Lawn robots have been around for years - a well-maintained lawn and at the same time fertilization from the clippings without having to reach for the mower yourself. The time required by a robot for maintenance and care is extremely low compared to manual mowing. As the technology has proven itself and excelled in recent years, we want to give you a brief overview of the possibilities, tips and experiences.
General information:
The robot is suitable for relatively flat gardens, sports fields, golf courses, etc. Make sure that the area to be mowed is free of toys and other objects so that these objects are not accidentally destroyed. We also recommend that you only operate the robot with small children or children at times when the robot is out of their reach during the mowing process so as not to cause any injuries.
Functionality:
To operate a robotic lawnmower, a charging station and a boundary wire must be installed. The boundary wire, also known as the induction or charging loop, is used by most robots as the outer boundary of the area to be mowed - everything within this perimeter is mowed independently by the robot. The robot uses a mulching function for this purpose - during mulching, the grass particles are processed into small clippings and returned to the ground. This has two positive effects: firstly, clippings that have to be laboriously removed or composted are avoided and secondly, the lawn is continuously and naturally fertilized. After the set working time, the robot automatically returns to its charging station and starts work again for the next set charging cycle.
Rain sensor:
Many models now work with a rain sensor. This ensures that the robot automatically returns to the charging station when it starts to rain. This sensor can also be deactivated in the programming - however, we do not recommend this. If the robot mows in the rain, the grass particles stick to the device and maintenance becomes more difficult or necessary more often - besides, who likes to mow with a lawn mower in the rain? The sensor is a product feature that testifies to quality.
Programming:
Even though there are now many different manufacturers and models, it is clear that programming is very simply structured and can be carried out easily with almost all robots. We like to compare the menu navigation with an older cell phone model - it is carried out point by point and various program points can be selected or deselected.
The following points are now standard for programming:
- Setting the working time (e.g.: 11:00 - 13:00) and the internal clock (many models offer the option of programming several cycles each day)
- Programming the furthest point in the mowing area
- Indication of how much time the robot has to mow at the furthest point
- Setting a secondary surface
- Rain sensor
- Language
- Automatic return of the robot to the charging station Password on start-up
The programming of the appliance can of course be changed at any time and does not expire even after the robot is switched off, as it is stored in an internal memory.
Relocation:
The robot can be laid either by trained specialists or by yourself. In the case of self-installation, the cable is held down on the lawn with pegs and the installation cable. Make sure that the cable is at the correct distance from the robot's sensor and that the cable does not protrude and can be mowed off. After laying, it is advisable to let the robot run two to three times in the waiting loop to reveal any errors in the laying. A laying device is usually used for laying by qualified personnel. This digs the cable into the ground, leaving only a small turf which disappears after a short time. This type of installation also makes maximum use of the area to be mowed and the installation time is much quicker compared to self-installation.
Maintenance & care:
Even if the robot mows independently, the device requires care and maintenance like all things. Depending on the consistency of the lawn, the robot should be cleaned regularly with a scraper and cloth to remove clogged clippings. It is also advisable to visually inspect the appliance, e.g. check the blade and housing for damage. Updates for the various appliances are regularly launched on the market, so it is advisable to take the robot to a specialist dealer once a season.
The following should always be included in a service:
- Inspection and disassembly of the robot by the specialist
- Lubrication of moving parts
- Installation of the current program (update)
- Knife sharpening
- Possible storage of the appliance out of season including winter charging
We hope that we have been able to give you an overview with this short guide. If you have any further questions, we will be happy to advise you!
You can find all products on this topic here: Lawn robots!