Read up on how to go about a robot lawn mower installation. We provide instructions and tips on how to install your new robotic mower in your garden.
First Of All – What Is A Robotic Lawn Mower?
A robotic lawn mower is a self-guiding machine that cuts your lawn for you.
It is automated to mow your lawn strategically and frequently, so you do not have to. With this machine working for you, you can make time for other things.
How Does A Robotic Mower Work?
There are many variations of the mower on the market. Despite this, these compact machines generally work in the same manner.
The mowers are battery-operated machines with rotating blades. These blades can be activated and deactivated in the process of trimming or cutting one’s lawn.
These battery mowers are different from the ones you have to push yourself – they do the work for you!
Built with sensors, these are utilised to keep the machine within the boundaries of the home and the lawn (it’s working area) that you set.
Initially, one must set up their parameters before the machine can be put to work. The robot lawn mower installation may be done in a couple of ways, according to your model requirements.
The most popular method is the use of guide wires. These can be installed around your property to create a map that the mower can follow.
Not only are the guide wires used to set the perimeter of your property, but they are also used to create barriers for areas that may not need any mowing. For example, your flower beds
The mowers run on a battery that must be charged at intervals. Some run for 4.5 hours after a 50-minute charge.
This varies depending on the workload, battery capacity, and the shape of your cutting area. If there are many obstructions, a lot more power is used to navigate around the objects.
Robot Lawn Mower Installation Instructions
Setting up the mower consists of two main stages:
- Programming the mower
- Guide wire installation
Programming The Mower
The frequency of mowing the lawn and other settings that you would like the mower to adhere to.
Once these stages are completed, the mower practically runs on its own with no need for your interaction.
Automower Guide Wire Installation
The guide or boundary wire for a robotic mower is used to set up your mower’s perimeter. This tells the mower where the grass should be cut and where not to cut it.
The exceptions could be the edge of your lawn, by your property wall, and around objects like trees, hedges, and pavements.
There are two ways for your robot lawn mower boundary wire installation.
1. Pegging The Wire To The Ground
This utilises pegs to pin the wire to the ground. This is great as it remains semi-temporary.
This means that if you make any changes over time, you can just unpin the wire. Then reshape your boundaries to reflect the new changes you would like to implement.
2. Burying The Wire
A more permanent and laborious way of installing your guidewire. However, this is the best way to ensure that your wire is protected from the elements.
It is recommended to bury it at least 20cm into the ground.
Automower Docking Station
Another important task of your robot lawn mower installation is pinpointing the best possible place to set up your charging station.
It is crucial to find the best possible location for the robot lawn mower charging station. Here are some factors that need to be taken into account:
- The station should be on a level surface that can easily be manoeuvered to
- A standard power outlet should be located close by
- A place with a natural protective barrier from the weather would be advisable
- The station should be central to the boundary perimeters
- The best location will have at least three of those factors considered
Robot Mower Garage
This miniature carport is for the safety and protection of the docking station and mower.
Though many mowers do come with some form of protection from rain, they should not be exposed to too much rain or moisture. Hence, the garage is a great way to protect the mower and charging station.
Building one could be a fun family activity.
These can be built (or bought) with various materials. Galvanized steel, bricks, or wood.
Make the enclosure as sturdy and waterproof as you can for the auto mowers.
Automower Outside Working Area
The minimum range of the home models start at 150 square meters. The heavier-duty ones manage 5000 square meters.
Automower And Dog Poop
Newer models that have object detection capabilities will automatically deactivate their cutting blades and shut down if approached by a pet or human.
Most of the blades are hidden within the mechanism, which is safer than exposed rotating blades.
Unfortunately, most times, dog poop is not detected by the system. Especially if the size of the poop is not big.
One will have to check for poop before letting your mower do its job. Otherwise, endure a regular cleaning schedule for the blades that will have stains from the unmentionable.
Is There A Robotic Lawn Mower Without Perimeter Wire Technology?
There is a working model that uses sensor technology, the Ambrogio L60 from Zucchetti Centro Sistemi SpA.
Sensor Technology
This is the leading alternative to the perimeter wire.
The mowers are built with humidity sensors which allow the mower to differentiate grass from other objects.
This works by virtue of the humidity readings. Some difficulties arise with objects that may share similar readings.
The readings allow the mower to move away from anything that is not grass.
Though still in the early stages, working models have been manufactured with seemingly great results. Manufacturers are refining the technology further.
Sensor technology will make your robot lawn mower installation a lot simpler.
GPS Technology
This technology is generally not new but needs expensive equipment for it to be accurate enough to accomplish the task of mowing.
Fitting a GPS chip to the mower and then setting up a ground station in your yard would enable the station to configure a map. The mower can use this to move around, cutting the grass and staying away from the yard boundaries.
Currently, this hardware is rather expensive to mass-produce.
Robotic Mower Price
There is no way around it; even with entry-level specs, auto mowers are rather pricy. The lowest starts at £600, which will have low specs.
Mid-range models start at £1300, and these generally have better reviews. They have more power, better battery capacity, and terrain maneuvering capabilities.
The most expensive ranges to £5000. But this price allows you to remotely drive it over almost 1-acre of coverage.
And that price gets a 1-acre cut in a whopping 100 minutes – it is the only model that can do that. Not to mention it has a 4-wheel drive capacity (the machine is a beast!).
Another possible cost could be an installation fee. Some robot lawn mower installations can only be performed by an accredited installer, which will be quite an amount as well. Either way, be prepared to fork out a bit of money.
How Long Do Robotic Mowers Last?
A robotic lawn mower will last you about ten years with regular servicing. During this time, the different components that make it up will have to be replaced to keep it effective and efficient.
As with time, the battery loses capacity, and the blades get dull. One can repair and maintain as best one can for 10 years.
Robotic Lawn Mower Manufacturers
Below we mention the most popular brands:
Husqvarna
The very popular brand has been creating these longer than any other brand and is highly regarded. They boast of having an exceptional range of products to suit specific needs.
They are well-known for their riding lawn mowers, and push mowers ranges.
This is the brand that offers the 4-wheel drive model.
Worx Landroid
The ultra-rugged and durable mower producers have distinct colours and functionalities specific to their models. They are found on many lists of the best robotic mowers.
Their Worx Landroid M500 model is regarded as the bestselling mower in Europe.
Flymo
The budget-friendly manufacturer offers the best entry-level machines. They stand the test of time, offering a better mowing process with their mowing and mulching techniques.
Their collision technology seems a steal at the price you get it at.
Flymo already has a good name in the hover mower range of mowers – and this should reflect in their robotic mower standards.
Robot Lawn Mower Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
| No need to cut your own grass | Repairing the unit could be difficult and costly |
| Safer option to use | The battery may not last as long |
| Energy-efficient | Initial set-up also takes a while |
| Easier to store as it is way more compact | Initial setup is costly |
| Easy to use once set up |
Are Robot Mowers Worth It?
In an age of automating simpler tasks, manicuring the lawn would be cut from your list. This would give you more time for other things.
But this still hinges on whether you want your lawn immaculate throughout the year or only on specific occasions.
How far will you go to maintain your lawn?
How much you are prepared to pay to keep your lawn looking good without your input is subjective.
Are you prepared to set up the robot lawn mower installation initially?
Robot mowers are at the top of the price range ladder as far as cost is concerned. Are you happy to pay the price for convenience and regular results?
Then yes, a robotic mower is worth it.
If not, then taking the time to mow the lawn yourself regularly is the only option for you.
Maybe in a couple of years, they would have cracked the auto mowers at an affordable price.
