Robot mowers

Author
Discussion

TimJMS

2,584 posts

250 months

Monday 30th May 2016
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Pleased to hear it thumbup

Mowing grass isn't gardening, it's just a chore. Eliminate that and as you're finding out, it leaves time for actually getting stuck into proper gardening.

Edited by TimJMS on Monday 30th May 21:13

biggiles

1,699 posts

224 months

Monday 13th June 2016
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Driller said:
Husqvarna Automower 420 installed and let of the leash biggrin Brilliant piece of kit, works like a dream.
I'm in the position of needing to cover approx 4-500m2 this year and up to 1200m2 next year. Simple shapes. I'm thinking either get one Flymo 1200R now, and then a second next year; or just get an Automower 315 this year. Twice the price, but perhaps more than twice as capable?

I believe the Flymo is based on the Gardena R40Li which is based on an Automower 305.

==> Do any of you robot-army-owners advise better to have several smaller / less-capable machines, or one big "premium" Husqvarna Automower or equivalent?

Having done quite a lot of reading - this seems to be the longest discussion in English of robot mowers I can find! (the German http://www.roboter-forum.com/ is very good, but it's tough having to Google-translate every page).

madcowman

217 posts

117 months

Monday 13th June 2016
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bought a 1200R ( aka "Colin" ) a few weeks ago - we have a small garden, I'm just very lazy smile

I've actually had to reduce the mowing freqency to just a couple of hours a few times a week, but he's done a cracking job so far.

Driller

8,310 posts

277 months

Tuesday 14th June 2016
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biggiles said:
Driller said:
Husqvarna Automower 420 installed and let of the leash biggrin Brilliant piece of kit, works like a dream.
I'm in the position of needing to cover approx 4-500m2 this year and up to 1200m2 next year. Simple shapes. I'm thinking either get one Flymo 1200R now, and then a second next year; or just get an Automower 315 this year. Twice the price, but perhaps more than twice as capable?

I believe the Flymo is based on the Gardena R40Li which is based on an Automower 305.

==> Do any of you robot-army-owners advise better to have several smaller / less-capable machines, or one big "premium" Husqvarna Automower or equivalent?

Having done quite a lot of reading - this seems to be the longest discussion in English of robot mowers I can find! (the German http://www.roboter-forum.com/ is very good, but it's tough having to Google-translate every page).
I have to say without wanting to sound like a badge snob, I wouldn't touch the Flymo. Just get the Husqvarna and the highest capacity one you can afford. It's best to not have the thing banging away all day every day if you don't want it to wear out.

We have about 1300m2 of lawn but went for the 420 model for this very reason. I have it programmed to work 12 hours a day Mon, Tue and Wed.

biggiles

1,699 posts

224 months

Wednesday 15th June 2016
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Driller said:
I have to say without wanting to sound like a badge snob, I wouldn't touch the Flymo. Just get the Husqvarna and the highest capacity one you can afford. It's best to not have the thing banging away all day every day if you don't want it to wear out.
That's the way I'm thinking - thanks Driller!

pdavison

1,637 posts

276 months

Wednesday 15th June 2016
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Does anyone have any experience of how these machines cope with leaves as a significant part of my lawn will be covered in leaves for a large part of the year?

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Wednesday 15th June 2016
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I've recently had a Robomow man around, and am awaiting his quotation. Look like fantastic bits of kit. Will keep you posted!

davek_964

Original Poster:

8,796 posts

174 months

Wednesday 15th June 2016
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pdavison said:
Does anyone have any experience of how these machines cope with leaves as a significant part of my lawn will be covered in leaves for a large part of the year?
No, but I'll be able to tell you in about 4 months time thanks to the massive oak tree at the bottom of my garden!

moles

1,794 posts

243 months

Wednesday 15th June 2016
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Looking at mine is imagine it will make mincemeat of leaves and just shred them up

TimJMS

2,584 posts

250 months

Wednesday 15th June 2016
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Yes leaves are no issue. Mulched repeatedly as they fall over the autumn period. Worm food.

Pine cones on the other hand I have occasionally had issues with jamming between the blade and floating deck. Usually not an issue with these either. They become worm food too.

signalgreen

56 posts

222 months

Saturday 9th July 2016
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I'm thinking of getting one of these.

I have about 1.5 acres of grass all around the house, its a bit patchy with lots of trees, borders, and islands of shrubs, a drive, paths, etc etc .

We use a 21" Honda hand mower and Kubota ride on at the moment.

Will a Husqvarna 450X (the top model) be up to the job - or are they still just designed for "rectangular" lawns at this stage?


moles

1,794 posts

243 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
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No it should be fine, my robomow went back for a software update and it came back much better it is able to follow a sweeping curve very smoothly now. I would imagine the husky should be fine.

HootersGsy

731 posts

135 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
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I've taken the plunge and bought a Robomow MC400 (only have a small lawn). Installation is really easy, apart from when I decided I finally needed to remove two tree stumps so it could mow properly - forgot what a hard job that is! The wife and I were watching it like proud parents yesterday, just need to keep an eye on the bugger when you're weeding the flower beds though as it sneaks up on you!

moles

1,794 posts

243 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
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The mc models are the European red version aren't they?. They are cheaper than the rc version we get in uk and as far as I can tell they are the same but with 2 year warranty instead of 3?.

HootersGsy

731 posts

135 months

Sunday 10th July 2016
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moles said:
The mc models are the European red version aren't they?. They are cheaper than the rc version we get in uk and as far as I can tell they are the same but with 2 year warranty instead of 3?.
So I believe, I managed to get it on a special offer with an extended 5 year guarantee which was the deciding factor in not spending the extra on the RC. I think they also support fewer zones than the RC but given I just have the one area to mow I'm not that worried.

biggiles

1,699 posts

224 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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I also bought a mower (Husqvarna Automower 315) based on this thread, and extra info in the German forums at http://www.roboter-forum.com/forumdisplay.php?76-H... . Thank you for the help & info.

Patch1875

4,893 posts

131 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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Don't know if it's a good deal or not but the flymo 1200r is £350 on Amazon prime day.

superlightr

12,842 posts

262 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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be keen for some more pics please !! show me your robomower porn !!

rfisher

5,024 posts

282 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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Patch1875 said:
Don't know if it's a good deal or not but the flymo 1200r is £350 on Amazon prime day.
If they pay you £350 for taking it off their hands, then yes.

Otherwise, no.

I'm a robot mower we - I'll post piccies later.

Rosscow

8,723 posts

162 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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I had a price to supply and fit a Robomow RS615: http://robomow.com/en-GB/shop/mowers/mowers/rs615/

When I say fit, I mean fit all of the wiring using a cable burying trenching machine, commission etc.

Total price of £2048.00 including VAT.

I'm definitely interested, but I'm not going to do it until I've seen a demo in my garden (which will have to wait until after our holiday now).