At Masseys we have been installing Husqvarna Automowers for a number few years. So what does it entail?
Firstly, we come to site to survey the lawn to see if a robotic lawn mower will work and to plan the laying of the boundary wire. We also want to ensure that people fully understand what the robitc lawn mowers can and can’t do. To minimise the risk of having your machine get stuck or damaged, the grass has to be cleared of all rocks, twigs, tools, toys and similar obstacles. Also, if the grass is longer than ten centimetres you are recommended to cut it with a regular lawn mower before installation.
We also need to select the correct robotic lawn mower for you. For smaller gardens, then we would suggest looking at one of the smaller machines like the Automower 305 which is suitable for up to 600 sq/m. Subsequently, for large lawns of up to 5,000 sq/m then we would suggest the Automower 450X .
So, how do we install an Automower?
1. We place the charging station
We place the charging station on flat ground in the middle of the cutting area with some free space around it. We want to make sure the station is free from sunlight, out of reach of sprinklers and close to a power outlet.
2. Charge the battery
Once the charging station is in place, it’s time to charge the robotic mower. Charging an empty battery takes 80-100 minutes.
3. Lay the boundary wire
The boundary wire is put along the edges of the lawn to define the cutting area. Masseys use a special machine called a cable layer that lays the cable around 2-4 cm under the turf. However, the boundary wire can also be ‘pegged’ on top of the grass. We create islands around borders and other obstacles to create a clear boundary in which the robotic lawn mower can work.
4. Lay the guide wire
Husqvarna have a system call the ‘guide wire’. The purpose of the guide wire is to lead the Husqvarna Automower® back to the charging station when needed. Stihl robotic lawn mowers use the perimetre wire to find its way back to the charging station.
5. Relax
Once we have installed either the Husqvarna Automower or the Stihl iMow robitc lawn mower, we program a mowing schedule to suit you. The lawn mower will recommend an amount of time it needs in the week to cope with your lawn. We can set it to mow at any time of the day, in any days of the week etc. What we try to do it get the robotic lawn mowers out during the week and then take the weekend off. This is usually when people are using their gardens for pleasure.
1. We place the charging station
1. We place the charging station
3. Lay the boundary wire
5. Relax
5. Relax