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LawnBott Repairs

A Robot Makes a Great Gift.

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The following cost comparison compares the most popular models of Robotic Lawn Mowers. Although there are too many variables to provide a comparison with much meaning, what we could compile is based on fact. We have been dealing in Robotic mowers since 2004 and we service 80+ percent of all robotic mowers in the US. You can be confident that we offer good, solid information.

We are a dealer of both the Robomower and Lawnbott Lawn Mowers and have used both extensively. Aside from being the primary US Service Center for Friendly Robotics, we also have been the primary service center for Lawnbott updates. In other words: We have no stake in skewing information towards a particular brand. This should only to be used as a guide (your mileage may vary).

Simply put, there isn't really a way to put a dollar figure to that! Some lawns offer more challenges, are larger Vs smaller and frankly, some folks just don't follow manufacturer guidelines and have a higher repair cost.
We have however provided some statistics that should put things in perspective.

Robomower:
Robomowers operating in the US: Estimated at 10,000 (conservative)
Gear Cases Replaced Each Year ($229.00 installed): Approx. 115
Main Circuit Boards Replaced Each Year ($299.00 installed): Approx. 95

These are the most expensive items on the mower and their yearly failure rate averages about 1% to date. This will increase as the older mowers start failing. There is a multitude of RL-500 mowers (first available in 2001) that have never needed a major repair. We are not saying that you won't be in that 1% but odds are that your mower will have a long, trouble free life.

Most Gear Case issues are due to the mower being run in a yard where lawn repairs should be performed or where obstacles should be excluded with a perimeter wire. Some very sandy or muddy lawns can cause the mower to get stuck repeatedly and damage the gear case. Some users have complained about this but were not bothered enough to stop using the mower.

Mainboard failures do not have a specific problem but most seem to be due to extremely wet conditions.

LawnBott
There are not nearly as many LawnBott mowers operating in the US. They have been available in Europe for about eight years. Although available in the US for about five years, major marketing efforts were not commenced until about two and a half years ago. Sales have been fairly brisk and are increasing.

Since the vast majority are just getting to the end of their warranty term, yearly repair costs cannot be reliably compiled. This is, after all, a robotic mower and parts are somewhat expensive. The plus side is that the manufacturer is constantly improving the product and the life of the parts should also improve as time goes on. There was a known issue with the wheel motors for the last two years. Replacements motors have been redesigned and the latest LawnBott models now feature a larger, heavier duty drive motor. An upgrade kit is available. Just like any mechanical device, things will break, just like a regular mower. The product life cycle of the Lawnbotts is 8-10 years. They may last longer with maintenance but technology will more than likely make the current models totally obsolete by then.

The real story on the recall.
Due to a report by Consumer Reports, the Lawnbott participated in a voluntary recall to add a layer of safety to the mowers. Kyodo America proactively worked with the US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) to make alterations that were acceptable. The twist here was that there are not any standards for robotic mowers and the current standards (two decades old) for traditional mowers was loosely applied. The modifications consisted of a more sensitive electronic tilt sensor that stops the blade when the mower is lifted as well as a blade guard that encircles the blade. Oddly enough, neither of these are present on traditional walk behind mowers. The recall was listed as "Due to a laceration hazard". Although we are very safety conscious and any injury is one to many, consider that there has only been one documented injury that basically required a band aid. That said, the issue seemed a bit blown out of proportion. If you consider the fact that each year traditional mowers cause tens of thousands of people in the US to suffer injuries severe enough for an emergency room visit, the Lawnbott seems to have been safer than traditional mowers before this "threat" was exposed. As with any product with a blade, common sense will avoid injury. Always follow the manufacturers guidelines.

Although most owners are sending their units in for rework (some declined), many stated last year that they would wait until mowing season was over. Most were not worried. Comments on the Consumer Reports blog reflect the same sentiments.

The Robomower was also reviewed. The blades do shut down quickly when the mower is lifted so was not viewed as having the same design fault. They did however state that the Robomower would get stuck and not return to its dock. They did not elaborate so we can only guess that the area had some holes large enough to stop the mower. They also called the cut "unimpressive". We still get comments from Robomower users regarding this and they ask : "did they have the blades on it?"

Pros that apply to all robotic mowers:
They are Environmentally Friendly
They are Quiet
When compared to a service, they can pay for themselves while still in warranty*. After that, you only have the cost of maintaining the mower.
* Vs a lawn service