Robot mowers

[Durzel]

The Worx WR142E I bought for a mate for Christmas has been pretty useless, if I'm honest. I bought him the optional ACS and FInd My Landroid (GPS) module addons too, all told it was in excess of £1k.

For starters, the app - almost every time you've added the mower by going through the steps with the QR codes (one for the mower, one for the GPS module) it adds it, but then the next time you open the app, or just randomly - if the app crashes, it forgets you added it and acts like you've just installed the app for the first time. Have tested on both iPhone and Android and it is the same on both. I've had to set it up again on his phone about 6 times, and we've just given up with it now.

The GPS/SIM module seemed to install and work properly, the SIM activated etc, only you can't actually do anything with the mower via the app, it just constantly reports that it "seems to be offline". No command works, but there is some feedback as the app seems to know when it is mowing or waiting. So it's a dumb mower that doesn't respond to commands from the app, when the app hasn't forgotten the mower exists that is.

Performance? It gets stuck constantly. Admittedly my mate has a pretty uneven garden, but the wheels and the power to them means that it is barely able to get over anything, or recover it gets stuck. Every time he has used it the mower has somehow managed to get itself stuck in a divot before giving up. At that point you have to manually reposition it to get it to go home. He has to use it on the 40mm setting because otherwise it is constantly bottoming out on the various undulations.

So yeah - bit of a disappointment really. I can see how it would work fine on putting green lawns, but on anything remotely bumpy it has problems.

On the plus side, the ACS part of it seems to work brilliantly, navigating around various moving child toys etc.

[Podie]

Durzel said:

The Worx WR142E I bought for a mate for Christmas has been pretty useless, if I'm honest. I bought him the optional ACS and FInd My Landroid (GPS) module addons too, all told it was in excess of £1k.

For starters, the app - almost every time you've added the mower by going through the steps with the QR codes (one for the mower, one for the GPS module) it adds it, but then the next time you open the app, or just randomly - if the app crashes, it forgets you added it and acts like you've just installed the app for the first time. Have tested on both iPhone and Android and it is the same on both. I've had to set it up again on his phone about 6 times, and we've just given up with it now.

The GPS/SIM module seemed to install and work properly, the SIM activated etc, only you can't actually do anything with the mower via the app, it just constantly reports that it "seems to be offline". No command works, but there is some feedback as the app seems to know when it is mowing or waiting. So it's a dumb mower that doesn't respond to commands from the app, when the app hasn't forgotten the mower exists that is.

Performance? It gets stuck constantly. Admittedly my mate has a pretty uneven garden, but the wheels and the power to them means that it is barely able to get over anything, or recover it gets stuck. Every time he has used it the mower has somehow managed to get itself stuck in a divot before giving up. At that point you have to manually reposition it to get it to go home. He has to use it on the 40mm setting because otherwise it is constantly bottoming out on the various undulations.

So yeah - bit of a disappointment really. I can see how it would work fine on putting green lawns, but on anything remotely bumpy it has problems.

On the plus side, the ACS part of it seems to work brilliantly, navigating around various moving child toys etc.

That's pretty disappointing. Our garden has all sorts of lumps and bumps, a multitude of trees and strange curves and the 1200R has been great.

[wjwren]

I was about to buy a worx as i liked the idea of cutting to the edge. Any recommendations please? I previously had a Bosch 350 and found that got stuck easily on my pretty flat lawn. I drilled some screws in to the wheels to act as spikes and this resolved it. Ive since sold that machine so looking for a reliable replacement. My lawn is small. 120sqm.

[StreetDragster]

I bought a worx, couldn't get it to start. All app related problems, not recognizing the serial number, app crashing, won't connect to wifi etc.
Customer service didn't ring me back or help at all.

Ended up sending it back and getting a much 'dumber' none app enabled McCulloch and it has been splendid and reliable.

Matt

[jodypress]

This is the second season I'm running my Worx wr105. Cracking bit of kit.
Had initial issues with it not siting itself on the base station correctly. Contact Worx via their FB site and end Ed up chatting to some very helpful techies. Turned out to be an issue with the charger unit and they sent out a replacement unit. Been faultless since then.

Now performance of it is pretty good. We've got two goals in the garden and sometimes if they've moved it does get stuck on the netting.
Our garden is large and has many undulations and "Bob" tackles them absolutely fine.
App works fine but only need it if I want to change the automatic schedule of if I get notified its stuck on goal again.....lol.

So much easier then getting out the self propelled mower every few weeks.

[wjwren]

Any recommendation please on a reliable make, what manufacture is popular on this thread? Do the worx really cut to the edge? Views on the new Flymo Easilife?

[worldwidewebs]

wjwren said:

Any recommendation please on a reliable make, what manufacture is popular on this thread? Do the worx really cut to the edge? Views on the new Flymo Easilife?

I've had a Worx Landroid L and now have a Husqvarna 310. Comparing the 2:

Worx
Quite a bit cheaper (especially when you factor in the perimeter cable and pegs)
Can handle a larger area
Decent app works on wifi
Rain sensor
Poor spares support

Husqvarna
Much, much better on slopes (to be fair, our slope is quite steep)
Better at getting out of tight situations
More intelligent and less scrambling if it gets stuck
Ability to have multiple zones
Can start it at multiple points - useful if you have a complicated lawn
Decent-ish app but only woks on Bluetooth (the X models work on 3G)
Quieter

The Worx does have a 'cut to edge' function but in reality that can be done with any mower if you think about where you position the perimeter wire. The Worx blades are offset but in reality it doesn't make a difference. I still need to strim every couple of weeks or so, but it only takes 15 mins on quite a large garden

If it wasn't for the slope, I think we'd have kept the Worx. But there is no doubt that the Husky is the better machine. Our next machine will be another Husky

[wjwren]

worldwidewebs said:

I've had a Worx Landroid L and now have a Husqvarna 310. Comparing the 2:

Worx
Quite a bit cheaper (especially when you factor in the perimeter cable and pegs)
Can handle a larger area
Decent app works on wifi
Rain sensor
Poor spares support

Husqvarna
Much, much better on slopes (to be fair, our slope is quite steep)
Better at getting out of tight situations
More intelligent and less scrambling if it gets stuck
Ability to have multiple zones
Can start it at multiple points - useful if you have a complicated lawn
Decent-ish app but only woks on Bluetooth (the X models work on 3G)
Quieter

The Worx does have a 'cut to edge' function but in reality that can be done with any mower if you think about where you position the perimeter wire. The Worx blades are offset but in reality it doesn't make a difference. I still need to strim every couple of weeks or so, but it only takes 15 mins on quite a large garden

If it wasn't for the slope, I think we'd have kept the Worx. But there is no doubt that the Husky is the better machine. Our next machine will be another Husky

Thats interesting to know. I had a bosch indego newer model 350 connect. It would always get itself stuck and my lawn is pretty flat. Any type of wet or muddy patch and it would just sit there spinning the wheels until the battery died.

[worldwidewebs]

wjwren said:

Thats interesting to know. I had a bosch indego newer model 350 connect. It would always get itself stuck and my lawn is pretty flat. Any type of wet or muddy patch and it would just sit there spinning the wheels until the battery died.

The Worx isn't anywhere near as bad as that, it's just that the Husky is a LOT more intelligent

[wjwren]

Is there much difference on the 305 and basic husky. I think it may be model 105?

[wjwren]

I think im set on a 105 husqvarna. Any views on this or is there another make or model that is better in any way? Are these mowers controlled by an app?

[wjwren]

Ok thanks for that I think il order a husq 105. We have no leaves in the garden really.

[acme]

worldwidewebs said:

I've had a Worx Landroid L and now have a Husqvarna 310. Comparing the 2:

Worx
Quite a bit cheaper (especially when you factor in the perimeter cable and pegs)
Can handle a larger area
Decent app works on wifi
Rain sensor
Poor spares support

Husqvarna
Much, much better on slopes (to be fair, our slope is quite steep)
Better at getting out of tight situations
More intelligent and less scrambling if it gets stuck
Ability to have multiple zones
Can start it at multiple points - useful if you have a complicated lawn
Decent-ish app but only woks on Bluetooth (the X models work on 3G)
Quieter

The Worx does have a 'cut to edge' function but in reality that can be done with any mower if you think about where you position the perimeter wire. The Worx blades are offset but in reality it doesn't make a difference. I still need to strim every couple of weeks or so, but it only takes 15 mins on quite a large garden

If it wasn't for the slope, I think we'd have kept the Worx. But there is no doubt that the Husky is the better machine. Our next machine will be another Husky

Can you advise of your garden size relative to the quoted 1000m2 that Husqvarna state for the 310?

I was intending on getting a 315X, which is rated to 1600m2, but when you read the small print they state the sizes are if it's working 24/7 and typically you need a machine three times the size of your actual garden!

Cheers

[worldwidewebs]

Our lawn area is about 1000m2, give or take a bit. The Husky is generally out from 10am until 8pm and covers the area fine. We also have a very steep slope at the bottom of the garden and that does impact slightly the amount it can mow. Also, if we didn't have a steep slope it would probably be out longer but early morning dew reduces the grip somewhat.

For what it's worth, the UK rep for Husqvarna told us (through the sales guy) that the only difference between the 310 and the 315 was the software to allow it to do a larger area.

[acme]

worldwidewebs said:

Our lawn area is about 1000m2, give or take a bit. The Husky is generally out from 10am until 8pm and covers the area fine. We also have a very steep slope at the bottom of the garden and that does impact slightly the amount it can mow. Also, if we didn't have a steep slope it would probably be out longer but early morning dew reduces the grip somewhat.

For what it's worth, the UK rep for Husqvarna told us (through the sales guy) that the only difference between the 310 and the 315 was the software to allow it to do a larger area.

Many thanks for your reply, appreciated. Interesting comment re software etc. Seems like you're pretty happy with it, can I ask did you bury the cable yourself or getting the supplying dealer to do it? I seemingly need about 600 metres of cable, not sure on cost to install as yet, but even the dealer suggested knowing how to install/fix brakes in the cable was really necessary, so it might be best to do myself.

Cheers

[worldwidewebs]

acme said:

Many thanks for your reply, appreciated. Interesting comment re software etc. Seems like you're pretty happy with it, can I ask did you bury the cable yourself or getting the supplying dealer to do it? I seemingly need about 600 metres of cable, not sure on cost to install as yet, but even the dealer suggested knowing how to install/fix brakes in the cable was really necessary, so it might be best to do myself.

Cheers

I laid the perimeter wire myself, I didn't bury it - if you bury it, it's a lot harder to move if you want/need to. I've moved mine 2 or 3 times to try and improve the slope performance (it's operating out of its design parameters really but the only one that is designed for the job is £4k!) Also, I have an additional configuration that I can switch on for when I go on holiday so that I make sure the mower won't get stuck at all, although it mows a slightly smaller area.

Dealers will tell you that you need to bury the wire - it's a nice little earner for them and you don't! After a few weeks, the grass grows over the wire so you don't see it anyway. When pegging it down just make sure that it's close to the soil surface and you're good to go.

Overall, yes really pleased with it. Aside from the fact that the grass always looks just cut, it's really thickened up and we have next to no weeds. Both my neighbours have ride on mowers and their lawns always look like council-owned fields. You'll never look back if you get one.

By the way, we haven't had a single break. Bought the cable and pegs off Amazon

[wjwren]

Il second that advice from worldwebs. Visitors thought my lawn was fake. Ok granted i do feed it a lot but the cutting everyday really does help.

[h0b0]

This is from the frivolous purchases thread. Geoff is a Husqvarna 450x

h0b0 said:

h0b0 said:

Geoff is killing me! I have to put a cable down around the garden so he doesn’t run off and cut the neighbors garden/swimming pool. Due to the complexity of my garden it has taken hours and my back is killing me.

If the goal was to do less gardening I have gone from doing nothing to doing a ton and paying a load of money for the tools to automate.

Mission status currently failure.

Geoff is braving the lockdown we have here in the US and cutting the grass like a trooper. There have been some challenges, including the squirrels biting through his cable. But, we made it.



The kids were playing fetch with him earlier and he chewed up a ball. He isn’t dangerous but he does chew toys.



So far he is exploring the yard.

The latest update is that he is mostly running smoothly. We had some idiots put road working tools on my yard and cut the cord by accident. And, a couple of times he has sent out a distress signal because he slipped out of zone (read more about placing the cord further down). On one occasion he ended up between 2 trees and it took a while to find him.

Learn from my mistakes.

1) don't allow your kids to help if they are anything like mine. I had hoped for a clean install with no joins but due to kids/workmen I have multiple joins.
2) there is a template for installing the cable. ALWAYS allow more distance to the obstacle than necessary. There is a setting in the app where you can tell Geoff to go over the cable more...... but not less! I tried to get the cable to exactly 20cm from a drop off and if Geoff approaches the wrong angle he will drop a wheel. As a result, I have had to pull up the cable in some places. If it says 20cm, lay it 30 away and use the 10cm in the app.
3) dont hammer the cable in too far. It will break. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But, some day..


I got Geoff because my landscapers were taking the piss with their charges. I have ended up buying a strimmer as well to cut the bits he doesn't quite get to. (although I admit I have not done that yet). That means the ROI time frame is approaching centuries but I am a gadget person as well.

If you follow the advice above then life will be easy. I bought the 450X due to the size of my land. To give an idea of scale, I used 2 large install kits. That is may be more about complexity than size though. I also bought the 450X because it has much bigger motors than the other models and is less likely to get stuck.

I am very happy now the teething trouble is over. I had to move his schedule to the night and turn his head lights off though because of the amount of attention he was getting.(all positive) In the US they don not have fences so he is on show. Every person going by stopped and filmed him. He got chased, and subsequently chased a dog. Now that dog is scared to come on our grass. We have even had cars stop in the middle of the street when they see him.

Once I have seen a Summer with him then I will be able to judge if he was a good decision or not.

[acme]

worldwidewebs said:

I laid the perimeter wire myself, I didn't bury it - if you bury it, it's a lot harder to move if you want/need to. I've moved mine 2 or 3 times to try and improve the slope performance (it's operating out of its design parameters really but the only one that is designed for the job is £4k!) Also, I have an additional configuration that I can switch on for when I go on holiday so that I make sure the mower won't get stuck at all, although it mows a slightly smaller area.

Dealers will tell you that you need to bury the wire - it's a nice little earner for them and you don't! After a few weeks, the grass grows over the wire so you don't see it anyway. When pegging it down just make sure that it's close to the soil surface and you're good to go.

Overall, yes really pleased with it. Aside from the fact that the grass always looks just cut, it's really thickened up and we have next to no weeds. Both my neighbours have ride on mowers and their lawns always look like council-owned fields. You'll never look back if you get one.

By the way, we haven't had a single break. Bought the cable and pegs off Amazon

Once again, many thanks for your reply, appreciated.

That's an interesting observation re the need to amend it to enable to learn what it can/can't do. My whole garden is on a slope, not a major one but a slope nonetheless. Also interesting what you said about not burying it, when the dealer came round he said that they in essence lay it on the grass, the grass then 'pings' up around it thus hiding it, even he was saying you need to learn how to do it for yourself, which I took to mean it may be best you do it yourself! If you bought it off amazon did you buy a Husqvarna specific one, as I understand they all use the same system of sending a pulse down them?

I live in the countryside and next to fields so my grass is always full of weeds, but the ability to improve it would be good, most of all I'm looking forward to saving 2-3 hours each time. What actually made me look into them was the cost of servicing a sit on 350-400 a time, which is needed to keep up the warranty, madness!

Cheers

[h0b0]

ash73 said:

acme said:

Also interesting what you said about not burying it, when the dealer came round he said that they in essence lay it on the grass, the grass then 'pings' up around it thus hiding it...

I buried mine using a half-moon edging tool, easy to do and looks neater. You can adjust it, if you pull it up in one location it will easily pull out 10' of cable at a time... but obviously leaves a mess behind.

You could peg it down first, then bury it when you're happy.

If you want to bury the cable then go ahead. But, as others have said it is not necessary to bury the cable. Within a couple of weeks it disappears into the grass including the pegs.I have over 600m of cable set out for my yard so burying it would require a professional installation. As mentioned in my previous post though, only lightly peg it down otherwise you run the risk of breaking the cable as my kids did. The other breaks were caused by a curious squirrel and some chump with a spade. I have moved a few places on mine to tweak the coverage. Again, follow my previous advice on placing it further away from the edge than recommended and use the app to bring it in.

The cable is an invisible dog fence cable which are very popular in the US. The connectors with Husqvarna are standard ones from Amazon as I have just bought a few for spares. This means you can make your own installation kits from parts bought on Amazon. However, when I priced it up it was cheaper to buy the Husqvarna kit that was on sale.