Anyone using a robo-mower?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Just curious what makes/models and what you think of them - pros, cons, etc. They're really not that much more $$$ than a rider mower and personally I can't stand those (big, clunky, require a pickup truck to take them to service if they ever break, "lazy fat guy" stigma, etc.) I currently use a push mower but hate the time-suck aspect (I'm hardly ever at my house and when I am, I always have about 100 other more important things to do - I just don't want the place getting overgrown). These seem like a logical solution. Thoughts?

A few questions:

1. Are any models programmable insofar as their territories and "off limits" zones?
2. (Related) some models use a "perimeter wire". Is this as much of a PITA as it sounds to set up? Reliable?
3. Will they find their own chargers, plug in and then resume if needed? (I believe Roombas will do this)
4. Can they handle inclines well?
5. What happens if they get stuck? (Overheat? Damage?)
6. What kind of customer service do the manufacturers provide? (Stand behind the product or run-around / hide behind dealers?)

I'm researching Husqvarna, RoboMow and LawnBot. Pretty limited online reviews but maybe a few of you guys can give me a real testimonial.

[widebody911]

I did not know such a thing existed!

How do you keep someone from just making off with it the thing?

[Ronbo]

A few years before I retired the Agency bought a bunch of these to cut the grass at the compound. As far as I know they work well and are still going. I didn't have any direct experience with them and can't answer your specific questions.

[pete3799]

A robot with a razor sharp spinning blade.......what could possibly go wrong.....
Open the pod bay doors Hal......

[scottmandue]

Two words....

ROCK GARDEN!

[gr8fl4porsche]

I recently gave up and hired a buddies teenage boys to cut my lawn.

Best move I ever made.

I figure I can pay them for the next 12.5 years before I broke even on buying a new entry level zero turn mower. I have about an acre to cut. That calculation doesn't include gas, oil, blades, batteries or maintenance.

It is a good thing to come home every Friday night from work to a freshly mowed lawn.

Now to find a handy man who works for teenager wages. Any takers?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally Posted by widebody911

I did not know such a thing existed!

How do you keep someone from just making off with it the thing?

Most of the ones I'm looking at have at least some kind of rudimentary theft protection. I'm not terribly worried about it here (semi-rural and I've got surveillance cameras all over the place). It seems as though the "Enter PIN number or brick" approach is often employed although I don't know if that actually deters theft - it just makes irritated thieves who end up with something for the metal recycler rather than Craigslist or eBay.

[VincentVega]

Cool idea. I'm behind the times, I was just looking at the house vac version.

Upgrade to a walk behind and cut your mowing time way down. I picked up a next to new ~30 hr gravely for $600 and love it. Easy to use and the Kawasaki engines last forever for home use.

[911SauCy]

My buddy and I built an R/C mower with some servos, casters, and power window mechanisms.

Felt like Hunny I Shrunk The Kids.

[Robert Coats]

Honda (Europe) joined this growing market last year with the Miimo robotic mower and the two models they offered rated high in some independent testing.





Honda (USA) is evaluating the Miimo for the USA market; no word yet if it will be sold here or not. We are testing one here at the Honda office were I work in Georgia, and it seems to do a decent job on slopes. We have fescue turf, and Miimo dutifully motors out of the charging dock each day and trims the grass.

If you are a big fan of ultimate, manicured, striped baseball field look, a robo-mower is not for you. They tend to be very random in mowing patterns, and a freshly trimmer lawn can look a little fractal-ly sometimes.

Miimo Demo at The Honda Classic

-Robert@Honda
Caveat: I work for Honda, but the preceding is my opinion alone.

[intakexhaust]

Fun schtuf.

In the late 1980's, Kubota offered a remote controlled 4WD tractor / mower. Thinking it was the PX2000 (or 2100, 2200??). Hydrostatic drive and could crab steer. Good size 60 inch triple blade deck and with a 20 hp diesel (3 cyl??). I don't think the remote control feature had long range and was primarily used for situation on steep grade or areas that might be of danger for an operator in the seat. Some were sold in the US but the price was very steep back then... $20 thou ++. Color was not the typical Kubota orange and instead had a cream color on the sheetmetal.