How To Install A Robotic Lawn Mower: All Your Questions Answered
If you’re considering taking back your free time by purchasing a robot lawn mower in Australia, there are a few things you need to know. In this article, we’ll discuss how to install a robotic lawn mower and answer some frequently asked questions. Plus, we’ll give you all the factors you need to consider when […]
If you’re considering taking back your free time by purchasing a robot lawn mower in Australia, there are a few things you need to know. In this article, we’ll discuss how to install a robotic lawn mower and answer some frequently asked questions. Plus, we’ll give you all the factors you need to consider when buying and installing your new robot lawn mower.
How do robot mowers work?
Robot lawn mowers work autonomously to cut a few millimetres of lawn each day or as regularly as you’d like to schedule them to work. Because the grass clippings are minimal, they remain behind to fertilise your lawn and keep it free from weeds. The brushless motor of Ambrogio Robot lawn mowers means the operation is ultra-quiet. So, you can mow your lawns at any time of day or night.
People love robot lawn mowers because it’s a set and forget solution to one of life’s most tiresome chores. No more pushing a heavy lawn mower around, wasting your precious free time. A robot mower delivers a better cut, costs less to run than a petrol mower, and gives you back your weekends.
Before you get started, you’ll need to know how to install your robot mower correctly. You’ll need to install a wire perimeter around the area you want mowed because this serves as a navigational tool for the unit. The wires can be installed underground or attached to the surface using plastic fixing nails. The start and end of this wire perimeter meet at the charging station, which is connected to a power source.
Can I install it myself?
You can install the wire perimeter and charging station yourself. However, know that this will directly affect how well your mower performs. If not installed correctly, you won’t just get sub-standard mowing results but may also damage your mower.
Your robot mower comes with cutting blades just like any other mower. However, the minibar blades on an Ambrogio Robot are more effective than traditional mowers. Regardless, if the blades are subjected to rocks, concrete or other obstructions, they can be damaged. The wire perimeter helps your robot mower understand where to mow, so incorrect robot mower installation can cause ineffective operation.
It’s always best to consult with professionals, but if you’re confident, it’s possible to install a robot mower yourself. Roboworld is happy to offer free consultations and measurements and help plan and design the installation for optimum performance.
Things to consider when installing a robot lawn mower
When installing a robot mower, and indeed when purchasing one, you need to consider various factors. These will influence the type of mower you choose because the range of Ambrogio Robot mowers is quite diverse.
For further information on choosing the right mower, check out our detailed buying guide. We are happy to offer a free consultation to run through these considerations, or if you’re unsure if any of them may be an issue.
Size/lawn area
Perhaps the major consideration, or at least the first, is the size of the lawn area you need to mow. Some models, such as the L32 Deluxe, are made for smaller yards of up to 800m2 and even come with 100m of perimeter wire to get you started. You may consider something like the L35 Deluxe for medium-sized yards, handling areas up to 1800m2.
There are even mowers such as the L400 Deluxe for much larger properties of up to 20,000m2. This is perfect for vast properties such as schools and other facilities that would benefit from regular mowing.
Shape/complexity of the area
The complexity of the area you intend to mow is also worth considering. More basic mower models are best suited to simple, reasonably flat surfaces. In contrast, more advanced models such as the L85 Elite can handle up to 55% slopes.
It does not just slope you need to worry about, though. Some yards have lots of hard-to-reach spaces, so you need a robot mower that’s capable of navigating in tight spaces to get the maximum benefit. Whether you need the 4WD capability to get traction over difficult terrain, or a unit that’s small enough to reach tight areas, our team can provide you with options.
Accessibility
When setting up your robot lawn mower, you’d be aware that many models can handle multiple areas of lawn. For example, you may want your unit to do the front yard before moving automatically to the back. In much larger spaces such as school, you may have various spaces that need mowing.
While all of this is possible with many Ambrogio lawn mowers, you need to ensure optimum accessibility. If your backyard is closed off, for example, your robot mower won’t be able to move freely between the areas. Unlike other robotic mower brands, you can easily move your Ambrogio robotic mowers manually between areas if there’s no free automatic access.
Slope/gradient
Slope mowers are specifically designed to work on sloped surfaces. These units feature 4WD functionality and have terrific traction to deal with slopes. So, when you purchase a robot mower, check that it can handle the degree of slope in your backyard.
We touched on the L85 Elite as having an excellent slope capability of 55%. The L60 Elite and L60 Elite S+ also handle gradients of 50%. As these mowers are designed for slopes, you can expect an even cut no matter how difficult the terrain.
Grass type
Considering the grass type is crucial because you need a mower that can handle it properly. Robot lawn mowers have mini bar blades, a balance between thin razor blades found on smaller robot mowers, and the larger blades found on many petrol mowers. You’ll get a much healthier cut, but these blades are also strong enough to give you a nice even cut all over. We also offer different types of blades for your application, including 8 knife blades for fine turf and bent bar blades to cope with thick turf.
That being said, if you have a lot of weeds, thick, coarse grass or other obstructions, you may need to consider working on your lawn before setting your robot mower to work.
Climate/weather conditions
When installing your robot mower system, it’s always worth considering your weather conditions. Fortunately, Ambrogio Robots come with rain sensors to stop work in wet weather. However, it’s still worth considering that your mower will return to the charging station in the event of rain. Also consider any low lying areas which could flood, such as drain areas. Muddy sections may need to be avoided, and we do offer different wheel options for these situations.
Although these mowers are built for the outdoors, it’s always recommended you provide a sheltered spot for your charging station. We offer optional base station shelters for this reason. Make sure that the station is connected to a power supply, so this should also be sheltered from the rain for safety reasons.
Power source
Speaking of the power source, you’ll need an outdoor power outlet to run your charging station. For safety reasons, this needs to be out of the rain. It also needs to be in a convenient place close to the charging station.
As with any electrical work, you may need to consult a qualified electrician if you don’t have any power outlets outside already. All our robots come with 10 meters of heavy-duty outdoor cable, which is really handy in reaching the nearest power source.
Trees and debris
Your robot mower is a smart machine, so it can work around trees easily. However, the bigger problem comes from tree branches and sticks that may fall to the ground. Although Ambrogio Robots only trim a few millimetres of grass each time, sticks can damage your robot mower’s blades.
If the stick is large, it will activate the robot bump sensors and keep mowing elsewhere. If the stick is small, up to about 1.27 cm or 0.5 inches, it will be mulched up by the blades. Also, consider if you have tree roots exposed in the grass. These will need to be levelled or avoided. Pine cones can also be a problem, but seed pods are mostly okay.
Also, if you’ve got a tree that frequently drops debris on the ground, make sure you’re keeping the areas clear at all times.
Edges
Managing edges is where your perimeter wire really comes into effect. You want your wire installed in such a way that your robot can still access all of your edges and provide a nice, even cut. After all, if you’re using a robot to mow the lawns, you don’t want to spend time with a line trimmer if you don’t need to.
Installing a robotic lawn mower is the ideal solution, but it’s only effective if the edge is flat, such as level concrete. If the edging is something solid, such as a retaining wall or gutter, the robot can only get as close as the edge of the blade to the edge of the mower, meaning there may still be some unmown section.
Common robot lawn mower questions
We get asked a lot of questions about robot lawn mowers. So, to help you out, we’ve included the answers to some common questions from our customers.
How does Ambrogio Robot work?
The Ambrogio Robot works automatically, meaning it requires no input from you to get the job done. It cuts a few millimetres of grass each day, leaving minimal clippings on the ground to fertilise your lawn. You can program your Ambrogio Robot to work whenever you like, even with alternate cutting cycles. Note that it requires a perimeter wire for guidance, and this will require some installation (with the exception of the L60 models).
Can Ambrogio Robot recharge itself?
One of the best things about Ambrogio Robot mowers is that they send a warning whenever the battery runs low. At this time, it will automatically return to the charging station. Once recharged, the mower will then start mowing at the next scheduled mow.
How much power does Ambrogio Robot consume?
If you like saving money, you’ll love the Ambrogio Robot. For a medium-sized lawn, it will cost around $3 per month to operate. The only running expense is the electricity required for charging, so it ends up costing far less than the fuel you would use in traditional mowers.
Can I rent a robot lawn mower or get a lease on one?
We don’t offer our robot lawn mowers for rent. However, we offer finance options such as ZipPay and PayPal Pay in 4. We also provide on-site demonstrations to ensure the robot you choose fits your purpose.
The benefits of getting professional robot lawn mower installation
By having your wire perimeter and charging station installed professionally, you reduce many risks. As we mentioned earlier, if you don’t have the system installed correctly, you can risk damaging your mower. Ambrogio Robots are built tough, but they’re not invincible. It’s more than just damage to your mower that you risk.
Robot lawn mowers aren’t exactly cheap, so if you’re making the investment, you want the very best results. If you don’t install your system correctly, you could be missing out on some amazing functionality. For example, many robot lawn mowers can be programmed to operate in up to 8 separate areas if you have a larger property. To make the most of this feature, your setup needs to be correct.
In addition, you don’t want to run into problems down the track. If your wire perimeter isn’t installed correctly, you might need to fix it later. It’s time-consuming, frustrating and probably costly if you decide on professional robot lawn mower installation later. It’s best to have everything set up by a professional robot mower installer from day one.
A professional installation entails the use of a self-propelled cable laying machine, which buries the wire underground and covers it, so it is completely out of sight and out of harm’s way. A professional installation is a set and forgets, once-off, complete install.
To get the most out of your robotic lawn mower in Australia, contact the friendly team at Roboworld today. We can discuss your options, arrange on-site demonstrations and even arrange professional installation. We also have a team of authorised install specialists around the country at your service.