A compact battery-operated riding mower having a chassis with a rear end having two rear wheels, each rear wheel having a hydraulic motor attached thereto, a front end with two wheels, a cutting blade deck having one or more rotary cutting blades, and a power compartment. The mower is powered by a plurality of batteries connected in series. A first DC electric motor is positioned near the rear of the power compartment and a second DC electric motor is positioned near the front of the power compartment. The first electric motor is connected to one or more cutting blades to drive the cutting blades, and the second electric motor is connected to the hydraulic motors to drive the rear wheels. The electric motors are sealed and air-cooled.