EcoRider - riding lawn mower electric conversion

Daox · 11-03-08, 09:41 AM

Well, the time has come for my first EV project! I really wanted to convert the Toyota Paseo I picked up a while ago, but it would have cost too much for me at the moment. So, my next thought was that I really could use a riding mower. I have push mowed my lawn, and it takes a long time. So, I talked things over with Ben Nelson and MetroMPG, the two EV guys I know and decided to go with an electric riding mower.

This weekend I picked up a Simplicity 728 (no idea what year) from a very kind gentleman. I found and got the mower for free using FreeCycle.org. It currently has a mildly used 8hp Briggs engine in it. The deal with the donator was that I take the engine out and return it to him since it hasn't seen much use. I was all too happy to oblige! So, now I have a new project for this winter. Hopefully updates will come fast.

For future reference:

Belt size:
Drive: L485
Mower deck: L478
Mower blades: L470
Snow blower: L482

cmittle · 11-03-08, 11:54 AM

This sounds like fun. I'm interested to see how everything goes for you to see what I can apply to my electric push mower conversion that I hope to have finished before spring. Be sure to take a lot of pictures!

insaneintenti0n · 11-03-08, 01:22 PM

that's awesome. have fun with that

sell me the Paseo while you're at it

toyobug · 11-06-08, 09:51 AM

Daox- this is GREAT news for me. When I first stumbled upon Ecomodder, I wanted to build an Electric Motorcycle once my tour in Iraq is over. I figured it would be a good way to understand all the work and components required to build an EV. After further thought I decided that an electric rider would be better, (less chance of injury

)
Now that you've got a project like this, I will be following along closely. Please take pics, and If I can help with researching info please let me know. Not that I could compare to Ben or MetrMPG, those guys are awesome!
I can't wait to see the progress!

Daox · 11-06-08, 10:43 AM

Well, I took the mower out for a spin last night. I really needed to cut the grass and chew up the leaves. So, the mower got its last run on gasoline. It worked quite well for what I seemed to think of as a small mower (only 8 hp).

I'm now starting to track down the necessary other items for the conversion. Ben Nelson said he would donate a few things so I'm really psyched about that! There will be many pictures to come.

Tony Raine · 11-06-08, 12:58 PM

cool idea! what kind of range do you think you'll get?

Daox · 11-06-08, 02:15 PM

I'm going to start with humble targets. I'd like to be able to mow half of my yard on one charge. Below is a pic of the two 'halfs'. I actually think, depending on the quality of the batteries, that I should be able to do the entire yard. However, I'll be fine if I can't do the entire thing all at once.

Tango Charlie · 11-15-08, 11:13 PM

Wow, Tim, that's a really nice spread you got there. Is the white structure by the cul-de-sac yours, too?
I am also very excited to see your rider conversion as it progresses. I have been thinking about doing the same, but have not committed to it...yet.
And yes, post lots and lots of pictures!

toyobug · 11-16-08, 11:57 AM

any progress on the mower Daox?

MetroMPG · 11-16-08, 08:23 PM

Yes: I reneged on a free motor controller I offered to send Tim.

OK, technically Ivan reneged, since it's half his I suppose. Sorry!

11-03-08, 09:41 AM	#1
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	EcoRider - riding lawn mower electric conversion Well, the time has come for my first EV project! I really wanted to convert the Toyota Paseo I picked up a while ago, but it would have cost too much for me at the moment. So, my next thought was that I really could use a riding mower. I have push mowed my lawn, and it takes a long time. So, I talked things over with Ben Nelson and MetroMPG, the two EV guys I know and decided to go with an electric riding mower. This weekend I picked up a Simplicity 728 (no idea what year) from a very kind gentleman. I found and got the mower for free using FreeCycle.org. It currently has a mildly used 8hp Briggs engine in it. The deal with the donator was that I take the engine out and return it to him since it hasn't seen much use. I was all too happy to oblige! So, now I have a new project for this winter. Hopefully updates will come fast. For future reference: Belt size: Drive: L485 Mower deck: L478 Mower blades: L470 Snow blower: L482 __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Daox; 05-08-15 at 11:26 AM..

11-06-08, 10:43 AM	#5
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Well, I took the mower out for a spin last night. I really needed to cut the grass and chew up the leaves. So, the mower got its last run on gasoline. It worked quite well for what I seemed to think of as a small mower (only 8 hp). I'm now starting to track down the necessary other items for the conversion. Ben Nelson said he would donate a few things so I'm really psyched about that! There will be many pictures to come. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-06-08, 02:15 PM	#7
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I'm going to start with humble targets. I'd like to be able to mow half of my yard on one charge. Below is a pic of the two 'halfs'. I actually think, depending on the quality of the batteries, that I should be able to do the entire yard. However, I'll be fine if I can't do the entire thing all at once. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Daox; 02-27-09 at 03:25 PM..

11-15-08, 11:13 PM	#8
Tango Charlie Minister of Silly Walks Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow, Tim, that's a really nice spread you got there. Is the white structure by the cul-de-sac yours, too? I am also very excited to see your rider conversion as it progresses. I have been thinking about doing the same, but have not committed to it...yet. And yes, post lots and lots of pictures! __________________ -Terry

11-16-08, 08:23 PM	#10
MetroMPG Infrequent noob Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: 1000 Islands region, Ontario, Canada Posts: 402 Thanks: 37 Thanked 20 Times in 19 Posts	Yes: I reneged on a free motor controller I offered to send Tim. OK, technically Ivan reneged, since it's half his I suppose. Sorry! __________________ . To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

11-03-08, 11:54 AM	#2
cmittle Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 56 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	This sounds like fun. I'm interested to see how everything goes for you to see what I can apply to my electric push mower conversion that I hope to have finished before spring. Be sure to take a lot of pictures!

11-03-08, 01:22 PM	#3
insaneintenti0n Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 183 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	that's awesome. have fun with that sell me the Paseo while you're at it

11-06-08, 09:51 AM	#4
toyobug avid DIY'r Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MS. Gulf Coast Posts: 154 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Daox- this is GREAT news for me. When I first stumbled upon Ecomodder, I wanted to build an Electric Motorcycle once my tour in Iraq is over. I figured it would be a good way to understand all the work and components required to build an EV. After further thought I decided that an electric rider would be better, (less chance of injury ) Now that you've got a project like this, I will be following along closely. Please take pics, and If I can help with researching info please let me know. Not that I could compare to Ben or MetrMPG, those guys are awesome! I can't wait to see the progress!

11-06-08, 12:58 PM	#6
Tony Raine Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	cool idea! what kind of range do you think you'll get?

11-16-08, 11:57 AM	#9
toyobug avid DIY'r Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: MS. Gulf Coast Posts: 154 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	any progress on the mower Daox?