My autonomous lawn mower thread/blog

KCross · 14-01-2019 4:23pm

Roen wrote: »

I bought the 2017 version, which has no app connectivity and bought the automow connect module separately. Still worked out cheaper than the '18 version.

How much did you pay for the module?
Did you install it yourself? Was it easy?
Did the module come with a SIM and it was just plug 'n play?

Any SIM card topups required to keep the SIM active?

Roen · 14-01-2019 4:53pm

KCross wrote: »

How much did you pay for the module?
Did you install it yourself? Was it easy?
Did the module come with a SIM and it was just plug 'n play?

Any SIM card topups required to keep the SIM active?

€280.

Still to arrive, only ordered it all.

As far as I know it's not a user installable item and will be done by the lads I'm getting it off. Not sure on any of the above re SIM but I haven't seen it listed as a requirement anywhere.

staples7 · 14-01-2019 11:15pm

On a slightly separate note has anyone heard of one being nicked? My biggest fear being near a busy road. Will be purchasing one with the GPS tracking. And I know their useless without the pin but there are idiots out there with nothing better to do. Neither of the dealers I’ve been talking to have had stories of stolen units....

Roen · 14-01-2019 11:55pm

I know a few lads with them and so far so good. Some are behind gates and some relatively open. All in quiet country roads though.

My main worry is the opportunist who doesn't know what he's knicking is useless.
It gets lifted and then an hour later dumped in a ditch.
That and some passing scumbag that just tossed it out of badness.
This is doing the back garden for the time being. I might connect up one part of the front eventually though.

deccydohc · 15-01-2019 12:01pm

Roen wrote: »

I know a few lads with them and so far so good. Some are behind gates and some relatively open. All in quiet country roads though.

My main worry is the opportunist who doesn't know what he's knicking is useless.
It gets lifted and then an hour later dumped in a ditch.
That and some passing scumbag that just tossed it out of badness.
This is doing the back garden for the time being. I might connect up one part of the front eventually though.

The X models have Theft protection by GPS and the Automower® Connect gives you full control of the mower right in your smartphone. You can easily send start, stop and park commands, check and adjust settings. If required also receive alarms and track your mower’s position in case of theft

KCross · 15-01-2019 12:16pm

deccydohc wrote: »

The X models have Theft protection by GPS and the Automower® Connect gives you full control of the mower right in your smartphone. You can easily send start, stop and park commands, check and adjust settings. If required also receive alarms and track your mower’s position in case of theft

I think all X Models have GPS but they dont all have the SIM module by default.... or at least didnt until recently.

So you could have an X model that has GPS but you cant track its location. The GPS is only used by the mower itself to navigate around the lawn and map where it has been. Without the SIM module you cant track its location if its robbed.

deccydohc · 15-01-2019 12:31pm

KCross wrote: »

I think all X Models have GPS but they dont all have the SIM module by default.... or at least didnt until recently.

So you could have an X model that has GPS but you cant track its location. The GPS is only used by the mower itself to navigate around the lawn and map where it has been. Without the SIM module you cant track its location if its robbed.

I think the X models from 2018 models and up come with the 10 year mobile data contract included. Through Automower Connect you will always have full control from your smartphone.

Taken from Husqvarna website - "Theft protection by GPS
Products equipped with Automower Connect®/Husqvarna Fleet Services™ immediately begin tracking its GPS position and send notifications to your devices. Makes the Automower® installation extra safe and minimizes the risk of theft."

Roen · 16-01-2019 11:29am

The Automow Connect gadget I got has 'Free use for 10 years.' on it. The manual mentions GPRS signal too so I'd say even though it's a 2017 model you can get the full functionality out of it.

Still is not much use though.
Someone sees it, nicks it, tosses it. You can find it handy enough but it's in 7 pieces in a ditch.

I need to read up on how people are insuring these. Cos usually all bets are off unless something is kept in a locked garage.

padraig.od · 16-01-2019 12:08pm

Yeah me insurance company refused to insure my 430x.

Where are people ordering their blades from?

Roen · 16-01-2019 12:12pm

padraig.od wrote: »

Yeah me insurance company refused to insure my 430x.

Where are people ordering their blades from?

Loads on amazon, not sure of the quality, I got some original spares when I ordered mine from GPL shop.

padraig.od · 16-01-2019 12:48pm

Roen wrote: »

Loads on amazon, not sure of the quality, I got some original spares when I ordered mine from GPL shop.

Saw them on GPL but delivery is a bit steep.

Roen · 16-01-2019 9:36pm

padraig.od wrote: »

Saw them on GPL but delivery is a bit steep.

Local dealer then really. That's what the lads in work so for theirs.

Zzippy · 17-01-2019 4:15pm

I get them in local dealer, I find I don't need to replace more than once or at most twice per season so they're not that expensive.

KCross · 17-01-2019 4:19pm

I'd put a fresh set on for the first cut of the season to make life a bit easier for the mower.

After that one or two changes and thats it.... so 9 blades max in total for the year for the Husqvarna... cheap mowing!

padraig.od · 17-01-2019 4:27pm

KCross wrote: »

I'd put a fresh set on for the first cut of the season to make life a bit easier for the mower.

After that one or two changes and thats it.... so 9 blades max in total for the year for the Husqvarna... cheap mowing!

My blades were in an awful state when I changed them on the weekend. I have a new set in, only 3 spare left. Do you buy from Husqvarna or pick up generics?

KCross · 17-01-2019 4:34pm

padraig.od wrote: »

My blades were in an awful state when I changed them on the weekend. I have a new set in, only 3 spare left. Do you buy from Husqvarna or pick up generics?

I've done both.
Cant see any difference in the generics tbh. Bought a set of 30 from ebay for ~€20

Just search for "30x Blades Knives husqvarna" and you'll see plenty. Just check the thickness of the blade in the ad (0.6mm+ is good. I use 0.75mm)

Shaunoc · 17-01-2019 6:10pm

KCross wrote: »

I've done both.
Cant see any difference in the generics tbh. Bought a set of 30 from ebay for ~€20

Just search for "30x Blades Knives husqvarna" and you'll see plenty. Just check the thickness of the blade in the ad (0.6mm+ is good. I use 0.75mm)

what is the advantage of using slightly thicker blade?
longer life / rougher lawn...?

KCross · 17-01-2019 6:51pm

Shaunoc wrote: »

what is the advantage of using slightly thicker blade?
longer life / rougher lawn...?

Nothing I'd say. I just bought what was available and they work fine.

The last pack of genuine Husqy blades I bought were 0.6mm. I dont think it matters as long as you are in or around those values.

Anything thicker and I'd say they wouldnt spin on the bolts properly. i.e. The blades pivot, they are not in a fixed position so they need to be able to spin.

Shaunoc · 17-01-2019 7:52pm

i got a stash of 30 spurious .45mm blades which will keep me going for next few years

randombar · 18-01-2019 10:38am

One of the lads in work here is looking for a lawnmower plus installation, I keeping an eye on husq 430 with the size of garden I have but he has a Large town garden rather than the bloody field out the back of mine. What kind of price are we talking and any recommendations?

staples7 · 18-01-2019 12:49pm

GaryCocs wrote: »

One of the lads in work here is looking for a lawnmower plus installation, I keeping an eye on husq 430 with the size of garden I have but he has a Large town garden rather than the bloody field out the back of mine. What kind of price are we talking and any recommendations?

Automower 105 should be more than able for that size (Up to .14 acres).

https://www.gplshop.co.uk/robotic-lawnmower-husqvarna-automower/husqvarna-automower-105.php

The 310 might be overkill? (Up to .25 of an acre)

https://www.gplshop.co.uk/group-2178148/group-2178982/husqvarna-automower-310-2018.php

Roen · 18-01-2019 7:10pm

There's a chart somewhere that outlines the model versus the size of your garden in terms of how long the mower will be out for. I went next size up from what I could have got away with as I don't want the thing cutting 24/7.
I think it'll do my back lawn and the small section of front I can connect in 13 hours a day.
Any smaller and it'd be out when I'm playing with the kid.

Edit. It's in the manual for each mower. Can check the PDF.

Water John · 18-01-2019 8:37pm

That seems to be recommended. Go a size up from what could well do the job.
Another guide might be about half the size of the max suggested.

Peppa Cig · 18-01-2019 9:19pm

For those looking for mower I have these items.

Mcculloch ROB 600 Robotic Lawn Mower, UK and EU plug, 18 V, Up to 600 m sq https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NBXR31R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_kmJqCbD3WHG3N

Mcculloch ROB 1000 Robotic Lawn Mower 18 V, Up to 1000 m sq https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N0Y4IK7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hpJqCbKR87XFK

I have 3 seperate Lawn areas and have two ROB 1000 and one ROB 600. Purchased start of last season.

Mcculloch is a Husqvarna company. Mower manual badged with Husqvarna. Parts look like Husqvarna. Battery branded Husqvarna.

All mowers worked faultless over season. All still out with reduced hours given continual growth up until last week or two.

Amazon don’t deliver this item to Ireland so I used An Post AddressPal. Box within weight/dimensions.

Live at Three · 18-01-2019 10:16pm

I am looking into getting one of these. I have 2 separate lawns with tarmac drive separating. I have ducting for 1 line under the tarmac connecting the lawns but salesman told me I would need 2 lines to connect, and the mower can't cross a driveway with one line alone, it has to stick between 2 as a corridor or else return by crossing somewhere else on the drive.

This is a pain as if I had known before I laid the tarmac I would have buried 2 ducts instead of one.
Any solutions?

septicsac · 19-01-2019 9:48pm

Live at Three wrote: »

I am looking into getting one of these. I have 2 separate lawns with tarmac drive separating. I have ducting for 1 line under the tarmac connecting the lawns but salesman told me I would need 2 lines to connect, and the mower can't cross a driveway with one line alone, it has to stick between 2 as a corridor or else return by crossing somewhere else on the drive.

This is a pain as if I had known before I laid the tarmac I would have buried 2 ducts instead of one.
Any solutions?

Consaw two tracks across the tarmac either side of your existing ducting. Presume ducting is for guide wire and outer wires will form the corridor in which mower will travel. Fill tracks consawed out with black silicon when finished, neat enough job, as tracks only need to be the width of the blade to fit perimeter wire

Live at Three · 19-01-2019 10:59pm

septicsac wrote: »

Consaw two tracks across the tarmac either side of your existing ducting. Presume ducting is for guide wire and outer wires will form the corridor in which mower will travel. Fill tracks consawed out with black silicon when finished, neat enough job, as tracks only need to be the width of the blade to fit perimeter wire

Sounds good I'll look into this.

On a related note, is there a big risk of driving over it? Salesman told me that with regard to the wire crossing problem, id probably be better off forgetting about linking the lawns and lifting it to the second lawn, and eliminating the risk of destroying it with the car.

septicsac · 20-01-2019 12:55am

Obviously if someone drives into it will result in damage, but carrying it over kind of defeats the purpose of a robotic mower. I had same dilemma, I put post box at the gate, to eliminate postman and usually run mine at night. I also bought some reflective tape so it can be seen better, but I live in country so not attracting too much unwanted attention either

bauney · 25-01-2019 2:21pm

Do many have their mowers out now?
I put mine away in November thinking i was being smart but my grass is fairly long and still growing (albeit slower)

Is there any harm in the grass getting longer that it should be for the mower (even at top height) before it starts out for the new season? i have automower 430x

/

KCross · 25-01-2019 2:28pm

bauney wrote: »

Do many have their mowers out now?
I put mine away in November thinking i was being smart but my grass is fairly long and still growing (albeit slower)

Is there any harm in the grass getting longer that it should be for the mower (even at top height) before it starts out for the new season? i have automower 430x

/

Put mine out about 2 weeks ago and let it cut it all at top height and then brought it back in as the temps dropped to freezing again (so the grass stops growing).

It just means it will be a bit easier for the mower later when it has to go back out again and the lawn does look a bit better too.

What height do you normally have the automower at?

My autonomous lawn mower thread/blog

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