Robotic mowers: Cutting Edge has the right one for you

Imagine having a perfectly manicured lawn without having to push a mower around. Robotic mowers are the ideal solution as they run autonomously and silently, all year round. There are many options when it comes to robotic mowers, but Cutting Edge supplies at least six models to cover a range of garden sizes and customer needs.

We are the supplier of Husqvarna and GARDENA products in Zimbabwe, which include Husqvarna Automowers and GARDENA robotic mowers. These autonomous machines will take care of your lawn, no matter the weather, so you never have to worry about it. Gone are the days of pushing an electric or petrol-powered lawn mower around the garden.

Benefits of robotic mowers

Robotic mowers provide numerous advantages, making them a good alternative for homeowners and businesses with gardens. The first benefit is time-saving; robotic mowers operate autonomously, allowing you to focus on other vital tasks while your lawn is expertly mowed.

A push mower can take around four hours to cut 3000 square metres of lawn. Do this 80 times a year and that’s 360 hours. A robotic mower will do this year-round (on its own), essentially giving you 15 full days a year to focus on other things.

Next, these machines are extremely energy-efficient. They are designed to use less energy than regular mowers, decreasing your environmental impact and saving you money. A petrol-powered lawnmower, on the other hand, will consume about 1.4 litres per hour. That’s 504 litres per year, costing an average of $720 of petrol.

Another benefit is precision cutting. Robotic mowers use innovative technology and several blades to ensure precision mowing, resulting in a healthy, well-kept lawn, all year round. This keeps your grass at the optimum height constantly. They are also virtually silent, allowing you to enjoy the peace and quiet of your outside space while these mowers work.

Lastly, robotic mowers are affordable to service. A petrol-powered lawn mower has an average maintenance cost of $100 per year. An automower will cost around $200 in servicing fees, whereas a ride-on mower will cost around $750 per annum to maintain. Ultimately, owning an automower brings about long-term benefits and savings in general.

The table below summarises the benefits of an automower over four other popular machines:

Understanding your needs

Before you dive in and purchase a robotic mower, it’s critical to examine your individual needs. Start by working out your lawn size. If you know its area (in square metres), then you can narrow your selection down to one or two robotic mowers. This is because each model is designed for a lawn area.

Next, assess your lawn’s terrain, including slopes, inclines and intricate patterns. Some versions of robotic mowers are equipped with features that allow them to handle difficult terrain. Most will easily navigate around a garden with trees, flower beds, pathways and pools or ponds.

Lastly, note any tricky obstacles. Really tight spaces or low-hanging branches might make it difficult for your robotic mower to navigate. In these cases, a more advanced model with better navigation technology might be a better solution.

Husqvarna Automowers

Husqvarna is a world-renowned brand known for producing high-quality cutting equipment. Cutting Edge stocks three models of Husqvarna Automowers to accommodate various lawn sizes and needs. While Cutting Edge regularly stocks these three models, we can also import other Husqvarna Automowers, such as the 105, 315X or 450X. These are the readily available models:

• Automower 420 – This model is ideal for medium-sized lawns (up to 2200m²) and is integrated with the Connect@HOME smartphone app, which gives you precise control of the mower. It’s also equipped with short-range Bluetooth connectivity (up to 10m). This mower uses guidewires to find its way back to its charging station.

• Automower 430X – This model is suitable for large lawns (up to 3200m²) and is also equipped with smartphone technology. It can automatically find its way back to the charging station without the need for guidewires. The 430X also has lift and tilt sensors that immediately stop the blades when the mower is grabbed or lifted. It’s also fitted with a GPS, PIN code and anti-theft alarm.

• Automower 440 – This model is ideal for expansive lawns (up to 4000m²) with complex layouts and a maximum slope angle of 45°. It includes advanced capabilities, such as GPS navigation, weather adaptability and remote object identification. It also has various cutting modes, such as spiral cut and spot cut.

GARDENA Sileno robotic mowers

GARDENA is another well-known company that provides dependable robotic mowers. These machines are generally more suited to smaller gardens, but they have similar technology to the Husqvarna models above. The following GARDENA models are available from Cutting Edge:

• Sileno minimo 500 – This model is designed for tiny lawns (up to 500m²) and features silent drive technology, simple installation and programmable cutting schedules. It’s also compatible with the GARDENA Bluetooth app that lets you control the lawn size, mowing days and preferred start times. 

• Sileno minimo 750 – This model is ideal for small lawns (up to 750m²) because of its precision cutting and sturdy performance. It’s equipped with an artificial intelligence (AI) system called LONA, which scans and maps its surroundings using GPS, sensors and path measurement data.

• Sileno minimo 1250 – This model is ideal for medium-sized lawns (up to 1250m²) and has advanced features, including LONA, CorridorCut, Spot Cut, Spiral Cut and Auto Weather settings. It can handle slopes of up to 32° and tricky terrain.

Choosing the right robotic mower

To find the best robotic mower for your needs, work out your lawn’s size, terrain and obstructions. Then, determine your budget and prioritise the features and smart technology that are vital for maintaining your grass and making ownership easier.

Do some online research and read user reviews. Also, ask for expert assistance to have a better understanding of the performance and dependability of various models. The sales reps at Cutting Edge are very happy to talk you through each model and its advantages.

Here are some quick tips for using and looking after your robotic mower:

• Remove objects from the lawn before the mower activates.
• Set the cutting height based on your preferences.
• Factor in slopes and demarcate areas on your app where you don’t want the automower to go.
• Keep your docking station undercover and away from insects and garden waste.
• Don’t use a pressure washer to clean your robotic mower.
• Remember to check your blades every three to six months and replace them with 100% genuine parts.
• Although they are water resistant, avoid running your robotic mowers at the same time as your sprinklers, or when it is raining.

At Cutting Edge, we provide personalised consultations to help you choose the best robotic mower for your needs. Cutting Edge is happy to provide more information on how to make lawn upkeep simple and pleasant. Please contact us today or visit our sales showroom at 159 Citroen Road, Msasa, Harare.

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Cutting Edge is the leading supplier of Husqvarna 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.