Ryobi OPE - 18V vs 40V

[Handyandy23]

Anyone out there have much experience with the Ryobi outdoor power equipment? I'm wondering on the differences / benefits of the 18V equipment versus the 40V.

Currently I have an 18V trimmer/edger and an 18V blower. I'm very happy with how these work, and using a single 4ah battery I can easily do all my edging and blowing (could actually do it all twice on one charge). I also have a gas lawn mower that I'm getting sick of, and thinking about picking up a Ryobi lawn mower as well.

Looking at their offerings, they seem to have a 16" deck 18V mower, and a 20" deck 40V mower. The 18V unit uses 2 of the 18V battery packs, while the 40V uses a single 40V battery. Both have pretty good reviews.

My lawn is pretty small (about 3500 sq ft total), and likely only to get smaller as we landscape / add things to the yard. Will the 18V x2 unit be enough? Does it run the two in parallel at 36V, or does it run them in series to give you longer run time at lower voltage?

The 40V isn't a lot more money, but I would also be adding different types of batteries (and only actually own a single 18V and single 40V). That might necessitate more batteries in the future. I could switch over to 40V trimmer and blower, but again that's more money to upgrade tools I'm already happy with. On the other hand, if I go the 18V route I will have to buy a second battery to run it, maybe even a third since I will need one with power left to edge and blow with. And that will also mean I have to remember to recharge all the batteries likely on a single charger swapping them around.

What would GJ do? Anyone out there have one or the other that can share some experiences?

 

[jfleisher]

The 18v mower runs the batteries in parallel. I get about 30 minutes out of 2x4ah. The larger batteries (6/9ah) won't fit in the mower receptacles. Grr. Luckily I have about 8 of the 4ah batteries, so I just switch them out halfway through. I have about .25 of an acre.

 

[Handyandy23]

The 18v mower runs the batteries in parallel. I get about 30 minutes out of 2x4ah. The larger batteries (6/9ah) won't fit in the mower receptacles. Grr. Luckily I have about 8 of the 4ah batteries, so I just switch them out halfway through. I have about .25 of an acre.

How do you find it does for power? If the grass is longer or wet does it have the juice to get through it? Or is it a situation where you have to stay on top of it to make sure you don't get too overgrown?

That's unfortunate that the larger batteries won't fit, wonder why they would do that?

 

[JerryC]

IMHO, get the 40v mower for the wider cut to save time. Keep the 18v tools you have and with that you have still access to the entire 18v line of tools.

 

[Farmall450]

How do you find it does for power? If the grass is longer or wet does it have the juice to get through it? Or is it a situation where you have to stay on top of it to make sure you don't get too overgrown?

That's unfortunate that the larger batteries won't fit, wonder why they would do that?

Yeah, that really doesn't make sense. Too bad you probably can't blow it out, either.

 

[jfleisher]

It does not like tall, wet grass. Bogs down easily. I try to cut it twice a week to keep the length reasonable. On the bright side it weighs about 30 pounds, so it's pretty easy to push around. I do wish it had a wider cut.

 

[Voi]

Will the 18V x2 unit be enough? Does it run the two in parallel at 36V, or does it run them in series to give you longer run time at lower voltage?

I think you have parallel & series backwards.

I have the Makita X2 36V mower. The original one, not the one recently released.

Initial thoughts are that it doesn't like wet, long grass. I bought it because I got a great deal & it's super light. I want my soon to be 10 & 11 year old boys more involved in yard work so the light weight will be welcome on our hilly lot. But I also have a gas mower that has been problem free for 14 years.

At any rate, my few initial tests of the Makita make me think 18v wouldn't be sufficient. But I don't know if the Ryobi operates in series or parallel.

If the only 40V tool you need is a mower I wouldn't limit your search to Ryobi. I'm not sure what else is out there in that price range but I'd do some research.