My autonomous lawn mower thread/blog

DrPhilG · 03-07-2021 12:10pm

spose wrote: »

To put the wires across the driveway you only need a very small channel. I cut mine with a stone blade on a circular saw. Just needs to be deep enough to fit the wire and something over it to seal it

Yes and I could fit it into the existing track, but as KCross says I'd need 3 wires. That makes things tricker.

E30M3 · 04-07-2021 8:42am

Some mowers i.e Ambrogio L350 Elite don't use guide wires, only boundary wires. Does that help?

spose · 05-07-2021 12:24am

DrPhilG wrote: »

Yes and I could fit it into the existing track, but as KCross says I'd need 3 wires. That makes things tricker.

I have 3 wires crossing about 12 to 15m of tarmac. It’s not a big deal. The channels cut by saw are so thin the don’t stand out much. I put a photo of it in this thread at some stage.

celt262 · 06-07-2021 12:01pm

Will the robot mower work on a second lawn with guide wires in place. I would have to carry it over.

I'm buying shortly and interested in a robot for obvious reason but power to the charger may be a problem on the main lawn.

micks_address · 06-07-2021 12:03pm

hi folks - i only have a small enough grass area at back of the house. - maybe 25 meters squared - are there any mowers around the 500 euro mark that would be up to the task? pure laziness talking here as currently have a petrol mower which i take out every few weeks
cheers,
Mick

DaveyDave · 06-07-2021 12:20pm

micks_address wrote: »

hi folks - i only have a small enough grass area at back of the house. - maybe 25 meters squared - are there any mowers around the 500 euro mark that would be up to the task? pure laziness talking here as currently have a petrol mower which i take out every few weeks
cheers,
Mick

I got a Yard Force EasyMow 260 last month for €320, garden is 70m2 and it's grand. Cuts an hour each day no issues.

No app or anything fancy, the schedule is whatever time you first start it is the time it goes out at each day. No alarm or pin protection, no WiFi. Spending more just meant WiFi, an app or a 500m coverage but same 16cm cutting diameter as far as I know.

micks_address · 06-07-2021 1:51pm

DaveyDave wrote: »

I got a Yard Force EasyMow 260 last month for €320, garden is 70m2 and it's grand. Cuts an hour each day no issues.

No app or anything fancy, the schedule is whatever time you first start it is the time it goes out at each day. No alarm or pin protection, no WiFi. Spending more just meant WiFi, an app or a 500m coverage but same 16cm cutting diameter as far as I know.

can i ask where you bought from?

DaveyDave · 06-07-2021 2:13pm

micks_address wrote: »

can i ask where you bought from?

My Robot Center, Austrian based I believe. Quick dispatch and delivery. Comes with a chunky EU plug but is just about covered by my outdoor socket. Amazon UK don't ship most of them here and the prices in the likes of B&Q or Screwfix are a good bit more expensive than online, especially for someone wanting to just get a basic one or has a small garden.

blackbox · 06-07-2021 3:38pm

celt262 wrote: »

Will the robot mower work on a second lawn with guide wires in place. I would have to carry it over.

I'm buying shortly and interested in a robot for obvious reason but power to the charger may be a problem on the main lawn.

Yes, for most if not all models.

Foggy Jew · 16-07-2021 1:49pm

https://boards.ie/discussion/2057213541/my-autonomous-lawn-mower-thread-blog

Thank you, thank you thank you. I had no idea these machines existed. I got one installed last week. All I can say is thank you thank you thank you.

dodo13 · 18-07-2021 3:42pm

Wow what an amazing amount of information in this thread. I have read it from start to finish. I have a lawn of 1800sq m with another 500 sq m on the other side of the driveway. I don’t own a mower and currently pay a man who cuts it with a big ride-on every 2 weeks, leaving the cuttings on the grass😖 for £47 a pop. It looks fine when cut, not so good 2 weeks later. I had been thinking of buying a ride on while the kids are at home and might help, but was put off by the need then for a trailer and towbar to take it to be serviced. I could also guess that driving the mower would be a novelty at first but could turn into yet another challenge to get done. I am really sold on the idea of a robot and am waiting for my local Husqvarna dealer to come and do a lawn survey. I also have a local dealer for the Honda Miimo but I haven’t seen any mention of it on here. I have yo-yo'd between buy online and self install vs dealer. I think on balance I will go for the dealer even though it is a premium price. Also I am in NI so we are no longer EU, might cause issues with a European online shop, who knows.

Daz_ · 23-07-2021 11:23am

hi. anyone here used the Ambrogio 250i Elite? I had a bad experience with a Stihl 632pc so looking at this as an alternative . 4000sq meters.

thanks

Bedouin79 · 25-07-2021 6:14pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117650841#Comment_117650841

Have the elite + fire away

murfler · 26-07-2021 12:03pm

Bought a husqvarna 430x April of last year and it has been back in the shop 3 times since with a bearing problem. After about 3 months of use it started making screeching noise when cutting. A bearing needed replacing in the cutting disc, worked it again for about 2 months and was then put away for winter.

Out cutting again this season for about 2 months and exact same thing happened again. I asked the guys in shop is this going to continue happening every 3 or 4 months and they said it shouldn't.

I don't think a brand new machine should be giving so much trouble, it is not overworked, its way over speced for my lawn, clear flat lawn, blades changed regularly.

I cut at the lowest setting and guys in shop said that could be causing it but I like my grass short. That is like having a car with 5 gears but you can't drive in first? Also I only recently started using non branded blades and they said that would throw off the balance on the cutting disc as blades wouldn't be standard weight and screws might be a bit heavier. I call bs on that, surely couldn't be much of a discrepancy in 3 little blades and screws.

Anyone else have any similar problems with husqvarna?

Thanks

KCross · 26-07-2021 4:21pm

I change that bearing once a year. The bearing isnt nearly as good as it should be. Super easy to do yourself and only a few euro to buy.

Bedouin79 · 26-07-2021 8:41pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117660065#Comment_117660065

as above have the elite +, doing 4000 mtrs. With no problems initially had a few setup issues but with a decent bit of help from here Brutus Beefcake (legend) it’s all been good. Went through 3 blade guards until i realised I should have mowed the lawn first before sending out the robot. I clean the blade guard for grass every 3 days now more often if it’s wet. Just saves the grass from building up. Quick tip spray the underside with wd40 from time to time as it stops cutting from sticking.

murfler · 26-07-2021 9:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117664119#Comment_117664119

OK thanks so it is a regular serviceable item? I am cutting at level 3 now but it just never looks properly cut to me at that height and if you are saying the bearing will fail anyway I may as well go back cutting it at lowest level

micks_address · 28-07-2021 9:41am

hi folks... question on mowing and dog droppings... do you collect each day before the mower lets loose?

KCross · 28-07-2021 11:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117671967#Comment_117671967

Noooo!

Would you pick them up for the ride-on mower?!! Who cares if the robot drives over one.... it will wear off again quickly enough as it's out for hours.

micks_address · 28-07-2021 11:33am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117672595#Comment_117672595

well our garden is quite small so we usually pick them up a few times a week.. we only mow maybe every 2 weeks.. as long as the mower doesnt care then i wont care..

KCross · 28-07-2021 12:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117672617#Comment_117672617

It wont care.

And do bear in mind that the robot will be out most days, not just a case of sending it out once a week, so its a very different process to a ride-on so you'd be constantly chasing sh*t around the lawn if you were looking to clear it up for the robot! ;)

Lurching · 28-07-2021 12:28pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117664119#Comment_117664119

Where do you get it?

KCross · 28-07-2021 4:53pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117673021#Comment_117673021

You need two of these

https://www.gplshop.co.uk/en/ball-bearing-skid-plate

And the gasket

https://www.gplshop.co.uk/en/gasket-2

Obviosuly check that they are the correct ones for your particular model before you purchase. Its right for a 330X and I believe for the 430X also, but check for yourself before buying.

Lurching · 29-07-2021 9:28am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117674646#Comment_117674646

Perfect, great resource.

whippet · 29-07-2021 10:06am

what a great site!!

poker--addict · 31-07-2021 10:40pm

Could we get different threads for all the main brands and information? OR could any regs in this section suggest where to start? A 108 page thread is a big ask, have read the last 25 or so...

First few pages excellent but then its a needle in a haystack for the gems. Especially now with no ability to search threads!! Please do something!

poker--addict · 01-08-2021 1:07am

Hi all,

Around 2000sq metre area including a lawn across a driveway with a decent curb. A few questions;

Happy to build a ramp or whatever is required for it to cross the drive and associated curbs. Anyone done this?
I understand it will need guide wires or it will never find its way across?
To get from the front to the back I will generate a gap or hole in the fence, will this also need guide wires?
Where does a guide wire start and end? They hardly go all the way back to the hub leaving cable all over the place?
One corner is like a 45% angle, will it find its way down there?
I think the small hill is not an issue, but are they smart enough to come at a hill from the top where they have the option of doing so?
Anyone recommend the GSM/tracking? I can imagine as these devices become more common they will start going missing, and I'd be surprised if they cant be hacked like any other "locked' device. Trackers may be the only deterrent.
Can anyone recommend from experience a model based on my area and driveway challenges..?
Seems to be mixed bag opinions on edges, id like min use of a strimmers.
it sounds like some leave more clippings than others, resulting in kids bringing grass into house on their feet? Is there certain settings or models to limit this?

Thank you.

KCross · 01-08-2021 5:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117689381#Comment_117689381

2 - It will find its way across, just not enough times. You can get some mowers to follow the boundary to get there instead,but guide wires are just better.

3 - Same answer as above.

4 - Starts at the docking station and terminates/joins anywhere you like on the boundary wire.

5 - Some mowers will fail on that. Check the specs before buying. Once it goes beyond its slop limit it wont go up there and will turn around and abandon that area.

6 - Not really, no. They work in a random way, not intelligent as such.

7 - Most have that as standard now anyway.

9 - You will most likely still need to strim some bits so its much of a muchness if you are strimming 2 inches or 4 inches etc.

10 - I dont think thats true. The amount of clippings is dictated by the grass growth, not the mower. If you buy an undersized mower what you will find though is that the clippings are longer and then more likely to lie on top of the grass and be dragged in. What you want is for the mower to always be on top of the job so that the clippings are always small and fall into the grass.

KeRbDoG · 01-08-2021 6:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/116805258#Comment_116805258

So a slug took out my base station/charger again!!!

I can't be the only person...can I?

Pique · 01-08-2021 7:09pm

That's nuts. Can you seal the offending area with duck tape or silicone?

Feckin hate slugs!

KeRbDoG · 01-08-2021 7:58pm

I'll have to put the new PCB in a bag of some sort, the charge station isn't sealed up at all.

There is a lacquer on the board, but it doesn't cover all the component terminals so Mr.Slug shorts and it starts to corrode everything.

KCross · 01-08-2021 8:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117692682#Comment_117692682

Something not right there though. It is supposed to be sealed. Certainly not open enough for a slug to slither in.

Interestingly, I had a conversation with a guy this weekend who does alot of gate automation and he mentioned that slugs are a big problem for them as well as they look to get into the board for the heat, i presume, and they short them out... he always puts the gate control unit inside a bigger box to have redundancy and obviously still do all the usual sealing at cable entry points.

Shouldnt be an issue for the docking station though.... that board is in a sealed area. Any chance you have a crack somewhere or a badly seated rubber seal? Cable entry points are the obvious spots.

Something isnt right anyway as thats not normal to happen once, not to mind twice!

spose · 04-08-2021 1:00am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662633#Comment_117662633

I have a 430x for 3 years, about 6000hrs cutting time and never changed that bearing, only a wheel bearing. Not a straightforward garden, dog likes to leave stones around the garden for it to hit regularly. Has always been on generic blades. I typically cut at level 6 though.

murfler · 04-08-2021 7:56am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117702737#Comment_117702737

That's mad, mine only has 2,400 hours and it has been changed twice already. I like my lawn looking cut short all of the time, my view is that you should be able to cut at any level the machine offers without problems

RainInSummer · 04-08-2021 8:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117662633#Comment_117662633

I have one for three years and never had that issue. Level 3 is the lowest I go, any lower and there is no grass.

Listen to the sound the mower makes on level 4 compared to level 1 and see does it sound under pressure on the low setting. Mine certainly does.

I agree with you in principle though, why allow it to go that low if it's going to wear itself out prematurely.

Yamen11 · 04-08-2021 10:20am

Hi

looking for some experienced advice. I am leaning towards getting Ambrogia 4.0 Elite as compared to husqvara 430x as build seem s better ,battery ,blades . Anyone with experiencing with Ambrogia v Husqvara or similar decisions .

appreciate

murfler · 04-08-2021 3:21pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703012#Comment_117703012

Once the mower gets on top of growth it doesn't make any different sound at lowest level. Being honest I was disappointed when I got it first at the height of the grass when the mower is set at its lowest, it is short but I wouldn't say its very short like the lowest setting on my old tractor mower, it's not anywhere near like a golf green or anything.

Cutting constantly on 3 now and to me my lawn looks like what it would look like after 2 or 3 days growth on my old ride on. That's just my honest opinion as I mentioned earlier I like my grass short and if a machine has an option of cutting at level 1 it should be able to handle it. It's like buying a car with 5 gears but you can't use the 5th.

Bedouin79 · 04-08-2021 8:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117703576#Comment_117703576

Have the Ambrogio, few teething problems once setup it’s been faultless.

DaveyDave · 04-08-2021 9:07pm

What height are people cutting at? I had my mower set to 55mm max as this was commonly suggested online but lowering it to around 40-45mm makes it look a lot neater. I'd consider going even shorter but the garden unevenness is a bit more noticeable now.

RainInSummer · 04-08-2021 10:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117705462#Comment_117705462

Odd. Mine is the older 430x. It was the last model in the GPL shop. Maybe the heights are different between the newer and older models.

2 is putting green. 3 is just a shade longer.

murfler · 05-08-2021 12:01am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117707730#Comment_117707730

Yes something must have changed between models. Lowest level cut not very short on mine which I purchased in April 20

RainInSummer · 05-08-2021 2:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117708013#Comment_117708013

When you raise or lower the disc with the app can you stand beside it to listen if you hear it go up or down? Would rule out that mechanism being faulty.

murfler · 05-08-2021 3:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117710358#Comment_117710358

Yes I can hear it go up and down and I can also see the difference in the grass length after a few runs so I can rule that being a problem

RainInSummer · 05-08-2021 10:31pm

Well that's the extent of my troubleshooting I'm afraid.

Alfie1 · 07-08-2021 6:52pm

I'm getting a "Temporary Battery Problem" error on our Husqvarna 450X automower since yesterday & the battery is only charging to 49%.

I've restarted the mower as suggested on screen but this hasn't helped, has anyone else had this fault ? If so what was the fix ?

The mower was bought in February 2019, has 547 charging cycles & 552 hours charging time.

blackbox · 07-08-2021 7:23pm

@ Alfie1. Is it still under warranty?

Alfie1 · 07-08-2021 8:10pm

Not at nearly 2 1/2 years old bought in Ireland.

KCross · 07-08-2021 9:07pm

If anyone needs a new battery that is unused and still in a Husqvarna sealed box, I have 2 spare. Part number 5296068-01.

Two of these

https://www.gplshop.co.uk/en/battery-automower-li-ion-320330x420

@Alfie1 the above isnt any good to you as you said you have a 450x but it shouldnt die that quick. My first set of batteries lasted just shy of 7 seasons. I'd be pressing for warranty on that if the battery is actually dead. I think your 450x has 2 batteries and one is not charging hence why it goes to 49%. Its either one of the batteries is dead or a bad connection. If you are sure your warranty is up and you are not getting satisfaction from Husqvarna I'd open it up and reseat the cables and see if that helps for a start.

Daz_ · 09-08-2021 3:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117660065#Comment_117660065

sorry I Missed your reply, i dont think i get email notifications anymore since the site changed. I went for the 250i Elite plus also. I am totally impressed . battery life, cutting quality , coverage, its seems to have it all.

The App with it is fine, although for some of the features you have to be within Bluetooth range of the mower.

one tip, and it has been mentioned already, dont send it on on a mad over grown lawn. get it cut properly at least a few days beforehand.

Would recommend it to anyone, just make sure you get an installer that knows what they are doing.

KeRbDoG · 09-08-2021 11:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117692792#Comment_117692792

Right, that should protect it :D Also, I just noticed and turned on the 'ECO' mode so that should make the unit a little less warm at night when the mower is docked and charged so less of an attraction for little dudes. Note, the base unit which has this PCB isn't sealed to stop them getting in - the cover acts just like that, a cover from rain but nothing else.

My autonomous lawn mower thread/blog

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