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Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2026 6:37 am
by Jobbo
I forgot to post my Navimow experience. All good - I did have to move the base unit from its original position under an overhanging hedge; not really surprising that it couldn’t get a proper GPS signal there. Other expected hurdles seem not to be an issue; it goes under the willow tree fine and it will avoid the hanging fronds but cuts right up to them. I haven’t needed to install the RTK antenna; NetRTK does the job fine.
Now it’s done two cuts it’s obvious I’ll need to go round the very edge with a strimmer but that is no different to using the normal mower; neither can cut quite up to the edge of a wall.
It can’t manage a full cut of the front lawn without going back to base to charge, but that’s fine. It copes with the bumps and divots without any issues. I might even weed the lawn a bit when I’m not just keeping its growth under control now. Oh, and without asking it, it varied the direction of its cut the second day. I’ve set the schedule to be twice a week which I think won’t be OTT. It’s so quiet you don’t notice it doing its thing.
I’m pleased so far.
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2026 11:02 am
by unzippy
Jobbo wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2026 6:37 am
I forgot to post my Navimow experience. All good - I did have to move the base unit from its original position under an overhanging hedge; not really surprising that it couldn’t get a proper GPS signal there. Other expected hurdles seem not to be an issue; it goes under the willow tree fine and it will avoid the hanging fronds but cuts right up to them. I haven’t needed to install the RTK antenna; NetRTK does the job fine.
Now it’s done two cuts it’s obvious I’ll need to go round the very edge with a strimmer but that is no different to using the normal mower; neither can cut quite up to the edge of a wall.
It can’t manage a full cut of the front lawn without going back to base to charge, but that’s fine. It copes with the bumps and divots without any issues. I might even weed the lawn a bit when I’m not just keeping its growth under control now. Oh, and without asking it, it varied the direction of its cut the second day. I’ve set the schedule to be twice a week which I think won’t be OTT. It’s so quiet you don’t notice it doing its thing.
I’m pleased so far.
Craig McLachlan fan?
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2026 11:26 am
by mik
unzippy wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2026 11:02 am
Craig McLachlan fan?
I noticed the name, and approved. (Our robot vac is called J.Edgar).
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2026 2:00 pm
by Jobbo
unzippy wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2026 11:02 am
Craig McLachlan fan?
Always liked Henry on Neighbours and I thought that song was good. Plus two puns in one.
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2026 2:13 pm
by Rich B
Jobbo wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2026 2:00 pm
unzippy wrote: Wed Jul 01, 2026 11:02 am
Craig McLachlan fan?
Always liked Henry on Neighbours and I thought that song was good. Plus two puns in one.
He's one of my good mates cousin apparently, i’ve seen no proof of this though….
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2026 5:47 pm
by integrale_evo
As we don’t have a front lawn any more, my mrs has replaced our petrol push mower with a leccy one.
It uses the same einhell batteries as my powertools, it quiet enough that I can do an early morning or late evening cut without worrying about annoying anyone. No more issues with clogged carbs or old fuel or forgetting I haven’t refilled the petrol can.
Much lighter and more manoeuvrable.
If I was buying I probably would have got a slightly larger twin battery one as this struggles a bit if it’s been left a bit too long between cuts and the collector box is a bit small. But I don’t miss the petrol one at all.
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 1:31 pm
by Jobbo
Mowna has got stuck 2/3 of the way through this morning's mow. I wonder if it's found the divot I was worried about? Something to establish when I get home.
I have realised it doesn't suck up leaves like the Izy and mulch them so it cuts the grass fine but I'll still have to go over with the traditional mower and collect the willow tree's leaves. At least it won't be full of grass clippings.
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 1:56 pm
by dinny_g
Jobbo wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 1:31 pm
but I'll still have to go over with the traditional mower and collect the willow tree's leaves.
No... you have to go out and buy a leaf blower / vacuum...
Never adapt, ALWAYS buy new toys..
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 2:07 pm
by Jobbo
I have a leaf vaccum and it's awful - you carry it (with a shoulder strap) and the bag quickly fills up and gets heavy. It's more effort to carry around and persuade autumn leaves to be sucked up than it is to just use a rake and big hands to pick them up myself :laugh:
Blower just moves them around so doesn't seem to save any effort; you still have to pick them up.
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 2:23 pm
by mik
I've got a Stihl SH56 blower/vac and I really like the vac mode. The bag is really easy to pop and off it for emptying, and it easily accesses places a rake would struggle to get to .
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 2:32 pm
by dinny_g
Jobbo wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 2:07 pm
I have a leaf vaccum and it's awful - you carry it (with a shoulder strap) and the bag quickly fills up and gets heavy. It's more effort to carry around and persuade autumn leaves to be sucked up than it is to just use a rake and big hands to pick them up myself :laugh:
Blower just moves them around so doesn't seem to save any effort; you still have to pick them up.
I was thinking something more like this...
And obviously, you'll need a quad bike to move it about...
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 2:42 pm
by Mito Man
mik wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 2:23 pm
I've got a Stihl SH56 blower/vac and I really like the vac mode. The bag is really easy to pop and off it for emptying, and it easily accesses places a rake would struggle to get to .
I was rather less fond of the vacuum after accidentally sucking up an old dog turd, which it vaporised and showered me in turd dust. Could taste it in the air
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 3:11 pm
by mik
dinny_g wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 2:32 pm
Jobbo wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 2:07 pm
I have a leaf vaccum and it's awful - you carry it (with a shoulder strap) and the bag quickly fills up and gets heavy. It's more effort to carry around and persuade autumn leaves to be sucked up than it is to just use a rake and big hands to pick them up myself :laugh:
Blower just moves them around so doesn't seem to save any effort; you still have to pick them up.
I was thinking something more like this...
I guess that will at least work over the hills
and far away,
Re: The lawn mower thread
Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2026 3:15 pm
by dinny_g