Installing a robotic lawn mower: do it yourself or have it installed?
A robotic lawn mower naturally needs to know where it is allowed to mow, how to reach its charging station, and which parts of the garden it should avoid.
For a simple garden, you can often carry out the installation yourself. Do you have a more complex lawn with different zones, narrow passages, or obstacles? Then professional installation can save you a lot of figuring out.
Whether you install it yourself or have it installed mainly depends on the layout of your garden and the complexity of the installation.
Featured robotic mowers from Husqvarna
First: with or without boundary wire?
How you approach the installation depends mainly on the type of robotic lawn mower you choose. With a classic model, you work with a physical boundary wire that indicates where the robot is allowed to mow. Depending on the model, guide wires may also be needed to direct it smoothly to the charging station or through certain parts of the garden. So you first determine the route, place the charging station in the right spot, and lay and connect the wires correctly.
With a wireless robotic lawn mower featuring EPOS technology, it works differently. Using the Automower Connect app, you set digital boundaries and work areas. This allows you to decide where the robot may mow and which zones it should avoid, without laying a physical boundary wire.
Curious about exactly how that wireless technology works? You can read about it in our separate blog.
When can you install a robotic lawn mower yourself?
Do you have one clear lawn, few obstacles, and a good spot for the charging station? Then installing it yourself is certainly feasible.
With a wireless system, adjusting the settings afterwards is also easy. Is a virtual boundary not quite right? Then you can simply adjust it via the app, without having to dig anything up in the garden.
You can also install a classic setup with boundary wire yourself. The most important thing is to think carefully in advance about the route, the obstacles, and the path to the charging station.
So with a simple garden, you do not automatically need to call in an installer. With good preparation, you can get a long way.
When is it better to leave the installation to a professional?
The more complex your garden, the more important a well-thought-out installation becomes. Think of multiple lawns, narrow passages, slopes, or many obstacles. Your robot not only needs to know where it is allowed to mow, but also how to reach each zone and return to its charging station.
With a wired installation, guide wires can help it navigate narrow passages smoothly. With a wireless system, the digital work areas and passages must be set correctly.
Do you have a garden with multiple levels or mowing zones? If so, it is worth reviewing your installation with a specialist beforehand.
Wireless installation is not automatically easier
Not having to lay boundary wire makes the installation a lot more appealing. Especially in a suitable garden, it can save quite a bit of work.
Still, wireless is not the best solution everywhere. Robotic mowers with satellite navigation need a strong satellite signal. High walls, buildings, and certain trees can interfere with that signal.
That is why at Dekens we prefer to first look at the layout of your garden and then choose the right technology. In one garden, a wireless system works perfectly, while in another garden boundary wire may be more practical.
The goal? A robotic mower that does its job independently and reliably, without you having to intervene constantly.
Install it yourself or have it done?
A proper installation makes the difference between a robotic mower that does its job smoothly and one that regularly gets stuck or skips zones.
Unsure about the best approach for your garden? At Dekens, we’re happy to think along with you. Together, we’ll look at which installation best suits your situation.