My autonomous lawn mower thread/blog

KCross · 27-06-2019 4:03pm

Zzippy wrote: »

Update: The dealer had to replace the circuit board in the base station, which had malfunctioned. There was also corrosion on the terminal which may have played a part. Picking it up again this week, just as well as the garden hasn't been cut for 2 weeks and it's like a jungle!

It sounds like it might have got a spike of power since you mentioned the alarm going off for no reason too?

What kind of surge protector are you using? Is it still working properly?
They usually have a light on them to say they are still functioning as a surge protector as they dont last forever and when the surge element of them wears out they revert to just being a normal socket.

Zzippy · 27-06-2019 4:05pm

KCross wrote: »

It sounds like it might have got a spike of power since you mentioned the alarm going off for no reason too?

What kind of surge protector are you using? Is it still working properly?
They usually have a light on them to say they are still functioning as a surge protector as they dont last forever and when the surge element of them wears out they revert to just being a normal socket.

Thanks, I'll check and probably replace/upgrade. It's in a weatherproof box, didn't think to check it.

Edit: This is the one I bought for it.

KCross · 27-06-2019 4:37pm

Zzippy wrote: »

Thanks, I'll check and probably replace/upgrade. It's in a weatherproof box, didn't think to check it.

Edit: This is the one I bought for it.

Yea, that looks like the right type of thing. It has a light on it that isnt about telling you that its on... the light is to signify whether its still acting in surge protection mode.... check the manual that came with it as to what colour the light should be.

ED E · 08-07-2019 5:37pm

Might interest this thread

https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/robot_lawnmower_thieves_thwarted_by_gps/10867385

muckyba · 09-07-2019 8:13am

My automower is failing to cut the grass around the charging station , is this expected behaviour?

Dr4gul4 · 09-07-2019 10:00am

muckyba wrote: »

My automower is failing to cut the grass around the charging station , is this expected behaviour?

Husky ? There's a specific setting you can enable to prevent him from driving in to the charge station that results in this behavior

Moreilly · 09-07-2019 10:31pm

muckyba wrote: »

My automower is failing to cut the grass around the charging station , is this expected behaviour?

Go to the app open settings, then accessories then make sure mower house Is not turned on

Roen · 13-07-2019 11:33am

For anyone needing a couple hundred guide wire plastic fixing pegs I have two bags of them going.
Pick up only in Wexford town. Absolutely zero interest in traveling or posting to give away something for free.

ccmp · 13-07-2019 11:41am

Roen wrote: »

For anyone needing a couple hundred guide wire plastic fixing pegs I have two bags of them going.
Pick up only in Wexford town. Absolutely zero interest in traveling or posting to give away something for free.

Thank you for that offer. I will take you up on it if it suits you. Understand re pickup. I'll sort that without any hassle. My brother works in wexford every couple of weeks. I'll pm you for details.

Roen · 13-07-2019 2:33pm

Cheers. Got the PM.

Shaunoc · 13-07-2019 3:28pm

don't forget to keep a few - you never know.
decent of you all the same

xl500 · 15-07-2019 1:38pm

deal today

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flymo-1200R-Lithium-Ion-Robotic-Mower/dp/B00C70LUQ4/ref=gbps_img_m-7_ff39_5573b6a5?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_p=b2e4d282-0b16-477e-84e1-c5c8446fff39&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-7&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=10157705031&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=R2Y39W7A4APQ68M96Q08

k mac · 19-07-2019 1:31pm

Have stopped getting notifications on my phone for my 430x. Anyone else have a similar issue?

staples7 · 19-07-2019 3:29pm

k mac wrote: »

Have stopped getting notifications on my phone for my 430x. Anyone else have a similar issue?

Nope I got one this morning. Try restarting the automower?

WhichWay · 20-07-2019 9:05am

k mac wrote: »

Have stopped getting notifications on my phone for my 430x. Anyone else have a similar issue?

Happened me.
Seller had to update software.
First try turn off power switch for a minute.
Then try uninstall app from phone and reinstall.
You'll need a code generated in the automower settings to connect again.

Cypher_sounds · 21-07-2019 8:47pm

Hey guys. I am looking to get one of these.
I’ve got a reasonable sized patch from front, sides and back and they all join up. It’s about 300 metres all around the perimeter.

Any recommendations on what I should go for would be welcome. Cheers.

Water John · 21-07-2019 8:57pm

Perimeter doesn't tell us the size, but sounds larger than 1,000 sq m. Measure it and check manufacturers models and recommended size. Go one size up from that is a general rule of thumb.

NurseBridie · 22-07-2019 9:26am

I've the small automower 105 going into its 4th year. I thought the battery may have been fading but I checked timings and all ok. However in the last two weeks it is just stopping in the middle of lawn and when I check, no power whatsoever. Put it back in charger and all ok again. Is it just a new battery it needs so something else? Starting to do this two or three times a day.

denismc · 22-07-2019 9:50am

Cypher_sounds wrote: »

Hey guys. I am looking to get one of these.
I’ve got a reasonable sized patch from front, sides and back and they all join up. It’s about 300 metres all around the perimeter.

Any recommendations on what I should go for would be welcome. Cheers.

You can use google maps to measure the exact area of your garden, that will give you an idea of what you need.

maxwellhouse · 22-07-2019 11:48pm

Folks looking at Worx Landroid M WR143E 1000m² or a Robomow RC308u Automatic Robotic Lawnmower 800+m²

But I'm hoping they could tackle this raised kerb?

KCross · 23-07-2019 11:34am

maxwellhouse wrote: »

Folks looking at Worx Landroid M WR143E 1000m² or a Robomow RC308u Automatic Robotic Lawnmower 800+m²

But I'm hoping they could tackle this raised kerb?

Very unlikely they can handle a step like that. You'd need to create a slope for it.... a bit of concrete in the appropriate place maybe?

Why do you need it to drive up the kerb?

maxwellhouse · 23-07-2019 5:06pm

KCross wrote: »

Very unlikely they can handle a step like that. You'd need to create a slope for it.... a bit of concrete in the appropriate place maybe?

Why do you need it to drive up the kerb?

Sorry what I mean is will either of the mowers I have picked above be able to follow a tight cut around that circular kerbing without falling off the lawn. i.e. i'm looking not to have to strim the edge if possible.

KCross · 23-07-2019 5:22pm

maxwellhouse wrote: »

Sorry what I mean is will either of the mowers I have picked above be able to follow a tight cut around that circular kerbing without falling off the lawn. i.e. i'm looking not to have to strim the edge if possible.

They wont cut up right tight to it. They will leave an edge that you need to strim (or burn off).

B-D-P-- · 24-07-2019 8:31am

maxwellhouse wrote: »

Sorry what I mean is will either of the mowers I have picked above be able to follow a tight cut around that circular kerbing without falling off the lawn. i.e. i'm looking not to have to strim the edge if possible.

The problem is, the front wheels could fall off the slope, this would mean mower stuck all the time, and possibly damage to the blades

staples7 · 24-07-2019 10:00am

B-D-P-- wrote: »

The problem is, the front wheels could fall off the slope, this would mean mower stuck all the time, and possibly damage to the blades

If you position the boundary wire correctly and have the correct set up on the APP settings for the amount of CM that the automower can go past the wire the it will not fall off. However KCross is correct you will certainly need to strim the edge.

You can get good battery strimmers nowadays. might be an option?

B-D-P-- · 24-07-2019 10:14am

staples7 wrote: »

If you position the boundary wire correctly and have the correct set up on the APP settings for the amount of CM that the automower can go past the wire the it will not fall off. However KCross is correct you will certainly need to strim the edge.

You can get good battery strimmers nowadays. might be an option?

Yes, but I mean if he wants to go right up to the border without striming what will happen

KCross · 24-07-2019 12:25pm

Quick google of the RC308u, it has an edge mode which looks like it will cut tight to the verge. I dont know how successful that is but it looks like the wheels are aligned with the blade eventhough the blade is a good 20cm inside the edge of the body of the mower.

See here (from 32secs)

So, it looks like it would cut tight along a kerb at the same level as the mower but wouldnt manage it if it was along a fence or wall as the body of the mower would hit it.

caddy16 · 29-07-2019 10:21am

At the garden design stage and will probably go with 430x. 2 questions if I go with granite setts as a border and the boundary wire is placed along the edge will it cut right up to the edge?

Also as I need to cross driveway should I bury pipe now for guide wires? Thanks in advance.

Water John · 29-07-2019 2:11pm

I think for a kerb the soil needs to be very slightly proud of the top of the kerb for a robot to do a kerb edge cut. Prospective installer pointed that out to me. He was talking about a Sthil.

septicsac · 30-07-2019 3:58am

caddy16 wrote: »

At the garden design stage and will probably go with 430x. 2 questions if I go with granite setts as a border and the boundary wire is placed along the edge will it cut right up to the edge?

Also as I need to cross driveway should I bury pipe now for guide wires? Thanks in advance.

1. If you run to close to the kefb you risk wheel falling off the edge and mower being stuck until you can move it. Potentially you could leave for work at 08.00, gets stuck at 08.10 and you dont get home until 18.00 and day cutting wasted. I have the 430x and have it set up to cut within 9-12 inches of the kefb, then I run round the edges of the lawn with wee walk behind mower every 7 to 10 days, takes about 10 minutes. Also no damage to mower or blades from numerous falls off kerbs

2. If you have no drive way down then you could lay pipe to house the guide wire. You will need to lay 3 pipes, one for guide wire and one either side for boundry wires, dont go too deep either as mower needs to pick the wires up. I would be also tempted to put the cable in the piping and tie it off the ends, ready to be joined at installation. Alternativly if drive already down just cut tracks with consaw and lay your wires then cover with appropriate silicone.
Remember to turn about 2 kerbs on their sides where mower will be accessing and leaving the lawn to the driveway so they can manouver easily across.

keaneu788 · 31-07-2019 12:29pm

Hi. Thanks for the brilliant thread. I am thinking of purchasing a 450X.

I have two concerns....

1) a wall with a drop. Is it safe to leave a large enough distance between the edge and the perimeter wire to prevent it sliding and falling off?

2) I want to join two gardens by laying some astroturf on this slope. The slope measures 30 degrees on my iPhone. The spec says max 24 degrees. Maybe I can reduce the slope. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks

Apparently I cannot upload photos yet as I am a new user

Water John · 31-07-2019 12:58pm

You can get bigger tyres, that might help. Could you run the link in a semicircle, not a straight line and so by increasing the travel distance lower the angle.

keaneu788 · 01-08-2019 2:38pm

Do you need a data sim or can you run the mower without the internet connectivity?

Thanks

Dr4gul4 · 01-08-2019 3:59pm

keaneu788 wrote: »

Do you need a data sim or can you run the mower without the internet connectivity?

Thanks

450x comes with one, pre loaded for 2 years internet access if i recall correctly ..

Happiness2019 · 05-08-2019 7:30pm

Thanks for this super thread. It was a great help when I was deciding whether to upgrade to an autonomous lawnmower and I purchased the 430X on the back of recommendations here, couldn't be happier with it so far.
Can anyone advise pls if they were successful in getting it insured and with what insurance company as mine (Aviva) wont insure it? Many thanks

Frankirish · 05-08-2019 7:40pm

Happiness2019 wrote: »

Thanks for this super thread. It was a great help when I was deciding whether to upgrade to an autonomous lawnmower and I purchased the 430X on the back of recommendations here, couldn't be happier with it so far.
Can anyone advise pls if they were successful in getting it insured and with what insurance company as mine (Aviva) wont insure it? Many thanks

We have ours insured with Zurich. RSA also insure them.

septicsac · 05-08-2019 10:08pm

Itsforwomen insured mine for me

Dr4gul4 · 06-08-2019 10:54am

Appears somebody lost a 330x over the weekend

I don think these models came with the GPS module as standard however .

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=757852534666623&id=201057320346150

jprboy · 06-08-2019 1:19pm

septicsac wrote: »

Itsforwomen insured mine for me

Frankirish wrote: »

We have ours insured with Zurich. RSA also insure them.

That's very interesting, thanks for posting.

I presume it was added to your household policies.

How much extra did you need to pay?

Any special terms and conditions applied by your insurance companies?

Are you alerted by your mowers if they're removed from the property and can they be tracked by you?

Thanks !

septicsac · 06-08-2019 8:49pm

jprboy wrote: »

That's very interesting, thanks for posting.

I presume it was added to your household policies.

How much extra did you need to pay?

Any special terms and conditions applied by your insurance companies?

Are you alerted by your mowers if they're removed from the property and can they be tracked by you?

Thanks !

I explained the workings of the mower to itsforwomn, they were well aware it would never be locked in and running at all times of the day, they added it to my household insurance as a specified extra for 60 euro extra. That was over 18 months ago, will review to see what else is out there when renewal comes up

ArrBee · 07-08-2019 12:06pm

Hi,

I started reading this thread yesterday but didn't get through the whole lot.
This seems like the right place to ask my question so sorry if it's answered already....

I have decided to get a robot mower. It won't be just yet, possibly next year so I don't know which brand I will go with.
The thing is though, we are getting landscaping done currently with paving being laid and tarmac etc. from what I've read, I should probably be thinking about any guide wires that might be needed so they can be put under paths.

I will want a mower that takes care of lawns front and back.
As a way to get between the lawns there are 2 options:
One side of the house will have tarmac driveway which changes to gravel (not done yet), the other has paving that hasn't yet been grouted yet which will lead to a brick path that isn't laid yet)

I've an oil boiler behind a hedge which might be an ideal spot for the base unit as I should be able to take an electrical feed from the boiler pump? to power it, and the location is between both lawns.

Questions:
-is it generally good to keep the mower off the driveway (in case it's operating when a car drives in)
-when traversing a guide wire to get to a zone, does the mower straddle the wire or can it travel half a foot in from the wire? this would allow the guide to be off the paving that is already laid...
-if laying the wire in the paved area, can it go between the flags and grouted in place?
-what sort of wire would be suitable?
-would I get away with laying just a guide wire now, or would I need to also put the perimeter wire for the zone I was guiding to?
-Will the choice of mower change anything about the answers above other than "some mowers don't do more than 1 lawn"?

Cheers!

Bungusbeefcake · 09-08-2019 3:19pm

Hey, I'm just at the garden design stage but I'm thinking of getting a 450X for about 3000-3500m2 area with possibly 2 zones. I have a number of questions: The 2 areas have a stone kerb border which makes them raised up a couple of inches. I wanted to go from one to the other would i have to create a ramp for the mower? And if so, what would you suggest as the best way, noting that the second zone is on the other side of the driveway, or should I basically make it one zone and do the boundary as a bridge between the 2 zones with the guide in the middle? I can post a picture if it helps? There is quite a slope in part of the garden and I'm wondering how the mower would deal with that too, especially if the slope was directly on to where the boundary wire is placed?
Was are the majority of peoples experience with self-installation? Would you recommend installing it yourself?
Lastly, I was thinking of getting the mower and installation kit from www.entreprenadbutiken.com. I can see others have had experience with these guys, are they good? Would anyone have any discount codes if that is a thing? And would anyone have any other suggestions of where to get it if not them?

Thanks!!

septicsac · 10-08-2019 4:14am

The corridor across a driveway is created with the guide wire between two outer perimeter wires and the mower just treats it as part of the lawn. This means it will often not drive straight across and can remain "attempting" to ensure the driveway, it thinks is part of the lawn, is cut adequately.
With regards to self -install, I paid an installer and thats what worked for me, entirely your own preference. The mower will need to pass from lawn to drive pretty seamlessly, it will handle small inclines or bumps, but nothing too steep. I had straight forward ordinary kerbs, I just turned 2 on each side opposite each other on their side and made mini ramps from lawn to drive. Iwth stone I suppose you could try build something similar?
Each mower has a note on their specs re slopes they will handle, I would say allow for a little less as they dont deal with them as well in the wet weather when grass tends to gather on the wheels. If at the garden design stage I would try to eliminate as many steep slopes as possible at this stage, it will save further labour later. There are xtra wheels you can buy for increased grip, but unsure how successful these are.

Cyrus · 10-08-2019 8:14pm

Gah getting the dreaded no loop signal , ran as normal the other night and hasn’t left the dock since .

Just checked there and getting the error

Garden is small so can re lay but what’s the way to check if there is a break somewhere ?

Flymo 1200r

Shaunoc · 10-08-2019 9:22pm

Cyrus wrote: »

Gah getting the dreaded no loop signal , ran as normal the other night and hasn’t left the dock since .

Just checked there and getting the error

Garden is small so can re lay but what’s the way to check if there is a break somewhere ?

Flymo 1200r

check connectors first at dock.
AM radio check along perimeter wire after seems to be common step - never had to use it yet

KCross · 10-08-2019 9:46pm

Cyrus wrote: »

Gah getting the dreaded no loop signal , ran as normal the other night and hasn’t left the dock since .

Just checked there and getting the error

Garden is small so can re lay but what’s the way to check if there is a break somewhere ?

Flymo 1200r

Are you in the areas where there was lightning on Thu night? Was it after that that it threw the error?

septicsac · 11-08-2019 2:41am

Am radio to white noise(no station), cable will make it buzz when held close above it (3/4 inches) and will stop when it comes to a break. Start one side of loop and work way around, you should have basic idea where cable is. As someone else said check connections to base first, sometimes they look ok, but need reconnecting. Not sure re Flymo, but Husqavarna have method of sending mower out to check guide wires etc, is there any such functions for testing wires on Flymos?

Cyrus · 11-08-2019 8:26am

KCross wrote: »

Are you in the areas where there was lightning on Thu night? Was it after that that it threw the error?

Am in dalkey not sure re lightening

SchrodingersCat · 11-08-2019 12:31pm

septicsac wrote: »

Am radio to white noise(no station), cable will make it buzz when held close above it (3/4 inches) and will stop when it comes to a break. Start one side of loop and work way around, you should have basic idea where cable is. As someone else said check connections to base first, sometimes they look ok, but need reconnecting. Not sure re Flymo, but Husqavarna have method of sending mower out to check guide wires etc, is there any such functions for testing wires on Flymos?

On the flymo 1200r there is a guide wire check. Unfortunately this does not check the connection of the guide wire, it checks if the mower can physically follow it. If there is a break in the perimeter or guide wire the mower will not move and will report an error.

Vanjohn · 11-08-2019 4:45pm

I have a Robomow and two days ago it stopped mid lawn it now has a message "No Wire Signal" or "Waiting for signal" dispalyed.

I have installed a fresh loop of wire to check that it is not my existing perimeter, which has a resistance of 2 ohms for about 280meters of cable.

Can anybody give me guidance on checking the outputs from the charger and head unit? (I have good quality multimeters with frequency measurements)

My autonomous lawn mower thread/blog

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