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ride on mower versus robot mower

  • 14-05-2014 9:51am
    #1
    trg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 378 ✭✭


    Hi folks,
    We've a 2500 sq ft lawn with one short but steepish slope. At the end of tether now with the push mower, takes about 4 hours to cut it and time is scarce and getting scarcer.
    I've trialled a robot mower but am told that given the size of lawn and the slopes that the best value would be a spend of €4000.
    A ride on will work but up to now I've not had a place to keep it secured.
    On here hoping to get advice on both or recommend the pros & cons.
    Robot seems the best for labour saving & running cost is low but investment is high.
    The ride on would be lower outlay I think but running costs be higher? Believe so. Obviously it'll take time but hardly 4 hours!
    From safety point of view the robot seems risky with very young kids around during summer

    What ye reckon?


Comments

  • #2
    prospect
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,791 ✭✭✭prospect


    I have had a ride-on for for nearly 10 years now and am planning on getting a robot this year.
    However, my lawn is flat, smaller than yours and has no trees or obstacles in it (except one large bed).

    From my research:

    Robot Pros:
    - Time Saving
    - Quiet
    - Cheaper than a ride-on (in my case anyway)
    - Cheaper to run and maintain (estimated to replace the battery every 3rd season, approx €250 - Annual running cost is less than one jerrycan of petrol)
    - Requires very little winter storage space

    Robot Cons:
    - Perimeter wire has to be installed
    - Higher possibility of being robbed
    - Will struggle if there is a prolonged spell of wet weather during the growing season


    Ride-On Pros:
    - Will still cut the lawn if there is heavy growth during wet weather
    - Can do more than cut lawns (tow a scarifier, tow a trailer, tow a driveway sweeper)

    Ride-On Cons:
    - Takes time to cut lawns
    - More expensive investment
    - More expensive to run and maintain
    - Uses a lot of space when not in use (i.e. all the time it isn't actually cutting lawns)

    I'm sure there are a few more in each category above, but thats the main ones.

    As it happens, I am keeping my ride on (mainly to do other work in the garden) so that makes the decision to purchase a robot easier.

    I suppose I would summarise by saying, the robot is a good option, but only if you have the backup of a push/ride-on mower.


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