Question about using a Ryobi 20″ in wet or damp grass

Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Outdoor Power Equipment). This thread is read-only.

DougIMember since Jun 2025Jun 30, 2025 3:55 PM CT

Just bought a Ryobi 20″ mower. I live in the Seattle area and of course sometimes when I need to mow the grass can be a bit wet or damp. Ryobi says I shouldn’t use the mower in those conditions. Anybody use their mower in those conditions and not have any problems? I would assume that everything would be sealed up from the underside Thanks

winglessMember since Nov 2017Jun 30, 2025 6:04 PM CT

Welcome to the forum.

According to the Ryobi 20″ Model RY401180 mower’s Owner’s Manual: “Do not cut wet grass. It will stick to the underside of the deck and prevent proper bagging or mulching of grass clippings.”

Not sure if this is your model, but it wouldn’t surprise me if this applies across the models.

Assuming that operational performance degradation happens, stop operation and manually / safely clean the bottom accumulation before resuming.

FWIW, I also purchased a push (not propelled) Craftsman 20″ battery mower because of the low mass (weight) to minimize sinking into the Earth along the wet backyard drainage canal. This was the lightest machine I could find and it works great to minimize sinking / mower wheel ruts.

When I purchased the house there were huge / deep tire ruts along this canal. I couldn’t initially figure out why there were ruts. Turns out the City comes through w/ a pair of large dual rear wheel mowers ~4X per year and those sink in near the water. I tamped out the ruts and now have them transit my property up high on the hard ground wo cutting.

After more than a year of usage the machine still looks new, top and bottom. I just remove any bottom deck accumulation by hand (removing both batteries first). Garden hose water clean, vacuum blow water and crud, paper towel wipe w/ WD40, all on top and bottom. My expectation is this will outlast me.

Your Owner’s Manual has this notation: WARNING: Never use a hose, water, or any liquids to clean or rinse off the lawn mower. Corrosive liquids, water, fertilizers, and chemicals used to treat lawns can enter the lawn mower and/or battery compartment and damage electronic components and/or the battery pack, which can result in a short circuit, increased risk of fire, and serious personal injury. Remove any buildup of grass and leaves on or around the mower housing and/or underneath the mower deck. Wipe the mower clean with a dry cloth occasionally.

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