Efficient and automated mowing: Why go robotic?
Growing and maintaining a lush lawn can take a lot of time and effort. It requires regular irrigation, aeration and mowing. However, this task is made easier and more efficient thanks to the introduction of robotic mowers from Husqvarna and GARDENA. These incredible autonomous machines mow your lawn by themselves, ultimately saving you money, time, and effort.
Many homeowners are starting to invest in robotics for their lawn care. They work autonomously, without the need for human assistance. They mow inside a predetermined area, usually outlined by a low-voltage wire placed just below your lawn’s surface. These mowers will charge themselves when their battery is running low and cover the entire lawn according to their own algorithms.
While their initial purchasing cost might be quite high, the long-term ownership costs are often lower than electric or petrol-powered lawnmowers and brushcutters. Over five years and a 3000m2 lawn, owning a robotic lawnmower is surprisingly cost-effective, not to mention not having to worry about labour, petrol or the effort of mowing your lawn regularly.
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How robotic mowers improve efficiency
These mowers constantly cut the grass, meaning fine clippings fall to the soil and create natural fertiliser— a process known as mulching. Regular lawnmowers, which are used once a week in summer and maybe once a month in winter, tend to cut larger bits of grass off each time. These cuttings take longer to break down naturally and can create a spongy layer on the soil’s surface that prevents air and water from reaching the roots of the grass.
Robotic mowers maintain a constantly level and healthy lawn by cutting the grass sparingly and frequently. When it comes to efficiency, there is no greater alternative; robotic mowers do the work by themselves, day and night, without the need for human input. Once configured, they follow a routine and mow your lawn regularly, even when you’re on holiday or at work.
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Why opt for a robotic lawn mower?
Husqvarna Automowers and GARDENA SILENO mowers are designed to handle lawns of a specific area. There is a robotic solution for any yard thanks to the variety of models offered by Cutting Edge, which can accommodate varying lawn structures and complexity. When choosing a mower, it’s important to not only look at the initial price but also the long-term costs associated with fuel, maintenance and labour.
Let’s consider a five-year period. With traditional petrol mowers and brushcutters, you’ll incur costs for fuel, regular servicing, blade sharpening, trimmer line and potential repairs. If you employ a gardener or lawn service, labour costs will also add up significantly. With a robotic mower, the primary ongoing costs are electricity for charging and occasional blade replacements.
This makes robotic mowing a financially sound decision in the long run. Let’s break down the total cost of ownership of robotic mowers, regular lawnmowers and brushcutters:
Petrol lawnmower | Brushcutter | Automower | Ride-on | |
Man hours to cut 3000m2 | 4 | 4.5 | 0 | 0.6 |
Annual maintenance cost | $80 – $100 | $250 – $300 | $200 – $250 | $800 – $1000 |
Petrol consumption (l per hr) | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0 | 2.5 |
Petrol cost per use | $8.40 | $6.08 | $0 | $2.25 |
Petrol cost per year | ~$470 | ~$340 | $0 | ~$126 |
Purchase price | ~$250 – $500 | ~$200 – $650 | ~$900 – $6000 | ~$3800 – $8600 |
Min. 5-year ownership cost | ~$3000 | ~$3150 | ~$1900 | ~$8430 |
These figures above are based on average costs for services, petrol and purchasing prices across a range of models. They do not include any costs of labour, but robotic mowers require no labour expense as they are autonomous. Over five years, a robotic mower is more affordable to own and run, including its initial purchase price, than the traditional alternatives on the market.
Besides costs saved on fuel and labour, robotic mowers also operate silently – so no more drone of a two-stroke engine or loud electric motor. These machines can work at night without waking you up. They are also environmentally friendly as they emit no pollutants or fumes. This is a big plus over lawnmowers that run on fuel. To improve management and convenience, some sophisticated models are equipped with intelligent technologies like weather sensors, smartphone connectivity, and GPS tracking.
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How to take care of your robotic mower
Even though robotic mowers require little upkeep, a few easy actions can prolong their lifespan and improve performance. Check the blades and cutting disk for wear and tear and replace them as necessary. This keeps the mower from getting damaged and guarantees a clean cut. Clean the mower’s chassis and underside regularly to remove debris and damp grass clippings.
Inspect the rubber on the wheels once a year to ensure there is enough tread. Cutting Edge customers have robotic mowers that are still working after more than a decade. The rubber on the wheels will last a few years but there will come a time when they need to be replaced.
It’s important to note that robotic mowers are weather-resistant but not 100% waterproof. They can work in the rain and can be rinsed with a hose, but they should not be dunked in water or used when the ground is flooded. The internal circuitry is protected by rubber seals but if water seeps through, it can damage the electronics inside.
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Cutting Edge is Zimbabwe’s robotic mowing partner
Cutting Edge offers a wide range of GARDENA SILENO and Husqvarna Automowers to accommodate different lawn sizes and price ranges. We provide robotic mowing solutions for both small urban gardens and huge estates.
Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the best model for your needs and offer expert guidance on upkeep. We give Zimbabweans access to state-of-the-art lawn care equipment so that maintaining a lush lawn is simpler and more efficient. Please contact us today to learn more about our robotic mowers.
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Cutting Edge is the leading supplier of Husqvarna, GARDENA and Hunter products in Zimbabwe. We bring you the best tools in the business with world-class service and after sales care. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and product offerings from our brands.