This is a collaborative post: When shopping for a robot lawn mower, the paramount consideration aside from its performance is the durability of its materials. Most high-quality lawn mowers are resilient enough to withstand various elements, including rocks and bad weather. While many grasscutters can last up to 10 years, the average life expectancy of a lawn mower is about six years.
There is no doubt that a robot lawn mower can save you a lot of time cutting the grass in your yard. However, any machine needs maintenance care, and a robot lawn mower is no exception. If you want to get the value for the money you spent buying this tool, you have to follow the correct procedure for taking care of it. The most typical maintenance procedure you need to do in a robotic lawn mower is replacing the cutting blades every 3 to 6 months. This keeps the blades sharp, which makes mowing a breeze.
The life expectancy of a robot lawn mower depends on many factors. However, if you follow the care instructions written on the device’s product manual, it will surely last longer.
Tips to Extend Your Robot Lawn Mower’s Life Span
The following tips are crucial in maintaining the good condition of a grass cutter. You must do these tips regularly to get the most out of your investment.
1. Recharge the battery before storing the machine.
A lawn mower is a machine that you don’t frequently use, meaning it stays in your garage for a long time. Lithium-ion batteries tend to self-discharge when not in use. When the battery charge level falls below the required level, there is the possibility that it can cause irreversible damage. To prevent this from happening, make sure that the machine is fully charged before storing it and recharge the battery every now and then, even when it’s idle.
2. Keep your charging stations in the shade
Even if robotic lawn mowers can perfectly handle extreme weather, they can still get damaged when exposed to harsh conditions over time.
The modern designs have sensors used for navigating the yard. Once the humidity level reaches a certain point, the robot lawn mower returns to its docking station. Positioning the charging dock in a shaded area helps protect the device from unwanted weather conditions like direct sunlight or strong wind. It will also help if you put it in an elevated place to prevent water from reaching it.
3. Set a cleaning schedule
The best time to clean a grass cutter is right after using it. Before storing the device, make sure that you remove the grass that’s stuck on it. If you leave it long enough, it can clog up the wheels resulting in slower performance. It will be harder for the machine to move around and consumes more energy in doing so.
When the debris reaches the inner compartments, it can block the airways, leading to overheating. This can damage the electronics and other parts of the machine. Fortunately, modern lawn mowers are programmed to give you a warning when something is wrong. This prevents you from aggravating its condition and forces you to resolve the issue before running the machine.
4. Replace the blades
A dull blade is one of the main reasons why the mower is not cutting the grass as efficiently. Blunt blades force the engine to work harder and longer, which is not good for the machine’s overall health.
There is no specific method of when and how to replace the cutting blades. Each manufacturer has its own standard way of replacing this part, so it’s better to read the product manual to know the proper instruction. In case the blade has broken edges in most of its parts, it’s better to replace it right away.
5. Replace the battery
Typically, a lithium-ion battery in a robot lawn mower lasts 2 to 4 years, depending on the frequency and severity of its use. The indicators that the battery should be replaced include frequent charging, sporadic on and off, or when the device is no longer working efficiently.
6. Right storage during winter
Depending on where you live, the winter season can last for almost three months. During this time, keep your lawn mower stored properly by following these simple steps:
· Detach the parts from the main body;
· Clean and dry every part of the machine;
· Keep it in a place with good ventilation and the indoor temperature never drop below zero degrees centigrade; and
· Recharge the battery at least once a month. It is also advisable to keep a replacement battery just in case something unexpected happens to the current piece.
A robot lawn mower helps you maintain a well-trimmed lawn with less hassles. If you want to make it last longer, the tips above will surely help.