8
When you are planning your mowing plot(s), think about
the following characteristics of your lawn:
•
Overall size (in square feet or square meters)
•
Steep slopes
•
Obstacles (fences, young trees, gardens, ponds, rocks,
etc.)
•
Small, confined areas
Overall Size
The lawn mower can mow up to 2500 square feet
(230 square meters) before the battery pack needs
recharging. If your lawn is larger than 2500 square feet
(230 square meters) or if you have an area to mow that is
isolated from the rest of your lawn, you will need more
than one mowing plot. For laying out multiple plots, refer
to Laying out Multiple Mowing Plots on page 8 and to
Plots A, B, C, and D in Figure 4.
Steep Slopes
Do not use the lawn mower on slopes steeper than
15 degrees. Leave slopes greater than 15 degrees outside
the perimeter wire area; mow these slopes manually.
Obstacles
Fences, ditches, young trees, gardens, flowers, exposed
roots, and rocks in your yard not protected by a fence at
least six inches (15 cm) high pose as obstacles to your
lawn mower. You must take these obstacles into account
when you lay your perimeter wire. Obstacles are classified
as either perimeter islands or as edge obstacles depending
on how far they are from the lawn edge.
Perimeter Islands
If an obstacle is greater than five feet (1.5 m) from the
lawn edge or wall, create a perimeter island by laying the
perimeter wire around the obstacle (Inset 1 in Fig. 4). This
creates a double wire, with one wire leading from the edge
and the other wire going to the edge. The sides of the
double wire should be parallel and touching so that there
is no gap between them. Unlike a single wire, the lawn
mower does not detect a double wire and will travel over
it, effectively creating a separate perimeter around the
obstacle.
Note: For the purpose of illustration, Inset 1 in Figure 4
shows the wires leading to and from the perimeter island
having a space between them. These wires must be
parallel and touch each other for the lawn mower to
function properly. Secure both wires with the same pegs.
Important
Do not cross the wires. Crossed wires may
cause the lawn mower to lose track of the perimeter wire.
Edge Obstacles
If an obstacle is less than five feet (1.5 m) from the lawn
edge or wall, leave it outside the wired area (Inset 4 in
Fig. 4).
Small, Confined Areas
Small, confined areas are classified under two types: sharp
corners and indentations along the lawn edge. You must
manually mow the area outside the perimeter wire.
Sharp Corners
When you lay out the perimeter wire, avoid creating
corners less than 90 degrees (Inset 3 in Fig. 4). The lawn
mower cannot enter small, confined areas and may lose
track of the perimeter wire. You must manually mow the
sharp corner areas.
Indentations along the Edge
Do not wire the indentations along the edge of the lawn
that are less than five feet (1.5 m) wide. Instead, lay the
perimeter wire straight across the opening of the
indentation (Inset 2 in Fig. 4). You must manually mow
the indentations along the edge.
Laying out Multiple Mowing Plots
Two basic methods for laying out multiple mowing plots
include the following:
•
One Perimeter Switch Location—Splice two wires
with a wire connector to connect one mowing plot to
another to form a continuous loop that terminates at
one perimeter switch location (Fig. 5).
m-5005
Plot A
Plot B
Plot C
Perimeter Switch
Figure 5
Note: The distance between two adjacent mowing plots
should be at least five feet (1.5 meters).
Note: When there is not a direct approach from the
perimeter switch, use concrete expansion joints in
driveways, sidewalks, flower beds, or steps to hide the
perimeter wire. Ensure that the wire is securely attached
to the surface to keep the lawn mower from cutting it and
to prevent a tripping hazard.
•
Multiple Perimeter Switch Locations—Install each
mowing plot separately, with multiple perimeter
switch locations (Fig. 4). Wire each mowing plot and
move the perimeter switch from mowing plot to
