If you use a robot lawn mower to manage your lawn during the summer, you may have appreciated the effort and time it has saved you. However, as that lawn begins to go dormant in late fall and winter, you may be wondering when to put your robot lawn mower away to make sure it’s ready for spring work. The timing depends on where you live and when you start to experience lower temperatures.
Ideally, you would stop cutting grass a week before the first frost or when daytime temperatures remain below 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the last mowing is finished, it’s time to winterize your robotic lawnmower and prepare it for indoor storage. If you forget to turn off your robot lawn mower and it cuts frosty grass, you could damage the grass blades and they may not repair easily the following spring.
Additionally, you run the risk of the robot lawn mower’s wheels compacting the wet soil and negatively affecting the grass roots. In addition to potential damage to your lawn, cutting grass in cold weather causes potential problems for the robot lawn mower’s battery, just like the problems that tend to drain your electric vehicle’s battery.
Storing your robotic lawnmower for the winter
When storing your robotic lawnmower for the winter, first clean the device thoroughly. You can use a garden hose, scrub brush, and mild dish soap to remove grass clippings and other debris from underneath the unit and body. Most manufacturers recommend charging the mower’s battery before storing it, an important battery life tip that applies to a variety of gadgets.
This helps prevent the battery from completely discharging during the winter, which can shorten its lifespan. If your machine has a removable battery, it’s a good idea to store it separately in a temperature-controlled location. Rather than leaving the machine outside and exposed to winter precipitation and low temperatures, you should store it in a shed, garage, basement or other protected area, ideally with temperature control. Moisture entering the body can damage important components.
You should also try to keep the machine away from direct sunlight from windows and heat sources, as this could damage the plastic parts. Finally, make sure to turn off the automatic mowing program. Depending on your model, you may need to lock the machine in an app or manually. With all of these storage tips, it is important to consult the user manual for specific instructions regarding your particular robot lawn mower.
