Automatic mowers are technology worthy of the 21st century. They are fast, quiet, eco-friendly, and practically maintenance-free. Of course, alongside a range of advantages, they also have a few drawbacks, and many people believe their price is prohibitive. Wondering if it’s worth buying a robot mower? Below, we present the pluses and minuses of owning a robotic mower and discuss how it works.
How does a robot mower work?
The first question is usually: how does the robot mower know where to mow? Its mowing area is defined by boundary wires placed on special pegs. You can place them underground or on the lawn surface. The wires also lead to the docking station, where the robot charges its batteries. The lawn mower receives signals emitted by the wires and thus knows exactly which area to move within. Therefore, do not fear that the robot will drive into manicured flower beds or the vegetable patch – fenced off by the wire, they will be out of reach of the blades.
The user plans the work schedule of the robotic mower and programmes the robot accordingly. Thanks to this, the equipment starts automatically, mowing the grass according to a pre-set schedule. Of course, you can modify it as needed. After finishing work, the robot returns to the docking station by itself.
Advantages of robot mowers
The main advantage of robot mowers is the huge time saving gained by the mower owner. After installing the boundary wires and programming the mower, the equipment requires practically no operation. It starts itself and returns to charge by itself. It is an ideal solution for busy people and for those who sincerely dislike mowing the lawn. Regardless of the lawn size, a robot mower will work on any area – you just need to choose the right model. Furthermore, it does not require much maintenance. It is enough to clean the blades once every 1-2 weeks.
An undoubted advantage is also the fact that the lawn is regularly mown and always looks perfect. Importantly, most robots do not have grass collectors, but they mulch the blades, meaning they cut them into tiny pieces. The grass clippings act as a natural fertiliser, ensuring the turf is well-nourished and develops better.
A robotic mower is also a good solution for people who value peace and quiet. A robot that runs on batteries is significantly quieter than traditional petrol mowers, whose noise is a major issue during work. What’s more, it is also a more eco-friendly solution, as the equipment is powered by electricity rather than petrol.
Another advantage of the robot mower is its simple and intuitive operation. With newer models, you can even manage them from a phone app! It is intelligent equipment that will pause work if, for example, it hits a stone. You also don’t have to worry about the safety of children or animals. Mowers are equipped with obstacle sensors and a range of security features, such as PIN code activation or blade locking when lifted.
Disadvantages of automatic mowers
Although robot mowers feature a range of advantages, they also have a few significant drawbacks. Above all, it is the price, which is too high for many people. However, the cost of purchasing a cheaper model is similar to the amount one would have to spend on a traditional petrol mower. Here, however, another problem arises. The cheaper a given robot is, the smaller its range. This means that owners of large gardens would have to buy more expensive equipment that would be able to properly care for their lawn.
A downside of automatic mowers is also the time-consuming and laborious task of laying boundary wires. You must secure not only the lawn boundaries but also any obstacles such as trees, flower beds, or sandpits. In gardens with many flower beds and borders, this process can take a lot of time. What’s more, the presence of wires can make lawn care treatments, such as scarification, more difficult, as there is a risk of damaging a cable buried in the ground.
Although a lawn mowing robot is an intelligent device, it doesn’t always work perfectly. It usually recognises and avoids large obstacles without a problem, but it might not notice smaller objects. Therefore, be careful not to leave sandpit toys or clothes pegs on the lawn.
Which model to choose?
As you can see, a robot mower is not a perfect solution, but its advantages certainly outweigh the disadvantages. Wondering which model will be most suitable for your garden? Above all, you should be guided by the lawn area. Cheaper models, with prices starting from around £700, have both a smaller range and fewer intelligent functions. More expensive robots, with prices exceeding £2,000, have a much larger working range, as well as a number of modern and practical solutions.
The price and range of a given model are important criteria, but not the only ones. Equally important is the maximum slope angle at which the robot is able to work. If you own a lawn as flat as a football pitch, you don’t need to worry about this. However, if your lawn is situated on a slope or has elevations and depressions, be sure to check if your chosen robotic mower model will be able to work on them!