Model-family comparison
RYOBI 20-inch 40V mower: push or self-propelled, kit or tool-only?
The RYOBI 20-inch 40V HP mower codes RY401017 and RY401018 describe two different mower bodies: one is operator-pushed, the other is self-propelled with rear-wheel drive. Their bare-tool purchase codes are RY401017BTL and RY401018BTL; the matching kit codes are RY401170 and RY401180. Start by deciding whether powered travel is essential, then decide whether a battery and charger should be in the exact purchase. A photo of a green mower body cannot settle either question.
Read the four model codes as two body choices and two package choices
| Exact code | Mower arrangement | Battery package | Useful when |
|---|---|---|---|
| RY401017BTL | 20-inch push | Tool only; no battery or charger | You already own suitable RYOBI 40V power |
| RY401170 | 20-inch push | One 6Ah battery and fast charger listed | You want the push body and a power kit together |
| RY401018BTL | 20-inch rear-wheel self-propelled | Tool only; no battery or charger | You want powered travel and already have the compatible power equipment |
| RY401180 | 20-inch rear-wheel self-propelled | One 6Ah battery and fast charger listed | You want powered travel and an included battery and charger |
The code families matter: RY401017 and RY401018 are the mower-body model numbers in the operator manuals, while BTL identifies the bare-tool purchase listing and the RY401170/RY401180 pages describe kits. The exact listings are the package authority. A kit is not a second drive system, and a battery is not included merely because it appears in a lifestyle photograph. The BTL pages explicitly say the battery and charger are not included; their packages include the mower, catcher, start key, mulch plug, side-discharge chute and manual. The kit pages add one 6Ah 40V pack and fast charger.
What stays common across the four exact codes
Both manuals identify a 20-inch, 40V mower with seven cut-height positions from 1.5 to 4 inches, a single cutting blade, foldable handles and one active battery port. Each supports three separate clipping arrangements: mulch with the plug, collect with the rear catcher, or use the side-discharge chute. A separate battery-storage compartment can carry an extra pack, but the manual says a battery stored there does not power the mower. Thus a one-pack kit is still a one-port mower, not a two-battery automatic changeover design.
Those common facts do not make the bodies interchangeable in every practical way. The push RY401017 has no powered travel; the self-propelled RY401018 uses rear-wheel drive and has a sliding control to adjust forward speed. The RY401018 manual calls this a cruise-control button and says to set the pace before starting the blade. That RYOBI feature is distinct from Honda’s named hydrostatic Cruise Control and should not be merged with it in a shortlist.
Choose a mode and respect the operating limits
The clipping modes use different attachments, so decide which one you will use most and keep the relevant accessory in the kit. Mulching can avoid frequent catcher stops when growth is suitable; bagging collects clippings; side discharge directs them out to the side. None should be read as evidence of leaf-shredding or a special high-lift blade package. Both manuals caution against wet grass, ask the operator to clear objects that can be thrown, and direct the owner to remove the key and battery before changing attachments, clearing a blockage or cleaning below the deck.
Each manual states a maximum slope of 15 degrees and says to mow across a slope, not directly up or down; it also warns not to proceed if footing is uncertain. Self-propulsion is not a slope rating. If your lawn has damp banks, drop-offs, ruts or steep areas, use the manual’s caution as a stop condition, not a challenge to use more drive power. The manuals also describe upright handle storage, but the complete route to the garage still needs adequate clearance.
Compare runtime claims without assuming a result
RYOBI lists up to 45 minutes using a 6Ah battery for the RY401017 push body and up to 40 minutes using a 6Ah battery for the RY401018 self-propelled body. These are maximum manufacturer claims, not measured run times or guarantees. The kit pages supply a 6Ah battery, so they at least match the stated battery scenario; bare-tool buyers must provide compatible power. The claims do not guarantee that every half-acre yard is a one-charge job. Grass density, cutting height, wetness, bagging stops, turns and powered travel all affect actual work.
RYOBI’s newer RY40HPLM06 push and RY40HPLM07 self-propelled 20-inch pages state different maximum runtimes on 6Ah packs. They are useful comparison models, not aliases for RY401017/018; check their own package codes, manuals and feature lists. If multi-blade CrossCut is a requirement, a separate model such as RY401260 identifies that system; these RY401017/018 manuals describe a single blade. For retail searching, use the exact four codes above and confirm that the offered box matches the chosen package before checkout.
Primary sources: RYOBI U.S. pages for RY401017BTL, RY401170, RY401018BTL and RY401180; operator manuals for RY401017 and RY401018. Current comparison pages: RY40HPLM06K, RY40HPLM07K, and RY401260.