Outdoor Robots
 
Robotic Lawn Mowers
Robomower Info:
Robomower - Overview
Robomower - How it works
Robomow Learning Center
Models:
RC-306 Robomow
RS-612 Robomower
RS-622 Robomower
RS-630 Robomower
Robomow Accessories
LawnBott Info:
LawnBott -Overview
LawnBott - How it works
LawnBott Learning Center
Lawnbott Reviews
Models:

LawnBott LB75DX
LawnBott LB85DL
LawnBott LB200EL
LawnBott LB300EL
Lawnbott Parts and Acc.
View All LawnBott Models

BigMow - 5 Acres!

Pool Cleaners - Vacuums
Pool Cleaner - Overview
Aquabot
Aquabot Turbo
Aquabot Turbo T2
Aquabot Turbo T4 RC
Jet Drive Models
Pool Rover Jr (above ground)


 
 
Parts and Service
Factory Trained !
Robomower Parts
RoboMower Repair
LawnBott Parts
LawnBott Repairs

A Robot Makes a Great Gift.

 


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Robotic Mower - Comparison Central
We have grouped all of our relevant comparison info on one page to help you to compare models. This includes: Features (Quick compare), Maintenance Costs, our take on the past Lawnbott recall and Pros Vs. Cons.
 
Robotic Mower Quick Reference Comparison
With the release of the latest BigMow Lawn mower, lawn size is no longer a factor. You can have anything from a quarter acre to 5 acres and have it all mowed by a single mower. The following is a listing of the mowers available and the property size that they can maintain.
Model
Acres
Hills
Self Charge
Remote
Battery Price (MAP)
Robomow
RM-200
1/5
15 degrees
No
Yes
Lead/Acid
1399.00
Robomow
RM-400
1/4
15 degrees
Yes
Option
Lead/Acid
1699.00
Robomower
RL-850
1/3
15 degrees
No
Yes
Lead/Acid
$1799.00
Robomower
RL-1000
1/2
15 degrees
Yes
Yes
Lead/Acid
$1999.00
Lawnbott LB1200
(No Wire!)
1/4-
27 degrees
Yes
No
Lithium
$1399.00
Lawnbott LB2110
1/2
15 degrees
Yes
Option
Lead/Acid
$1999.00
Lawnbott LB2150
1/2
27 degrees
Yes
Option
Lithium
$2249.00
Lawnbott
LB3210 (Evolution)
3/4
27 degrees
Yes
Yes
Lithium
$2799.00
Lawnbott
LB3250
1 1/4
27 degrees
Yes
Yes
Lithium
$3099.00
Lawnbott
LB3500
1+
27 degrees
Yes
No
Lithium
$3449.00
Lawnbott *
LB3550
1 3/4+
27 degrees
Yes
No
Lithium
$4109.00
ParcMow
2.5
15 degrees
Yes
No
NiCad
$8499.00
BigMow
5
15 degrees
Yes
No
NiCad
$12800.00
             
* Although the LB3550 can maintain more area, we recommend two smaller units instead.

 
Cost Comparison

PLEASE READ:
The following cost comparison compares the most popular models of Robotic Lawn Mowers. Although there are too many variables to provide a comparison with much meaning, what we could compile is based on fact. We have been dealing in Robotic mowers since 2004 and we service 80+ percent of all robotic mowers in the US. You can be confident that we offer good, solid information.

We are a dealer of both the Robomower and Lawnbott Lawn Mowers and have used both extensively. Aside from being the primary US Service Center for Friendly Robotics, we also have been the primary service center for Lawnbott updates. In other words: We have no stake in skewing information towards a particular brand. This should only to be used as a guide (your mileage may vary).

 
Average Operating Cost Comparison
Model
RL-850
RL-1000
LB2110
(Prof)
LB3210
Evo
LB3500
Battery
Price / Life
$229.00
Lead/Acid
Average 2.5 Years
$150.00 Pair
Lead/Acid
Average 2.5 Years
$330.00
Lithium
Average 4 Years
$660.00
Lithium Double Size
Average 4 Years
Battery Yearly
91.00
100.00
60.00
82.50
165.00
Blade(s)
59.95
59.95
57.50
57.50
65.00
Estimated Yearly Maintenance
148.95
159.95
107.00
139.00
230.00
Capacity
1/3 Acre
-1/2 Acre
1/2 Acre
3/4 Acre
11/4 Acre
Cost Per Cut
$3.90
$4.20
$2.80
$3.65
$6.05
As you can see, the range is roughly $2.80 a cut to $6.00 a cut when compared against a weekly mowing by a service, doing a national average of 38 cuts per year (once per week for 38 weeks).
 
Where are the Repair Costs?

Simply put, there isn't really a way to put a dollar figure to that! Some lawns offer more challenges, are larger Vs smaller and frankly, some folks just don't follow manufacturer guidelines and have a higher repair cost.
We have however provided some statistics that should put things in perspective.

Robomower:
Robomowers operating in the US: Estimated at 10,000 (conservative)
Gear Cases Replaced Each Year ($229.00 installed): Approx. 115
Main Circuit Boards Replaced Each Year ($299.00 installed): Approx. 95

These are the most expensive items on the mower and their yearly failure rate averages about 1% to date. This will increase as the older mowers start failing. There is a multitude of RL-500 mowers (first available in 2001) that have never needed a major repair. We are not saying that you won't be in that 1% but odds are that your mower will have a long, trouble free life.

Most Gear Case issues are due to the mower being run in a yard where lawn repairs should be performed or where obstacles should be excluded with a perimeter wire. Some very sandy or muddy lawns can cause the mower to get stuck repeatedly and damage the gear case. Some users have complained about this but were not bothered enough to stop using the mower.

Mainboard failures do not have a specific problem but most seem to be due to extremely wet conditions.

 

LawnBott
There are not nearly as many LawnBott mowers operating in the US. They have been available in Europe for about eight years. Although available in the US for about five years, major marketing efforts were not commenced until about two and a half years ago. Sales have been fairly brisk and are increasing.

Since the vast majority are just getting to the end of their warranty term, yearly repair costs cannot be reliably compiled. This is, after all, a robotic mower and parts are somewhat expensive. The plus side is that the manufacturer is constantly improving the product and the life of the parts should also improve as time goes on. There was a known issue with the wheel motors for the last two years. Replacements motors have been redesigned and the latest LawnBott models now feature a larger, heavier duty drive motor. An upgrade kit is available. Just like any mechanical device, things will break, just like a regular mower. The product life cycle of the Lawnbotts is 8-10 years. They may last longer with maintenance but technology will more than likely make the current models totally obsolete by then.

The real story on the recall.
Due to a report by Consumer Reports, the Lawnbott participated in a voluntary recall to add a layer of safety to the mowers. Kyodo America proactively worked with the US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to make alterations that were acceptable. The twist here was that there are not any standards for robotic mowers and the current standards (two decades old) for traditional mowers was loosely applied. The modifications consisted of a more sensitive electronic tilt sensor that stops the blade when the mower is lifted as well as a blade guard that encircles the blade. Oddly enough, neither of these are present on traditional walk behind mowers. The recall was listed as "Due to a laceration hazard". Although we are very safety conscious and any injury is one to many, consider that there has only been one documented injury that basically required a band aid. That said, the issue seemed a bit blown out of proportion. If you consider the fact that each year traditional mowers cause tens of thousands of people in the US to suffer injuries severe enough for an emergency room visit, the Lawnbott seems to have been safer than traditional mowers before this "threat" was exposed.
As with any product with a blade, common sense will avoid injury. Always follow the manufacturers guidelines.

Although most owners are sending their units in for rework (some declined), many stated last year that they would wait until mowing season was over. Most were not worried. Comments on the Consumer Reports blog reflect the same sentiments.

The Robomower was also reviewed. The blades do shut down quickly when the mower is lifted so was not viewed as having the same design fault. They did however state that the Robomower would get stuck and not return to its dock. They did not elaborate so we can only guess that the area had some holes large enough to stop the mower. They also called the cut "unimpressive". We still get comments from Robomower users regarding this and they ask : "did they have the blades on it?"

 
Cost Per Acre
Cost per acre cannot be applied to these mowers with any meaning. The only way that this could be applied was if all of them were designed to maintain an acre and that is what the user needed. Otherwise, the advantage is given to the mower with the higher grass capacity and it will not provide a valid cost factor.
Example:
Yearly Maintenance Costs (Repair cannot be applied reliably as explained above)
Please read cost per acre (above) to explain this table
Cost Per
1/2 Acre
Cost Per
Acre
RL-1000 designed for 1/2 acre (and below) lots
148.95
$297.90

LawnBott LB3500 designed for 1 acre lots

235.00
235.00

 

The Pros and Cons

Below is our attempt at a Pros and Cons list. We found this pretty difficult since we think that robotic mowers are far superior to the traditional types. In addition, what might be a con in one situation my be a pro in another.

Pros that apply to all robotic mowers:
They are Environmentally Friendly
They are Quiet
When compared to a service, they can pay for themselves while still in warranty*. After that, you only have the cost of maintaining the mower.
* Vs a lawn service

RM-200 Robomow Click to View
Pros
Mows your lawn by pressing a button.
Can cut multiple small areas.
Includes Remote.
Handles 15 degree grades.
Offers highest cutting height.
Can cut tall grass.
Easy Charging.
Weatherproof .
Least Expensive .

Cons
Does not automatically deploy/charge (this is only a con for those who desire scheduled mowing).
Designed for smaller lawns (2700 sqft) . This is only a con if you have a large lawn.
Can only be run once in a 24 hour period.
Does not provide the same quality of cut as the larger RL-850 and 1000 models when run at its maximum capacity. Note: This was only evident during the early spring when grass growth is the fastest.

RM-400 Robomow Click to View
Pros
Mows your lawn on a schedule.
Can cut separate areas.
Handles 15 degree grades.
Offers highest cutting height.
Dock can be installed "off lawn" (bed or deck).
Can cut tall grass.
Includes Rain Sensor.
Self Charging.
Weatherproof .
Cons
Remote optional.
Designed for smaller lawns (4300 sqft) . This is only a con if you have a large lawn.
Does not provide the same quality of cut as the larger RL-850 and 1000 models when run at its maximum capacity. Note: This was only evident during the early spring when grass growth is the fastest.
Can only be run once in a 24 hour period.
RL-850 Robomow Click to View
Pros
Maintains 1/4 to 1/3 Acre (11,000 sqft).
Mows your lawn by pressing a button.
Can cut separate areas.
Handles 15 degree grades.
Can cut very tall grass (weekly).
Easy Charging.
Includes Remote.
Weatherproof .
Cons
Does not automatically deploy/charge (this is only a con for those who desire scheduled mowing).
Can only be run once in a 24 hour period.
Larger size is not as good in tight areas.
RL-1000 Robomow Click to View
Pros
Maintains 1/3+ Acre (17,200 sqft).
Mows your lawn on a schedule.
Can cut separate areas.
Handles 15 degree grades.
Offers highest cutting height.
Can cut very tall grass( weekly).
Includes Remote.
Has Rain Sensor.
Self Charging.
Weatherproof .
Cons
Can only be run once in a 24 hour period.
Larger size is not as good in tight areas.
 
LB2110 LawnBott Click to View
Pros
Maintains up to a 1/2 Acre (22,000 sqft).
Mows your lawn on a schedule.
Keeps the lawn looking "just mowed".
Handles 15 degree grades.
Has Rain Sensor.
Self Charging.
Weatherproof .
Covered Garage.
Cons
Can't cut separate isolated areas unless very small (requires manual deployment).
Can't cut very tall grass.
Lead Acid Batteries add 20 lbs over Lithium Ion Batteries. (this added weight does improve traction).
Remote and Alarm Optional.
LB2150 LawnBott Click to View
Pros
Maintains up to a 1/2 Acre (22,000 sqft).
Mows your lawn on a schedule.
Keeps the lawn looking "just mowed".
Handles 27 degree grades.
Uses Lightweight Lithium Battery.
Has Rain Sensor.
Self Charging.
Weatherproof .
Covered Garage.

Cons
Can't cut separate isolated areas unless very small (requires manual deployment).
Can't cut very tall grass.
Run time limited to six mowing hours per day.
Remote and Alarm Optional.

LB3210 LawnBott Click to View LB3250 LawnBott Click to View
Pros
Maintains up to 3/4 Acre (33,000 sqft),
LB3250 - 1 1/4 Acre.
Mows your lawn on a schedule.
Keeps the lawn looking "just mowed".
Handles 27 degree grades.
Uses Lightweight Lithium Battery.
Has Rain Sensor.
Has Alarm.
Has Remote.
Self Charging.
Weatherproof .
Covered Garage.

Cons
Can't cut separate isolated areas unless very small (requires manual deployment).
Can't cut very tall grass
.

 
LB3500 LawnBott Click to View LB3550 LawnBott Click to View

Pros
Maintains up to a 1 Acre (43,000 sqft),
LB3550 1 3/4 Acre.
Mows your lawn on a schedule.
Keeps the lawn looking "just mowed".
Handles 27 degree grades.
Uses Lightweight Lithium Battery.
Has Rain Sensor.
Has Alarm.
Self Charging.
Weatherproof .

Cons
Can't cut separate isolated areas unless very small (requires manual deployment).
Can't cut very tall grass.
Garage Cover an Option.
No Remote - The LB3500 was meant to be controlled via blue tooth enabled phones. Unfortunately, US phones are not compatible.

 
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