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If you love having a lush green lawn but dread mowing day, a robotic lawn mower may just be the answer to your prayers. These innovative devices can handle lawns up to an acre and a quarter in size, navigating obstacles and slopes with ease.
In the video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook demonstrates the impressive capabilities of one of these autonomous lawn care machines. In this article, we’ll explore the process of installing a robotic lawn mower, from setting up the perimeter wire to programming the device.
Understanding Robotic Lawn Mowers
Robotic lawn mowers have been around for about two decades, but recent technological advancements have significantly improved their performance and reliability. These devices operate autonomously, using a combination of sensors, GPS, and boundary wires to navigate your lawn and keep it consistently trimmed.
Key Features
While features will differ from manufacturer to manufacturer, below are some common ones.
GPS Navigation
Some models incorporate GPS technology to create a map of your lawn and ensure the machine covers all areas. This feature helps the mower navigate complex yard layouts and return to its charging station when necessary. It also provides an anti-theft measure.
Lithium-ion Batteries
Modern robotic lawn mowers have powerful and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries, similar to those found in smartphones and power tools. These batteries provide extended runtime and consistent performance throughout the mowing cycle.
Obstacle Detection
Advanced sensors allow the mower to detect and avoid obstacles such as trees, rocks, and other objects in your yard. When it encounters an obstacle, the mower will stop, change direction, and continue mowing in a different area. This includes a person or pet who might step in its way.
Benefits of Robotic Lawn Mowers
As the hosts mention, these autonomous lawn mowers represent a substantial financial investment. However, they do come with a number of advantages over traditional mowers, including the following:
- Ability to handle various terrain, including slopes and hills
- Consistent lawn maintenance without manual effort
- Environmentally friendly, with no fossil fuel use or emissions
- Quiet operation, allowing for mowing at any time of day
- Time-saving solution for busy homeowners
Preparing to Install a Robotic Lawn Mower
Preparing to set up your new lawn mower is a simple process, but it’s worth giving a little bit of forethought before you start unspooling wire.
Choosing the Charger Location
Select a spot for the charging station that meets the following criteria:
- Central location within the lawn for efficient operation.
- Close proximity to a power outlet.
- Flat, level ground for easy docking.
- Shaded area to protect the mower and station from direct sunlight.
Gathering Materials
Typically, all the materials you’ll need will come with the lawn mower. All you’ll need to supply are pliers. Here’s a list of the materials:
- Low-voltage perimeter wire
- Power supply for the charging station
- Robotic lawn mower and charging station
- Splicing connectors
- Wire staples
Installing the Perimeter Wire for a Robotic Lawn Mower
The perimeter wire is what defines the mowing area and guides the robotic lawn mower. This low-voltage wire creates a nearly invisible boundary that the mower won’t cross.
Laying the Wire
- Begin at the charging station location and start unrolling the wire around the perimeter of your lawn.
- Use wire staples to secure the wire to the ground every 3 feet.
- When approaching obstacles, create a single-wire loop around them to define no-mow zones.
- For areas where you want the mower to pass over, such as pathways, use a double wire that cancels out the signal.
Splicing Wire Sections
As you lay the perimeter wire, you may need to connect multiple reels. To do this:
- Use the provided splicing connectors, which contain dielectric grease for waterproofing.
- Insert the ends of the wires into the connector, ensuring they’re fully seated.
- Use pliers to squeeze the connector, creating a secure and waterproof connection.
Installing the Guide Wire
In addition to the perimeter wire, a guide wire helps the mower navigate back to its charging station efficiently.
- Run a single wire from the charging station to the center of your lawn.
- Secure the guide wire with staples, similar to the perimeter wire.
Setting Up the Charging Station
The charging station serves as the home base for your robotic lawn mower, providing power and a starting point for each mowing session. Here’s how to set it up:
- Connect the perimeter wire to the designated terminals on the charging station.
- Attach the guide wire to its corresponding terminal.
- Plug the charging station into a nearby power outlet.
Programming Your Robotic Lawn Mower
With the physical installation complete, it’s time to set up your robotic lawn mower for optimal performance.
Basic Setup
Most robotic lawn mowers can be programmed using either onboard controls or a smartphone app. While the exact steps will vary based on the model you choose, generally, you’ll need to do at least the following:
- Set the date and time to ensure proper scheduling.
- Define your preferred mowing schedule, considering factors such as lawn growth rate and weather patterns.
- Adjust cutting height settings to match your desired lawn length.
Advanced Features
Many modern robotic lawn mowers offer advanced features that can enhance their performance. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for programming instructions, such as the following:
- Remote control options for manual operation when needed.
- Weather-based scheduling to adjust mowing patterns based on rainfall and growth rates.
- Zone management for lawns with varying grass types or growth patterns.
Safety and Security Features of a Robotic Lawn Mower
Robotic lawn mowers are designed with safety in mind, incorporating various features to protect both the mower and those around it.
Collision Detection
As Cook demonstrates in the video above, robotic lawn mowers have sensors that detect obstacles. When the mower encounters an object or person, it will stop, change direction, and continue mowing in a different area.
Anti-Theft Measures
Many robotic lawn mowers include security features to prevent theft, such as the following:
- Audible alarms that activate if you lift the mower or it moves unexpectedly.
- GPS tracking to locate the mower if it’s not in its designated area.
- PIN code protection to prevent unauthorized use.
Child and Pet Safety
While robotic lawn mowers are generally safe around children and pets, it’s essential to take the following precautions:
- Educate family members about the mower’s operation and safety features.
- Supervise young children and pets when the mower is in operation.
- Use the mower’s scheduling feature to operate during times when the lawn is less likely to be in use.
Maintenance and Care of a Robotic Lawn Mower
As Cook points out, robotic lawn mowers require less maintenance than gas-powered mowers, but you still need to perform some regular tasks to keep them working well.
Routine Cleaning
Check the manual for your model’s specifications, but you should typically do the following after each mowing session:
- Locate and turn off the mower’s master power switch.
- Turn the mower upside down and set it on a clean, level surface.
- Put on work gloves to protect your hands.
- Use a brush or cloth to remove grass clippings from the underside, wheels, and blades.
- Use a damp cloth to clean the sensors to ensure accurate obstacle detection.
If you purchase a high-end model, you may want to take it in for professional maintenance every few years to keep it in top shape.
Blade Replacement
One maintenance task that’s common to all lawn mowers is the need to keep blades sharp. For most robotic lawn mowers, this means replacing blades rather than sharpening them. Some models, such as the one in the video, have freely rotating blades, but others have a single large blade. Regardless, you’ll need to keep an eye on its sharpness to prevent damaging the grass.
- Check blade sharpness every few weeks during the mowing season.
- Replace blades according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, typically every 1–2 months of regular use for freely rotating blades.
- Use only manufacturer-approved replacement blades to ensure proper fit and performance.
Winter Storage
Fortunately, the winterizing process with their electric batteries is much quicker and easier for robotic mowers. You simply need to clean the mower and, if recommended by the manufacturer, remove the battery to store it separately. Storing the battery where temperatures dip below freezing will shorten its lifespan.
Battery Care and Replacement
Lithium-ion batteries do last a long time—often 300 to 500 charging cycles—but they’ll eventually start to hold less of a charge. You can maximize battery life by storing the mower or just the battery in a cool, dry location. Lithium-ion batteries’ lifespans begin to shorten drastically if the temperature is 86 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, so you may want to keep the battery indoors in the summer.
Even if you take good care of it, the battery will eventually need replacing. If it’s no longer holding a charge long enough to cut your lawn, purchase a new battery from the manufacturer and change it according to the instructions provided. The process typically requires no more than a screwdriver.
