Page 29 - Landscape-Issue155

MACHINERY FEATURE: ROBOTIC LAWN MOWERS

BATTLE OF THE

BLADES

hen it comes to lawn care, homeowners,
landowners and greenspace professionals are
Wfaced with an array of mower options with
which to achieve a beautifully manicured lawn. Choosing
between a traditional, ride-on or automower can pose a
challenge though, as each promises the perfect balance
between precision, efficiency and convenience. The
question is: which one fully meets your specific needs?
As with any significant purchase, budget considerations
are at the forefront when making a decision. Both ride-on
and automowers typically come with a considerably higher
price tag than traditional mowers.
Traditional mowers
• Good for most small to medium-sized gardens. Suitable
for lawns of up to 800m² on average.
• Available in both battery, electric and petrol models. FIVE GREEN REASONS
• Petrol mowers excel in power and durability, are robust
and can handle various terrains, including slopes and
rough patches. They are also able to manage thick and TO SWITCH TO AN
taller grass.
• Battery mowers are lightweight, quiet and eco-friendly. AUTOMOWER
They work well on flat to moderately uneven ground with
gentle slopes and require minimal maintenance.
Drawbacks: lush, well-manicured lawn not only adds to the beauty and
• Petrol mowers can be noisy. aesthetics of a garden, but also creates an inviting setting for
• Traditional mowers require more time and physical effort. A outdoor leisure activities. However, the reality is that the pursuit
of perfect lawns involves the frequent use of lawnmowers powered by
Ride-on mowers petrol engines, which can inadvertently contribute to air pollution and
• Best suited for half-acre or larger lawns. disrupt the serenity of the environment due to their noise.
• They are designed to handle varying landscapes and Wynand Lombaard, product and pricing specialist at Husqvarna
uneven or rolling terrain. South Africa, says that added to noise and air pollution is wasteful
• Their greatest advantage (apart from being able to sit in resource consumption, but that automowers are the solution to this
comfort rather than walk behind a mower) is their speed as they reduce the impact on the environment. Robotic lawnmowers
and they can mow very large areas in a short space of have revolutionised lawn care by addressing the very issues that plague
time. traditional mowers.
• Able to mow very tall, thick or coarse grass.
Drawbacks: Five reasons why automowers are better for the
• Less agile and unable to navigate very steep inclines. environment
• Higher maintenance and fuel consumption costs. Reduced emissions: An automower uses battery power to navigate
lawn, eliminating the need for oil or petrol and leaving zero emissions in
Automower (robotic mowers) its wake while also conserving resources.
• An automower operates autonomously and mows Improved air quality: Automowers don’t emit harmful pollutants such
according to a set schedule, giving you more free time. as carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which not only benefits the
• Most are designed to cut between a quarter and half an environment but also directly contributes to overall human health.
acre of lawn. Energy efficiency: One of an automower’s superpowers is the ability to
• They are versatile and can operate in uneven, hilly terrain optimise mowing patterns, ensuring a precision cut with minimal energy
and are also able to navigate slopes. consumption.
• Their mulching capability is great for lawns and they are Noise reduction: Automowers are very quiet and their silent operation
environmentally friendly. will transform homes and neighbourhoods into tranquil spaces.
• Low maintenance and operating costs. Less soil contamination: Razor-sharp, precision blades trim grass,
Drawbacks: mulching it back into the ground, thus minimising the need for fertilisers
• Lawns have to be obstacle-free. and chemicals which usually affect soil health and disrupt the natural
balance of micro-organisms.
In a nutshell, traditional mowers suit smaller spaces and Beyond the eco-friendly benefits, Lombaard points out that
come with features to suit every budget. Ride-on mowers automowers also save time and effort, and contribute to the health and
conquer vast lawns, are efficient and require reduced vitality of a lawn. “An automower provides a much cleaner cut, minimising
physical effort. Robotic mowers bring futuristic ease to bruising, shock and moisture loss. Furthermore, the grass is chopped into
maintaining a manicured lawn - the equivalent of a robotic tiny fragments, which are easily broken down in the soil and provide a
vacuum cleaner for your house. boost of nitrogen, phosphorus and many other essential nutrients back
Ultimately, all mowers have their merits and drawbacks, to the roots. It’s a win-win for both visual beauty and overall lawn health.”
but all contribute to well-maintained lawns. Choosing the The environmental advantages of automowers are not just a selling
right one comes down to budget, lawn size, terrain and point, however. They’re a response to the urgent need for greener, more
personal preference. sustainable lawn care practices.

https://www.husqvarna.com/za/robotic-lawn-mower https://www.husqvarna.com/za/robotic-lawn-mower
Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 154 2025 27