Toro 60V mower failure

[Cujet]

So far no one suggested taking it to a repair shop.

I did speak with the local shop. They hate these things and have a $100 diagnostic fee. For that I can purchase a new control board. They do not have a functioning battery to try.

My best guess is the battery no longer communicates. Battery is $300 and if that does not work, the control board is $100.

I do love using the thing, light, plenty powerful and provides a nice clean cut.

 

[Cujet]

This is one of my issues with EV's as well. Unless the OP can install a gasoline powered engine on it, it's garbage. Either that or sourcing another control board, which is probably not economical. Or making their own control board. Or finding a generic DC to 3 phase AC power inverter board that's reasonably priced that has the right voltages.

Or look at this video on YouTube:

How to make DIY 3 phase Inverter 12V to 380V AC / Three Phase Inverter Explained​

Includes link to circuit board and parts.
https://www.pcbway.com/project/shar...nverter_without_microcontroller_e4c7cfde.html

I would find a way to test the motor first with some 3 phase power before attempting any type of repair.

That's a possibility if I feel like spending some time messing around. There are RC motor drivers that can also do the job. It's a high amp low RPM motor.

 

[walterjay]

Electronic and electric mowers are so much more difficult and costly to repair than their gas counterparts. And that is why I am staying with gas. The only electric appliance I have is a Stihl weed trimmer. I hope it holds up.

A few years ago I purchased an electric trimmer from Sears. After two years it died. I found the problem and gave it to my son who wanted to repair it. No parts available for the darn thing. So he purchased a DeWalt electric string trimmer. It was used lightly and blew up just out of warranty.

I still have my 20 year old gas trimmer in storage. Maybe one day I will need it.

 

[Slick]

My beloved 4 year old Toro 60V mower has failed. No idea what's wrong, it simply shows no signs of life. Battery shows fully charged and the battery will power halogen lights for hours. So it's got powa. Whether the BMS/digital handshake is functional or not, I have no way to know.

Anyway, I purchased the stupid thing because it was a good deal. A $600 mower for $300. It lasted about 20 hours. Ugh.

Cujet

Sorry to hear the electric mower is down. Positive side is you did get to experience the "new technology" and now have a project to toy with.


When I take my walks on trash night I look for the good throw aways to tinker with. In the last few months I have seen an electric walk behind mower with battery/charger and a 12 year old Toro Personal Pace with Briggs engine including the rear bag.

Guess which one I walked home with?

Yes the gas briggs powered mower - carb cleaning, new gas, sharpen blade, and replacing the governor spring and air filter resulted in a nice first pull start mower that I did not need but will give away to someone. For now when I get board I just start it up and trim with it before using the 60 inch ZTR.

The electric mower looked good but i left it there for the trash pickup.

Good luck getting the bargain electric mower running again. We will be rooting for your success.

 

[meep]

3 phase motor might make good DIY windmill!

Do that right and it can charge your next electric mower!

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

At our local sports grounds we have an EGO 56 V battery electric mower. IIRC it has the wire bar to pull into place and the on button to push after the bar is in place. That interlock might be suspect or else simply the on button. I recall the on button would not set the blade turning until the bar was pulled into place. Forward movement was toggled by a separate switch that also controlled speed. I found it interesting that the mover could be propelled forward without the mower blade turning, completely different from a gas powered mower.

We got an EGO blower at work for some quick cleaning. Very light use. I bet it has no more than a couple hours use. Completely dead, only 3 months old. Tried the reset procedure given over the phone/tech support. No hope. Had a Ryobi before and the $100+ battery died within a year. These big battery tools don't seem to be built to last.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

3 phase motor might make good DIY windmill!

Do that right and it can charge your next electric mower!

Don't give California any ideas

 

[Snagglefoot]

I know this might be prying but did the battery and motor have an argument prior to this happening?

 

[Pablo]

Our Greenworks 80V is indestructible. Toro is just a name. Wife has left batteries in the rain and laying in the grass. The few times I can tell her to take it easy on the thing. 4 years old now. Same blade even.

If you can't fix it, shop maybe.

I bet it's something not TOO complicated.

 

[Cujet]

I know this might be prying but did the battery and motor have an argument prior to this happening?

Not at all. I put it away fully functional and 3 out of 4 bars on the battery. Went to use it and it was inop.

 

[jghall00]

The problem with electric mowers seems to be that they are more or less throw away which is unacceptable as they cost a small fortune.

I've been using the same Ego push mower for ten years now. Been through at least 3 batteries, but my yard is rather large for a push mower so I cycled them alot.

 

[jkasch]

The 5 amp hr battery that came with my Ego blower would quit after a couple minutes on a full charge. Finally got mad and threw the battery across the yard. It’s been fine ever since

 

[Cujet]

Looks like the 2 stroke LawnBoy engine will fit right on....

 

[Rand]

alot of the early batteries had issues.
cant condemn the actual mower without trying it with another battery?

 

[mitsuman47]

alot of the early batteries had issues.
cant condemn the actual mower without trying it with another battery?

When there’s a 2 stroke LawnBoy engine waiting to be installed, it’s best to condemn the enviro-mower bits ASAP.

 

[Rand]

When there’s a 2 stroke LawnBoy engine waiting to be installed, it’s best to condemn the enviro-mower bits ASAP.

I had 4 mowers in 5 years. (gas)
I'd be very happy if my 60v mower+5ah battery I paid 225$ lasts 5 years.
(the battery alone costs around $250)

I almost bought a second to have 2 batteries and 2 mowers for under $450 shipped.
leave the second mower in box or maybe take the blade out to use..

I also went in on the 15" string trimmer and 500cfm blower both with 2.5ah batteries combined cost about 250 shipped after tax.

I have a similar use case I mow 85% of yard with deere 316 tractor.

I'd say it cuts about 90% as good as a regular gas mower with mulching deck..
but i only trim with it so its plenty good. If I wanted to mow whole yards.. gas is the way.

 

[jghall00]

I had 4 mowers in 5 years. (gas)
I'd be very happy if my 60v mower+5ah battery I paid 225$ lasts 5 years.
(the battery alone costs around $250)

I almost bought a second to have 2 batteries and 2 mowers for under $450 shipped.
leave the second mower in box or maybe take the blade out to use..

I also went in on the 15" string trimmer and 500cfm blower both with 2.5ah batteries combined cost about 250 shipped after tax.

I have a similar use case I mow 85% of yard with deere 316 tractor.

I'd say it cuts about 90% as good as a regular gas mower with mulching deck..
but i only trim with it so its plenty good. If I wanted to mow whole yards.. gas is the way.

I rarely purchase solo batteries. I just buy a new tool w/ battery included, keep the battery, and sell the tool. That reduces the cost of acquiring the 2nd battery substantially.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I just registered our community’s EGO 21” self propelled mower with a 60 V battery we use for trimming at the sports ground. The mower’s warranty is 5 years and the battery warranty is 3 years. I guess in a 4th year failure situation there might be a problem with deciding if the thing on warranty or not.

 

[DWS507]

I would order the safety interlock switch,and hope that's your problem.This is a old guy and unorthodox approach. When I'm out walking my dog and I see someone with a battery lawnmower I try to strike up a conversation. I have a Honda,hoping it lasts forever. If you could find another Toro person,it's worth asking to borrow the battery or ask about their purchase.In our little Midwest town there are always people posting ,I know it's a long shot,but there maybe someone out there that could assist you.That mower looks to good to put to the curb,I wouldn't give up,it's actually looks like a good place for a lightly used battery mower.Good luck!

 

[Cujet]

I would order the safety interlock switch,and hope that's your problem.This is a old guy and unorthodox approach.

Ah yes, the shotgun approach. It has 2 'bail bar' switches, and both have to be released for the thing to start. I tested both and bypassed both. No change. It seems the control board is a known failure item. Maybe I'll purchase a control board, but putting a belching 2 stroke engine on the 'ol battery mower has a strange appeal to me...


That is the LawnBoy 6.5HP mower engine that may jump on to the Toro...