Husqvarna Automower – Frequently Asked Questions

Reasons to buy Automower

Does it take a lot of time to own and operate Automower?

No, Automower is very simple to operate. You continuously get a good result without any effort from you as a consumer. Once you have installed Automower, it independently ensures that your lawn is well cut, without any involvement from your side – whether you are at home, in the office or on holiday. Your lawn will always remain well maintained, but you do not perform the actual task of mowing.

Is it easy to use?

Yes, very easy. The product is very light compared to conventional mowers, only 7 to 14 kg. The control panel is easy to understand and operate – once in use Automower can be left to its own devices.

Is Automower noisy?

Not at all. The sound level of Automower is very low, 69 dB(A) down to 58 dB(A) depending on the model. This can be compared with the noise of average conventional mowers, which generate between 95 and 100 dB(A). You can easily have Automower working in the garden without disturbing you or your neighbours.

What effect does Automower have on the environment?

Since Automower runs on batteries, there are no emissions generated by the mower, and the actual energy consumption is very low. The running costs are only around £8-£42 per season for the electricity consumed, depending on the size of the lawn.

What if you have allergies – does all that mowing make allergies worse?

On the contrary, if you have grass allergies or hayfever, Automower can be a good solution for you. Since you don’t need to be present when Automower is cutting your lawn, you automatically eliminate most contact with grass waste. Also, the grass is kept so short that allergens do not become airborne.

How to use Automower

How do I start and stop Automower?

Once the system is installed you have to switch on the main switch, press the START button (if available), and close the keypad hatch. To stop it, simply press the large STOP button.

Do I need to bury the wire in the ground?

No. The wire can be laid upon the ground using the supplied staples and will after some weeks be grown over and disappear in to the grass. A good tip is to cut the grass as short as possible at the perimeter in order to get the wire as close as possible to the ground. However, if you wish to bury the wire from the beginning, we can do this for you using our trenching and cabling equipment.

What happens if I forget my PIN code?

You must contact Platts Horticulture who will help you retrieve the PIN code.

How to Buy an Automower

Where can I buy a Husqvarna Automower?

Buy Husqvarna Automower from Platts Horticulture by calling 01732 867 887. One of the team will be happy to talk through your requirements with us.

How much does Automower cost?

The price varies between approx. £1000 to £3000, depending on which model you buy.

Suitable gardens

What is the maximum operational area for Automower?

Automower can handle lawns up to 6000 m² +/- 20%, depending on model and complexity of the garden.

Will I still need an ordinary lawnmower?

No. We recommend you to complement the edges with a trimmer to get a perfect finish for your lawn.

What do I do if my lawn size is larger than 6000 m²?

You can install two or more machines side by side. We have plenty of “multiple” installations in place throughout the world.

Can I use Automower in smaller gardens?

Yes. Adjust the mowing time to suit your garden using the Timer function. In the Quick Guide you can find the model specific cutting time per hour, which helps you to adjust the Timer after the size of your lawn.

Can Automower handle all types of gardens?

In principle yes – what you can mow with a conventional mower you can normally mow with Automower. The convenience advantage may be limited in a very fragmented garden (a lawn consisting of many small patches of lawns not connected to each other) as the mower has to be moved around manually. During the installation, you will have to ensure that Automower® does not cut areas you do not wish to cut, e.g. flowers, bushes, trees, rocks, etc.

Will Automower cope with my uneven lawn?

Due to the large driving wheels, Automower can cope with uneven surfaces very well. It also handles slopes up to 45% (24°) incline. Only small deep holes may cause Automower to get stuck. On the contrary, Automower is small enough to follow the curvature of a rough lawn. It will not scalp the “hills” like many larger mowers.

Can Automower cope with narrow passages?

Yes, Automower can handle narrow passages down to 60 cm widths, depending on the model used.

Can Automower detect objects such as clothes or toys lying around on the lawn?

No. It is up to the owner to keep the lawn surface free from objects. Any object that is small enough for Automower to pass over may be damaged, as well as cause damage to the machine’s blades. Make sure your lawn is clear of small objects before operating Automower.

What about pine cones, tree branches and fruit on the ground?

To maximise the life of the blades these types of objects should be raked or collected regularly. They will not damage the mower, but the blades will wear faster. Tree branches may also damage or bend the blades resulting in a poor cutting performance.

I have a nice flower bed and trees that I want to protect. Is that possible?

Provided the wire has been installed correctly around your flower bed, tree, shrub, or other object, then Automower cannot damage it or intrude into that area.

How does Automower handle very long grass?

If the grass is very long and thick you should raise the cutting height and then gradually reduce it to the preferred level. In very extreme conditions the lawn may need to be cut by a conventional mower before Automower takes over.

I have a lot of moss in my lawn – how does that effect Automower?

Actually it is Automower that will affect the moss. The continuous mowing has a very positive influence on grass growth leading to the gradual disappearance of moss from the lawn.

Will the mower cut the grass in rainy conditions?

Yes, Automower is supposed to cut grass in all type of weather and is designed to handle wet conditions. It is however recommended to bring the mower inside in extreme weather conditions, such as torrential rain and storms.

Will the mower cut in very hot conditions?

The mower is designed to function in temperatures of up to about 45ºC. From about 25ºC the mow and charge times will become shorter for models using NiMH batteries, as the battery capacity is lower in hot conditions. The area performance however remains unchanged. Models using Li-Ion batteries are equally good no matter of temperatures.

If I want to use Automower at my summer home or share it with my neighbour, can Automower work at two different locations?

Yes. If you buy two charging stations and two loop wire cables, you can have two separate installation sites and use the same Automower  in both locations.

Mower system and navigation

What are the benefits of mowing the lawn in a random pattern?

By mowing in a seemingly random pattern, in various directions, you will get a carpet-like lawn, throughout your garden. Since 20 years it has also proven to be the most reliable way to cover the whole lawn, leaving no uncut grass. The reliability and precision of current affordable GPS technologies necessary for systematic mowing is not sufficient to offer an improvement over the loop wire and random based system, used by Automower today.

What are the benefits of a boundary wire system defining the cutting area?

It is a very robust and reliable system, making sure the mower always stays inside its boundaries, in all weather and garden conditions. It is also a very easy and visible way to set the boundaries.

Can Automower be equipped with GPS?

Highly specified models, such as the 430X, have an on-board GPS that simplifies installation and assists with the navigation. There are also models equipped with a GPS communication device that acts as a tracker in case the product is stolen. With this device the user can communicate with the mower via SMS or an iPhone app.

Safety

Can children play on the lawn when Automower is working?

Even though Automower uses very low power, you can still cut your fingers or toes if they get in contact with the blade. A built-in safety feature means the blade will automatically stop if the mower is lifted up or turned over. The distance between the outer body and the blade tip is also extra-long to avoid feet or hands from accidently reaching the blades. Even so, we recommend turning off Automower when small children are playing on the lawn.

Does Automower have a theft alarm?

Yes. Automower has several theft protection systems that may be activated. Most important: Automower cannot be used without the personal PIN code. The installation lock prevents Automower from functioning on any other installation than your own. The time lock requests your four-digit PIN to be entered at an interval decided by yourself. The alarm requires the PIN code to be entered when Automower is stopped – or an audio alarm will go off. Also, the GPS communication unit includes a GPS tracker available as accessory for most models.

Is Automower potentially dangerous to cats and dogs?

No. Our experience shows that pets usually respect Automower and give it some space. However, Automower is equipped with sensors which means that it reverses and chooses another direction if it runs into ‘objects’ such as pets. If it does collide with a pet, the contact is very light and unlikely to cause any damage.

Maintenance and service

Where can I get service and spare parts?

Husqvarna Automower servicing telephone number – 01732 867 887 . Platts Horticulture will be able to assist with both servicing, maintenance and parts.

What’s the lifetime of the battery?

This depends on the area and set running time of the mower. If you run Automower 6 months a year on an area of 800 m², your battery will last 2-4 seasons. In order to save your battery you should set the timer according to the size of your lawn. During the dry season you can easily reduce the running time without losing performance.

What’s the lifetime of the blades?

The life of the blades depends on the type of soil and grass. Typically, the life is 1-2 months on 1000 m². You can replace the lightweight blades in five minutes using a regular screwdriver.

Do I need to store it inside during the winter?

Yes, if you don’t have to mow in the winter. Before putting Automower away for the winter it should be cleaned and wiped dry and then stored in dry frost-free conditions. We also recommend that the charging station is stored indoors over the winter. The loop wire installation should remain in the lawn.

How do I maintain Automower to keep it in the best condition?

Replacing blades regularly is vital to maintain an excellent cutting result. Now and then, depending on your lawn size, you should spend a few minutes cleaning grass from the wheels and chassis.