like to mow so your battery can be fully charged.

Operating time – A fully charged battery only offers power for so long. If you have a large area to cover, your limited battery life might require recharging before you can complete mowing.

Limited availability – Electric lawn mowers are newer to the scene and not mass-produced yet like gas-powered mowers, making them not as easy to find and purchase. Finding accessories and replacement parts can be difficult as well.

Where can I find more information about purchasing the new John Deere electric mower?

Currently, the John Deere Z370R Electric mower is only available for purchase online. If you want to learn more or purchase the new electric residential riding mower, contact your trained Sales Specialist at your local Koenig Equipment.

How Much Quieter Are Electric Lawn Mowers Than Gas?

Electric lawnmowers are a more recent invention than gas-powered ones and have many benefits. One of the main selling points of electric lawnmowers is that they are much quieter than gas-powered ones. But just how much quieter are they?

Electric lawnmowers are about 30 dB quieter than gas-powered models. Gas-powered mowers can be as loud as 110 dB. This is about as loud as a freight train passing by. On the other hand, electric lawnmowers usually have a noise level of around 70 dB.

An electric lawn mower is the way to go if you have noise-sensitive neighbors. In this article, I’ll discuss how much quieter electric lawnmowers are than gas-powered ones. I’ll also talk about some other benefits of electric lawnmowers.

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Why Electric Lawn Mowers Are Quieter Than Gas

Electric lawnmowers are quieter than gas-powered ones for a few reasons:

Electric Lawn Mowers Have No Engine

Engines produce a lot of noise. They have pistons that move up and down and valves that open and close. All of this movement creates a lot of noise. Electric mowers don’t have an engine. Instead, they have an electric motor.

This doesn’t move up and down like a piston. It just spins. This spinning motion is much quieter than the up-and-down motion of a piston. The lack of an engine also means electric mowers don’t need oil.

This is another plus because oil can add to the noise of a gas-powered lawn mower. Oil needs to be pumped through the engine.

Gas-Powered Mowers Use Controlled Explosions

Gasoline engines work by igniting a mixture of gasoline and air. This causes a small explosion in the engine, which in turn powers the pistons. The explosions are loud, so gas-powered mowers are often quite noisy.

The more explosions that occur, the more power the engine produces. Electric mowers work a little differently. Instead of using gasoline, they rely on electricity to power the motor. This means that there are no explosions taking place inside the engine.

Electric Mowers Have Quieter Blades

While the engine is what makes the most noise on a gas lawn mower, the blades also add to the overall sound. Electric lawnmowers generally have blades that run more quietly than those gas models.

Electric motors create less vibration than gas engines. This is because electric motors run more smoothly than gas engines, which have pistons that fire up and down. (source)

The lack of vibration means that the blades on electric mowers can be made out of lighter materials like aluminum. This also makes them more efficient, as they can spin faster without vibrating.

These blades are less likely to produce the high-pitched screeching sound often associated with gas-powered mowers.

Electric Mowers Are Easy To Maneuver

The quieter motor on an electric lawn mower makes it easier to maneuver. You can also hear the motor running, so you know when to turn it off. The engine noise often drowns out other sounds with a gas lawn mower.

This can make it difficult to tell how hard you work on the mower. As a result, you may find yourself going too fast and making too much noise.

With an electric lawn mower, you can better control your speed. This is because you can hear the motor running. If it’s getting too loud, you can slow down. This makes it easier to find a balance between power and noise.

Additionally, electric mowers are lighter than gas models since they don’t have engines. The lack of an engine makes them more compact and easier to store. This makes them easier to push and turn. An electric lawn mower will be much easier to maneuver if you have a small yard than a gas model. (source)

Electric Mowers Use Sound Dampening Materials

Electric mowers have sound-dampening materials that help to muffle the noise. These materials help absorb some of the noise produced by the electric motor.

Some of the most common sound-dampening materials include:

These materials are often used in the handles and body of electric mowers; they help reduce the mower’s overall noise level. Gasoline-powered mowers do not typically have any sound-dampening materials. This means that they can be quite loud when they are running.

Electric Mowers Run At Lower Speeds

Electric lawnmowers tend to run at lower speeds than gas-powered models. This helps to reduce the overall noise level. Some electric models have a speed control feature. This allows you to choose how fast or slow you want the blades to spin.

This is a great feature if you have a smaller lawn and don’t need the mower to run at full speed. The slower the blades are spinning, the quieter the mower will be. Gas-powered lawnmowers typically have one speed. This means that they will run at the same speed, no matter what.

Benefits of Using Electric Lawn Mowers

In addition to being quieter, electric mowers have several other benefits. These benefits include:

Environmentally Friendly

Electric mowers are much better for the environment than gas-powered models. They don’t produce emissions. Emissions from gas-powered lawnmowers can be harmful to the environment. (source)

Gas-powered lawnmowers typically use more energy since they aren’t as efficient as their electric counterparts.

Easy To Start

Electric lawnmowers are very easy to operate. You just need to push a button, and they will start. On the other hand, gas mowers require you to pull a cord to start them. This can be difficult, especially if you have never used one before and the engine is cold.

No Need for Gas or Oil

Electric mowers don’t use gas or oil. This means that you don’t have to worry about buying these things. Gas and oil can be expensive and can be difficult to find if you live in an area that doesn’t have a lot of gas stations – and it can be frustrating when the lawn mower powers off halfway through your lawn.

Less Maintenance

Electric mowers require less maintenance than gas-powered models. You don’t have to worry about changing the oil or spark plugs. Plus, you don’t have to worry about those darn issues with the carburetor getting dirty.

Read my article Do Electric Lawn Mowers Need Regular Servicing? to learn more about lawn mower servicing.

These are larger commercial size push mowers but you should really watch this short YouTube video demonstrating the noise difference between gas and electric. It really drives home the point!

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How to Make a Lawn Mower Quieter?

Whether you love or hate mowing the lawn, there’s one aspect of using a lawn mower that no one is too keen on – noise. You don’t want to ruin your hearing and you don’t want to p off the neighbors. But just want what can you do with a lawn mower that’s louder than you’re comfortable with? How do you make a lawn mower quieter?

Some of the best ways to make a lawn mower quieter include meticulously keeping up with routine maintenance, replacing the muffler, and soundproofing the cutting deck. If none of these solutions work, your best option might actually be to get rid of your current mower, and buy a new one.

How to Make a Lawn Mower Quieter: Your Best Options

I’ll warn you now that there are no one-size-fits-all kinds of solutions to this problem. It really depends on how bad the issue is, i.e. what type of mower you’re using. If you take 2 stroke vs 4 stroke lawn mowers, for example, a 2 stroke mower will always be much louder. It’s just how they’re built.

However, there are definitely a few things you can try.

Give Your Mower a Full Service

Lawn mowers, particularly gas lawn mowers, need to be maintained meticulously. Not keeping an eye on the condition of key components can have a big impact on performance, including making the mower run louder. You may even see more serious issues if you overlook maintenance, such as your lawn mower loses power when cutting or won’t start altogether.

When key components are not kept clean and in good condition, the engine or motor on your mower is forced to work harder and harder to achieve the same results, and this is one possible cause of a lawn mower that is running louder. Inspecting, cleaning, and, if necessary, replacing these components is one way in which you can make a lawn mower quieter.

Specific to Gas Lawn Mower:

• Check the air filter – clean it and replace it if overly dirty.
• Look in the gas tank – is it corroded? Water in a gas lawn mower is bad. Remove the gas, clean the tank and refill with fresh gas if necessary.
• Is the oil level correct? Insufficient lubrication can cause more friction between engine components, leading to more noise.
• Is the spark plug clean/in good condition? Clean it if not, and fit a new one if necessary.

General Checks to Do:

• Have a look at the blade- is it sharp enough? Sharpen it if necessary.
• A loose lawn mower blade can cause a lot of noise – check yours is securely attached.
• Is the underside of the mower free from clippings? If necessary, give it a good clean.

Taking care of these simple maintenance tasks will not only mean your motor/engine is not forced to work overtime, it’ll also ensure that nothing is rattling around and causing unnecessary noise. As a secondary benefit, it’ll also protect the long-term health of your mower.

Clean or Replace Muffler

If you have a gas lawn mower, the muffler is one part of your mower that is directly involved in reducing noise output. Among other things, the muffler is designed to filter out noise created by the combustion process that would otherwise escape from the exhaust pipe. (They are also involved in helping to maintain engine pressure, and preventing exhaust sparks.)

But over time, like any part of a lawn mower, a muffler may become damaged and no longer be able to filter out this noise. This is fairly common if you’ve had your mower for several years. It’s also possible that the gasket seal that lies between the muffler and the exhaust could become worn and let sound through.

To tell whether this is the case, detach the muffler (make sure your mower is cold first), and then give it a little shake. If the muffler is in good condition, you shouldn’t hear anything. However, if you hear anything rattling around inside, this is not a good sign. You can also inspect the outer part of the muffler for any damage: holes, signs of rust/corrosion, cracks or fractures.

If you see any of these things, the solution is simple. Buy and fit a new muffler. Once done, engine noise will be filtered out more effectively and you should notice that your mower runs quieter. Do a bit of research on mufflers before you buy too, as you might be able to buy one that does a much better job than your current one.

Soundproofing Your Deck

I’ve never had a huge issue with noise with any of the mowers that I’ve owned. They’ve all produced a reasonably tolerable amount of noise, and I’ve always had the habit of wearing ear protectors when I mow (something I picked up from my Grandad on the farm) too.

Most of the time when you walk by a super loud lawn mower, it’s the engine making most of the noise (which is why you don’t want the engine to be straining creating more noise). But the blade/deck does make quite a bit of noise sometimes too, mainly when little stones or debris hits them, and you hear these “pinging” sounds.

I’ve heard people say that you can “soundproof” your deck by installing a special type of material. I have to say, I’ve never done this and I would have reservations about doing so, as the airflow created in the mower deck is vital to effective cutting, and I’d worry that installing some sort of additional layer of material onto the underside of the deck would affect that airflow negatively. So make sure you do some of your own research into this if you decide to try it. But it is an option if you’re looking into how to make a lawn mower quieter.

Other Options If You Want a Quieter Lawn Mowing Experience

You should start by trying the suggestions I’ve already outlined, as they are all relatively simple modifications you can make to your existing mower, and can be done for a low cost in most cases.

However, if you try those and still feel your lawn mower is too loud, you’re not left with too many options in pursuit of a quieter mowing experience.

Buy a New Lawn Mower (Consider an Electric Mower)

I know this seems like a total cop-out. But sometimes there’s no other answer to the question of “how to make a lawn mower quieter?” Some mowers, like an old gas mower with a 2 stroke engine, is always going to run loud. I’ve often been shocked to hear the difference between a 2 stroke vs 4 stroke lawn mower. It can be very significant! Your only solution in that situation is going to be to get rid of it and buy a new one.

And I’d urge you to strongly consider replacing a gas mower with an electric mower if you’re determined to make mowing a quieter experience. If you have the budget, a good-quality battery-powered mower would be even better. The difference in terms of noise will be immediately noticeable to you. It’s like comparing night and day.

Ear Protectors

Again, this suggestion is not a direct way of making a lawn mower quieter, but it can help to make your lawn mowing a lot more pleasant. I mentioned this earlier, but I’ve always personally worn ear protectors, as my grandfather had me wear them back when I worked on his farm during the summer months when I was a teenager. And it just kind of stuck with me, even if the mower I’m using now produces nothing like the noise that the machinery we used back then did.

So while this tip won’t technically make your lawn mower quieter, it can help to make your lawn mowing experience far more pleasant (and safer for your hearing) if the noise your mower is producing is bothering you. Look for a decent pair and wear them from start to finish every time you mow the lawn.

How to Make Your Lawn Mower Quieter: A Quick Recap

I think there’s probably a 99% chance that if you’re reading this article, you’ve got a gas mower. I’ve rarely heard anyone complain about the noise an electric or battery-powered mower makes (complaints about those types of mowers usually relate to them being underpowered).

Here’s what my plan of action would be if that’s the case, in this order:

• Fully service the mower (including air filter change, cleaning fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel filter, adding oil if necessary, sharpening blade, cleaning cutting deck, and fastening up anything that’s loose).
• Replace the muffler and if a better, more efficient muffler is available for your mower, upgrade.
• If you do all that and your mower is still too loud, I’d sell your current mower and get an electric or battery-powered one. At the very least, replace it with a gas mower that has a better reputation for being quiet (changing from a 2 stroke engine to a 4 stroke engine for example can make a BIG difference).
• If you’re not willing or able to sell your mower and replace it, I’d source a good quality set of ear defenders.

Follow these steps and you’ll likely reduce the amount of noise your lawn mower makes, and in the event that you don’t manage that, you’ll at least improve your own experience from a user perspective.

About Tom Greene

I’ve always had a keen interest in lawn care as long as I can remember. Friends used to call me the lawn mower guru (hence the site name), but I’m anything but. I just enjoy cutting my lawn and spending time outdoors. I also love the well-deserved doughnuts and coffee afterward!

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Professional landscapers are reluctant to plug into electric mowers due to cost

Austin Acocella, co-owner of Acocella Landscaping in Westchester County, N.Y., is holding onto his gas-powered mowers. He says electric ride-ons are too expensive for him to switch right now. Matthew Schuerman hide caption

Austin Acocella, co-owner of Acocella Landscaping in Westchester County, N.Y., is holding onto his gas-powered mowers. He says electric ride-ons are too expensive for him to switch right now.

SCARSDALE, N.Y. — Electric lawn mowers have taken the U.S. consumer market by storm over the past few years. And they’ve done so quietly — about 20 decibels more quietly in some cases.

Once restricted to lawns no larger than the length of an extension cord, mowers on the market today run on lithium ion batteries that can last 45 minutes or more without charging and cost about as much as gas-powered versions. And in 2021, according to market research company FactMR, electric lawn mowers made up 37% of all sales.

But professional landscapers, who have to run their machines all day, day after day, have yet to join the trend in large numbers. Electric heavy-duty ride-on mowers make up just 11% of the total market for all heavy-duty ride-on mowers.

For homeowners, I feel like it’s great, said Austin Acocella, co-owner of Acocella Landscaping in Scarsdale, N.Y. The battery just doesn’t last long, especially for the stuff that I do.

He has checked out commercial-grade mowers with batteries that can last six or more hours, but hasn’t wanted to pay the upfront costs. A 52-inch-wide ride-on model, the Rival from Mean Green Mowers, starts at nearly 30,000. That is more than three times a comparable gas-powered machine – though the manufacturer says the customer will break even given significantly lower operation and maintenance costs.

In the future I would love to buy them, but right at this second, I just can’t because of inflation and just everything that’s going on, Acocella says. I just can’t swing it yet.

Acocella and his employees began using hand-held electric devices – leaf blowers, weed whackers and hedge trimmers – last year when one of his clients, the town of Larchmont, required it. He’s begun to use them on other properties as well because they are lighter, much quieter, and don’t emit pollutants. But with the exception of the hedge trimmer, he says, they need frequent battery changes and are not as powerful.

I need something that’s going to last long or something that’s easy, Austin says. Like I have a gas can, it’s on a truck that I just fuel up and I go. How many batteries do I need to have in order to get through the day?

Mean Green Mowers, a 10-year-old electric lawn mower company based in Ohio, sells commercial-grade ride-on lawn mowers with long-lasting batteries. Jen Stroker (left), regional development manager for the company, and Raymond Rocco, co-owner of C.R. Power, which sells the products, demonstrated the Rival model in a Port Chester, N.Y., park recently. Matthew Schuerman hide caption

Mean Green Mowers, a 10-year-old electric lawn mower company based in Ohio, sells commercial-grade ride-on lawn mowers with long-lasting batteries. Jen Stroker (left), regional development manager for the company, and Raymond Rocco, co-owner of C.R. Power, which sells the products, demonstrated the Rival model in a Port Chester, N.Y., park recently.

Bans on gas-powered gear

Yet landscapers are being pressured to change – sometimes by clients and sometimes by governments. Last fall, the California Legislature passed a law requiring that all new landscaping equipment sold in the state be emissions-free beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

The state and national landscaping associations objected, arguing that electric equipment wasn’t advanced enough to operate for long periods of time, and in some cases, did not work as well as gas equipment. As proof, they cited a study from the California State University at Fullerton to show that zero emissions equipment hadn’t caught on among professionals. The study found that less than 6% of equipment used by landscapers were zero-emissions, compared to more than 50% of the gear used by homeowners.

But Assemblymember Marc Berman, the bill’s author, disputes the industry’s characterization of zero-emissions equipment.

This equipment is ready today, said Berman, a Democrat from Palo Alto. There are at least eight brands that produce zero emission equipment in each major equipment category for commercial equipment.

After that bill was passed, New York State Sen. Pete Harckham introduced a similar bill in Albany. Though it did not pass in the regular session, Harckham told NPR he plans to re-introduce it but has not decided on when the mandate would take effect.

Both the California legislation and the New York proposal only address the sale of new equipment, meaning landscapers and homeowners can continue using their existing gas-powered tools.

Numerous cities and towns across the country have gone further and restricted the use – as opposed to just the purchase – of gas-powered leaf blowers. And this month, two municipalities in Marin County, Calif., – Fairfax and Sausalito – banned the use of other gas-powered equipment as well, including mowers, to be phased in over the next 18 months.

Mixed environmental impact

Electric lawn mowers won’t help much in terms of climate-changing emissions – people just don’t mow their lawns nearly as much as they drive. The California Air Resources Board, for example, estimates that phasing out gasoline-powered lawn equipment will save an average of 0.66 million metric tons of CO2 a year, while the state produced 418 million tons in 2019 – the last year data was available.

But the agency found that gasoline-powered engines produce substantial amounts of other pollutants, such as nitrogen oxide, which can lead to respiratory difficulties and smog. In addition, researchers have raised concerns about the impact of the equipment’s noise and vibrations on operators’ health.

Large, commercial-grade equipment is used on a significant proportion of green spaces around the country – not only public properties and office parks. The California State University survey found, for example, that half of the state’s residents with lawns hired landscapers to take care of them, either partially or fully.

Drawbacks of mandates

Still, even some supporters of green landscaping oppose mandating electric equipment, arguing that it may cause small landscapers – an important employer of immigrants and limited-skill workers – to go out of business.

If you just ban the use of equipment, you’re really putting the entire onus on the landscapers to come up with the money that they need to purchase the equipment, said Jamie Banks, the founder and CEO of the non-profit Quiet Communities, Inc. It’s not just purchasing the tool but also purchasing enough batteries and enough chargers that they can meet their work production needs.

And some of those batteries are expensive – as much as 1,500 for a backpack-style one to power a leaf blower. California lawmakers have so far allocated 30 million for subsidies to offset the higher landscapers will have to pay for new electric equipment. But the National Association of Landscape Professionals said the amount breaks down to just 15 for each piece of gas-powered equipment that landscapers in the state need to replace.

Berman, the state legislator, said that he is hoping to get more subsidies in the budget for the coming year.

Quiet Communities and another nonprofit, the American Green Zone Alliance, have been working with towns, school districts, and other entities to adopt zero-emissions equipment for their own properties, but to do so voluntarily. So far, they say they have recruited about 20 locales and institutions across the country to take part in their program.

I think the writing is on the wall, Banks said. It’s just, how do we get there in a way that’s, you know, fair, most efficient and so forth.