Greenworks Lithium Z Launch Event

Have you ever ridden a zero-turn mower at 10mph with virtually no noise? We got to do just that at the Greenworks Lithium Z launch event near Charlotte, N.C. The battery-powered Greenworks mowers were not exactly secret since we’ve covered them in our Highlights From the GIE Expo last year. However, the great news is they’re finally in production, not just engineering prototypes. Not only did we have a chance to ride the Greenworks Lithium Z Zero-Turn and Lithium Z stand-on, but Greenworks also had many other landscaping tools from their 82-volt commercial, 40-volt elite, and 60-volt platforms.

This Greenworks Lithium Z launch event packed a ton of information, go-to-market strategy, and hands-on experience all in one day. While this may seem too jam-packed, this is actually the way we like it. Great job Greenworks! We had a quick breakfast at the hotel, then it was a quick ride over to the Mooresville, N.C. Greenworks headquarters. The Greenworks building is an old mill that has been transformed into a very open-floorplan office. Much of the mill can still be seen in the brick walls and scarred flooring. While the evidence of the old is there, the office is pristinely clean and organized.

Right here in this location, they have sales, marketing, and legal, as well as engineering and a multimedia studio (photo/video).  They have a 3-D printer at their fingertips for trying new ideas and making new parts. In addition to the staff in-house, they also routinely have live web meetings with China and their other multiple locations.

Hands-On – Butts On – Lithium Z Launch Event

After the morning session of discussions, bar graphs, and powerpoints, which we’ll get back to in a moment, Greenworks shuttled us out to the outskirts of a beautiful golf course. An open field and un-mown rough gave us the opportunity to try out all the Greenworks tools, not just the mowers. We were broken up into 3 groups which each started at three different stations. My group started at the Greenworks Lithium Z zero-turn and Lithium Z stand-on. Best group, of course!

Lithium Z 60-Inch Zero Turn

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Turn the key on to the Greenworks Lithium Z Zero-Turn,  and you hear nothing…literally. The LCD screen flashes the Greenworks logo then gives a diagnostic of the system, including the battery charge percentage and cutting height. Throwing the throttle sticks forward moves the Lithium ZT, in a hurry, to the 10mph top speed. Still, even with the electric motors and wheels blazing, there’s not a lot of sound. Finally, reaching for the big red button to engage the blades, the mower finally emits a sound that we’re more accustomed to. The whirr of the blades can be heard distinctly, but still a much more subtle sound than from gas-powered equivalents.

Five brushless electric motors power the Lithium Z ZT and Stand-on. Each rear wheel receives an independent electric motor to drive the mower. In addition, three more electric motors power the three blades, independent from one another. With the wheels and blades with their own brushless motors, the computer system can not only monitor each area but can apply needed power for each, when they need it. Riding the Zero-Turn, I placed the right side of the deck into much higher grass, and the Greenworks ECU gave the right blade more power without effecting the other two blades or the drive wheels. This is impossible to do with current gas-powered belt-driven mowers.

Lithium Z 48-Inch Stand-on

Much like it’s zero-turn bigger brother, the Lithium Z 48-inch stand-on is powered by the same system. The two main differences are the standing rear deck for the operator (instead of sitting), and the hand controls. While the Zero turn deck is controlled with a rocker switch and electric motor, the 48-inch stand-on has a conventional handle to raise and lower the deck. To charge the 82-volt 13.8 KW battery, it takes about 10-hours. This, of course, depends on how dead you run the batteries. Both the Stand-on and Zero-turn have fabricated steel decks and there are no pulleys or belts to worry with.

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Not only do you not have to worry about belts or pulleys, but you never have to worry about gas or oil either. After all, this is one of the big perks of battery-power, right?! Well, that savings on gas and oil does come at a cost. The Lithium Z 60″ ZT costs about $24k and the Lithium Z 48″ Stand-on runs about $22k. Keep in mind, Greenworks will be the first company to mass-produce a Lithium-powered commercial mower. There are some other brands out there, but the builds are more custom. We fully expect to see these prices come down as production goes up.

If you’re concerned with how long these huge batteries will last, Greenworks says they should handle 1,500 charging cycles. Furthermore, the Greenworks Lithium Z mowers carry a 2-year frame warranty, and a 3-year battery and motor warranty.

82-Volt Lithium Z Ride-on ZTR Specifications

• 

  Model: GZ 60R

• Battery System: 82 Volts
• Blade Motors: (3) 1.5KW Brushless
• Blade Speed: 2800 – 3200 RPM
• Drive Motors: (2) 1.7KW Brushless
• Deck: 60’’ Fabricated Steel
• Cutting Heights: 16 (1.5’’ to 6’’)
• Forward Speed: 0-8 MPH
• Reverse Speed: 0-3.7 MPH
• Tires: 13’’ Front, 23’’ Rear
• Battery Runtime: Up to 4.5 hours
• Charge Time: 10 hours
• Weight: 991 lbs
• Frame Warranty: 2-Year
• Battery and Motor Warranty: 3-Year
• MSRP: $24,000

82V Stander – Lithium Z 48-Inch Stand-on Specifications

• 

  Model: GZ 48S

• Battery System: 82 Volts
• Blade Motors: (3) 1.5KW Brushless
• Blade Speed: 2800 – 3600 RPM
• Drive Motors: (2) 1.7KW Brushless
• Deck: 48’’ Fabricated Steel
• Cutting Height: 16 (1.5’’ to 6’’)
• Forward Speed: 0-6.2 MPH
• Reverse Speed: 0-3.1 MPH
• Tires: 11’’ Front, 18’’ Rear
• Battery Runtime: Up to 6 hours
• Charge Time: 10 hours
• Weight: 981 lbs
• Frame Warranty: 2-Year
• Battery and Motor Warranty: 3-Year
• MSRP: $22,500

Greenwork’s Robust OPE Menu – À la carte

In addition to the great battery-powered ride-on equipment, the Greenworks Lithium Z launch event also included new hand-held equipment. From chainsaws and push mowers to pressure washers and wheelbarrows, Greenworks has a plethora of choices for the landscapers’ arsenal. Greenworks offers more voltage platforms than many other OPE companies offer battery-powered tools. They include 24-volt, 40-volt, 60-volt, 80-volt, 40-volt Elite, and 82-volt Commercial. How does one keep this straight? We’re not sure yet, but we do have a better understanding.

Commercial Independent Dealers – 40V and 82V

One thing for certain, you won’t find any Greenworks 40-volt Elite or 82-volt Commercial products on Amazon or in the box stores. These two platforms are specifically distributed and sold through the dealer channel. These are considered the Pro lines and the tools meant to stand up to the daily abuse.

82-Volt Commercial Push Mowers

Greenworks is releasing in Fall 2018 the GMS 250 dual blade mower. The dual blades will be powered by the 82-volt commercial battery and brushless motors. This will also be a self-propelled mower with a steel deck. Model GM 210 is a 21″ push mower (not self-propelled) that includes a single blade driven by a brushless motor. The GMS 210 is the same as the GM 210, but it also includes the self-propelled feature.

Greenworks Commercial GMS 250 Self Propel Mower

• 

  82-Volts

• Dual Blades
• Brushless Motors
• 25’’ Steel Deck
• Smart Cut Technology
• Dual Battery Port PH
• Automatic Switch Over
• 2 in 1 Mowing System
• Vertical Storage
• Rear wheel drive system
• Single Lever Height Adjustment
• 7 Cutting Heights 25 to 75 mm
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty
• MSRP: $549
• On Sale: October 2018

GMS 210 Self Propel Mower

• 

  82-Volts

• Brushless Motor
• 21’’ Steel Deck
• Smart Cut Technology
• Dual Battery Port PH
• Automatic Switch Over
• 3 in 1 Mowing System
• Vertical Storage 70% Less Storage Space
• Rear wheel drive system
• Single Lever Height Adjustment
• 7 Cutting Heights 1-3/8 to 3-3/4″
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty
• MSRP: $499
• On Sale: August 2018

GM 210 Push Mower

• 82-Volts
• Brushless Motor
• 21’’ Steel Deck
• Smart Cut Technology
• 3 in 1 Mowing System
• Vertical Storage 70% Less Storage Space
• Single Lever Height Adjustment
• 7 Cutting Heights 1-3/8 to 3-3/4″
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty
• MSRP:
• On Sale: Now

Greenworks Professional Chainsaws

We’ve reviewed a few Greenworks chainsaws in the past and an abundance of other battery-powered chainsaws. In fact, we even compared many cordless chainsaws in our Best Battery-Powered Chainsaw Shootout. Two new saws for the Greenworks brand this year will be the GS110 and the GS181. The GS110 is a top-handled saw meant for the arborist or climber. This saw is meant to be light, nimble, and balanced. One of the tell-tell signs is the lanyard/drop-cord loop built into the saw. Not built for climbing is the new GS181, which is the 82-volt beast meant for cutting with the best. In fact, at the Greenworks Lithium Z launch event, they claimed this saw will compete with 50-60cc gas-powered saws. We’ll have to see how this saw lives up to its claims when we get one in for review.

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Greenworks 40-V GS 110 Top-Handle Chainsaw

• 40V Elite
• Top Handle Arborist Saw
• Brushless Motor
• 10’’ Bar and Chain
• Chain Brake
• Automatic Oiler
• Steal Bucking Spikes
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty
• MSRP: $279
• On Sale: Now

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Greenworks 82-V Commercial GS 181 Chainsaw

• 

  82-Volt Commercial

• 2.5 KW Brushless Motor
• 18’’ Bar and Chain
• Extra 18’’ Bar and Chain
• Durable blow mold carrying case
• Chain Brake
• Automatic Oiler
• Full Metal Wrap Around Handle
• Steal Bucking Spikes
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty
• MSRP: $299
• On Sale: September 2018

Greenworks GS 100 Pole Saw

• 82-Volt Commercial
• Brushless Motor
• 10’’ Bar and Chain
• 10ft Extension
• Heavy Duty Aluminum Extension Bar
• Automatic Oiler
• Steal Bucking Spikes
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty
• MSRP:
• On Sale: Now

Other New Greenworks Tools

Other tools at the Greenworks Lithium Z launch event were string trimmers, edgers, hand-held blowers, and backpack blowers. We even had a look at the new 40-volt Elite battery with an integrated USB port for charging your phone and an 82-volt dual port charger.

Greenworks GB 500 Blower

• 82-Volt Commercial
• Handheld Axial Blower:
• Brushless Motor
• 500 CFM
• 125 MPH
• Variable Speed Trigger
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty

Greenworks GB 600 Blower

• 82-Volt Commercial
• Axial Blower
• Brushless Motor
• 600 CFM
• 150 MPH
• Variable Speed Trigger
• Battery backpack and battery harness compatible
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty

Greenworks GBB 600 Backpack Blower

• 82-Volt Commercial
• Backpack Blower
• Brushless Motor
• 150 MPH
• 600 CFM
• Turbo Button
• Variable Speed Trigger / Cruise Control
• 2 Year Limited Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Limited Battery Warranty

Greenworks GBB 700 Backpack Blower

• 82-Volt Commercial
• Backpack Blower
• Brushless Motor
• 160 MPH
• 690 CFM
• Turbo Button
• Variable Speed Trigger / Cruise Control
• 2 Year Limited Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Limited Battery Warranty

Greenworks GT 160 String Trimmer

• 82-Volt Commercial
• 16” Straight Shaft String Trimmer
• Brushless Motor
• 16’’ Cutting Path
• .095 Line
• Bump Feed Head
• Solid Shaft
• Sealed motor head
• Electric Start
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty

Greenworks GTA 160 String Trimmer

• 82-Volt Commercial
• 16” Attachment Capable Trimmer
• Brushless Motor
• 16’’ Cutting Path
• .095 Line
• Bump Feed Head
• Attachment Capable
• Sealed motor head
• Electric Start
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty

Greenworks GE 080 Edger

• 82-Volt Commercial
• Dedicated Straight-Shaft Edger
• Brushless Motor
• 8’’ Blade
• Cast blade guard
• Electric Start
• Variable Speed Trigger
• Perfectly balanced
• 2 Year Tool Warranty
• 2 Year Battery Warranty

Greenworks GC 400 Dual Port 82-Volt Rapid Charger

• 82-Volt Commercial System
• 4A Charger
• 2 Charging Dock
• 37min Charge Time (2.5AH Battery)
• 60min Charge Time (4AH Battery)
• 72min Charge Time (5AH Battery)
• 3 Hour Charge Time (900WH Battery)
• LED Indicator Light
• 2 Year Limited Warranty
• MSRP: $79
• On Sale: Now

TOP SECRET Info from the Greenworks Lithium Z Launch Event

Greenworks even gave us some heads-up information that the rest of the world won’t know about until the GIE Expo in October. We can’t talk about them yet, but I can show you a picture.

Final Words

We were ecstatic to get some real seat time with the zero-turn mowers at the Greenworks Lithium Z launch event. We look forward to getting these in for review soon, so we can give some real feedback on a full day’s use. The GS 181 and GS 110 chainsaws were a couple more products with very impressive initial impressions. Reviews for these will be forthcoming and we’ll be sure to run the GS 181 against a gas-powered saw for performance testing. All-in-all the Greenworks event was a success, and we’re excited to see their new products roll out over the coming months.

For more information, click on Greenworks Tools or Greenworks Commercial .