We have been (rightfully) called out for not explaining more about high-cut robotic mowers.
Think about an area where you have expertise (like, for example, the industry in which you work). When you talk to people who aren’t as familiar with the topic, do you ever catch yourself talking about it and not giving all the background?
Well, that’s what happens with us and the robotic lawn mower industry every once in a while. We get all excited about new features, like Lennie with a new pet. But sometimes, we need to backtrack and explain those features in more depth.
For example, in our discussion of the new Luba 2, we mentioned that we were excited about the fact that Luba was offering high cut robotic mowers in their latest line.
But some people have asked us why that matters.
So today, we are going to explain what a high-cut robotic mower is and when you might want to choose one.
What Is a High-Cut Robotic Mower?
A high-cut robotic mower does exactly what the name suggests. You can set the blade to cut your lawn to a higher height than other robotic mowers. However, high-cut robotic mowers are not equipped to deliver a grass cut lower to the ground.
A standard robotic mower, on the other hand, can do much lower cuts. But, if you are looking to leave your grass higher, this kind of robotic mower doesn’t have that functionality.
A specific example helps illustrate the difference more clearly. The EPOS 550 by Husqvarna has a cutting height range from .8”-2.4”. The EPOS 550H (the high-cut version) has a cutting height range from 2”-3.6”.
So, if you want a mowing height of between 2”-2.4” every time, you can choose either model. But, if you prefer cutting lower than that, you want the standard version. If you prefer a cut height of 3”, you need the high-cut robotic mower model.
Why Does it Matter What Length I Cut My Lawn?
We get it. It may not seem to make much difference if you choose a cut height of 1” or a cut height of 3”.
But grass height is a really important factor for the overall health of your lawn, as this post does a nice job of pointing out.
If your grass is too high, you won’t get the dense, lush carpet of grass you hope for. You will end up with some thinner patches. And what enters thin patches? Weeds, moss, etc.
But if your grass is too short, it can get damaged fairly easily. Why? Because the sun dries out the soil much more. Plus, the grass is so short that it has a harder time storing the water and nutrients it needs. And oh, by the way, when grass starts to get damaged, what moves in? Yep, that’s right. Weeds, moss, etc.
So, much like Goldilocks, you want your grass just the right height. But how do you know what height is right for you? There are several factors to consider, which we will address below.
Factors To Consider When Deciding if a High-Cut Robotic Mower Is Right for You
When choosing whether the range of a regular-cut robotic mower or high-cut robotic mower is best for your lawn, here are a few considerations:
Type of Grass You Have
Technically, this is the way to know the right cut height for your lawn. Warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia, usually should be cut shorter. Cool-season grasses, such as fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass should be left a little longer. Of course, most people have no idea what kind of grass is in their lawn, but the map on this page offers a nice breakdown of what you likely have based on where you live.
(Note: Most standard robotic mowers still work well for cool-season grasses. But if people with those grass types opt for a high-cut robotic mower, that is appropriate for many. It is less common that we would recommend a high-cut robotic mower for warm-season grasses.)
Weather
Most lawn experts (such as this one) would remind us of something that certainly makes sense. When the weather is particularly hot or dry, it’s a good time to raise up your cutting height. Conversely, when you are in a cooler weather pattern or getting good amounts of rain, you can go at a lower height.
The Terrain
As we pointed out in a previous post about cutting uneven terrains with a robotic mower, if your lawn has some major slopes or is quite uneven, you might want to consider a high-cut robotic mower. Why? Well, when a mower has to go up or down a slope, the front and back are temporarily at uneven angles. This can cause the lawn mower to go too low on one side or the other, practically scraping the ground. A higher cut height can help keep your cut length more even, no matter the terrain.
For that matter, high-cut models typically also have a slightly different design that provides them with more clearance than the standard. This design contributes to that even cut.
Residential Properties vs. Commercial Properties
The most common time when we install high-cut robotic mowers is in commercial applications. Why? Well, a lot of patches of land on commercial properties serve a different purpose than a house’s lawn. They are a nice green space but not an area where people typically spend much time. As a result, they usually aren’t mowed as often and a higher cut height is more appropriate.
Best High-Cut Robotic Mowers
If you are looking for a top high-cut robotic mower, there are a few we would recommend:
There a few other brands that don’t technically have high-cut robotic mowers. However, their standard versions have cutting heights that can extend just as high. Those two brands are
- Sunseeker
- Segway
Not Sure if a High-Cut Robotic Mower is Right for You?
In this post, we have tried to give a high-level view of when you might choose a high-cut robotic mower. But of course, any real-life application has a lot more nuance, a lot more factors at play. And it would be impractical for us to even try to get into every possible scenario here.
However, we have many years of experience working with robotic mowers. So if you want to know what is the right choice for your particular situation, contact Autmow. We will be happy to help you find what will work best for you.
In other words, we will make sure you aren’t left high and dry!