When choosing a robotic mower, pay attention to the recommended work area, the width of mowing, the maximum slope of the terrain, and the operating and charging time of the battery. The recommended work area should be matched to the size of your lawn, so you should measure it. A small robot on a large lawn will not work efficiently and effectively, and it will take a long time to work. With its large mowing width, the robot will cut a larger area in one pass. However, if your plot has, for example, a lot of flower beds, rockeries or flowerbeds, you need to remember that the robot should fit into the spaces between them. Narrower device will easily reach such hard-to-reach places. If the surface is not level, also pay attention to the maximum slope of the terrain over which the robot mows. It should be larger than the driveways on your lot. Fast charging and long battery life will be assets, especially for larger lawns when the robot needs to make several passes to mow the entire area.
Automatic mowers - latest generation mowing robots
What parameters to look for when buying a mowing robot?
How the mowing robot works?
The mowing robot's work area is marked by a boundary wire, also called a signal wire, the beginning and end of which are connected to the charging station. Thanks to it, the device knows within which limits it should move. The cable is included in the set, and if the length is too short you can buy one more. It should be placed on the lawn and fixed to the surface with pins made of plastic. Most mowing robots rely on random movement while driving and use sensors of the cut grass to know where the work has been done.
How often should the mowing robot cut the grass?
The scheduling function allows you to set how often the robot should mow the grass and at what time. In practice, the device can even work every day to regularly mow several millimeter increments. The mowing robot can't handle grass taller than, say, 2-3 cm above blade level. In addition, regularly cut fine grass does not need to be harvested. Such a swath provides a nutritious fertilizer for the lawn, and you will be able to forget about hand mowing. If the grass is too tall, increase the height of the blade in the robot. When this is not possible, you must first cut the grass by hand.
Mowing robot
If spending Saturday mornings taking care of your lawn is not your favorite activity, but you also care about the appearance of your lawn, then the solution to your problem is the following mowing robot. This device will take care of it for you. You can conveniently control some models using a mobile app. Once properly installed and configured, the robotic lawn mower requires minimal effort from you when using it.
How the robotic mower works?
In terms of the principle of operation, the equipment is similar to robotic vacuum cleaners. The mowing robot is equipped with a docking station where it is stored and charged. However, you must install the device before you can use it. Included in the kit (or to be purchased separately) are a restraining cable and pins with which you attach it to the lawn. You connect the cable to the docking station and use it to mark out the area where you want the mower to travel. You can, for example, separate an area where she should not have access, such as flower beds or a terrace. The end of the signal cable should also be connected to the docking station to close the circuit. You don't have to harvest the grass, as it is milled. With frequent mowing, the clippings are very fine and provide a natural fertilizer for your lawn.
Then you should configure the operation of the mowing robot. You can set the so-called work schedule, that is, on which days and, at what times, it should mow. The mowing robot can work, for example, when you are not at home. Programming the device is most convenient from a smartphone mobile app, so it is worth choosing a model with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Is the robotic mower safe?
Of course, the mowing robot is equipped with very sharp blades. However, the device is safe, and this is ensured by the sensors used. The most important of these is a sensor that detects the lifting of equipment. It automatically stops the knives, so they won't hurt you. In addition to this (from children's access), you can secure the equipment with a PIN code. Other sensors that mowing robots are equipped with are m.in. collision sensor to avoid obstacles and rain sensor. In case of sudden precipitation, the device automatically returns to the docking station.
Which mowing robot to choose?
The robotic mower should fit the size of your lawn. You shouldn't choose a device to stock up. A large robot mowing in a small area will have problems with narrow spaces and avoiding obstacles. Similarly, if the device is too small, it will take a very long time to mow. When the terrain is uneven, then pay attention to the maximum angle of slope that the robot can handle. On hills that are too high, mowing can be a problem. Some models are able to recognize areas where the grass has already been cut. This speeds up the work considerably, as the mowing robot does not move again to an area that does not require it, but takes care of the rest of the lawn.