Mowing robots for large areas

The larger a lawn area, the more important the performance of the robotic lawnmower. After all, the device must cover significantly more distance to mow an entire lawn. As a result, not only must the battery be larger, but the cutting width also plays an important role in area output. These and other criteria differentiate robotic mowers that are suitable for large areas.

What does "large area" mean?

Whether a lawn area is already considered large with 1,000 m² or from 5,000 m² on is an absolute matter of opinion. There is no fixed definition. However, it is undisputed that playgrounds, schools and sports fields, as well as particularly extensive gardens and parks, tend to have large areas of several thousand square meters that a robotic lawnmower has to manage. In the private sector, areas with 1,000 m² or more are generally considered large and thus influence the important equipment features of a robotic lawnmower.

The maximum area output of robotic mowers

The first thing to look at when purchasing a robotic mower is usually the area output specified by the manufacturer. While small models sometimes only manage around 150 m², there are robotic mowers that are suitable for sports fields and parks with an area performance of 10,000 m².

When considering this value, it is quite important to discern between the recommended area output and the maximum area output. The former usually reflects a realistic value achieved in an average garden even if it does not correspond to absolutely perfect conditions without obstacles.

Allow some buffer between the actual lawn area and the recommended area output. This is especially important if you do not want to use the robot around the clock but plan for breaks. Some manufacturers estimate continuous use in their specifications so that the robotic lawnmower can otherwise quickly reach its limits with break times and a tight calculation.

Powerful batteries

A larger area output also helps increase the runtime of the battery, as the robotic lawnmower may  need to go to the charging station less frequently. For large areas, robotic mowers with particularly powerful batteries are therefore recommended.

The cutting width of the robotic lawnmower for large areas

The larger the cutting width of a robotic lawnmower, the more area a device can mow at the same speed as a smaller robotic lawnmower. For example, a model with a cutting width of 56 cm can mow twice as much area in the same time as a robotic mower with a 28 cm cutting width. Moreover, the wider the cutting width, the more blades are used.

The control of the robotic lawnmower

In the case of large areas and unclear parks, it is helpful to be able to locate the robotic lawnmower at all times, so that the device can be found quickly even in the event of a defect. Models with a GSM module that can be easily programmed via app or voice control are particularly convenient. A GPS module not only helps serve as a theft protection but also facilitates location on the grounds.

Flexibility through multiple mowing zones

Large areas do not necessarily consist of just one continuous lawn. Instead, paths and flower beds divide the greenery and create different zones; all of which, however, need to be mowed by the robotic lawnmower. If this is the case, it is advisable to use a robotic lawnmower where different mowing zones (main zones, secondary zones and if necessary, separate zones) can be programmed and remote starting points can be set. The robot can then move to these at regular intervals and only start its mowing process there.

 Through uneven terrain

To help the robotic lawnmower move easily across the terrain and also master slopes in wet weather, we recommend equipment features such as traction wheels. These wheels have optimum grip  and help prevent the robotic lawnmower from slippage.

Furthermore, it is important to take into account the maximum gradient. Not every robotic mower is designed for large inclines and can either come to a standstill or slide down the slope if overwhelmed.

A free-swinging mowing deck can also help to optimize cutting results. This  hugs the ground and helps to provide uniform accurate cutting results .

Further equipment features for robotic mowers for large areas

Mostl robotic mowers have a variety of sensors and equipment features that help make mowing easy and not just on large areas:

• Tilt and slope sensors are designed  to stop the blades  automatically when the robotic mower is lifted.
• Rain sensors are designed to communicate to the robotic lawnmower when to visit the charging station in the event of precipitation. However, these may not be useful and helpful in all cases- not least because rain breaks can minimize  area output.
• 360° sensors are, designed  to detect and avoid obstacles early on and avoid them in good time to help prevent time-consuming turning maneuvers from happening.

Mulch removers and self-cleaning wheels are designed to reduce cleaning effort and help deliver consistent performance, which may not always be the case with a heavily soiled unit.

An edge-cutting function is designed to  avoid the need for retouching. With a suitable design of the lawn edges, trimming the lawn edges by hand can be  eliminated  in the best case.

Some robotic mowers are equipped with a turbo cutting function. This is ideal for the first cut in spring and also mows tall grass reliably.

Other factors that are certainly not unimportant, but mainly depend on personal preferences, are the volume of the robotic mower and an anti-theft device. The maneuverability of the robotic mower, on the other hand, plays a lesser role on large areas than in a winding allotment garden.

Alternative: 2 robotic mowers for large areas

There are certainly robotic mowers that are designed for lawns of up to 30,000 m². However, the purchase of these highly professional devices can be expensive. An alternative for large lawns could therefore be the purchase of two robotic mowers that simply share the workload.

To do this, limit the respective lawn area with the perimeter wire and outfit each with a charging station. Since the wires close to each other may interfere, change the frequency of an induction loop with the robotic mower. This way, both devices can work in parallel and mow an area that is too large for a single device.

Conclusion

A robotic lawnmower for large areas must meet different criteria than a device for a small winding garden. Here, the focus is less on maneuverability and a compact design but rather on efficiency in coping with large lawn areas. Above all, important measures, in addition to the area output, are the cutting width and a strong battery. For maximum ease of use, it does not hurt to keep other equipment features in mind.