MOWING, with emphasis on Robotic Mower

[SORRY, I needed to go long again]

Most homeowners have some lawn -- for many far too much, and often its a chemical dependent attempted monoculture rug, the golf course look. Moreover, mowing is (1) a type of pruning and (2) a very time-consuming ongoing maintenance activity, thus costly. Related, most plants in a lawn are grasses - a dozen+ species is not uncommon, not all of them desirable. Furthermore, grass stems are hollow with solid nodes. A node is a joint (a region/division between parts) where leaves and branches are borne. Each grass node has a mitotic zone referred to as intercalary meristem that gives rise to new cells thus the continuing elongation and the need for the ongoing pruning. And the older the internodal zone the longer the segment (i.e., they are shorter from the top down). -- Not only does mowing maintain shorter vegetation, it also prevents most of the plants pruned from flowering and fruiting.

Many lawnowners choose to mow (or have it mowed) with a heavy and expensive riding mower. Instead, I have opted over the many years to use a walk behind single or dual blade gas mower, and occasionally a battery-powered version. My option is (1) less expensive, (2) easier to maintain, (3) reduces soil compaction and rutting (much less weight), (4) permits me to do things a riding mower would not, (5) is less likely to result in plant damage (esp. girdling), (6) the up close and personal gives me a chance to examine the garden on a regular basis more carefully, and (7) doing it is a good workout.

The robotic mower (henceforth robo or Arthur) was my wife's idea. I was VERY skeptical since the portion of our property with garden area and some mowing is almost two acres, including 50 beds with an additional 75 individual specimens (shrubs and trees) and the borders are mostly not linear. See also the last paragraph below for comments about the robo demonstrator/dealer.

COMMENTS ARE BASED ON ONE BRAND and (mostly) ONE MODEL

KIND: Sunseeker Orion X7 Plus with what is referred to as a 1.5-acre battery. There are less costly versions that do less, as well as a 3-acre model. Both 1.5 & 3 refer to the difference (less or more) in duration of the cutting session with each charge, not the actual area cut with each charge. Additionally, the 3-acre model has different programming. The mower looks like a giant insect -- a gray water bug for those well-versed entomologically (see pic above). I continue to consider attaching two short antennae for effect :) although I was told that any modification to the device might invalidate the warranty. The robo docks at the charging station -- black polygon in the above map, at the W end of our house. The docking platform is a thin firm black plastic/rubber platform, exactly the profile of the mower (see pic above). The squared vertical pattern against the wall is what the device (via the front end) uses to position itself during docking. Sleek and very high tech.

DIMENSIONS: 28" (l) x 20" (w) x 10" (h) cutting width: 14" weight: 31 lbs (mower alone)

PRICE: $3,500 - $4,000 (incl. tax and setup)

ASSESSMENT (facts - pros & cons):

• must have a clear sky area for the black 3-ft tall roof mounted receiver (1-inch diameter pole with a 6-inch domed saucer atop); also need an external electrical outlet (2 dedicated plugs) within 40 feet; the position of the receiver must be established first (before mapping); if the satellite receiver position in changed, the entire map must be redone

• setup mapping is time-consuming, tedious & can be frustrating and must be done BEFORE the automated mowing can start; it took 3-4 days total, but it only has to be done once and can be redone partially or wholly

• our place was divided into 10 zones (described in the penultimate paragraph below, and shown on the map above separated by thick gray lines) with each zone having individual no-go areas (i.e., objects, specimens and/or beds that were added to the map once the zones were determined, the pink areas in the map above); the highlighted blue on the map means those zones have been selected to be cut in this cycle and the mower has just started on Stormy; the dark blue is the cut path; the white areas are outside the mowing zones (e.g., buildings, driveway, sidewalk, patio, large beds)

• ADVICE: (1) selecting zones and parameters is best done by or with guidance from a person who knows/maintains the property and (2) while you can pay to have the programming done, I recommend that you learn enough to be able to modify the map, esp. adding, deleting and modifying no-go areas

• zone Jared (see map above) has lots of winter/springs bulbs (esp. crocus); I never mow this zone before May in order to give the ephemeral bulb leaves a chance to recharge for next year; zones Ivana and Donny Jr. are more shaded and scheduled to get cut less often (see map)

• remote controlled by your smart phone via Sunseeker app

• all tasks and problems are logged, incl. total area mowed, number of sessions, total mowing time, ETC.

• cutting schedule can be variously programmed and is easily changed; again, VERY HIGH TECH

• some programming tasks require that the mower be docked at the charging station

• AWD (cleated wheels can handle slopes up to 70 degrees); impressive

• we are still having trouble with the mower occasionally getting caught, this is especially so with (1) raised edging barriers, (2) on thin citronella and driveway marker stakes and (3) when the mower is turning (working around) where the no-go or boundary zones were made close (apparently too close) to the barrier or when in maneuvering the mower goes beyond the boundary; when this happens you will receive notification on your phone; the solution to #2 was to remove and reposition the stakes; in the 4th pic above you can see the mower hung up as well as the power and traction of the wheels as it spun caught

• Sunseeker computation indicates that the mowing should take 16.25 hour; in reality it takes at least 4 days of combined working sessions, to and fro and recharging to do our place; the total time and slowness differential is also related to the numerous no-go zones (again, we have a complex and extensive garden layout, not a typical yard); stopping issues (i.e., rain) usually means it takes a week to complete; no more the place needs a haircut (i.e., mow day) as it mostly will always have a finished look since the mowing is ongoing

• we have the device programmed to mow 7AM to 8 PM but that can be easily changed

• the total cutting area for our property as mapped by Sunseeker is 4,452 sq m (48K sq ft) or 1.1 acres; the model we have, even though called 1.5 acre, is capable of accommodating up to 1.8 acres of cut area

• one designates/programs the interface bridge(s); the location(s) where the mower will enter and exit each zone (see map)

• the mower automatically returns to the charging station when the battery charge is low or anytime you want by simply pressing return on your phone control display

• the robo immediately stops cutting if lifted and must be rebooted to resume

• must keep branches picked up; on two occasions sticks have lodged between a wheel and the body, disabling the mower; large cones and some types of fruits (both soft and woody) should be picked up prior to robo mowing; reducing the harder objects will keep the blade sharper, thus more efficient (robo or traditional)

• can take some getting accustomed to the slight lag/delay in responding to commands (we have been spoiled by technology and instant gratification)

• overhead blocking -- must have clear access to sky to receive transmission, if not the mower could and will cease functioning, and the battery will rundown; if so, the device must be located (will display on your phone) and carried back to the charging station -- would be a challenge for most people because it weighs 31 lbs and is bulky; FYI (1) there is a carrying handle on the back end, (2) I may eventually get a wagon to facilitate transport AND (3) since we have several large (3 ft DBH) trees and many shaded areas that require only periodic cutting, the demonstrator was concerned the blocking might present a problem, fortunately only a few times in a couple of places

• mowing time with each charge is 1-1.5-hours; variable with type of grass/plant being cut also with height and conditions (environment and plants)

• charging time is about an hour (zero to fully charged)

• no discernible increase in utility bill; the dealer told me that analysis has shown the average annual electric usage is $40-60

• battery life is @3-5 years and a replacement is @$250

• the robo mower saves me @60 hours annually as well as @20 gallons of gasoline; the 60 hours may not seem like much but when it is hot and muggy outside and you can watch or know that the robo is doing the work :), thus saving your time and mojo for other activities; saves my knee and hip joints via the reduced walking

• in addition to NOT having to pay for gas and oil, we also save by the associated cost of and time to fetch them

• 6 remarkably hard and durably sharp metal double-sided cutting blades (size of a thick razor blade) which freely spin, three each on separate dual rotating disks (see pic above); amazing that such small blades can do such extensive cutting and they only need to be changed monthly, takes only a few minutes and a slotted or Phillips-head screwdriver; blades are about $1.50 each and come in small containers, various quantities TRIVIA: John P. Thompson invented (1932) the recessed crosshead (cruciform) screw and screwdriver not (Henry Frank) Phillips

• to date, blade replacement has been the only maintenance other than an occasional quick power wash or brushing to remove accumulated plant clippings from underneath

• spared the cost and hassle of getting, storing and transporting a large mower to and from a repair shop, which are becoming harder to find; three major N Indy service providers/dealers suddenly closed in just the last few years

• the quality of the robo cut did not impress at first -- not exactly like the look from being run over with a heavy machine, not what I was used to -- but have come to like it, esp. since I am spared that effort; nothing quite like sitting shaded on the patio sipping a beverage while watching the robo work for me

• usually seen before its heard; the ground-hugging robo makes a faint mechanical (whining/cranking) sound while operating, audible from about 50 feet -- barely noticeable, not a problem and the sound is mostly from the movement, the cutting is rarely audible then mostly when dried leaves are encountered; people standing nearby commonly ask if the device is cutting even when it is, they hear only the sound associated with the crawling locomotion; no sound at all when stopped

• reduces auditory damage; BTW riding mowers cause more hearing loss since they they are 5-10% louder

• you will not see a trail or rows of grass clippings, the blades mince; in fact, it can be hard to detect clippings at all; fooled me at first, wasn't sure it was cutting

• the lack of clipping is a bit of a problem/adjustment for me since I use them for composting and to mulch the vegetation garden; accordingly, I still do some bag collection mowing with my gas walk behind

• the mower initially didn't and still doesn't scare our cats during their patio time; they were curious but I think the low profile and slow speed helped; it is now more a "you again" glare; some day soon I am going to experiment with pausing it near the patio to see if the cats will approach; notice the raccoon paw prints on the mower above

• option to do night cutting (device has paired front-facing lights near the charging prongs)

• robo will pause and return to charging dock when rain is detected (by a sensor on top of the mower) but there is an override option; being sprayed with water will activate the sensor

• can use when the ground is saturated without causing ruts

• can adjust cutting speed (low / high)

• can adjust spacing to optimize mowing effect (narrow / standard / wide)

• can adjust cutting height (3.5 - 10 cm by 0.5 increments) 1.5 - 4 inches, few other brands allow for >3 inches and it is generally not a good idea to cut a lawn much below 3 inches (various reasons, as well as intended use and grass type)

• has a special edging option (frequency & order, i.e., either before or after mowing)

• manual edging work is still needed (or not if you're untidy)

• the robo mower is a precision finishing device; it will NOT do dense/tall vegetation (bushwhacking)

• the AI system is impressive; if an obstacle is encountered (hard or soft), the mower will sense and adjust its path and has the ability to reprogram itself if the obstacle is repeatedly encountered

• you can activiate the mower while away from home but some tasks (i.e., rebooting and getting it unstuck) require one to be on property

• we/I have not taken full advantage of all the available options, and probably never will; same as with my iPhone and iMac

• MUST ALSO HAVE a traditional battery- or gas-powered mower to (1) get and keep the mowing area ready for cutting (mower WILL NOT work in tall grass) and (2) to do areas the robo mower cannot access

• having the robo is nice in case the traditional mower is not working, thus preventing the need to rent a temp; the robo as the regular option also reduces associated maintenance since less use of the traditional mower

• I think it best to do at least three full cuts yearly with a traditional mower; the first cut of the year for sure; spring (often 2-3) and midsummer

• we have a few intra-and interzonal strips that for some reason do not get cut but (so far) it is easier to just look for/remember and spot mow with the traditional mower when edging rather than to reprogram

• we have a large section (@10% of the mown area) across an intermittent stream, an area that the robo cannot access because to do so it would need to cross a bridge and travel a short distance on a city road, which is prohibited

• robo mower is NOT a good option for shredding and collecting leaves in fall, for that task you will need a regular mower, set high with bag attachment

• unplug and store the robo and charging station sheltered overwinter; leave the roof mounted receiver in place

• a further concern was whether the company (the support) will continue to exist, but that worry has not stopped us from getting and trusting an iPhone

• the only visible wear-n-tear to the robo is on the bottom edge of the chassis; ALL mowers have it

• SECURITY -- (1) requires a code to operate, (2) an alarm will trigger if entered or lifted incorrectly, (3) has GPS tracking, (4) installation lock prevents being used with another charging station, (5) will not operate outside the assigned property and, (6) if reported stolen, manufacturer will blacklist it making it unusable

• covered by homeowner's insurance policy (under personal property) with whatever deductible you have; since our deductible is $2,200, I arranged for a rider policy (zero deductible with State Farm) for $60 annually which covers all losses besides mechanical breakdown or intentional acts of destruction on our part

• our device is positioned fully exposed to the elements when docked but am making a tarp-shelled dome to reduce weathering, esp. UV exposure; the metal frame is being built now

I have studiously witnessed the robo mower in operation at our place for one year and, despite my initial pessimism (mind you, I WAS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN IT WAS UNWISE, A BAD FIT) I am now a fan. For example, it is was 95 degrees and 60% RH (miserable outside ! this week) but I was setting inside in AC with a cold beverage alongside while the robo was working relentlessly with limited input from me -- often no more than a few finger taps on the monitor screen or an occasional, 1-2 times weekly, "I'm stuck, come get me."  Yes, $4K is attention-getting, but if you do the math, the robo option is clearly cost effective, even in the short-term, and the long-term costs will be more for a traditional mower. Time will tell regarding durability. So far, so good. -- For comparison, my experience is that, even with regular maintenance, we need to purchase a new traditional mower every 3-5 years.

BTW, as a joke, the installer named the mowing zones based on the Trump family, and a person with whom the Donald was associated (see screen pic above). I decided not to rename the zones and, to play along, have named the device Arthur, after the NY Supreme Court Judge (Engoron) who presided over the Trump Organization fraud trial and who at my place repeatedly cuts Donald and named associates down to the preferred and assigned size :) Still have not decided what to do to ensure Arthur's safety (i.e., preventing him from being run over) when he crawls from or to Stormy and Melania in one of the three egress or ingress spots that cross the gravel driveway separating them. Again, see pic above. I am considering a robo mower caution sign. -- In case you are wondering, I abhor the extremes of both weather and politics. I am a center of the road independent voter who longs for the day when compromise will be seen as wisdom and who prefers plants, pets and wildlife to most people, increasingly more so.

We got the robo demo and subsequently the device from Gary Szymczak, the husband of a friend of my wife. Gary owns and operates Broad Ripple Mower Repair (Indianapolis) 317-732-0200 hello@brmowerrepair.com  www.brmowerepair.com  Gary is a Sunseeker dealer and willing to assist you with any Qs / issues I did not address above. He is friendly, trustworthy and very knowledgable, but be advised that he can be busy so if phoning you may get his voicemail or his assistant Emily. -- Understand, I DO NOT give false approbation -- a character flaw, I'm a straight shooter, capable of objective judgement. Nor did I ask for or get any sort of compensation for anything positive I say about Gary or the device. Good is good, as is the opposite -- it is what it is -- and I'm all in for less effort (i.e., smarter) gardening, even when it bucks tradition. Alas, most people are hidebound and unreasonably fearful of change, even when different is clearly better -- often it is not.

Bottomline: if a robo mower is suitable at our place, with its many challenges, it can work for most properties, although better suited for some. Finally, (1) Sunseeker is a Chinese company (not to be confused with the British luxury yacht maker), (2) established and global, and (3) at the end of the demo/discussion, what sealed the deal (before I actually went to bed with it) was my wife saying she would pay for the thing ;) since no way I could afford it with my meager SS check.