Friendly Robotics RoboMower 21-Inch Automatic Cordless Electric Lawn Mower and Docking... at Garden Tool Store

Friendly Robotics RoboMower 21-Inch Automatic Cordless Electric Lawn Mower and Docking... from Electric Mowers

Friendly Robotics RoboMower 21-Inch Automatic Cordless Electric Lawn Mower and Docking... by Friendly Robotics

Features

Robotic lawn mower and docking station; touch-sensitive bumpers and theft-deterrent system

5-1/2 horsepower engine, 21-inch deck; set to run on own at specified time or using manual controller

Durable plastic and steel construction

Includes sealed batteries and charge pack

Measures 35 by 26 by 12-1/2 inches; 50 pounds; 2-year warranty 1 year on battery

Manufacturer Description
The RL1000 is the ultimate RL series mower to be introduced for 2007. Not only does in include all of the great features on the RL850, it also includes a docking station and system for true automation. Simply select the day and times you want the lawn mowed and the RL1000 will do it automatically for you, day after day and week after week, truly the most efficient way to keep your lawn maintained. The RL1000 still includes all the functionality as before, manual trim mowing and the ability to drive it anywhere and even use it in other smaller areas without the docking station. This unit is also equipped with a rain sensor. This rain sensor will prevent the Robomower from coming out of its docking station and mowing if it is raining. Also, if it starts raining when the unit is mowing, the RL 1000 will return to the docking station.

Features:

The RL1000 can be programmed to operate on a pre-selected day and time for the entire season
The RL1000 can enter the lawn consecutively from as many as four pre-selected points along the perimeter to increase efficiency
The RL1000 departs and returns on a schedule you select, never a need to start it or return it for recharging
Want it to skip the next planned mowing session, easy - push one button and it will skip the next session
Fully weatherproof for all season outdoor installation

Specifications

2007 Generation Software
Includes docking system and station
Programmable for weekly schedule
Programmable for lawn entry points
Completely waterproof for outdoors
2-year limited warranty
Theft-Guard theft deterrent system
Triple Chamber Mulching System
21-inch width of cut
Height of cut from 1.5 to 3.5 inches
Quick Snap no tool blade removal
Manual controller for easy use
LCD operation display
360 degree touch sensitive bumpers
Dual navigation systems
Drop and Go power pack
On board charging
Power pack life up to 3 years
Up to 4 hours mowing time
Safety Sense mower lift detection
Edge learning capabilities
Power management system
Simple set-up
5.5 HP equivalent cutting system

Amazon.com Buying Guide
Five Tips for Buying a Mower
Choosing a lawn mower is a matter of sifting through a bewildering array of types, power ratings, and fuel sources. Lets break it down a little to make the process easier.

What types of walk-behind mowers are there?
There are four basic choices: push reel, electric, cordless, and gas. All have strengths and weaknesses.

Push reel mowers are powered by you. Theyre quiet, they dont need cords or recharging, and they dont pollute. But on large lawns, you might not want the workout you get when using a push reel mower. They also tend to be less effective on grass taller than two inches.
Electric mowers need to be plugged into an outlet to power them, which means youre constrained by the location of power outlets, the length of your power cord, and any obstacles that may snag the cord. If you have a small yard but dont want the forced exercise of using a push reel mower, an electric mower may be for you.
Cordless mowers are powered by a rechargeable battery. You dont have to deal with the hassles of keeping a cord plugged in, but battery life becomes a constraint. Depending on the battery capacity, the size of your yard, and the height of your grass, you may not be able to complete your mowing job on one charge.
Gas mowers offer the most power, which is best if youll be mowing tall, dense grass or if your yard is larger than 2,000 square feet. But you will have to keep gas and oil on hand as well as keep the engine serviced.

What do all the power measurements mean?
All that matters to you is whether the lawn mowers blade will spin fast enough to cut your grass. Unfortunately, mowers are rated in far more technical terms.

For gas mowers, there are three power measurements you may see:

horsepower (hp) refers to the amount of power the engine can produce;
torque is the amount of horsepower that is transferred to the blade;
cc (cubic centimeters) is another to measure an engines power based on the displacement volume of its cylinders.

There also are two types of engines: two-stroke (also referred to as two-cycle) and four-stroke (or four-cycle). Conventional wisdom is that two-stroke engines offer more power but also more pollution.
For electric and cordless mowers, power often is measured in volts, amps, or watts. To satisfy your inner techie, heres how to calculate the horsepower:
37. Multiply the volts by the amps to get the wattage.
38. Divide the wattage by 746 to get the horsepower.

More horsepower doesnt always mean more cutting power. Thats why, starting in 2007, most lawnmower manufacturers began rating walk-behind lawn mowers in torque power or ccs--not horsepower. If torque isnt available for a gas mower, higher cc figures usually mean higher torque (and more fuel used per stroke, incidentally).

However, you dont want to buy a mower based on the power measurement alone. Make sure it has the features, warranty, and quality of reviews youre seeking.

What features should I look for?

Cutting Deck
This refers to the blade housing. The wider the cutting deck, the fewer passes it will take to mow a given area. However, consider how many obstacles there are in your yard. The wider the deck, the tougher it may be to fit the mower into tight spaces.
Mulching and Bagging
Want to collect your clippings? Choose a mower with a rear- or side-bag option. Want to leave clippings on the lawn as fertilizer? Get a mower that mulches. A "3-in-1" mower will mulch, bag, or side-discharge.
Wheels
Larger wheels mean easier handling, especially over rough terrain. If you can, go with at least 7-inch-diameter wheels in the rear--larger if your yard is hilly or uneven. Some higher-end mowers have front wheels on casters, which gives you an extremely tight turning radius.
Height Adjustment
Most mowers allow you to adjust the distance between the blade and the ground. Think about how much range you really need.
Safety
Many newer rotary machines are available with a lever or bar that must be depressed to keep the mower running (some models include a handy blade-brake that lets you release the lever without killing the engine).
Also, look for models with a rubber flap at the back to block objects thrown from the blades. You should always wear safety goggles when mowing and follow all the manufacturers safety instructions regardless of the mower youre using.
Batteries
If youre buying a cordless mower, think about how long it will run on a single charge. Most batteries take several hours to recharge, so you want to make sure its going to get the job done before it runs out of juice. As a rule of thumb, a typical 24-volt mower will run up to one-and-a-half hours and cut up to a third of an acre; a 36-volt mower will go for three hours and cut up to a half an acre.
Cord holder
A cord holder is useful for keeping the cord of your electric mower out of the way when you make turns.
Starters
Gas mowers are available either with recoil (pull-cord) or electric starters. Newer recoil motors start much quicker than those you remember from summers past. However, go with electric if you can afford it: your mower will start with the push of a button or the turn of a key.
Self-propelled or push?
A self-propelled mower moves forward without you having to push it. All you have to do is steer. If you have a relatively flat lawn, save a few bucks by skipping this feature. However, if your landscape has a slope or an irregular contour, a self-propelled model may be the best choice. Rear-wheel drive tends to offer better traction.
Variable Speed
If you want a self-propelled mower, look for models with variable speed. This feature allows you to make adjustments within a continuous range so you can find the exact speed thats comfortable for you.

What servicing and maintenance is necessary?
Always buy a mower that comes with a manufacturers warranty and follow the manufacturers routine maintenance instructions for

Cleaning the mower after usage;
Keeping the blade sharp;
Keeping the engine tuned up (gas mowers); and
Keeping the battery charged (cordless mowers).

While Amazon.com does not accept returns on gas-powered mowers, the manufacturers Website or product manual will list the nearest service center.

What does CARB-compliant mean?
CARB is an acronym for California Air Resource Board, whose stringent air-quality standards have been adopted by many states. If your state requires compliance for gas mowers, confirm that your model is CARB-certified before you buy. While CARB-compliant mowers run cleaner than noncompliant models, they still emit pollutants. If you want to go green, an electric or push reel mower is the way to go.

Reader Reviews
I bought a new house and saw that everyone else in the neighborhood had a riding lawnmower. Having a small yard with not much to mow, in the past, I was not looking forward to spending at least 2 hours a week sitting on my [back] driving around in circles. I started looking for "high speed" riding movers but the cost was astronomical. (...) The mower and docking station arrived, from Amazon, in 2 large boxes. Installation and set-up was easily enough and I was "mowing" the front yard the next day. I had the mower set to MAX time but the lawn looked pretty well mowed after about 2 ½ hours. Now in the back yard (much larger area) the grass was long, wet, and has a long slope in it so the mower ran less than 3 hours before it returned to its dock. The lawn looked about 90% done. I was fairly satisfied with that being it is going out again today at 4:00 PM to finish up. "It mows, you don't". Love that! The only thing I did that took a bit more time for the initial set-up was bury the perimeter wire, in high visibility areas. I did not like looking at the green line. I found this to be quite easy once I taped the "robo ruler" to a lawn edger I already own. I could then easily look down at the ruler and use it as a guide for the 1 inch deep little trench I dug with the edger. Things that impressed me: There are no "clumps" of grass even when it was mowing during the rain storm. It mows in the rain. :-) It even pulled itself out of a little mud puddle that had formed once it realized it had no more traction in that direction. The speed at which the blades come to a complete stop (< 1 second) if it runs into something while you are manually mowing or you pick up the front. Negative comments: If you like pretty "lines" in your lawn, this mower is not for you. All your friends and neighbors will ask you questions and/or make fun of you. I suggest you tell them what I tell them, "You do not manually was your clothes. You probably do not hand wash all of your dishes. Why would you WANT to mow your lawn?" Comment | Permalink | (Report this)

Friendly Robotics RoboMower 21-Inch Automatic Cordless Electric Lawn Mower and Docking...
Available from Amazon
Price: $1,999.99
Updated on 9-17-2008.

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