You bought your dream robot mower. And you couldn’t be happier.
But now (GASP), you’re faced with a box of perimeter wire.
Queue the scary music from “Jaws” or “Psycho”.
Yes, setting up perimeter wire sounds daunting. But it’s not as bad as it sounds.
Today we’ll go over why you shouldn’t freak out over setting up your perimeter wire. As well as go over some helpful tips to make it easier.
But first, how does perimeter wire work?
Think of perimeter wire like an invisible dog fence. An invisible dog fence doesn’t look like a regular boundary, but it keeps Fido from running into the street.
Your perimeter wire works in a similar way.
Your autonomous mower’s charging station sends a signal through your perimeter wire. Your mower’s sensor picks up the signal.
This communication helps your robot mower understand its boundaries. It knows which areas it should mow, as well as which ones are off limits.
And don’t worry that the wire will hurt your mower. If your mower runs over a cable, it just stops and moves in another direction.
Your perimeter uses sophisticated technology. But to us, it just looks like magic.
Do you have to lay perimeter wire underground?
The quick answer: not if you don’t want to.
While wire placed underground is less affected by weather conditions, there’s a big advantage to placing it above ground.
It’s easier!
You might worry that perimeter wire above ground will be an eyesore. But in fact, it’s hardly noticeable. No one will be able to tell it’s there.
There are even some additional pluses to keeping the wire above ground (at least at first).
Perimeter wire placed underground is laborious to change. So once you place the wire underground, it’s kind of a commitment.
Placing it above ground lets you test your configuration. That way, you can fix any potential weak spots and easily move the perimeter wire, instead of having to dig it up.
So you’re ready to set up perimeter wire. Which kinds of wire will you use?
So now you realize that working with perimeter wire will be a piece of cake. Or at the very least, not as terrifying as a night with Freddy Kreuger.
So know that you’ll be using two types of wires. And each wire has a unique and essential function.
Let’s first discuss the boundary wire.
This is just as it sounds. It helps design your basic mowing area.
Install the boundary wire to help your robot get to know where it needs to mow. It outlines your lawn and obstacles to give your robot mower a “playing field”.
Your mower will learn it’s boundaries from the wire. And that’s how it will mow your lawn in a uniform manner, making sure all areas are given proper attention, and your lawn looks beautiful.
Next, lay your guide wire.
Let’s say that your robot mower is on the opposite side of your lawn from the charging station. But now its battery is low. How will it find its way home?
You don’t want it to sputter and die in the middle of nowhere. And that’s why you have guide wire.
This wire will also assist your robot when it goes through narrow passages. And it will help your robot safely return to its charging station.
What about trees, flower beds, and other obstacles?
There’s one more major point of discussion when it comes to perimeter wire. You need to lay tracks to help your mower move around obstacles.
The “lollypop method” allows you to use wire to create a boundary around the obstacle. That way, your mower can’t get bump into it. It’s as if your flowers and shrubs are on a protected island.
The distance out you place the wire depends on the type of obstacle. Thats why Husqvarna provides a guidance ruler that helps you measure and removes the guesswork.
Lay the perimeter wire around the obstacle in a clockwise position around your obstacle. And now you’ve got demarcated areas of the lawn that your robot knows to avoid.
Sealing off boundaries like this will prevent the mower from getting stuck on tree roots, make operations quieter, and reduce wear on the mower.
Laying perimeter wire shouldn’t be a nightmare.
Yes, it takes some time and attention. But once it’s done, you can set your mower free without worry.
Because now your robot mower can easily navigate your yard. And you get to quit your job as a lawnmower babysitter.
So spend a few minutes now. And your weekends will go from an exhausting nightmare to a blissful sweet dream.