RE: Is It Time for a Robot to Mow Your Lawn?

["White, Peter" <peter.white@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Yes and no.

As it happens I've designed the garden in our last 2 houses, and part of
that was to make it Robomow friendly, but really that only extended to not
having any isolated areas of lawn (i.e. a bit of grass that's accessed by a
narrow walkway, as it's not likely Robomow will find it every time), and
ensuring there's no major lumps or bumps, though it can deal with slopes
quite well, and the smooth tyres can be upgraded to knobbly ones for
rougher
lawns.

In terms of edging, like the video shows, it'll do 2 circuits around the
edge (using a wire boundary that's either set under the turf or pegged into
the lawn).  The best type of edge is where it's retained by brick, or
something else that's flat, because Robomow can then run along 'beyond' the
edge and eliminate the need for manual edging afterwards.  In the case
where
the lawns runs right up to a wall, then the sensors on Robomow will stop it
getting right up to the edge, leaving about a 2" run of grass that
will need
manual cutting, though that's really no different to any other kind of
mower.  In the box you get a 'roboruler' to help set the wire.  Obviously
you should immediately ignore that and try to get just a little bit closer
to the wall.

Laid in paving stones are no problem, as long as they're not sunk in too
low.  If they are, then Robomow will scalp the lawn edge around the paving
stone.

If you do have to peg the perimeter wire into an existing lawn, it quickly
vanishes as the grass grows over it.  It's entirely fool-proof too - I've
got a pond in my garden that Robomow could merrily just roll into, but it
never has done (yet).  The ends of the wires go into a little
(weatherproof)
control box that's powered by a 9v battery.

Pete

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Gale [mailto:groups2@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 23 March 2007 08:17
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Is It Time for a Robot to Mow Your Lawn?

Ummm interesting - how well does it cut the edges and deal with paved
boundaries etc, especially on irregular shaped lawns? Also, how well would
it deal with in-laid paving stones etc? I presume there would be some work
involved on some lawns to make it robomow friendly?

Paul.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf
> Of White, Peter
> Sent: 22 March 2007 23:53
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Is It Time for a Robot to Mow Your Lawn?
>
> It's quiet, but a bit more 'droney'.  Probably about half the volume
> of the smallest Flymo.  There's 3 small blades that spin very quickly
> (presumably more energy efficient).  I can't think of anything to
> compare the noise to, I don't find it intrusive at all whilst I'm
> supping a beer watching the grass being cut, but SWMBO seems to get
> agitated by it every now and then.
>
> Pete
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mal Lansell [mailto:mal@xxxxxxx]
> Sent: 22 March 2007 23:16
> To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Is It Time for a Robot to Mow Your Lawn?
>
> How noisy is it compared to a regular mower?  If it's going to be
> doing it's own thing for three times longer, it would be good if it's
> not too loud...
>
>
> White, Peter wrote:
>
> > This isn't new - I've had my Robomow for over 4 years now, apart
> > from minor software changes it's not changed at all.
> >
> > It copes with lumps and bumps reasonably well, but it takes a lot
> > longer to cut a lawn, I'd guess at least 3 times as long as a
> > Flymo-equipped human!
> > But the rest of the video is true, including the dopey neighbour
> > looking over the fence!
> >
> > Pete
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Mark McCall [mailto:lists@xxxxxxx
> > <mailto:lists%40automatedhome.co.uk>]
> > Sent: 22 March 2007 15:12
> > To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx <mailto:ukha_d%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: [ukha_d] Is It Time for a Robot to Mow Your Lawn?
> >
> > With the clocks set to change this weekend in the UK, Spring is
> > inbound and our thoughts turn to the garden. As Robotic mowers
> mature,
> > it really may be time to consider letting "R2D2" mow
the grass,
> > while you spend your time on something much more pleasurable...
> >
> > http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/article1863.html
> > <http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/article1863.html>
> >
> > M.
> >
> > $$
> >
> > BancTec Ltd
> >
> > Reg Office:
> > Jarman House,
> > Mathisen Way,
> > Poyle Road,
> > Colnbrook,
> > Berkshire
> > SL3 0HF
> >
> > Incorporated in England & Wales - 1283512
> >
> > VAT GB 228 4783 38
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> $$
>
> BancTec Ltd
>
> Reg Office:
> Jarman House,
> Mathisen Way,
> Poyle Road,
> Colnbrook,
> Berkshire
> SL3 0HF
>
> Incorporated in England & Wales - 1283512
>
> VAT GB 228 4783 38
> ______________________________________________________________________
> This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
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BancTec Ltd

Reg Office:
Jarman House,
Mathisen Way,
Poyle Road,
Colnbrook,
Berkshire
SL3 0HF

Incorporated in England & Wales - 1283512

VAT GB 228 4783 38
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email
______________________________________________________________________

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