My autonomous lawn mower thread/blog

DrPhilG

Any tips for filling/raising the level in some spots? "Dolly" keeps getting stuck near the wall, as it slopes down there. I need to raise it up so it's a bit more flat. Do I just add some soil and pat it down so she can drive over it until such times as the grass comes through, or do I need to put down some turf?

Excuse the bad state of the grass. Just back from 2 weeks holiday and of course Dolly had a jam like this on our 2nd day away so it's not been cut for a fortnight.

I did go around the border when we got back with the push mower.

bfclancy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122445391#Comment_122445391

If it last 4-5 years you deem that a good investment? How so if you don't mind me asking, what does that stack up against, for any outlay like that you would surely be hoping for 10 years at least, 4-5 years would be unacceptable for any type of lawnmower, why does the robot get a pass? Just curious

SocialSpud

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122483122#Comment_122483122

Just adding soil will be fine. Add some seed while you're at it. If it's a straight run the robot should drive over and not cause damage. If you are concerned, perhaps add temporary fence until the grass grows in.

DrPhilG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122483970#Comment_122483970

Yeah I'll switch it to a straight run. It had previously (as you can see in the pic) been doing diagonal runs but I'll change that tonight and lay some soil & seed tomorrow.

SocialSpud

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122484000#Comment_122484000

Sounds good. It's a good idea to change the direction every so often anyway so the robot isn't creating little ruts. Also good for the grass to be mowed from a different direction.

DrPhilG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122484119#Comment_122484119

Yeah I normally do a diamond pattern, so it cuts L-R one day and top to bottom the next. Then I rotate the map so it's at 45° lines.

But that means it's having to rotate the wheels in that low patch at the wall which isn't ideal.

AnnCCFE

Anyone got any experience with the Kress mission nano 600? I only have about a 200m2 lawn and it's relatively square and flat, but for the €630 price and a dealer less than 1 hour drive away it's very tempting.

Pique

Speaking of Kress (which I know nothing about) they have a end of season 50% off sale.

https://www.kress.com/en-ie/robotic-lawn-mowers/

pete6296

Hi. Thanks for link for kress. Great offer for 50% off. Has anybody any feedback for these mowers. Lawn is 2700 square metres. Was looking at luba2 5000 but this is tempting offer from kress. Equivalent from kress is 2k euro

DrPhilG

Having just spent about £3.5k on 2 Kress mowers in April, I'm not even looking at the sales as it will only depress me.

AnnCCFE

That's why I mentioned Kress, with their 50% off. They are selling of they're guide wire mowers for their new RTK line of mowers, which look like the business, but are out of my price bracket. I'll put up with the guide wire for now.

AnnCCFE

@DrPhillG what 2 did you buy? How you finding them?

DrPhilG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494219#Comment_122494219

172e RTK and 101e. Going well, still a few teething problems at times with dips in the lawn needing tidied up but nothing major.

Grass has never looked better.

pete6296

Checked out price for 2700 square metre lawn. Just over 2k for mower but 800 to 900 for wire bringing it to 2.8k. Will stick to Luba 2 5000 for 3.2k I think.

DrPhilG

Bit the bullet and checked, the RTK one I bought isn't on sale. Nor is the one I wished I'd bought, the smallest RTK one.

AnnCCFE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494258#Comment_122494258

Yea it's the 101e I would be thinking of buying. Would you be in the west of Ireland by any chance? I'm wondering about maintenance by the dealer?

DrPhilG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494356#Comment_122494356

I'm in the north west, actually got it via dealer in the North.

AnnCCFE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494397#Comment_122494397

Longford seems to be flooded with dealers, 3 of them. Then it's Cavan, Galway and Cork.

AnnCCFE

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494397#Comment_122494397

Can you spray under the 101e with water to clean it?

Sponsorgate

Anyone who pre-ordered a Luba 2 get news on delivery? Most retailers here in Ireland have a mid to late August delivery date but just wondering if anyone got news ?

DrPhilG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494453#Comment_122494453

Don't think it's recommended on the 101e. 172e is grand.

I just scrape the crap off it with a stick and wipe it down. For a more detailed clean before standing down in winter the dealer recommended compressed air.

THE ALM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494880#Comment_122494880

Batch arrived into main distributor on Friday and I got a whatsapp on Saturday, I should be collecting today or tomorrow, L2 5000

LubaDriver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494880#Comment_122494880

They are all likely waiting on the same shipment. Lyster Lawnmowers are the importers/distributors so if you contact them you can get your info direct.

Sponsorgate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494936#Comment_122494936

Can I ask who that is? I ordered with Coughlans.

THE ALM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122495014#Comment_122495014

Lyster Lawnmowers, Athlone

Sponsorgate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122494936#Comment_122494936

That's positive to hear. I'd be guessing they both were waiting on same container. Fingers crossed

Sponsorgate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122495032#Comment_122495032

Spoke with Coughlans. They have no news yet on shipment.

Sponsorgate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122495032#Comment_122495032

You collect it? V jealous. Waiting patiently…….

THE ALM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122499014#Comment_122499014

Yes, picked it up today.

Managed to get it set up and the lawn mapped so will see how it runs tomorrow.

Took a bit of time between updates etc. and had a few issues with the mower getting positioning even though we have good clear sighting to the sky.

Pallets of the Luba in the warehouse so they seemed well stocked although they could all be going to customers and retailers.

pete6296

Well wear. Be very interested to hear how tommorrow goes for you.

Brianb8802

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122483196#Comment_122483196

It was really a throw away comment without too much thought, but you got me thinking. I was comparing the Luba 2 1000 against a second hand ride on that was coming in at about €2500.

When you look at the initial costs involved they are roughly the same, I paid €2,300 for the Luba, and you'd probably get another 10 years out of the ride on. But when you take the maintenance costs that come with it you'd have to expect approx €2,500 in petrol, services, belts, blades, oil, filters and borrowing a trailer to transport it for servicing over those 10 years.

With Luba the cost for up keep is replacing the blades 2 or 3 times a year and the electricity to charge it, total might come out at €250 over 5 years. There may be a service needed or broken part/battery that might cost €500.

So over 10 years the ride on would cost €5,000 and if I had to buy a new Luba after 5 years for €2,500 it'd bring me to €6,200 over 10 years (2,300+250+500+2,500+250+500).

But the main benefit I see is that nobody actually has to physically go there every 2 weeks and cut the grass, hard to put a price on that I suppose. Also, since we've had the Luba set up the grass hasn't looked this good since it was initially set about 30 years ago, it's currently cutting 3 times a week. Lastly having no cut grass pile stacking up is a nice bonus.

It's not exactly a direct comparison but even with the pessimistic view on having to replace Luba after 5 years, for me it offers better value overall. I'm hoping the Luba will get much further then 5 years but if it only lasted 4-5 years, I'm ok with that.

THE ALM

Luba has set off on its inaugural cut so will see how it gets on. Followed it round the perimeter to makes sure there are no issues following the path or bumping into things but all looks good. Will see how it handles the no go zones as the day goes.

Query for those with the Luba 2.

I am having an issue with the main power brick powering both the charging station and the RTK in that it will not/intermittently power the RTK when plugged in. The power brick is continually flashing green even though the mower is fully charged.

Reading online it seems this may be a sign of a faulty power brick. It may also be the reason I was having issues setting it up and finding the positioning.

I am using the two power bricks at the minute and all seems to be running ok for now.

For those with the L2 5000 how long is it taking to charge? I'll monitor this to see how ours compares.

Thanks for any help.

I will visit the suppliers later on today to note the issue.

DrPhilG

Any recommendations for Kress blades? For a 101e and 172e. I have the spare set that came with them, long overdue a change to be honest but I'll switch them over this weekend. Just planning ahead.

Chocolate Teapot

Can anyone recommend the best place to buy the Luba 2? Do most people buy from a local supplier or online? Thanks

Sponsorgate

Lysters Athlone & Coughlan’s Carlow are the 2 Irish suppliers I know of.

Bought mine with Coughlan’s. Courier delivering on Monday all going to plan.
I don’t think there a huge advantage going with supplier for this type of product? Ultimately if you have issues , you will be going to Mammotion

THE ALM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122508976#Comment_122508976

As Sponsorgate says, Lysters and Coughlans along with mowers.ie seem to be the main ones for the Luba.

Lysters are the distributors and when I was talking to them they said the Lubas are flying out the door, 50-60 on Tuesday alone.

I was having an issue with the RTK (it has since seemed to have corrected itself) which I was speaking to them about and I had to send a log via. the app and then Lysters chased it up from there end from Mammontion.

I'd say from a mechanical side of things then Lysters would be fixing it and for a software/technical issue it will be going through Mammontion.

dinneenp

Hi,

Any idea why my Parkside robot lawnmower keeps beeping while mowing please?

Thanks

Pa

ra0044

This page on boards is full of people with the Parkside mower and may know.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058308397/lidl-parkside-20v-1000m2-robot-mower-review#latest

Brianb8802

For the Luba owners, what are people using for an rtk mount on the house? I'm trying to get my hands on the Mammotion L bracket and it's either sold out or won't deliver to Ireland depending on where you look.

I have it spiked into the ground at the moment next to the charging station but I'm looking for a more permanent install so I know I won't have to remap if I move the charge station down the track.

THE ALM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122527746#Comment_122527746

Like that I have it spiked beside the charging station for now. I might be making a few changes to the lawn area and could be re-mapping it anyway and will also, probably, pack it all away once the cutting season is over so the spike suits at the minute.

The likes of an stand off bracket might be an option and use half the pole, something like this.

WildWater

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122527746#Comment_122527746

TV aerial bracket. I posted a picture earlier in the thread.

manshay

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122527746#Comment_122527746

I picked one up from Coughlans when I bought my Luba on Monday. They said they got a pallet of "extras" for the Luba's with their delivery

coolarama

Has anyone who's been waiting for a Luba 2 from mowers.ie got theirs yet? I ordered in May and still haven't got mine despite them supposedly now being in stock.

atrain00

In the same boat, ordered in May and after a number of excuses was promised delivery on Tuesaday 20th August but still havent received. They haven't replied to emails and not answering calls. I contacted Lysters who are the official distributor in Ireland and they confirmed Mowers.ie got an allocation last Friday and got another delivery from Lysters 2 days ago. So they do seem to have them

atrain00

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122532219#Comment_122532219

In the same boat, ordered in May and after a number of excuses was promised delivery on Tuesaday 20th August but still havent received. They haven't replied to emails and not answering calls. I contacted Lysters who are the official distributor in Ireland and they confirmed Mowers.ie got an allocation last Friday and got another delivery from Lysters 2 days ago. So they do seem to have them

captivo

Got my Luba2 yesterday from mowers.ie after ordering in May. I got an email from DPD on Monday saying a delivery request has been made with expected delivery on Wednesday, so it was one day letter than expected.

It was a frustrating process with mowers.ie, over promised and under delivered. But hopefully plain sailing from now on.

Will spend sometime this evening getting it set up. 🤞

THE ALM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122534067#Comment_122534067

A bit of patience and time setting up and you should be ok.

Have been running 'the small lubawski' for the last week and it is working away no problem , rain or shine. Initially I had an issue with the RTK which seems to have resolved itself after I powered everything off for an hour or so and started again.

About 3600m2 is taking about 12 hours including 4 charging stops and I am running it every day for now.

With the damp weather I am cleaning the underside every couple of days as it is getting a bit clogged, to be expected with the wet grass.

Brianb8802

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122529626#Comment_122529626

Found it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122280822#Comment_122280822

That's perfect, I picked up the same bracket today and will mount it on the chimney tomorrow.

Thanks for that.

LubaDriver

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122501624#Comment_122501624

The light on the power brick flashes to indicate the level of power draw. Iirc a solid green light is 200W. Flashing green light is low power/trickle. Red is error.

The light on the rtk is programmed to be off during the evening/night hours

THE ALM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122555011#Comment_122555011

Thanks. Both power bricks are ok, the issue was that the RTK would just power off no matter what brick it was attached to and no errors showing.

As I say, now working away without issue after I had powered off and started again and just appears to be have been one of those random things.