electric CC riding mower?! when did that happen?

[justinpittman]

CC made an electric riding mower?! When did this happen? Just a few years ago, the idea sounded like something out of The Jetson's.

Anybody seen these in stores? CC's own website lists the XT series as "out of stock" already and it's only April.

Full disclosure: our push mower is a Dewalt electric, so yes I know how $$$ LiOn batteries are

 

[kmcconaughey]

Oh, back around 1976...

 

[JPrattico]

I've done some research on these new electric Cubs, and unfortunately they have (or at least had, perhaps they have since been fixed) some fatal flaws. There were 3 notable ones:

The first was, the motors for the deck blades had a major weakness. The shafts inside the motors were made of a cheap alloy, and upon hitting a single rock many discovered that the shaft snaps right in half. You have to replace the whole motor as a unit (~$400 each) to repair it, and as it seems the replacements had the same low quality shaft.

The second was, electrical issues. People have encountered a lot of seemingly unexplainable issues with the electrical system in the machine that realistically they shouldn't have to deal with. It probably isn't too great to go sit on your brand new electric Cub, turn the key and find that it will not do anything because the computer says 'electrical fault'.

The third ties in with the second. So you call dealers to try and fix your machine with an 'electrical fault'. Only you find, after calling numerous dealerships, that not a single technician knows how to repair these machines. Or, you've already taken it to a dealer and it has been sitting there for 2 months because they can't figure out how to fix it.

General consensus is, they released the mower too soon, didn't do enough testing, and also didn't do enough training so that service technicians actually know how to repair them.

 

[jkoenig]

I am a mechanical technician who survived the crossover from electro-mechanical printing presses (not the Gutenberg model) into the electronic age of presses today. The difference is a very real hurdle for technicians, and mower techs are less likely to want to tolerate the training required in my mind. Tech training will probably remain the sticking point.

 

[John Wyrick]

Those old 95 RER"s are so cool. I know that they are rare. I would like to find one someday - I seem to have collected the other models 60,75,85 etc. They do take up less room then my 122 though

 

[jkoenig]

John,

You can stack those too. (Probably not a battery powered one though.) I have personal experience carrying a certain Special RER. I could barely get my 126 off the ground. I’m a bit concerned that at 20 years older I can lift the 782 with relative ease (to position it, but not to carry). And that’s the machine I plan to use with ground-engaging implements?

 

[kmcconaughey]

There was a new old stock model 95 still in the crate/pallet at Red Power Roundup in Madison, WI back in 2009. I will dig out some photos of it to post.

 

[jkoenig]

/\ a mind like a (very thick) leather-bound photo album!

 

[justinpittman]

Oh, back around 1976...

View attachment 143309

So another story of who killed the electric [car/tractor]. Nice find Kraig!

 

[justinpittman]

The third ties in with the second. So you call dealers to try and fix your machine with an 'electrical fault'. Only you find, after calling numerous dealerships, that not a single technician knows how to repair these machines. Or, you've already taken it to a dealer and it has been sitting there for 2 months because they can't figure out how to fix it.

General consensus is, they released the mower too soon, didn't do enough testing, and also didn't do enough training so that service technicians actually know how to repair them.

Yup, agree with you and Jim that servicing is the big blocker for all electric anything. It's one thing take a motor from brushes to brushless; it's another to switch a small gas engine to an electric motor.

We've had no reason to service our little Dewalt pushmower ... yet but the other, big limiting factor is batteries. Batteries that will last long enough to mow all our paths are expensive. The Dewault 20/60v @ 12amp is $250, and the littler pushmower takes 2! Or you have to buy lots of little batteries. Eitherway, $$$.

 

[gary noblit]

We would all be enlightened if we knew who stole all of "Telsa's" paperwork right after he died.Was it gov't or corp world ?? He was a genius unbound by corp rules of capitalism....IMO

 

[kmcconaughey]

Here's the NOS Cadet 95 from RPRU 2009:

^^ That's Art Aytay's hand and camera photo bombing my photo! ^^

 

[kmcconaughey]

Ten photo limit but I wanted to post 11 photos so here's the last one:

 

[jkoenig]

No steering wheel! They fit in an SUV that way.
Is that New Old Stock rust on the undercarriage?

 

[kmcconaughey]

Yeah kind of odd that it rusted in that one location. Owner kept the steering wheel and extension parts in his vehicle to prevent theft. It would have been packed down in the foot well I believe.

 

[jkoenig]

The X82 is winking at something.

 

[John Wyrick]

Thank you for posting those pictures. That NOS 95 is so cool makes me want one even more now LOL! Thanks again, John

 

[Oak]

The 95's are cool and I'd like to have one someday.

The LT42E...not so much. Just think of all the money you will save not having to buy gas! Of course they only cost $4K at Home Cheapo and look like a piece of crap. Cub needs to stick with what they know, building belt drive throw away POS lawn mowers with poor customer service.

 

[JPrattico]

Cub needs to stick with what they know, building belt drive throw away POS lawn mowers with poor customer service.

IMO, the customer service for these new LT42E's is a whole 'nother level of poor!

 

[JPrattico]

for those more experienced with the old 95 electric, what's the reason behind the key switch having a 'start' position? Being electric wouldn't that not be necessary?