Flymo automatic lawn mower. FLYMO EasiLife 350 Robotic Lawnmower

FLYMO EasiLife 350 Robotic Lawnmower

Patented guide wire technology and multiple start points ensure your mower navigates all areas of your lawn. It even helps the mower to find its way home without leaving unsightly track marks.

Flexible Charging Position

With less restrictions and more freedom, it is flexible enough to be placed anywhere around the lawn edge – even tucked away in a corner.

Mowing Adapts to the Weather

LawnSense automatically optimises the cutting schedule to the weather and lawn growth conditions, and FrostSense detects when it’s too cold to operate. preventing any damage to your lawn.

Simple Programming

The scheduling wizard gets you ready to mow in three easy steps. Simply choose the lawn size, mowing days and start time and the mower calculates the perfect schedule.

EasiLife App

Intuitive controls at your fingertips. Provides access to scheduling wizard, mower status and support information from your smartphone.

A Healthier, Greener Lawn

Regular mowing and mulching returns fine grass clippings back into the lawn which acts as a natural fertilizer.

PIN Protection

A security PIN prevents unwanted access to the mowers and is backed up by Flymo customer support if forgotten.

Extra Mowing Flexibility

Quickly access to special functions such as Spot Cut, Override, Second Area, or Park to fit around your lifestyle needs.

Specification

• Model No: 967980001
• Model: 967980001
• Assist U interface – assists, communicates and supports
• Total control directly on the mower or from the Flymo EasiLife smartphone app
• Simple programming wizard with a large LCD display and settings menu
• 3 pivoting razor blades
• PassageSense to tackle narrow areas with ease
• LawnSense and FrostSense technology. automatically optimises the cutting schedule to the weather and lawn growth conditions
• Guide wire technology. mows every corner of the lawn
• Built in tilt and lift sensor safety
• Works on slopes up to a 35% gradient
• Flexible charging position
• Boundary Wire: 150 metre
• Cutting Heights: 2-5cm
• Cutting Width: 16cm
• Hose washable
• Returns grass clipping as mulch back into the lawn
• Includes 200 pegs
• Sound level: 58 dB(A). Ultra Quiet
• Weight: 7.3 (Kg)

Patented guide wire technology and multiple start points ensure your mower navigates all areas of your lawn. It even helps the mower to find its way home without leaving unsightly track marks.

With less restrictions and more freedom, it is flexible enough to be placed anywhere around the lawn edge – even tucked away in a corner.

LawnSense automatically optimises the cutting schedule to the weather and lawn growth conditions, and FrostSense detects when it’s too cold to operate. preventing any damage to your lawn.

The scheduling wizard gets you ready to mow in three easy steps. Simply choose the lawn size, mowing days and start time and the mower calculates the perfect schedule.

Intuitive controls at your fingertips. Provides access to scheduling wizard, mower status and support information from your smartphone.

Regular mowing and mulching returns fine grass clippings back into the lawn which acts as a natural fertilizer.

A security PIN prevents unwanted access to the mowers and is backed up by Flymo customer support if forgotten.

How to Find the Right Robotic Mower for Slopes

You have a lawn with a rather large incline and you do not know which robotic mower is suitable for it? Here I want to show you what to look for when choosing your robotic mower, and at the same time give you an overview of the models that come into question. How do I find the right robotic mower for slopes? When choosing the right robotic mower for slopes, the most important thing is that it is designed for the slope in question, as not all robotic mowers have the same climbing ability. Equally important is the area output, which should be chosen somewhat more generously here due to the gradient. Other factors are also taken into account, such as fallen fruit or a lot of foliage. But what exactly are you looking for? Are the specifications of the robotic mowers correct regarding their climbing ability? What other functions do you have to look out for? I have dealt with this thoroughly in the following article.

What Are the Most Important Factors for Robotic Mowers on Slopes?

Fitness of the Robotic Mower for Steepness

One of the most important features of robotic mowers when steep terrains are involved is their ability to climb. Mowing robots can cope with terrain of varying steepness, depending on their design. Virtually all robotic mowers can manage gradients of up to 25%. However, many newer models are now also designed for 35%. In the higher price segment, you will also find a number of robotic mowers that can manage 45%. Beyond that, the selection narrows significantly. Some models can achieve 50%. Husqvarna now has four-wheel drive models that handle an amazing 70%, but are also very expensive (Automower 435X AWD and Automower 535 AWD). Imperative for determining the gradient that can be mastered is the strength of the engine, the weight of the robotic mower, the number of wheels (there are 3 or 4-wheeled models), and the design/material of the wheels.

Area Output of the Robotic Mower on Slopes

But the climbing ability of your mower is not the only thing that’s important. Another important factor that plays a role is the area output. This applies to all lawns, of course. The robotic mower must be designed for the size of the area. A certain amount of leeway is always important, especially since the maximum area output specification usually assumes that the robotic mower mows 12, 18, or sometimes even 24 hours a day (this depends on the manufacturer). However, the robotic mower will probably not be on the move in your yard for 24 hours, e.g. so as not to disturb your or your neighbor’s sleep, or so that children can play safely on the lawn. Many owners program their robotic mower so that it only mows in the mornings during the week, for example, when nobody is at home, or in the evenings. The data also assumes optimum conditions, i.e. an uncomplicated area with few bends, and grass that is easy to mow. And above all, it also assumes only very slight inclines. On steep surfaces, the robotic mower has to use considerably more energy and also slows down somewhat when it has to drive uphill. This drains the battery more quickly and the robotic mower must return to the charging station earlier. This reduces the area output once again significantly. Unfortunately, the effect is also not compensated by driving downhill. Many robotic mowers even brake extra so that they do not drive downhill too fast.

Can I Trust the Information on the Climbing Ability?

The data on climbing ability are usually very optimistic and assume very good conditions. How well the robotic mower can actually master a slope, however, also depends on the nature of the ground. Depending on the type of soil and the type of lawn, it may end up being more difficult for the robotic mower to climb the slope. For example, if there are a lot of leaves on the lawn, this can make it difficult for the robotic mower to climb uphill, especially if they are also wet. In general, wet conditions can also cause difficulties, as the robotic mower can slip more easily or its wheels can spin when the ground is damp.

Many Robotic Mowers Need a Run-out Zone

You must also pay attention to what the maximum gradient refers to. In most cases this means that the robotic mower drives up the slope in a straight line. But what if it has to turn while on the slope because it encounters an obstacle or the boundary wire? Then it becomes more complicated. Most robotic mowers need an exit zone for turning. Husqvarna in particular makes this very clear in the instructions for its Automowers. The gradient at the boundary wire should not be too steep, but should be run a few meters with a maximum gradient of 15%.

Here the robotic mower turns very often. And many robotic mowers do not get this right on steep slopes, slip down and leave massive damage to the lawn after not too long. In addition, when the robotic mower hits the cable, it must reset by a couple of inches. Many robotic mowers on steep inclines also fail to do this.

What Are the Differences Between Robotic Mowers for Steep Slopes?

Wheels and Wheel Drive for Coping with Inclines

The robotic mower manufacturers use different wheels for their models. Mowing robots that are particularly good at coping with different terrain conditions generally have larger wheels.

In addition, some manufacturers use special wheels for their models that are able to cope with steeper gradients and are equipped with smaller cleats. This means they slip less in wet conditions and on slopes.

Some models can be retrofitted with special equipment sets, such as off-road kits or terrain kits. Most Husqvarna robotic mowers can be equipped with such kits.

These wheels not only have better traction due to their lugged tread pattern, but are also slightly heavier. However, they also leave slightly deeper tracks. In addition, more debris gets “stuck” on the wheels when the lawn is wet. This can be counteracted by mounting special wheel brushes, but these in turn increase the volume a little.

Another difference is the number and size of the wheels. Larger wheels are generally better able to cope with impassable terrain and help the lawn robot cope with inclines.

But more important is the difference between 3 and 4-wheeled models. 3-wheeled models have more problems with difficult terrain, especially when it comes to steep inclines. Here they can tip over more easily, for example when they are driving up a slope at an angle.

And finally, robotic mowers can be differentiated according to rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. As with cars, robotic mowers with four-wheel drive are more “terrain-capable”, can cope better with inclines and are also more capable of turning on slippery slopes. Mowing robots with front-wheel drive have slightly better turning technology. They are able to turn in a flowing movement while the machine is running, which can be an advantage when navigating on a boundary wire, especially on steep slopes.

An example of four-wheel drive: Husqvarna models that can handle up to 70% gradients (Automower 435X AWD and Automower 535 AWD) are equipped with four-wheel drive. They can also turn on slopes, as this impressive video shows.

As you can also see here, the wheels are all the same size, which of course offers a certain advantage and is due to the fact that all wheels drive the robotic mower.

I don’t know about you, but I would find it quite challenging to mow a lawn with 70 % incline with a regular mower, so the Atomower 435X AWD is quite an impressive robot.

Inclinometers and Software

Robotic mowers that are designed for inclines have inclination sensors that enable them to recognize how steep the current incline is. They can make decisions based on this. How well they handle the information from the tilt sensor naturally depends on their software.

Many robotic mowers are at least Smart enough to brake when they notice that they are rolling down a steep slope. But also turning and turning around at such steep places is very problematic, as I already mentioned above. So the software can also try to make intelligent decisions here that protect the lawn and prevent the robotic mower from slipping.

How Smart the software is in this respect depends on the manufacturer, the model and even the software version. Software updates often bring further significant improvements. With software updates, however, the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” applies: If your robotic mower runs without problems, don’t make any updates, as these can also cause new problems. If, on the other hand, it has problems, e.g. in some steep places, a software update can make improvements.

What Other Factors Are Important for Robotic Mowers on Slopes?

All other decisions you make when choosing a robotic mower ultimately affect robotic mowers on level surfaces, as well. The only thing that concerns steep areas specifically is the question of how many obstacles are in the steep part of your lawn.

If your incline is also a forest of trees, it will be especially difficult for a robotic mower to navigate, as it will constantly bump into something, be it the boundary wire that excludes a tree, or the tree itself. Even robotic mowers that are designed for such an incline may not be able to cope.

For such special cases it may be necessary to use a robotic mower with four-wheel drive.

Which Models Are Suitable for Steep Terrain?

In general, some models of the brands Husqvarna, AMBROGIO, WIPER and Honda are suitable for steeper gradients. Very important and often misunderstood: most robotic mowers cannot turn on steep gradients.

Here is a list of some models which can handle 45% or more gradients.

As for robotic mowers that can easily turn on steep slopes, there are only a few so far. Such a robotic mower must either have four-wheel drive or very intelligent software in combination with the right wheels, as described above.

So far I only know the two models of Husqvarna with four-wheel drive:

Related Questions

How is the gradient in the lawn calculated? The gradient is usually given in percent (%), sometimes also in degrees (°). To calculate the gradient in percent, the increase in height of a specific stretch of land is divided by the length of said stretch of land. For example, if the top of the slope is 5 ft higher than the bottom, and the amount of horizontal distance covered by the slope is 20 feet, the slope is 25%.

How is degree converted into percent for gradients? To translate a gradient from degrees to percent, you need the trigonometric functions, more precisely the arc tangent. The formula for converting this is

Angle in percent = tan(angle in degrees) x 100%

Lawns for You

A guide to lawn care, lawn mowing and creating the perfect green lawn.

Lawns for You

A guide to lawn care, lawn mowing and creating the perfect green lawn.

Lawn Mowing

Flymo Lithium-ion Robotic Lawnmower 1200 R, Review

As my first review featured the basic push cylinder mower, I am following up with the ultimate lazy gardeners mower, a robot. This is a review of the Flymo Lithium-Ion Robotic Lawnmower 1200 R.

OVERVIEW

All the standard mowers require some effort, and time, to cut the lawn. With the robot though, after the set up is complete, you can just sit back, or do whatever you need to do, while the robot does the work for you.

There are many different models on the market, so I am starting with one of the cheaper versions from the well known Flymo brand.

FLYMO LITHIUM-ION ROBOTIC LAWNMOWER 1200 R

This robotic mower is a very competitively priced model at around £600, and does exactly what it says on the tin. It only weighs 16.5 kilos, so is easy to move by hand if required. Find flymo mowers here.

The power source is an 18 v 1.6 Ah Lithium-ion Battery, with a claimed maximum cutting area of 400 square meters per charge, but the automatic return to the charging station when the battery runs low makes this fairly irrelevant. The cutting speed is very slow at 30 square meters per hour, so worth taking into consideration if the lawn is fairly large.

It has an irregular mowing pattern, meaning it cuts in random directions, and can be set to cut as often as you wish. It also has a soft movable top shell which minimises damage if bumping into objects, or the owner.

As with all robotic mowers, a boundary guidance system is required to control the mower. This can take a few hours to set up, and in this case would not be easy for someone not technically minded as some of the connections are quite fiddly.

DISADVANTAGES

CONCLUSION

For anyone who wants a decent looking lawn, without the effort usually required by manual mowing, this is a good quality robotic mower, at a very good price. Although not having the extra features of some other robotic mowers it is well worth consideration. Find it here.

Duncan Gray

Duncan has been a Golf Head Greenkeeper thirty five years, with experience in sports pitches, public parks and bowling greens, including the world bowling championships at Ayr Northfield. Since 1991 he has run a turf advisory company, including Lawn Care services, and this has now morphed into Lawns For You and the site you see today. about Duncan. Google Duncan

Комментарии и мнения владельцев

Some robotic lawn mowers have sonar detection systems that if any moving objects get close they’ll slow down and at another point stop the blade before even being touched. All have some sort of touch sensors that when they lightly bump into a stationary object that they change direction. So actually getting run over is unlikely.

The best robotic lawn mowers for 2023

Like the look of robotic lawn mowers? Browse our pick of the very best, for gardens of all shapes and sizes.

Increasingly popular with UK gardeners, robotic lawn mowers are a welcome, hands-free alternative to traditional petrol and electric lawn mowers. Because a robotic lawn mower is fully automatic, it can be a brilliant option for gardeners who have mobility concerns, are away from home a lot, or simply find mowing a chore. Powered by rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries, most mowers are guided by a boundary cable laid around the edge of the lawn, which helps the robotic lawn mower identify where to mow and to avoid flower beds, trees and other obstacles.

While we tested models from a number of different brands, note that all of them offer a range of mowers with varying sizes, capabilities and features.

To compare these robotic models against other types of mowers, see our reviews of the best cordless lawn mowers, the best electric mowers and the best push mowers. And, if you’re looking to give your lawn a bit of TLC, our experts have tested a range of manual and powered aerators and scarifiers. check out the best scarifiers and best aerators reviews. You can also keep edges looking neat with our tests of the best strimmers or pick of the best lawn edging.

Best robotic lawn mowers at a glance

Our expertise

To help you find a robotic lawn mower suitable for your garden, we tested a range of mowers for different size gardens, including gardens with slopes and a complex shape. Each mower is in use for weeks at a time to allow us to assess its battery capacity and cutting proficiency as well as ease of use.

Each mower in our review has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to set up and ease of use, cutting performance, extra features and value for money. Every robotic mower in our round-up below has scored a minimum of four out of five stars, so you can buy with confidence.

The robotic mower industry is constantly evolving, with new developemnts and advances, and we are currently testing a number of the latest models ready to update this review shortly. Please check back soon to see the results of our new review.

Best robotic lawn mowers

Husqvarna Automower 405X

RRP: From £1899.00

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

• Unobtrusive colour
• Easy connectivity
• Clever mowing features
• GPS theft tracking

Awarded a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for features, the Automower 405x boasts a huge range of features that help the mower cut well and make the experience easy for the user. These include, three different start points, switching mowing pattern according to where it’s mowing, such as through a narrow passage, frost guard and weather time that automatically adjusts the height according to the grass growth, and its new Rewilding Zone where you can leave 10% of the lawn aside to grow for pollinators.It’s available to buy as a bare mower, which is then installed by a dealer for an additional cost, or with the installation kit included and you install it yourself. Suitable for smaller gardens 600m2, the mower operates with both a boundary wire and a guide wire and unlike some other mowers, has a more flexible docking station, which doesn’t need a wide, clear space around it. ours was tucked neatly into the side of a hedge. It’s also easy to set up via the intuitive keypad or the impressive Automower Connect app, which allows you to change the schedule, adjust the height of cut, check on the mower’s progress and receive notifications, simply and quickly no matter where you are. As an X model, the mower also has a built in SIM so you have both remote and voice controlled control. Our only confusion with set up was working out the scheduling needed, which took a couple of weeks to establish, and that the height of cut on the app is listed as 1-9, when it cuts between 20mm and 50mm.The mower can cope with 40% slopes, which should suit most gardens. The slope in our test garden has a tendency to get muddy and slippery so at the installer’s advice, we used the spiked Terrain wheels which stop the wheels slipping. Only occasionally did the mower fail to get up the slope and when the weather was really wet we simply removed that zone from the work area. The mower cut consistently well and is very quiet, the only perceptible sound is the whirring of the blades as they cut. It occasionally missed spots on the lawn but overall this is a very easy to use and high performing mower.The Automower 405x is just one in a large range of Husqvarna mowers to suit different size lawns. A host of accessories are also available, including a cover for the docking station and wheel brushes, as well as spare parts, from batteries and blades to wheels. Both the mower and the battery come with a 2 year warranty.

Buy the Husqvarna 405X Automower from Sam Turner, Husqvarna and Red Band