Do Robot Lawn Mowers Get Stolen?

What was once a housekeeper’s dream has been realized in automated vacuum cleaners, which initially were more of a novelty but are now finding mainstream acceptance.

With the introduction of robotic cleaners for the swimming pool and now robot lawnmowers, the person responsible for keeping the yard clean has found some relief.

There are very few thefts of robot lawnmowers in America, and the internal anti-theft features act as a capable deterrent. If the robot lawnmower is stolen, it can generally be tracked and recovered; however, as they become popular and more extensively used, the theft risk will increase.

Keeping a robot lawnmower safe from thieves is relatively easy; they have very advanced anti-theft protection, but they can generally be tracked using the onboard GPS features.

Despite this, it is important that they be physically protected and that you ensure your insurance coverage is in place.

Robot Lawnmowers Do Get Stolen

robot lawn mower working

In 2020, across the country (United States), the larceny (theft of personal property) theft rate was 1,398 per 100,000 inhabitants. In simple terms, this means a 1.39% chance that any citizen will have personal property stolen.

This figure relates to any type of personal property other than vehicle theft.

In some areas, homeowners who used the early generation robot mowers had a problem with the machines being stolen from the gardens.

The latest generation of robot lawnmowers uses several security features which the cell phone manufacturers pioneered.

It made the robot lawnmowers harder to steal, but some features make them unusable in the hands of someone other than the owner.

Realistically if there is a market for something, someone will find a way to fulfill it. In the same way, if a need exists for stolen robot lawnmowers, there will be a morally bankrupt person who will find a way to steal them.

A caveat to this is that while the security features listed below effectively prevent the robot mower’s ongoing use after a theft, it does not preclude the thieves from breaking the stolen machine down and selling the parts as spares.

What Are The Security Precautions Included In A Robot Lawnmower?

If you want to purchase a robot lawnmower, ensure that the one you choose has the following security features.

Pin Code Access

Most current-generation robot lawnmowers have a pin code access system.

It ensures that the lawnmower can only be activated if correctly entered the four-digit pin code.

In the same way, your phone features pin code access; if the incorrect code is entered multiple times, the robotic lawnmower system will lock the user out.

Some robotic lawn mowers require the pin code to be entered after a pre-determined period, after a set number of days or weeks.

While the thief can use the machine for a period up to the next scheduled pin code entry date, the device will shut down unless a valid pin code is entered at that time.

If the model robot mower you choose has the ability, it is recommended that you set the PIN code to be input every time the mower is manually stopped or the access panel is opened.

Theft Alarms

theft alarm

Most robot lawnmowers are equipped with an alarm.

The owner can generally set the alarms based on a personalized set of conditions.

For example, it could be set to sound in the following circumstances.

  1. If the robot lawn mower is lifted and the stop button is not pressed.
  2. If the device is manually halted using the stop button, most make a start require a PIN code to be correctly entered within a set time. If it is not entered, the alarm activates.
  3. If an attempt is made to use the robot mower without entering the PIN code.
  4. If the robot lawn mower is lifted from the charging station without entering the PIN code.
  5. The time the alarm sounds can also be set with an option of between one minute and 20 minutes.

The alarm is stopped by entering the correct pin code.

Charging Station Pairing

charging station

Most robot lawnmowers require the charging stations to be paired with the lawnmower.

Once the pairing is completed, it is secure with the pin code.

If the robot lawnmower is stolen without the charging station, there will be no way to use it with another charging station.

Does The Robot Mower Have A Cell Phone App?

pair with smartphone

If the robot lawnmower has an app, it offers several benefits.

The benefits may include.

  1. Real-time updates on the robot lawnmower condition.
  2. An alarm if the mower gets stuck or experiences a problem.
  3. A battery condition meter.
  4. How often does the robot lawnmower cut and the area it cut?
  5. The physical position of the lawnmower.
  6. It should also have a geo fencing feature that sounds the alarm if the robot lawnmower is moved outside the approved area.
  7. The ability to track the lawnmower if it is stolen.

Blacklisting Robot Lawnmowers

Some manufacturers offer a “blacklisting service” which can be notified if the lawnmower is stolen.

This feature alerts the dealers if they are offered a lawnmower or one is brought in for repairs.

A Robot Lawnmower Garage

Currently, the number of robot lawnmowers sold is not large, and therefore there is a limited market to sell them, and therefore less incentive for them to be sold.

As they become more popular and they start to be seen in greater numbers, the potential reward for thieves will increase, and they will become more attractive to criminals.

It will not matter what anti-theft systems are installed in a robot lawnmower; criminals will find a way to steal them, and also, they will “monetize” their activities.

Unfortunately, some criminals are innovative and will find a way to overcome the protections.

It is also important to secure the robot lawnmower physically.

Several robot lawnmower garages are on offer, which can be installed in a secure location in the garden. The charging station is installed in these garages, and when the robot lawnmower needs to charge, it enters the garage.

The robot lawnmower can be set to enter the garage at night and leave it in the morning. Some garages have an automatic opening and closing feature in the doors, and once inside, it is effectively locked away and secured.

Insure The Robot Lawnmower

If all the protections fail, you need to have the robot lawnmower replaced.

Therefore, should ensure that your insurance policy provides adequate coverage.

Check with your insurance brokers and if necessary, have them include the robot lawnmower on the policy.

Conclusion

The robot lawnmower has many internal security features that should effectively deter opportunistic thieves. If it is stolen, it should be able to be tracked and ultimately recovered.

It is still important to physically secure the robot lawnmower and keep it fully insured as final protection despite these features.

References

https://www.statista.com/statistics/232583/larceny-theft-rate-in-the-us-by-state/

https://www.husqvarna.com/uk/sitecore/content/hbd/global/home/support/husqvarna-self-service/ka-01421/

https://therobotmower.co.uk/2019/06/11/security-insure-your-robot-mower/

Do Robotic Mowers Work on Hills and Rough Terrain?

Robotic lawn mowers are a fantastic time-saver, and they are the most simple way to deal with a large lawn that requires a lot of maintenance, but what if your garden includes areas of rugged terrain, hills, or even areas of no lawn at all that the mower must navigate? Can robotic mowers work on these types of lawns?

Robotic mowers do work on hills and rough terrain. There are limits to where robotic mowers can mow effectively, but most mowers are designed with inclines, slopes, ditches, patchy earth, and difficult terrain in mind. Robotic mowers are equipped to handle tough terrain.

This may be a serious concern for someone who wants to buy a robotic lawn mower.

If the mower is incapable of mowing the entire lawn, the entire mower becomes less worthwhile than employing a gardener to maintain the lawn.

Can a robotic mower work on hills, rough terrain, uneven lawns, and areas where there is no lawn at all? Well, the answer is somewhat complicated.

Do Robotic Mowers Work On Rough Terrain?

lawn mower on terrain

The very first question that a person finds themselves asking when they have found a robotic lawn mower to buy is whether or not the mower will work on rough terrain?

Most people have some form of rougher ground in their lawn or garden, and if the mower cannot function in these areas, it is not worth purchasing.

The truth is that rough terrain, along with hills, uneven lawns, and other garden hazards, used to be detrimental to robotic mower function.

In years gone by, most robotic mowers would be rendered useless by a patch of rough ground, but manufacturers have spent years and many resources on research and development on improving the performance and functionality of these machines.

Modern robot lawn mowers, especially the high-end models, can handle rough terrain without any hindrances whatsoever.

Modern high-end robotic mowers are equipped with independent suspension on each wheel, in-wheel motors, high-traction wheels, or tires, and the motors that move these machines have plenty of power to handle rugged terrain.

Modern robotic mowers can handle areas of rough terrain with ease. If your lawn has some rough patches, you can rest assured that the mower you have chosen will be able to handle them without damage or hindrance.

Do Robotic Mowers Work On Hills?

Hills are a very common obstacle in yards, which means that robotic mowers must be able to climb and descend hills while cutting the lawn well, and this must not have a significant decrease in mower performance.

This was another issue that plagued robotic mowers of the past, as many of these machined would be rendered useless by a small hill, but modern mowers have overcome these challenges entirely.

Modern mowers of all levels are built with more than enough power and torque to handle hills, and good quality robotic mowers are even built to handle inclines as steep as 70°, in both ascending and descending.

Most modern mowers have sufficient power and torque to handle these types of inclines, and they are equipped with the wheels and tires to traverse this terrain without slipping or losing traction and without sliding forwards or backward.

This means that modern robotic mowers are as effective for cutting the lawn on flat ground as they are for cutting the lawn on steep hills.

The only lingering issue is that a lawn with many hills will drain the battery of the mower more quickly, as traversing the terrain will require more energy.

Less-powerful or cheap robotic mowers may have trouble with steep hills, but all mowers of this kind should be able to handle some degree of incline and remain functional.

Do Robotic Mowers Work On Uneven Lawns?

Uneven lawns are not the same as a lawn with slopes or inclines. An uneven lawn is one that has several hollows, patches, gaps, dips, drops, bumps, or other obstacles that can contribute to it being uneven. Can robotic lawn mowers handle this type of lawn as well?

In the same way that modern robotic mowers are capable of handling rough terrain and hills, they are capable of working on uneven lawns as well. An uneven lawn presents several unique challenges because the mower that is charged with keeping the lawn trimmed must be adaptable and able to get itself unstuck if necessary.

Tackling an uneven law is no challenge for modern robotic mowers. They have all the power necessary to move over and through hazards, bumps, dips, drops, or holes, and if any obstacle is too much for the machine to handle, they are well equipped to easily navigate around the object.

There is almost no terrain found in average gardens that a modern, good-quality robot lawn mower cannot handle.

Uneven lawns and mowing surfaces are easily accounted for in these machines by active and independent suspension, adjustable cutting blades, adjustable drive height, power, torque, and intelligent features that allow these machines to navigate uneven terrain with ease.

Some entry-level robotic mowers may have some trouble on particularly uneven ground, or they may not have the power or intelligent features to navigate the terrain well, but this is not common in modern mowers of this kind.

Do All Robotic Mowers Work Well On Hills And Rough Terrain?

We have established that robotic mowers can traverse all kinds of rougher terrains, slopes, and inclines, but can robotic mowers still cut grass well on this type of terrain? Does the terrain that a mower is navigating affect its ability to trim grass?

Modern robotic mowers are able to traverse most types of terrain found in lawns, and the reality is that the types of ground the mower is crossing will affect its ability to trim lawn.

If the terrain has significant gaps or drips that are too small or narrow for the cutting blades to enter, those areas will go uncut. Any areas within the terrain that the cutting blades of the mower are unable to reach or any area where the mower cannot fit into or around will remain uncut.

However, this does not mean that a mower operating over rugged terrain or inclines will cut lawn poorly. Anywhere that the mower can reach will be cut as effectively as the mower will cut on flat ground.

This is true for all robotic mowers, as the blades that these machines use are adjustable on different planes, and they are able to trim lawn wherever the mower is designed to go.

Mowing on challenging terrain does not impede the mowers’ ability to mow.

Conclusion

Robotic lawn mowers save significant time and effort, but they are only useful where the mower can effectively mow. If your yard features terrain that a mower will not be able to traverse, then using a robot lawn mower is not the lawn solution for you.

However, if your yard features hills, mildly rugged turf and terrain, or an uneven lawn, most robotic lawn mowers should be able to tackle the task without much trouble.

Be sure to find the right mower for the type and size of your lawn, and it will be able to trim all the grass that it can reach with ease.

References

https://autmow.com/its-all-downhill-from-here-husqvarna-and-hills/

How To Clean A Robotic Mower?

Do you remember a time in the suburbs, on Saturday mornings, when the sound of multiple gas lawnmower engines would fill the air? As technology has moved on, this sound is becoming less common, and now with the introduction of robotic lawnmowers, it could soon become a distant memory.

It is important to regularly clean your robotic lawnmower and ensure that no debris or grass cuttings compromise its performance. To clean the machine, you need to switch it off, turn it over, and carefully clean out all the grass cuttings and other debris from the wheels and chassis.

Like any other mechanical device with moving parts, robotic lawnmowers need to be looked after and kept clean to ensure they operate optimally. Problem areas to look out for are rotting grass cuttings getting caught in the drive system, that there is no impact damage, the blades are still sharp, and the battery is in good order.

The Best Method To Clean A Robotic Mower

lawn mower maintenance

The ease with which a robotic mower keeps the lawn at a perfect height is good and bad.

It works by itself and requires minimal supervision and care, which unfortunately means that it is often not cared for.

The Robotic Mower spends long spells (sometimes months and years) being exposed to the elements to maintain the lawn at the right height.

While a robotic mower needs less maintenance than a walk behind lawnmower, it needs some care, particularly cleaning. If the robotic mower is not washed according to a regular schedule, it will soon start with dirt and grass cuttings building up in the nooks and crannies of the robotic mower.

Like a conventional lawnmower, the grass cuttings build up around the wheels, and if it isn’t removed, it starts to rot, which could blunt the cutting blades or affect the drive mechanisms.

Grass juices are corrosive, and the moisture in them can also cause the cutting blades to rust.

How To Clean The Robotic Lawnmower?

cleanig robot mower

If the mower is grimy and dirty with blunt blades, it will have to work harder, leading to wear on the mechanics of the drive system, which will reduce its mobility and compromise its ability to cut.

Follow the steps below when cleaning the robotic lawnmower.

  1. Make sure you turn the automatic lawnmower off at the main switch.
  2. It is always good to wear protective gloves when working with mechanical equipment.
  3. Turn the Robotic Mower over so that the underside is displayed.
  4. If you want to give the mower a deep clean, removing the blades is a good idea.
  5. While the blades are removed, check the condition and ensure the cutting surfaces are still sharp.
  6. If not, use the opportunity to replace them.
  7. Carefully remove all waste clipping from around the blades and in the corners.
  8. Use a toothbrush to clean the dirt from the nooks and crannies.
  9. If you haven’t removed the cutting blades, be very careful that you don’t cut your hands while you clean in and around them.
  10. Use a dishwashing brush to remove clippings from the rest of the underside, including the skid plate, wheels, and chassis.
  11. When it is fully clean, replace the blades, ensuring they are correctly attached.
  12. Turn the Robotic Mower right side up and wipe away any loose clipping and other debris.
  13. Use a cloth and a solution of water and dishwashing liquid (or other cleaning agents) to clean the chassis, body, and panel.
  14. It is very important as it cleans out any damp clippings which could eventually cause corrosion.
  15. Importantly, never use running water to clean a battery-powered robotic lawnmower. While some manufacturers do permit a few of their products to be cleaned with running water, it is recommended that a damp cloth and cleaning solution will suffice.
  16. It may seem a little excessive; however, protecting the robotic lawnmower with high-quality car polish will help shield it from the harshest UV rays.

How To Clean The Robotic Lawnmower Charging Station?

If the robotic lawnmower has a charging station, this should also be kept clean.

To ensure it continues to operate optimally, follow the steps below.

  1. Switch the electrical current to the charging station.
  2. Even if you have switched the power to the charging station off, it is good practice also to unplug the connection.
  3. Clean the waste grass and other debris which has settled onto the unit, such as leaves, twigs, or other objects that may prevent the robotic lawnmower from docking into the station.
  4. Once again, clean the charging station surfaces using a damp cloth and a cleaning solution (dishwasher liquid and water work fine).
  5. Check the condition of the charging plate and contact and if necessary, use very fine grain sandpaper to remove any pitted or corroded surfaces.
  6. Once again, while it may seem like overkill, if you polish the surfaces with a good quality car wax, it will help protect the charging station from the ravages of the sun.

Regular Checks And Maintenance

Regular Checks And Maintenance

While it is essential to clean a robotic mower regularly, it is equally important to check that it is operating optimally.

While you will be able to check the condition of the blades when you clean the lawnmower, it is important that you also keep an eye on how the battery is performing.

Most robotic lawnmowers use lithium-ion batteries, the same technology as those found in cell phones and tablets.

There are many good reasons why manufacturers use this battery technology.

  1. They need less maintenance than other battery types.
  2. They can be discharged to a lower value than other battery technology.
  3.  They are significantly more durable and lost at least twice as long as other batteries.

The negative aspect is that they are the most expensive battery technologies.

While Lithium-ion batteries do last longer, they will still eventually degrade to the point where they need replacing.

If the battery is not charging to 100% (as shown on its display screen), it is starting to degrade.

Another sign that the battery is not working optimally is that the robotic lawnmower spends less time mowing than it did when new.

Of course, this result is that it spends more time in the charging station.

Depending on the make of the battery, if it is no older than two years, you should approach the supplier with a warranty claim.

If it is older than the warrantied period, you will have to purchase a replacement with your resources.

Conclusion

While robotic lawnmowers require less care, attention, and maintenance than conventional machines, they need to be cared for. If you clean the device weekly, monitor the condition of the batteries, and keep the cutting blades, it will perform better and keep the grass looking smart.

References

https://www.husqvarna.com/za/robotic-lawn-mowers/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IQhM0dkiiE

How Much Area Can A Robot Mower Cover?

Nobody has much free time anymore. Thus, people don’t want to waste those rare golden moments mowing the lawn. But you can’t just hire the neighbor’s kid for ten bucks to do the job. These days children have extra lessons, weekend sports activities, music recitals, and community service eating their time. Hence, the need for a robot mower. But how much lawn can they handle?

The area a robot mower can cover depends on the brand and model. Most non-commercial models are made to deal with yards that are an acre or less. However, there are commercial mowers that can deal with larger amounts. For example, the CEORA by Husqvarna can handle up to 12-acres.

Robot mowers move about people’s lawns like an outdoor Roomba. They run on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Their length of operation and recharge time varies, as does the technology used to cut the grass. Hence, robot mowers have significant differences in their price. How much you need to spend will depend on the size of your yard and its configuration.

Is My Yard Too Big For A Robot Mower?

area that a robot mower can cover

Your yard is not too big for a robot mower. However, your yard might be too big for your friend’s robot mower. Before buying one for yourself, you need to assess your lawn. Two significant factors when selecting a model are:

  • How much area requires mowing?
  • How many areas need mowing?

Some robot mowers can only do 1/20th of an acre and must be confined to a single patch. However, some models can handle large properties with multiple sections needing to be mowed.

In addition, not all robot mowers have the same programming capabilities. Some mowers can handle one area, and that is it. Others can easily be programmed to operate on three separate locations on a single property.

How Do I Measure My Lawn?

Property size and lawn size are never the same. Thus, you need to determine how much lawn you actually have before selecting a mower. There are various methods to do this, including:

  • Measuring by hand
  • Using Google Maps to measure
  • Using an app to measure
  • Using the plans for your property
  • Using a manufacturer’s “measure my lawn” website page
  • Having a robot mowing rep assess your property

Once you have measured your lawn, you will have the minimum area requirements for a robot mower. However, this number is only a starting point. It’s typically necessary to increase the estimated area by 30%.

Manufacturers often estimate the amount a robot mower can do based on ideal conditions: flat, perfectly square land with no obstructions or poor weather. They also assume the machine is working for a solid day, either cutting or charging. However, not all robot mowers are quiet enough for nighttime mowing. Also, there may be times or days you don’t want the mower zooming around the yard.

Thus, you will need to also factor in:

  • Any inclines the mower will have to navigate
  • Any places the mower has to double-cross to reach all parts of the yard
  • Any obstacles the mower has to travel around
  • How much time do you want the robot mower to be “off duty”

These factors not only require a mower with greater lawn coverage but can also require additional robot features. 

How Much Slope Can A Robot Mower Handle?

Robot mowers can cope with a sloping garden. However, just as robot mowers have different lawn coverage areas, they vary in how much gradient they can handle.

Most robot mowers can cope with a 20% slope. A fair chunk can deal with up to a 45% gradient. However, while there are models that can have a 75% slope, they are rare and tend to be pricey.

Do Robot Mowers With Longer Cutting Time Mow More?

A robot mower with a longer cutting time does not necessarily cover a more extensive area. Robot mowers do not all cut grass at the same width or speed. The widths can vary from 7-inches to as much as two feet. Some mowers operate a single blade, while others have several.

Thus, a mower with a wider width and several blades can cut more in less time than a narrower model with a single blade.

Even mowers that cut at the same width do not necessarily cut at the same speed. For example,  Greenworks Pro Optimow 50H Robotic Lawn Mower has 150 minutes of cutting time with half an acre of lawn coverage. On the other hand, the Husqvarna Automower 435X AWD has nearly an acre of lawn coverage but only 100 minutes of cutting time.

But with superior performance comes a significant increase in cost. The Husqvarna is nearly double the price of the Greenworks robotic mower.

Do Robot Mowers Take Longer On Bumpy Lawns?

Robot mowers do a faster job on smooth terrain. However, the more texture to a lawn, the bigger the “lawn coverage” is required. So while some bumps are not as big of a deal as a slope, they will add time.

Small holes made by vermin will also slow down a robot mower. In addition, depending on the hole’s depth, the machine might have to maneuver around it. Thus, it is best to fill in the holes to keep your mower working at top speeds.

Does The Shape Of A Lawn Impact The Robot Mower?

The shape of your lawn will impact the robot mower. Their lawn capacity is based on a square. This includes taking into account its need to dock and recharge between sessions, as it doesn’t mow the entire area in one go. Thus, a long and thin strip of grass will require a robot mower with a larger “lawn coverage” than the same amount of square-shaped land.

Conclusion

There are robot mowers to suit almost any size of the lawn. What type of robot mower you’ll need depends on the size of your yard, the number of obstacles, the degree of the slopes, and how many sections of lawn. In general, it is advised to purchase a robot mower with a lawn coverage of at least 30% more than your actual lawn area.

Links

https://www.robomow.com/blog/detail/can-the-robotic-lawnmower-mow-multiple-areas-or-zones

https://www.husqvarna.com/nz/learn-and-discover/is-my-lawn-suitable-for-an-automower/

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-robot-lawn-mowers

How Long Do Robotic Mowers Last?

Everyone who cares about lawn maintenance understands that this is not something that can be taken lightly, nor is it a task that is easy to perform well. Every lawn should be maintained on some level, and among the most important aspects of lawn maintenance is trimming the grass. Robotic lawnmowers make this aspect of lawn maintenance very simple and hassle-free, but how long does a mower like this last?

Robotic mowers can last for as long as twenty years. Most are designed to last for ten years. Every robotic mower component is replaceable, which means that if the mower is maintained well and serviced regularly, it will last for as long as the manufacturer continues to produce parts for the mower.

Robotic mowers are an innovation that saves hundreds of hours of lawn mowing every year, but all machines like this have a limited lifespan. The fact that robotic mowers are very expensive means that prospective owners of these machines want to know how long these mowers will last and whether or not the purchase is worthwhile. Let’s examine the lifespan of robotic mowers to determine how worthwhile these machines are.

How Long Do Robotic Lawnmowers Last?

long lasting robot mower

There are several different types of robotic lawn mowers, and there are several brands that produce them.

Every robotic mower is designed to be as user-friendly as possible and to make lawn maintenance as simple as possible, but how long do these devices last?

Should they be replaced every few years, or is buying a robotic mower a long-term purchase?

The truth is that while these machines may not seem very rugged or hardy, robotic mowers are surprisingly durable. These machines are, after all, designed to be outdoor garden tools that are left alone outside to do their work without intervention.

This means that robotic lawn mowers are built to be tougher than you may imagine, and they are usually relatively simple mechanically, which means that there is not much that can go wrong with a robotic mower unless it is has overly complicated electronic and digital systems.

However, with that said, most robotic lawnmowers are designed to last for at least ten years or so, provided they are cared for well and well-maintained.

Some robotic mowers can last for more than twenty years if they are serviced yearly and used correctly. This exceptionally long lifespan is due to the fact that every part on most robotic mowers is removable and replaceable.

This means that a robotic lawn mower that is serviced regularly will last for as long as the manufacturer continues to produce the parts that the mower is made from.

Most mowers that are well-maintained do not need to be replaced due to malfunction, but the components that they require for normal function become discontinued due to advances in manufacturing and technology.

The life expectancy of a good-quality robotic lawn mower is however long the manufacturer still produces components for the unit, plus the life expectancy of the components themselves.

This means that most mowers of this type are designed to last for a minimum of around ten years, but many last much longer than this.

Do Robotic Mowers Work Well Over Their Lifespan?

Robotic mowers reduce the effort of maintaining a lawn and keeping large areas of grass well-trimmed, and we have established that these mowers can last for a very long time if they are maintained well and serviced regularly, but do robotic mowers maintain good function and efficiency over their lifespan?

The fact that every component on most robotic lawn mowers is replaceable means that these machines can last for a long time, and they can continue to operate at a very high level of efficiency and effectiveness for their entire lifespan.

When a good-quality robotic mower is serviced by the correct manufacturer or dealer, every component, including the battery and motors, can be replaced.

This means that while robotic mowers run on rechargeable batteries when the battery life diminishes, the battery can be entirely replaced to keep the mower running well. The same is true for all major components, including electronics, motors, wheels, and every other component of the machine.

Some repairs and replacement parts are more expensive than others, and there are yearly costs involved in maintaining a robotic mower; and if you do not perform regular maintenance, then the mower will not function well for its lifespan.

This means that if you want your mower to continue to function well, or to continue to function at all, then proper maintenance is critical.

Are Robotic Mowers Worth Buying?

Among the biggest questions that people ask about robotic lawn mowers is how worthwhile these machines are. This question arises so frequently because robotic mowers are very expensive to buy, especially those that are high quality. Is it worthwhile buying a robotic mower despite the expense?

The worth of a robotic mower is entirely subjective. However, if you have a large lawn that must be maintained regularly if you grow a species of lawn grass that grown very quickly, if you lack the time or manpower to mow the lawn, or if you are physically unable to mow the lawn yourself, then a robotic mower makes sense as long as you can afford to buy and maintain the machine.

Robotic lawn mowers are worthwhile for those who require a high level of lawn maintenance or for those who simply have a very large lawn. These machines are fully automatic and programmable, which means that robotic mowers will mow the lawn, move everywhere they can, recharge, dock, and activate completely autonomously.

If you can afford a robotic mower, and if you can afford to maintain the machine, the fact they are so autonomous and that they last for such a long time means that they are a worthwhile purchase.  

Conclusion

At the end of it, robotic lawn mowers can last for a surprisingly long time. The high-end models will last for as long as twenty years if they are maintained well and regularly serviced, but even more, entry-level mowers can last for ten years with proper care.

Take care of your robotic mower; service is yearly; fix anything that breaks as quickly as you can, and be sure to perform all recommended maintenance on the machine, and your mower will last for as long as the manufacturer continues to produce parts for the mower, which can be a very long time.

References

https://www.mrobot.co.uk/http-www-mrobot-co-uk-what-is-the-life-expectancy-of-a-robot-mower/

What is Mapping For Robotic Mowers?

While the theory of robotic lawnmowers is very exciting and offers the potential of a fully automated garden management system, this has not been the result in practice. With the advent of robot lawnmowers that use GPS mapping, these deficiencies will be largely eliminated.

Mapping for robotic lawnmowers is being developed because the current system to define the outside area of the garden to be mowed is presently marked out with a “boundary wire” system. This method is inefficient and results in missed patches and an erratic cutting pattern.

If you are looking for a robotic lawnmower, it might be worth waiting for a year or two until the new generation models are launched and established in the market. In this article, we discuss the problems with the existing generation robot mowers and the solutions the next generation will offer.

How Do These Robot Mowers Map The Garden

Unlike robot mowers that move erratically between boundary wires, the new generation equipment maps the garden and mows using a defined and efficient pattern. It uses a GPS that is accurate to within 2 inches to control the mower’s movement.

There are two competing technologies as follows.

Pure GPS System

The robot mower is moved around the edge to map the garden while it is in GPS capture mode. The mapping is stored in the machine’s memory when the whole area to be mowed has been “marked out.”

The robot mower uses accurate GPS coordinates, producing the following outcomes.

  1. Not exceed the established boundary.
  2. To mow straight and even lines across the lawn.
  3. To not miss any areas.
  4. To find the recharging device.

The result is that the robot mower calculates the most efficient cutting pattern, and as few overlapping passes as possible are mowed.

Additionally, paths can be set up for the robot mower to stop its blades while it directs itself to the second area of the lawn.

Because the GPS directs the robot mower, it will not turn away from steep inclines, so cutting slopes is not a problem.

The only available robot mowers using this technology are the Segway Navimow and the Husqvarna EPOS products.

The Husqvarna robot mower needs a GPS reference station that costs over $1500 on top of the mower’s price.

Grass Sensing System

The company Ambrogio has chosen to concentrate on a grass sensing system, which is backed up by a GPS on some models.

The system uses artificial intelligence to identify grass, and when it arrives at the edge of the lawn, it stops and changes direction.

The advantage is that the robot mower does not miss any patches, and with the models using GPS, straight stripe cut patterns are achieved.

The downside is that small corridors cannot be crossed.

Why Are Mapping Systems For Robotic Mowers Needed?

While robotic lawnmowers may seem like a dream solution to keep your lawn manicured, early generations had design deficiencies because, at that time, the technology wasn’t available to make them optimally efficient.

The early designs were renowned for the following problems.

  1. Robotic mowers damage lawns when the grass is wet.
  2. Robt mowers could not cut grass on steep gradients.
  3. Fallen branches need to be picked up, or else the lawnmower will carry on passing around the debris.
  4. Many robotic mowers did not cut to the edge of the lawns.
  5. Robot mowers got stuck.
  6. Robotic mowers struggled to navigate narrow passages
  7. The boundary wire was regularly broken.
  8. Most robot lawnmowers were only suitable for small properties.
  9. Some robot lawnmowers “got lost” and had to be found and retrieved.
  10. If two mowers are used in bigger gardens, they would often conflict.
  11. Robotic mowers were a danger for small animals.

How Do Robotic Mowers Map The Garden?

Early generation robot lawnmowers required a wire to be placed along the outside edge of the area to be cut.

The problems with wire-based perimeters were.

Problem No1 – Erratic Cutting Patterns

While the wires prevented the robot lawnmower from exceeding the cutting area, there was a way to control the pattern of the lawn cut.

The robot lawnmower cut in erratic patterns, which over time were hopefully sufficient to cut the whole garden.

It meant that lawns no longer had the straight stripes which resulted from walking behind lawnmowers and ride-on machines.

For some customers, this was the reason for not investing in the technology.

Problem No 2 – The Robotic Mowers Got Lost

With no tracking system, these machines needed a guideline to be installed, which would lead the robot mower back to the charging station.

When the robot mower approached this guideline and the battery needed to be charged, it would follow it back, automatically recharge and then continue on its way.

The problem occurred when the robot mower ended up behind a tree or other obstruction, it would often end up mowing only that area, and when it needed a charge, it had no system to help it locate the charger.

It resulted in the robot mower being stranded and the homeowner having to send out a search and rescue party.

Problem No 3 – Some Grass Areas Were Missed

Once again, because the robot mower randomly chose the direction of travel, some of the grass areas were repeatedly cut, while other patches were ignored altogether.

Problem No 4 – Robot Mowers Only Cut One Section

Robot mowers were impractical for gardens with more than one area to be cut.

If a driveway or other surface separated the different areas, there was no way to enable the mower to stop the blades and move across a narrow path to reach the other garden.

 The only way to overcome this was to purchase two robot mowers that were not cost-effective.

Problem No 5 – Gradients Presented A Problem

Boundary wire-controlled robot mowers moved along the path of least resistance. They avoided steep inclines or rough ground, leaving these areas uncut.

The Solution Came With The Latest Generation Robot Mowers

To overcome this issue, two technologies had to be refined.

  1. A geolocation system
  2. Highly accurate GPS
  3. Better batteries
  4. Stronger motors

The latest (think 2022) generation mowers are slowly being launched by the companies such as.

  1. Husqvarna        –           EPOS
  2. Ambrogio         –           Twenty ZR / L60
  3. Belrobotics       –           GPS-RTK by
  4. LF Intelligence   –           Novabot   
  5. Luba                 –           Luba
  6. Eave                 –           Willow

While these systems remove the need for a boundary wire, only the first four companies have products currently being manufactured.

The rest have exciting concepts in development,  under testing, or are waiting for crowdfunding.

Conclusion

Robotic mowers have not found the general market buy-in expected for a product of this nature. The reasons can be boiled down to the high unit costs and the inadequate mowing patterns early generation robot mowers achieved.

The latest generation of robot mowers uses GPS to replace the old boundary wires, maximizing the robot mower’s efficiency. As these models are introduced and the costs are eventually reduced, robot mowers will become much more mainstream.

References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLdSLJu8acg

https://newatlas.com/around-the-home/segways-first-robotic-lawn-mower-gps/

Are Robotic Mowers Loud?

While robotic mowers are a great investment from a time-saving perspective, some models are far louder than others due to several pertinent factors that must be considered if you want to stay on good terms with neighbors.

Robotic mowers can be loud due to their designs or due to a lack of maintenance. However, with average sound emissions of 57dB to 75dB, they are far less noisy than traditional lawnmowers. Robotic mowers that emit sound levels under 60dB may also be used outside permitted lawnmowing times.

Quality robotic mowers are expensive, so if you want to purchase a model that will work quietly in the background and produce a lush lawn without driving you to stir crazy – read on!

Key Factors That Increase Robotic Mower Noise Levels

While robotic mowers are certainly far less noisy in comparison with gasoline or electric-powered mowers, certain models are noisier than others for the following reasons:

  • Heavy mowers require more powerful engines that are louder than lightweight models.
  • Blunt blades that need to be sharpened.
  • Embedded dirt and a lack of regular maintenance.
  • The number of blades (two blades are normally louder).

Robotic Mower Noise Measurements: What You should Know

If you are shopping around for a robotic mower, you might notice that they are all assigned dB (decibel) values, indicating the mower’s noise levels.

It is often difficult to imagine how loud your mower might be, so here are a few examples that might put it all in perspective:

  • Breathing: 10 dB
  • Chirping birds: 50dB
  • Vacuum cleaner: 70dB
  • Jackhammer: 100 dB
  • Airplane take-off: 140 dB          

The Relationship Between Sound And Distance

However, a decibel value needs to be measured in relation to the distance from the noise emitter. Regrettably, most manufacturers omit that information and simply assume typical distances without disclosing which distances they used for their sound emission calculations.

Distances are important as the volume of sound decreases by 6dB when the distance is doubled. Therefore, at 4 meters, a robotic mower might have a 70dB sound level, while at 8 meters, it will only be 64dB.

So, a robotic mower might sound much less noisy on a 4000 m² property’s boundary wall than in smaller backyards where homes are joined closer together.

The Quietest And Loudest Robotic Mower Brands

Some of the quietest robotic mower brands are Gardena, McCulloch, and Husqvarna, as they use a blade with three ultra-lightweight blades and an engine that requires far less power. Furthermore, they all have quieter engines with an intelligently designed mower deck that muffles sound.

The Gardena, McCulloch, and Husqvarna brands are all managed and owned by Husqvarna Group AB, so they all use the same noise reduction designs and technology.

Powerful robotic mower brands like Robomow, Wiper, and Ambrogio need star-shaped blades coupled with a powerful engine to operate, as their sound emissions are far higher than lightweight mower designs.

While Robonow models are the loudest compared to brands like Husqvarna, or McCulloch, with certain models emitting up to 74dB, they are still far less noisy than gas-powered mowers.

Permitted Robotic Mowing Times

Most communities prohibit mowing lawns between 8 PM and 7 AM, on Sundays and during public holidays, and transgressors are issued with hefty fines.

Although, you would be happy to know that less noisy robotic mowers with sound levels of under 60dB may legally be used until 10 PM if they are clearly labeled with their decibel volume.

So, it’s only logical to wonder whether you could use your compliant 60dB robotic mower later at night?  

The easiest and most beneficial way to gauge that is by running your mower during the daytime and finding out from your neighbors whether the sound disturbs them and if they would mind if you used it late at night.

However, even if your neighbors give you the go-ahead to mow at night, it’s important to consider that nocturnal wildlife like hedgehogs roam around and could get seriously injured by the robotic mower’s blades.

So, rather program your robotic mower to work in the morning at the permitted time when it does not pose risks or cause issues with your neighbors.

How To Reduce Your Robotic Mower’s Noise Levels?

While certain robotic mowers are loud due to their design, weight, engine, or the number of blades, you can significantly reduce a mower’s noise levels with the following tips and tricks.

Firstly, clean it properly, especially the underside where dried lawn clippings might have built up, even if you have not used it for a while.

With time older robotic mowers start to produce what some people describe as a howling or a singing sound after it has been in use for extended periods of time. That sound is due to a faulty engine or a design fault and not due to a lack of maintenance.

Suppose your robotic mower is making that sound. In that case, you either use a sound measuring app like an iPhone Decibel X or the Android Sound Meter to measure your mower’s decibels and to check if it is still in line with the manufacturer’s sound specifications. If it is far higher, contact them immediately!

While you can also drastically reduce your mower’s noise levels by installing a bespoke sliding plate, they are not readily available in the USA, so you might have to import one if need be.

Other noise mitigating measures include replacing the blunt blades with new ones that are sharper and addressing any technical issues as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Let’s be honest; few of us enjoy the painstaking job of mowing a lawn on a weekend when you could be spending time doing a million other things. So, there’s no doubt that investing your hard-earned cash in a quality robotic mower is worth every dime.

However, if the noise is a factor, and you are looking for a robotic mower that is not loud, consider a more lightweight model with a sound emission level that is lower than 60 dB, and keep it in tiptop condition.

Resources

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-robot-lawn-mowers

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-still-use-noisy-traditional-lawnmowers-instead-of-quiet-and-convenient-robot-mowers

https://www.robomow.com/blog/detail/how-loud-is-a-robotic-mower

Are Robotic Mowers Safe Around Kids And Pets?

Automation has become the norm in modern society. Autonomous items get invented developed, and produced at an astonishing rate, replacing “old school” home and industrial items. Robotic mowers are an example of such an item. So, are robotic mowers safe for children and pets?

Robotic mowers are safe for children and pets. They are equipped with sensors like safety and lift sensors that stops the mower from bumping into objects and obstacles. Robotic mowers, same as electric and fuel driven mowers, do not have safety risks. It is however possible to keep children and pets out of harms way when sharing space with a working robotic mower.

This article will provide you researched data on the safety features used in robotic mowers to protect children and pets, how to keep children and pets safe from working robotic mowers and compare the safety features of robotic mowers against traditional mowers.

Are Robotic Mowers Safe?

robotic mower safe for kids and pets

Mowers, fuel, electric driven or robotic all have the potential to cause great harm to children and pets if not operated correctly. Robotic mowers, however, are equipped with a lot of safety features that eliminates any possibility of injury.

Metal blades spinning around, alone is enough motivation for people to try and keep as far away from mowers as possible.

Children and pets are a whole different ball game, and their curiosity often gets the better of them, putting them in the way of unnecessary risks.

Safety Features Incorporated In Robotic Mowers

It is difficult to comprehend a mower that cuts the lawn all by itself. Surely there are great risks involved, but robotic movers come equipped with safety features to minimize, if not completely remove, the possibility of injuries to children and pets.

Collision Detecting System

Collision detecting systems, also called shock censors, which are built-in prevent the mowers of bumping into objects and obstacles.

When it detects and obstacle in its path it will change direction to avoid a collision.

Sensors That Shuts Down The Blade When Detects Objects Nearby

Another safety feature turns off the blade when it detects that object are moving to close to the robotic mower.

The same high-tech sensors that turn off the blade when objects appear to close also stops the blade if the robotic mower tumbles upside down or someone lifts it from the lawn.

Built-in Alarms

Pets are very inquisitive of things moving in their territory and will try to get close to a robotic mower for a closer look.

Higher end mowers have built-in ear-piercing alarms that sound when it detects pets or children are too close. The loud sound deters any further investigation.

Motors Designed To Not Harm Kids and Pets

Robotic Mowers comes fitted with weak motors since they only need to be strong enough to cut blades of grass.

They are however not strong enough to, for instance, shatter a rock, sending chards through the air that can injure anyone.

Low Ground Clearance

The low ground clearance of robotic mowers ensure that a child or pet will not be able to easily get their foot or toes underneath the mower lessening the risk of injury.

The blades are situated a safe distance from the edge of the mower. This feature makes touching the blades by accident very unlikely.

How To Keep Children And Pets safe from Robotic Mowers?

Even though robotic mowers have safety features incorporated in them there is always the possibility of getting hurt.

Rotating as wells as stationary blades can inflict serious injuries. Always be aware of the danger involved when working with mowers.

In this case prevention is better than cure and it is highly suggested that robotic mowers are not in operation when children or pets are using the lawn.

Another prevention method to avoid possible, but unlikely injuries, is to schedule the robotic mower to only work during specified times during the day. This way better planning is possible around playtime on the lawn.

Robotic Mower And Traditional Mower Safety Comparison

The main concern surrounding robotic mowers is their safety. Comparing the safety aspects of robotic mowers against traditional mowers showed that robotic mowers are by far safer than traditional mowers.

Today, we can see the use of robotic mowers in golf courses to cut down cost and solve labor shortage problem.

Even though there are significantly less robotic mowers in use than there are traditional mowers, statistics from 2017 showed that total visits to hospital emergency rooms due to injuries caused by robotic mowers was zero. The total for traditional mowers, a whopping eighty thousand.

Why Are Robotic Mowers Safer Than Traditional Mowers?

Following are the reasons robotic mowers are saver than traditional mowers and the secret lies in all the safety features they have built in.

Safety Sensors

Safety sensors on the robotic mower creates a three-dimensional picture of its surroundings. The mower then uses this picture to detect obstacles and then adjusts its route to avoid a collision. The mower adjusts by slowing down, change directions or stops.

Lift Sensors

Lift sensors shuts down the mower as soon as someone lifts it off the ground. This is an excellent safety feature safeguarding curios children and pets.

Soft Front Bumpers

Soft front bumpers incorporate accelerometers that further assists the mower in detecting and avoiding obstacles.

Sonar Detection

Sonar detection allows the mower to detect real world obstacles allowing for more adjustments and corrections to avoid collisions.

Blade Safety

Blade safety is the most important concern as it can cause serious injuries. The blade of a robotic mower is not as strong as those on a conventional mower.

The blade’s design allows it to stop the moment it detects a foreign object. Foreign objects in this case refers to fingers, toes, tails, paws, snouts, rocks, and stones.

Stone Troughing

Stone troughing is something of the past. Robotic mower blades do not through stones, and this protects everyone and everything near the mower.

Considering all the safety features of the robotic mower compared to the virtually non existing ones on traditional mowers it is safe to say that robotic mowers are much safer than conventional mowers.

Why Are Traditional Mowers unsafe?

Following are the reasons traditional mowers are unsafe, especially around children and pets. Traditions mowers where not designed with utmost safety in mind.

  • Traditional mowers have very few if any safety features and save operation depends on the operator.
  • Injuries caused by traditional mowers include eye injuries, brain injuries, cuts and lacerations and serious burns. These injuries are a result of flying debris flung from underneath the mower by the fast-spinning blades.
  • Ride-on mowers can overturn or even catch fire causing severe burns, broken bones or even death.

Safety should always be front and center when operating appliances such as lawn mowers being it robotic or conventional. Even with all the safety features mentioned it is possible that appliances can be faulty, so it is advisable to always treat any appliance with utmost care and caution.

Conclusion

After all the research done on the safety features of robotic mowers it is clear that robotic mowers are safe to use around the house even with children and pets running and playing in the yard.

Safety alone is a great reason that compels home owners to shift to robotic lawnmowers from traditional lawnmowers.

References

https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2018/august/increased-safety-for-children-around-lawn-mowers.html

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/robotic-lawn-mowers-safe-use/

How Do You Stop Your Robotic Mower Going Over Flower Beds?

Robotic mowers are popular nowadays, as they are helpful and save people a lot of time. These little machines are powerful and can help keep your lawn in control. However, they don’t differentiate between your lawn and your flower bed. So, how to stop robotic mower going over flower beds?

There are several methods available to you to help protect your flower beds from robotic mowers. You can create physical barriers around your flower beds using paving blocks or stones, raise your flower beds, or surround your flower beds with perimeter wire, to name a few options.

Protecting your flower beds from your robotic mower is an important task, as it can get expensive when you have to keep replacing flowers.

So, in this article, we will go through all the methods available to you to ensure your flower beds are safe. You can also ensure how robotic mowers are safe for kids and pets.

How To Protect Flower Beds Safe From Robotic Mowers?

Robotic lawnmowers are increasing in popularity, and most people have a good understanding of why. Robotic lawnmowers are an excellent time-saver, and they can be pretty agile and powerful for such a small machine.

If you purchase the more rugged robotic mowers, they can handle rough terrain surprisingly well and even cross the paved paths in your garden to ensure all the grass is mowed. These little machines are a good helping hand to have in your yard.

Even though these machines are great, they still have their problems, and one of them is that they might not distinguish between your grass and your flower beds. This is especially true if your flower beds are in the middle of your lawn.

If these robotic mowers go through your flower beds, they can cause some serious damage to your plants and other items in the beds, like garden decorations, due to their powerful and sharp blades.

It can be expensive to replace all your flowers and garden decorations when this happens. So, the best thing to do is avoid this problem.

How do you keep your robotic mowers out of your flowerbeds? Thankfully, several methods are available to you that can help with this problem. Let’s go through these methods to keep your flower beds safe and in good health.

Use Stones Or Paving Blocks To Form A Barrier

When you have a robotic mower, keeping your flower beds safe from the hungry mower blades can be challenging.

One option you have that can help you protect your flower beds is to create a physical boundary to signal that your flower beds are off-limits to your robotic mower.

A great way to create this boundary is to place physical abstractions like paving blocks or stones around the perimeter of your flower beds. This will work especially well if your flower beds are oddly shaped or your lawn has a more complex arrangement as you can precisely place the barrier where you need to.

Placing a physical barrier like paving blocks or stones around your flower beds will allow the robotic mower’s ultrasonic sensors to determine that this place is off-limits. The mower will change direction before entering your flower beds.

You will need to ensure the physical barrier you create is high enough for these sensors to detect, or your mower could try to drive over them. This can damage your mower, and you might need to replace it, which can be expensive.

Consider Making Your Flower Beds Raised Beds

If you don’t want to have paving blocks or stones around your flower beds as it’s not the style or look you’re going for, there are still options available to help protect your flowers.

If you have prized flowers or like the look of raised flower beds, this is the option for your garden.

This is also a physical barrier you can use to protect your flower beds from your robotic mower, as it creates a blockage that your mower can sense and avoid.

Raised flower beds will help protect your beloved flowers from your mower, and they will reduce weed growth, give your plants better drainage, and keep your flowers warmer, allowing for a longer growing season.

This will also help protect your flowers from your pets, too. So, there are many benefits of using raised beds for your flowers, including keeping them away from your mower.

Surround Your Flower Beds With Perimeter Wire

If the physical barrier methods above are not what you’re looking for in your yard, this option is one of the best alternatives. You can use some perimeter wire to keep your flower beds safe from your robotic mower.

Perimeter wire can be placed around your flower beds, about one foot away from the edge of the flower bed. The perimeter wire will need to be attached to your robotic mowers charger to receive some power.

When there is a slight electrical current running through the wire, the wire will emit a continuous signal that your robotic mowers sensor will pick up and make your mower stay out of the area protected by the wire.

You can bury the wire slightly under your lawn, or you can place the wire at the base of the grass and let the grass grow over the wire. The electrical current in the wire is minimal and will not harm you or your pets.

Upgrade Your Robotic Mower

Another great option to keep your robotic mower out of your flower beds is to upgrade the mower. Technology has improved and changed, and lots of new technology has been invented.

Some newer model robotic mowers can have a route pre-programmed into their systems. You can program your robotic mower to avoid your flower beds and only go where you want it to in your garden.

So, if you don’t like the other methods on this list, this option is for you, but it can be expensive to upgrade your mower, so you might need to save for it.

Golf courses also use these automatic mowers to mow with great precision. These mowers save time and solve labor shortage problem.

Divide The Grass Into Zones For Your Robotic Mower

If you have a large yard, then one option for you is to split your yard into zones for your robotic mower.

Some mowers will allow you to break your lawn up into certain zones that your robotic mower can then work through individually, which will reduce the risk of your flower beds being mowed over.

2 Great Features of Automatic Mowers That Can Help You Protect Your Flower Beds

Robotic Mowers can miss your lawn edges protecting your flower beds.

But, good robotic mowers comes with features like Edge mowing and Narrow passage mowing that helps in mowing grass properly to the edges and narrow passages.

Always look for these two features while you are going to get a robotic lawnmower for your home.

Narrow passage Mowing is a specially designed feature for robotic lawnmowers to mow around narrow passages with great precision. This feature could be helpful if your lawn has narrow passages.

Edge Mowing is a great feature that helps robotic lawnmowers to cut grass with great precision to the edges. Some of the robotic mowers offset the mower blades to cut grass perfectly to the edges without damaging the flower beds.

Conclusion

Having a robotic mower in your yard is convenient, helpful, and saves you a lot of time. These mowers are generally quite smart, but they can ruin your flower beds if you don’t take the proper precautions to protect them.

Thankfully, several options are available to you that will do the job well. The options in this article are the best ones to use with your robotic mower and should keep your flowerbeds safe.

Good luck protecting your flower beds from your robotic mower!

References

https://myrobotmower.com/how-does-a-robot-lawn-mower-deal-with-obstacles/

https://www.flymo.com/uk/content/support/robotic-lawnmowers/faqs

Do Golf Courses Use Robotic Mowers?

Robotics and electronics have found their way into most areas of our lives. For example, mundane tasks like vacuuming the floor, coffee making, or mowing the lawn these days require robots and electronic equipment.

Golf courses use robotic mowers to keep their lawns lush, green, and well pruned. The popularity of golf has increased since 2020. As a result, the competition between golf course owners became fierce. Robotic mowers ensure pristine golf courses year-round, attracting more players.

This article investigates why golf courses use robotic mowers and the benefits and challenges of using robotic mowers. Do robot mowers work on hills?

Why Do Golf Courses Use Robotic Mowers?

golf course using automatic lawn mower

Following are a few reasons golf courses opt for using robotic mowers.

  • Better performance. Golfers perform better on greens trimmed by robotic mowers than those prepared with conventional double cutting and rolling.
  • Dramatic stripping results from using robotic mowers set to mow in a different direction every day of the week. Dramatic stripping ensures pristine greens without sacrificing ball speed.
  • Labor costs get lowered by using robotic mowers. Fewer laborers are needed when tending to golf courses with robotic mowers.
  • Time gets saved by using robotic mowers, seeing it only takes a robotic mower 25 to 30 minutes to complete each hole on a 4,500 square feet course.

Benefits Of Using Robotic Mowers On Golf Courses

benefits of robotic lawn mowers

Robotic lawnmowers has large benefits compared to traditional mowers and they are well developed to tackle all the operations with precision without damaging the golf courses.

Following are some benefits of using robotic mowers on golf courses that need consideration.

  • Saving money in financially challenging times is a number one priority. Robotic mowers save time that equates to money, fuel, labor costs, service costs, and parts. For example, robotic mowers can mow lawns for up to 18 hours, covering 1.25 hectares with little downtime for charging their batteries.
  • Little supervision is needed when operating a robotic mower. Less control frees up time for laborers to tend to other green-keeping duties.
  • Robotic mowers are programmed to run on their own and only need assistance in being moved from one green to another. The mower will move to its docking station after mowing a preset area and then sends an alarm to the user interface. The robotic mower does not need constant supervision, which frees up time and saves money.
  • Robot mowers operate in near silence without adding to noise pollution.
  • Another positive is that these mowers do not use fuel, thus minimizing air pollution.
  • The most surprising benefit is the consistent playing conditions produced by the robotic mowers. Constant good playing conditions ensure good games. Using the mowers results in “always cut grass” conditions, seeing they the lawns get mowed regularly.

Is a Robotic Mower the Perfect Solution for a Golf Course?

Yes, automatic mowers are the best solution for golf courses and are favorable than manual mowers like

  • Zero Turn Mowers
  • Front Mower
  • Lawn Mower

Here are few key considerations of mowers for golf courses.

  • The cost of energy
  • The slope of the golf course
  • Area of the Gold course (How big the golf course is?)

What do Golf Courses Think About Automatic Lawn Mowers?

Golfrange, München – Brunnthal, Germany – He says that the golf course is using seven Automower® robotic mowers on the practice range. Everyone is fully satisfied with the result. From the greenkeeper to the Management and – not to mention – the golfers. Source

Challenges Of Using Robotic Mowers On Golf Courses

Following are some challenges of using robotic mowers on golf courses that need consideration.

  • Robotic mowers come with a very high price tag putting them out of reach for many golf courses. Therefore, every facility wishing to acquire a robotic mower will need to carefully consider the cost-benefit of owning robotic mowers.
  • Challenges also arise with the quality of cutting done by robotic mowers, and this issue needs urgent attention. Rotating or replacing the blades more frequently does not rectify this problem to everyone’s complete satisfaction.
  • A well-adjusted “old school” mower may still outperform a modern autonomous mower even when changing blades on the robotic mower more often.
  • Robotic mowers create boundary issues since they need wire enclosures to ensure the correct areas get mowed. In addition, these wires hinder entry to many courses, which causes a lot of frustration.
  • To combat the wire enclosure issue, companies started to use ground wiring to direct the robot mowers. However, ground wiring brought a set of new challenges. Installing ground wires is expensive; the wires interfere with the proper aerating of the soil and complicate trenching and repairs to irrigation.
  • Servicing robotic mowers seems to be either very simplistic or highly complicated. Robotic mowers consist of many cameras, sensors, onboard computers, radar, and sonar systems that make maintenance and services elaborate. In addition, servicing calls for highly trained mechanics that charge higher fees, which adds more to the running costs of robotic mowers.
  • Liability concerns go hand in hand with autonomous mowers. These concerns include bodily harm to humans and property damage. Who would be accountable if such an event occurred? There are no official rules and regulations to be followed when operating an autonomous mower. Authorities are tending to resolve this issue.

Consider This Before Buying A Robotic Mower

Robotic mowers are expensive items, and proper research needs to be done before purchasing to ensure that adequate utilization of the robotic mower is possible.

Before buying a robotic mower, buyers should consider the following.

  • The size of the golf course plays a significant role when deciding on what robotic mower to buy. Golf courses can range from 70 acres to 100 to 190 acres in size. Therefore, it is crucial to choose a mower that will be able to handle the load.
  • Determining the size of the battery needed for effective mowing also depends on the size of the course. In doing so, it will be easy to decide on how many mowers will be required to service a specific area properly.
  • Obstacles like shrubs, trees, and lighting will force mowers to use more battery power to maneuver around without colliding with something. The additional use of battery power means that the battery will need charging more often, leading to longer operating hours.
  • The cutting deck of a robotic mower refers to the bottom of the mower. The cutting deck is the area where the blades spin. Some makes of  Robotic mowers come equipped with a floating deck that automatically adjusts the cutting height to ensure even cutting in all spots.
  • The mower’s cutting width determines the size of the swatch area that a mower will cut on a single pass. For example, mowers used for cutting golf courses need a cutting width of around two feet. The wider the mower, the quicker the cutting time will be.
  • Consider buying a robotic mower that offers flexible programming options. Flexible programming allows setting up schedules and choosing the correct cleaning mode for different zones.
  • Finally, choose mowers with large wheels. Large wheels optimize mowing even on uneven terrain. Therefore, choosing a mower with wheels that can handle slopes of up to 30 degrees is advisable.

Conclusion

Golf courses that use robotic mowers claim to have cut up to 80% on their annual expenditure, saving on labor, parts, services, and fuel. Despite their price, robotic mowers are here to stay.

A robotic mower can cost up to $4000 but at the same time it reduces labor costs. Using a robotic lawnmower also solves problem of labor shortage.

References

https://blog.parker.com/site/usa/en-US/details-home-page/commercial-robotic-lawn-mowers-may-be-used-on-a-golf-course-or-field-near-you-us

https://www.golfcourseindustry.com/article/robotic-greens-mower-cadet/

https://icrowdnewswire.com/2021/03/19/the-best-robotic-lawn-mowers-for-golf-courses-in-2021-2/

https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/green-section-record/60/04/rise-of-the-machines-autonomous-mowers-on-golf-courses.html