How to optimise an Automower® robotic lawn mower installation for steep slopes

If you have a challenging, hilly garden, it is important to choose an Automower® model that is suited for the job. This is the first step ensuring that your robotic lawn mower can handle the steep slopes. On top of that, you should also optimise the boundary and guide wire installation, maintain the mower properly and use the right accessories and settings.

What is the maximum steepness that my Automower® robotic lawn mower can handle?

Tough slopes need to be matched by a robotic lawn mower optimised for slope performance. Standard Automower® models can manage slopes with an incline of 25–50%, depending on the model. Our 435X AWD and 535 AWD all-wheel-drive models can tackle slopes up to an impressive 70% (35˚), which is the equivalent of a black ski slope. Check the operator's manual of your Automower® model to see what inclination your robotic lawn mower can handle.

How to calculate the slope gradient

The gradient (%) is calculated as the difference in elevation in centimetres for every 100 cm. Example: 15 cm/100 cm = 15%.

How to lay the boundary wire in a steep hill

How to lay the boundary wire in a steep hill differs between our standard models and our AWD models.

Standard Automower® models

• Inside the working area, the robotic lawn mower can handle areas that slope up to the maximum guaranteed slope inclination for the model. Steeper areas must be isolated by the boundary wire.
• Do not lay the boundary wire across a slope that is steeper than 15% (10% for Aspire R4, 25% for NERA models), as there is a risk that the robotic lawn mower will find it difficult to turn there. The risk is at its greatest in damp weather conditions, as the wheels can slip on the wet grass.
• When a part of the working area’s outer edge slopes more than 15% (10% for Aspire R4, 25% for NERA models), the boundary wire must be laid on flat ground 20–35 cm/8–13.8" before the beginning of the slope (distance varies between models, see the operator’s manual for details).
  
• For slopes adjacent to a public road, put a barrier of a minimum of 15 cm/6" along the outer edge of the slope. You can use a wall or a fence as a barrier.

AWD Automower® models:

• For slopes up to 50% incline inside the work area, the product will operate normally. Keep a distance of 1.5 m/5 ft between the boundary wire and obstacles, or between obstacles.
• For slopes between 50% and 70% incline, make sure that there are no obstacles on the slope.
• There must be a distance of 1.5 m/5 ft from the bottom of the slope to the boundary wire.
  
• For slopes adjacent to a public road, put a barrier of a minimum of 15 cm/6" along the outer edge of the slope. You can use a wall or a fence as a barrier.

How to lay the guide wire on a steep hill

How to lay the guide wire on a steep hill differs between our standard models and our AWD models.

Standard Automower® models

• Lay the guide wire diagonally on a steep slope to give your Automower® robotic lawn mower optimal traction and minimise the wear on the grass.
• It is recommended to make sure that there are no obstacles, such as trees or stones and islands in the slope.

AWD Automower® models:

• Put the guide wire in a straight line from the bottom of the slope to the top of the slope to achieve optimal traction and minimise the wear on the grass.
• If it is not possible to make a straight line, lay the guide wire diagonally across the slope.
• Do not put the guide wire in parallel with the slope, as the illustration shows. This can increase the wear on the grass.
  

Improve traction with clean wheels and terrain kit

Clean the wheels from grass regularly with a soft brush. If there is a lot of grass stuck on the wheels, the mower may not be able to get up and down the slope as intended.

There is also a terrain kit available for most models (accessory), including heavy rear wheels and wheel brushes for excellent traction on sloping lawns.

Adjust the settings

Enable slope control

Most Automower® models have a feature called Slope Control. When enabled, the performance is improved on steep slopes. This is to decrease lawn wear near the boundary wire in the slope. Slope Control is enabled by default in the factory settings.

To change the Slope Control setting, navigate to Settings > Slope control > Use Slope control on the mower display.