Some robot lawnmower prices can be a bit eye-watering! But, once you consider the time you will save and the convenience of having a robot do the mowing for you, they are much better value for money.
That said, you will want to take care of your investment so that it does not depreciate quickly through simple neglect.
Some of the robot lawnmower maintenance will not only make your robot last longer, but will also keep your grass looking good.
In This Article – We will look at how your can clean and take care of your robot mower. If you follow the quick and easy to understand maintenance tips and procedures, you can keep your automatic mower running well season after season.
Taking Care of Robotic Mower
Fortunately, robot mower maintenance is less involved compared to that of a manual mower.
You won’t find yourself pulling out engine oil or sharpening stones… after all, you’ve made your purchase to enjoy easy life in your garden.
Robots have fewer internal parts to care for, are less likely to fail on you and only need a few simple and quick tasks completed to rid the mower of potential issue.
Robot mower maintenance includes these key chores:
- Cleaning the mower
- Replacing the mowers blades
- Replacing the battery
- Protecting and storing the mower in winter or bad weather
Keep up this regimen of care and your mower will achieve its lifespan!
Why Cleaning Your Robot Mower Should Never Be Overlooked?
Throughout hours, days, weeks, months and years, your mower has endured all the elements, so your lawn can look like a carpet in a showroom.
It’s hard work, and if the mower is not cleaned, it will steadily build-up evidence of neglect everywhere, in the gaps, seams, corners, and cracks.
You will develop a grass mound around the wheels of the mower, and rotting mulch that is not cleaned will cause a dull cutting mechanism to become even blunter.
Grass juices can be corrosive, which will lead to corrosion of either the blade or other exposed parts as well.
If your mower looks grimy and dirty, and has dull blades, it will need to work harder, which will lead to deterioration of the configuration of the robot parts, adding friction, and reducing movement or even the ability to cut, which results in a shortening of the mowers solution life.
Complete neglect will shorten the life of the robot, where critical parts will fail and possibly become expensive replacements.
How to Clean Your Robotic Mower
Cleaning your robotic mower is relatively easy and shouldn’t require you to go out and buy expensive cleaning products or materials.
At most, you will need:
- A bucket of warm soapy water and a cloth
- A toothbrush
- A large handheld brush
- Protective gloves
- A flat-bladed/Phillips screwdriver (if you want to remove the blades for a deep clean)
- A vacuum or can of compressed air
Here Are Some Basic Steps for Cleaning a Robotic Mower
- Ensure that the mower is powered off at the master switch, so it cannot inadvertently turn on and possibly injure you. The location of the switch varies by model.
- Carefully flip your robot lawnmower upside down on a soft surface, such as an old towel placed on the grass.
- Using the handheld brush, remove the grass clippings on the underside of the mower. Clippings accumulate around the mower blades and wheels when mulching. Wear gloves to protect your hands while cleaning the cutting deck.
- For smaller seams and crevices, a toothbrush can be used to scrape soil, plant material and other debris with ease.
- You can employ a vacuum cleaner or compressed air to remove clippings in difficult locations.
- A flat head screwdriver can help dislodge stubborn dirt/grass clippings as well.
- Once you’ve dislodged and removed most of the dirt and grass clippings, turn over the mower so that it falls to the ground.
- Lastly, you can wipe the chassis of the robot mower down using warm soapy diluted water and allow to air dry.
Keeping Your Robot Lawnmowers Blades in Good Condition Is Vital for Efficient Cutting
Your lawnmower’s blades take on the hard work of keeping your lawn at the correct cutting length and shredding dead grass into a fine mulch to feed your lawn.
Inspect your blades for sharpness at least once a month, especially in the spring and summer when the grass is growing more quickly and your lawnmower is more finely tuned.
If your robot continues to mow with blunt blades, the following issues can arise:
- Rusting and chipping of blade causing hazard
- damage to grass, as the blade doesn’t make a clean cut
- browning of damaged grass
- shortened lifespan of mower mechanics, because mower has to work harder when it has a damaged blade.
Replacing the Blades on Your Robot Mower
The process for switching the blades on your robotic lawn mower will depend upon the style of blade in your model.
Always read and fully understand the manufacturer’s instructions before replacing the blades.
Usually, you can find a suitable generic replacement online or through the manufacturer.
Typically there are two types of blades for lawn mowing robots:
- Rotating razor blades – these blades connecting to a rotating cartridge are small and will wear down quickly, generally requiring replacement in the range of every two months if heavily used.
- A set of singly mounted razor blades – these blades are more durable and provide a more aggressive cut, only needed once every 6 to 12 months.
How to Replace the Blades on Your Robotic Lawnmower
Robotic mowers are designed by vendors to allow for quick changes of blades.
You should obtain replacement blades, screws and a screwdriver.
Also, don some gloves while handling sharp blades to protect your hands!
How to Replace Blade Discs on a Robotic Mower
- Make sure you switch off the power source to your lawn mower
- Put the lawn mower on a soft and level ground
- Take off the rusted or dulled blades.
- After taking off the blades, clean the inside and outer part of the mowing deck of clippings and debris.
- Affix the newly bought blades
- When you’re done affixing the blades, put the mower back in the standing position, turn it on and test it to see if it works as intended. If the blades do not start up, you may have to re-affix them.
Replacing Individually Mounted Blades
- After you have turned off the main switch attach the blade clamp to the two holes then move it to release the hooks and release the blades from the mower.
- Using a stiff-bristled brush, clean beneath and around the blade housings.
- Once clear, push the new blades into position (protect your hands) and lock them into place.
The Battery Makes or Breaks Your Robotic Mower
Batteries play an essential role in how your mower operates and it is necessary to recognize when it is necessary to replace the battery.
Eventually, lithium-ion batteries become depleted of charge, as the adverse chemical reactions from repeated charging cycles deteriorates battery performance and capacity.
When to Replace the Battery on a Robotic Lawnmower
Typically, the battery on a robotic mower lasts anywhere from two to five years, depending on the brand.
The longevity of your battery will also depend on the length of the mowing season and how long the mower works each day.
A mower that has a lengthy mowing season, operating continually, will require a battery replacement before a mower that works less often.
Most often, if a battery fails during its initial two years, an exchange can be made by a manufacturer’s warranty.
A mower battery likely needs to be exchanged when it fails to sustain capacity for maximum charge above 75%.
You will generally experience a decline in how long you can operate your mower before needing to send it back to the base to charge while the battery ages.
How to Change the Battery of a Robot Mower
The subsequent steps are provided for illustrative purposes only.
The procedure for replacing a robotic lawn mower varies by manufacturer so be sure to follow your manufacturers instruction manual.
Always purchase new and original batteries, preferably from the manufacturer. Other batteries can be very unpredictable in performance.
Here are the major steps:
- Make sure the main switch is powered off and set the cutting height to the lowest position.
- Gently flip the robotic mower upside down on a clean soft surface to avoid scratching on the chassis while you work.
- Look for, and clean any grass or debris from around the mower’s battery cover.
- Unscrew, and remove the battery cover.
- Batteries may have a strap to help you safely remove them. Pull on the strap to dislodge the battery and ensure it pulls free while removing it.
- Install the new battery, and press down gently on the contact strip to assist in fitting it down correctly.
- Replace the battery cover and screw it back in place. Ensure that the seal for the battery cover is unbroken and intact. If it is broken, install a new battery cover to prevent moisture from getting inside the mower and reducing corrosion.
- Reset the cutting height as needed for your lawn, and switch on the mower.
- If replacing the battery reset the robotic mowers settings, reprogram your mower as needed.
Your Robotic Mowers Charging Station also Needs TLC
The charging station for the robotic mower should also need cleaning and maintaining so that your mower can dock and charge automatically and effectively.
As it is outside in all weather, grime and debris can build up so it is a good idea to clean it every 6–12 months.
For winter, you may want to collect it until spring.
When you’re finished using your mower for the season, you can turn off the mains power and give the base station a brush down to remove the debris and a wipe down with a rag wet with warm, soapy water.
The Charging Contacts of the Mower Should also Be Cleaned
Check for some corrosion on the contacts (a light green deposit) which you can remove using fine-grain sandpaper.
Using a damp microfiber cloth, wipe down any dirt you observe on the contacts. (Be sure the power is off!)
Finally, dry the contacts with a dry cloth.
Preparing Your Robotic Mower for Storage
There may be times when you need to store your robot and charging station, particularly during the winter or when you are away from your property for an extended time.
Although robotic mowers can stay outside in all seasons, it is better for the mower and charger to be stored for care and protection against harsh damp conditions.
Furthermore, storing your mower inside will help minimize battery discharge from cold weather.
Here are the key points to preparing your robotic mower for storage:
- Before storing the mower, make sure to charge it completely.
- Give the robot a good cleaning and replace the blades (if necessary).
- You can place the mower inside a storage bag, and store it in a safe, clean and dry place until you are ready to put it back into action.
Storing the Charging Station
The charging station can also be sheltered by storing it in a clean, well-ventilated and dry space for the winter months.
It is always good to clean it up prior to storage because it is likely the home of more than a few insects. If your winters are milder, you may leave it outside covered with a tarp.
Do not stand on the charging station in cold weather, as you are liable to crack it. To do this the charging station needs to be disconnected first from the boundary wire it is attached to.
If the ends of the boundary wire are left exposed they can corrode quickly and destroy the wire.
This can be taken care of by sealing the ends in the insulating tape and silicone grease.
Rounding Up
Robotic mowers are meant to be forgotten about and easily let the season go by and let them fall into disrepair, but an investment of effort to maintain your mower is well worth the benefits of keeping your robotic lawnmower and lawn functioning well.
Following these simple maintenance steps and following the instructions from your manufacturer user manual will keep your robotic mower in service for a long time.