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RoboMower Model History:
1999-2005
RoboMower Models
The only available models for 2005
are the RL850 and RL1000.
There have been various models sold in the US since 1999.
Silver Classic:
Made in 1998-1999. 1st generation RoboMower. Large, bulky
and heavy. Slick wheels. Great quality of cut but less friendly
then the RL series. One large blade, which needed special
tools for replacement. Batteries and blade could be replaced
by a servicing dealer only. Removable manual controller.
Edge and Scan (The inside and main area of the lawn) mode
were a separate operation to be initiated by the user. Sold
mostly in Europe and a few hundreds in the US. Had some
water resistance issues and suffered badly in shipping.
RL500 A and B:
Manufactured in 2000. 2nd generation RoboMower. Slick
wheels. 3 blades / mulching chamber technology. Blades click
in and out and replaced easily with no need for any tools.
Power pack removed by lifting it out of the mower, to be
replaced or swapped easily by the customer without the need
for any tools. Manual controller imbedded on top cover as
an integral part of the mower. Scan mode follows the Edge
mode automatically. Scan mode was less efficient since it
stopped three times on the wire while detecting it, after
retracting from it and for changing direction, which wasted
a lot of time. Had some traction, charging and water resistant
issues. Some are still sold by eBay sellers, unauthorized
dealers or end users and as such are not covered by manufacturer’s
warranty. Could be serviced at servicing dealers, but for
a full payment by the customer.
RL500 C:
Manufactured in 2001. 3d generation RoboMower. Knobby, tractor
like wheels which improved traction significantly. Water
resistance had been improved. Software improvements made
Scan mode more efficient by reducing the stops at the wire
from three to one. Could withstand a short unexpected shower
but still had some water resistance issues.
iMOW:
Manufactured in 2001. 3d generation RoboMower. Was manufactured
for Toro in red and graphite black. 99% compatible with
the RL500 C. Added Thermistors improved reliability and
stopped the drive or mowing motors if overheating due unexpected
resistance to drive or mow. Roughly a thousand were sold
in the US. Some are still used or resold by end users or
eBay sellers. Not covered by manufacturer warranty anymore.
RL550: Manufactured
in 2002. 4th generation RoboMower. Improved software and
hardware. Manual controller was changed in order to be totally
water sealed, which improved water resistance significantly.
Added Thermistors to prevent drive and mow overheating incidents.
RL800:
Manufactured in 2003. 5th generation RoboMower. Improved
software, hardware and water resistance. Added features
to the menu allow more efficient mowing pattern and edge
mode, by choosing wide or narrow scan for different shape
of yards, learn edge mode to prevent the second edge which
wastes power pack power etc. Totally water resistant with
improved water drainage design. Still not recommended to
be used in the rain due mulching efficiency and dirt accumulation.
RL850:
Manufactured in 2004. 6th generation RoboMower. Improved
software. Has the ability to upgrade to an RL1000 for utilizing
a docking station.
RL1000: Manufactured
in 2004. 7th generation RoboMower. Utilizes a docking station
for charging and departing for a fully automatic mowing
for the whole season. Stays outdoors al season, at the docking
station. Customer sets the days of the week, the hours and
the mowing duration and it docks at the docking station
for recharging, departs at the set time of the day and returns
for charging, all by itself.
Green RL850:
2005 model. Made solely for the US market and distributed
by STC, the exclusive US distributor. There are no operational
differences between the green or yellow units.
Green RL1000: 2005 model. 8th
generation RoboMower. Improved software comparing to the
2004 yellow RL1000. Made solely for the US market and distributed
by STC, the exclusive US distributor.
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