As the mowing season winds down and winter approaches, many homeowners overlook one crucial aspect of lawn care: properly maintaining and storing their robotic lawn mowers. While these machines are designed to handle regular wear and tear, neglecting winter care can lead to battery degradation, mechanical issues, and reduced performance when spring arrives.
Proper winterization is not just about putting the mower away—it’s about protecting its components, preserving battery life, and ensuring operational readiness for the next season. With the right steps, you can extend the lifespan of your mower, avoid costly repairs, and maintain a consistently healthy lawn.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step winter maintenance process, highlight common mistakes to avoid, and provide tips on professional winter servicing. By following these strategies, you’ll ensure that your robotic lawn mower is ready to work efficiently the moment the snow melts.
Why Proper Winter Care Matters for Robotic Mowers
Robotic lawn mowers are sophisticated machines with batteries, sensors, and precision-cutting blades. Leaving them unused over the winter without proper care can lead to several issues:
- Battery Degradation: Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to temperature extremes. Storing a mower with a depleted or fully charged battery in freezing conditions can shorten its lifespan, leading to expensive replacements.
- Mechanical Wear and Rust: Grass residue, moisture, and dirt left on blades, wheels, or chassis can promote rust and mechanical wear, reducing cutting efficiency.
- Software and Firmware Readiness: Some robotic mowers receive firmware updates that optimize performance. Neglecting to check and install updates before storage can result in missed improvements.
- Operational Readiness: A mower improperly stored may fail to start or operate correctly when spring arrives, leaving your lawn unattended until repairs are made.
Winter maintenance isn’t just a “nice-to-have” — it’s essential for protecting your investment. By taking a few preventive steps, you ensure your mower remains reliable, efficient, and ready for the next mowing season.
Step-by-Step Winterization for Robotic Mowers Guide
Proper winterization ensures your robotic lawn mower stays in top condition throughout the off-season. Follow these steps carefully:
1. Cleaning the Mower
- Remove Grass Clippings and Debris: Use a soft brush or compressed air to clear clippings from the blades, wheels, and underside.
- Clean Sensors and Wheels: Dirt on sensors can affect navigation, while debris on wheels can hinder movement. Wipe them down with a damp cloth.
- Inspect Blades: Remove and sharpen or replace blades if they are dull or damaged to prevent rust over the winter.
2. Battery Maintenance
- Charge Before Storage: Fully charge the battery to the manufacturer’s recommended level.
- Remove the Battery: For detachable batteries, store them separately in a cool, dry environment above freezing.
- Avoid Complete Discharge: Batteries stored fully depleted can lose capacity and may not perform efficiently next season.
3. Storage Recommendations
- Indoor Storage: Keep the mower and charging station in a dry, temperature-controlled area. Avoid basements or garages prone to moisture or freezing temperatures.
- Stable Placement: Ensure the mower rests on a flat surface or uses a wall hanger designed for robotic mowers to prevent damage.
- Cover the Mower: Use a breathable cover to protect against dust while allowing airflow to prevent condensation.
4. Firmware and Software Updates
- Check for Updates: Install the latest firmware before storing the mower.
- Reset or Note Settings: If needed, reset settings or document schedules to avoid reprogramming in spring.
Following these steps will help your robotic mower stay functional, safe, and ready for the first cut of the season. Proper winter care minimizes wear and extends the life of both the battery and mechanical components.
Below is a winter maintenance video for the Mammotion Luba 2 robotic lawn mower for your reference.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Winterizing Your Robotic Mower
Even with the best intentions, many homeowners inadvertently damage their robotic lawn mowers during winter storage. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Neglecting Cleaning: Leaving grass clippings, dirt, and moisture on blades or wheels can lead to rust, mold, and reduced performance.
- Improper Battery Storage: Storing a fully discharged battery or leaving it in freezing temperatures can permanently reduce capacity. Always remove and store batteries in a cool, dry space above freezing.
- Incorrect Storage Conditions: Storing the robot mower in damp garages or outdoors exposes it to condensation, which can damage electronics and metal parts.
- Ignoring Firmware Updates: Skipping updates can result in navigation errors or missed performance improvements when the mowing season starts.
- Skipping Professional Checks for High-End Models: Advanced GPS or wire-free mowers may benefit from an off-season inspection by a certified dealer.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you protect your mower from preventable damage, extend its lifespan, and ensure it’s ready for efficient operation come spring.
Optional: Professional Winter Service for Your Robot Mower
For homeowners with high-end or complex robotic lawn mowers, professional winter servicing can provide peace of mind. Certified technicians offer:
- Thorough Inspection: Checking the mower’s mechanical components, wheels, and blades for wear or damage before storage.
- Battery Health Assessment: Ensuring the battery is properly charged, removed, and stored to maximize longevity.
- Firmware and Software Updates: Installing the latest updates to optimize navigation, safety features, and mowing efficiency.
- Diagnostics and Minor Repairs: Identifying potential issues early, preventing expensive repairs in the spring.
While professional service comes at an additional cost, it can save time and stress for homeowners with large lawns, steep slopes, or advanced models that include wire-free or RTK/GPS navigation systems. Even a basic inspection can ensure the mower is winter-ready and fully functional for the next mowing season.
Conclusion: Properly Winterize Your Robotic Mower
Proper winter maintenance and storage are essential for keeping your robotic lawn mower in peak condition. By cleaning thoroughly, managing the battery correctly, storing the mower in a dry, temperature-controlled space, and installing firmware updates, you protect your investment and ensure smooth operation when mowing season resumes.
Avoiding common mistakes—such as neglecting cleaning, improper battery storage, or storing the mower in damp or freezing conditions—can save you from costly repairs and extend the lifespan of both the machine and its components. For high-end or complex models, a professional winter service can provide added assurance, ensuring every system is inspected, updated, and ready for spring.
By following these winterization steps, you can enjoy a reliable, efficient, and long-lasting robotic mower, giving your lawn the care it deserves year after year. Proper winter care isn’t just maintenance—it’s an investment in the mower’s performance and your peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is it important to winterize my robotic lawn mower?
Winterizing your robotic mower is crucial because prolonged exposure to cold, moisture, and dirt can damage both mechanical and electronic components. Proper winter care preserves the mower’s performance, extends its lifespan, and ensures it’s fully operational for the next mowing season.
2. Should I remove the battery before storing the mower for winter?
Yes. Detachable batteries should be removed and stored in a cool, dry area with temperatures above freezing, ideally around 10–20°C (50–68°F). Before storage, fully charge the battery according to manufacturer instructions, but avoid leaving it fully charged for extended periods.
3. Can I leave the charging station outside during winter?
It’s not recommended. Exposure to moisture, frost, and extreme temperatures can damage electronic components of the charging station, potentially causing malfunction or shortening its lifespan. Ideally, the charging station should be moved indoors or placed in a sheltered, dry location.
4. How often should I clean my mower before storing it for winter?
You should perform a thorough cleaning after the final mowing session of the season. Remove all grass clippings, dirt, and debris from blades, wheels, and the mower body. Pay special attention to sensors and the underside of the mower, as built-up residue can lead to rust or mold growth over the winter.
5. Is it necessary to update the firmware before winter storage?
Yes. Installing the latest firmware before storage ensures your mower benefits from the latest performance improvements, bug fixes, and navigation optimizations. Firmware updates can also prevent software-related issues that might arise after months of inactivity.
6. Can I use a pressure washer to clean my robotic mower?
No, pressure washers should be avoided. The high-pressure water can penetrate sensitive electronics, motors, and battery compartments, potentially causing permanent damage. Instead, use a soft brush, damp cloth, or low-pressure water to clean blades, wheels, and the chassis.
7. How should I store my mower during winter?
Store the mower in a dry, temperature-controlled location above freezing, such as a garage, shed, or utility room. Place it on a flat, stable surface or use a wall mount to prevent deformation of wheels or suspension. Cover the mower with a breathable, dust-proof cover to prevent moisture accumulation while allowing airflow.
8. Do I need to remove the boundary wire for winter storage?
Typically, it’s not necessary to remove the boundary wire, as most can remain in place over winter. However, ensure the wire’s connectors are well-protected from moisture and corrosion.
9. Should I schedule a professional service before winter storage?
Scheduling a professional inspection is recommended for high-end or advanced robotic mowers. Technicians can inspect blades, wheels, motors, and sensors, verify battery health, and perform any necessary firmware updates.
10. How can I ensure my mower is ready for use in spring?
Before the first mow, check that the battery is fully charged, the blades are sharp and clean, wheels are free of debris, and all sensors are functioning. Install any new firmware updates, verify boundary wire integrity, and test navigation routines.
