Robot working nicely this year

[prb238]

All -

I thought I would comment on how well my robot is working this year.  This is the third year I have had the 3200 cutting my grass and so far this year it has the highest return to base percentage without manual intervention.  I did rework the perimeter wire in several locations before I started cutting this season:

- I put a perimeter around the playset my kids use, both around the main section and also the A-frame sections that support the swings.  The robot always got hung up on both of those areas particularly on the ladder, the rock wall, and the base of the playset (wedging in at an angle so the bump switches would not engage)
- I have a trampoline in the back yard and at first I let the robot go underneath, but I just recently put a rope around the support legs to prevent the robot from getting in - seems to work well
- I put in two fast returns this year which seem to be helping the robot get back to the charging garage very nicely.  The fast returns work every time - a side benefit to these is that I no longer have worn sections around the perimeter because the robot doesn't always go around the same spots all the time to return to base.  The path that the robot takes varies with the fast return slightly each time.  Sometimes it will stop immediately after the return triangle and do a right turn and sometimes it will go a little farther and then turn right.  That is nice that it does that so it doesn't wear a path in the grass.

The battery is the original battery that I got 3 years ago and it is working pretty much the same as it did when I first got it.  When the robot is in maintenance mode (cutting very little grass) I get a good 3.5 - 3.75 hrs each time it goes out.  When the grass is taller and it goes into lots of spirals, it stays out for 2 - 2.5 hours each run.  The charging cycle has remained pretty constant at 3 hrs to get the battery back up to 2900+.  This year I have the robot cutting from 9am - 11:59pm and then charging overnight.  I get usually get 3 runs with this schedule each day and that seems to work well and the yard looks great.

I did purchase the upgrade kit and had that installed over the winter and I am very pleased with the new wheel motors.  I also received a new blade motor (new manufacturer) at the beginning of this season under warranty.

Combine all that with the height modification - I am currently cutting my grass at about 3.9" and I am a happy guy .

And don't forget about the great support from the folks at Paradise Robotics - that makes all the difference when you can count on getting prompt assistance with issues or questions.

I am interested to hear what experience others are having with their robots.  I know there have been a rash of wheel motor replacements and blade motor replacements, but hopefully now with the new wheel motors and new manufacturer for the blade motor we will see some longer life.

[jzawacki]

but hopefully now with the new wheel motors and new manufacturer for the blade motor we will see some longer life.

I hope your right for their sake.  I'm not even a month into the 4th season and my LB3200 is falling apart..  I actually asked my wife if we should spend the $800 for the upgrade or hire a service.  With the upgrade, I'd be looking at an average cost of $1025/yr.. ouch.  And without it, $825 if the thing was still working, which it's not.

My main problem is, I don't know if I trust KA with my $800.  If the $800 upgrade would fix the bot and give me 6 years of trouble free mowing, it'd be a no brainer.. but I doubt that is possible with these guys.

[toolbelt]

I am interested to hear what experience others are having with their robots. 

Owning one of these little guys, to me, is a no brainer!  Hiring a service was not even consider as I don't trust people I don't know.  Dollar wise, I may be paying more in the long run but satisfaction, priceless!  Beside, as some of you know my story, I have a hard time walking behind even a self perpelled mower.  By the time I finish mowing my lawn using a walk behind self perpelled mower I am wringing wet with sweat and ready to collapse.  Got one of these little guys and Shazam my problem was solved.  A BIG reminder that I had make a good choice was when it stopped working one day (bad circuit board) and I had to get out the old mower.  Couldn't wait for Junior to be repaired!  Junior is now into his 4th season and still going strong.

Would I do it again, in a heart beat!!!!

[shep874]

I hope to see improvement.  Hope this letter to Zucchetti will spur them to take better care of there customers.  I did for get to put one thing in my letter and that is that the batteries are having to be replaced. 

I hope everyone finds this letter to be constructive criticism, as that is the intent of this writing.  Mel

May 11, 2010

ZUCCHETTI CENTRO SISTEMI SPA
305/A, V. Lungarno 52028 TERRANUOVA BRACCIOLINI (AR)
ITALY

To the Management of Zucchetti Centro Sistemi SPA.

I would like to take a moment of your time to inform you of the great service I have received from Kyodo America and Paradise Robotics.  They have provided promptly, everything I have needed to keep my 3200 Lawnbott mower running. Most times an answer of the phone the first time I call.  The few time that I have left a message I have received a prompt return call. They have always shipped as promised. 

However this is a problem.  I did not buy my Lawnbott to have it serviced..  I bought my Lawnbott 3200 in September of 2008.  Set up this late in the year only gave me time for a couple of test runs.  In 2009 I have had two wheel motors go out and a receiving board and transmitter go out.  This year I again have had a receiver board and transmitter replaced and now another wheel motor has gone bad.  I see on the Internet that many of Lawnbott owners are having the same problems..

I am told that to solve this problem I should get an upgrade to the 3250 for $900.00.  There are two reasons that I think this is wrong.  First with the amount of motor failures you are incurring and other problems.  This should be a recall and the fix of this problem should be on you not your customers.  Second I have learned that your 3250 was out or came out very shortly after my purchase.  I really think that with my purchase I should have been given the latest model out.

I will tell you that I no longer show off my Lawnbott with pride.  When I am asked about it (and I often am) I tell them that this Lawnbott has a Rolls Royce Price and when working does a great job, but it has the quality of a YoGo.  Not reliable and does not come close to the billing you give it in your advertising.  Based on this experience, I will not be able to afford your Lawnbott after the warranty runs out. 
I am also told that if I sell it the warranty is not transferable.  If this is the case, you have just deprecated my Lawnbott greatly.  I can live with a two year warranty, but I really expect that for this amount of expenditure it would last 8 to 10 years or more.  At least that is what you lead us to believe from your advertising…

Thank you in advance for consideration to make thing right with your customers.

Mel Schappert
2072 IL Rt. 26 N
Dixon, IL  61021
(815) 288-7210
cc: Kyodo America
     Paradise Robotics

[prb238]

@shep - hopefully you will get a response from Zuchetti.  If you do, please post it so we can see what they say.  I understand the frustrations - the original motors on the 3200 do seem to be a bit flaky and we all know about the blade motor issues.  I am hoping like I said in the post above that the new wheel motors that you get with the 3200 upgrade last a while.  So far so good - they are running very smoothly this year with no issues.  I've also had no issues with the blade motor even with the blade guard on.

[Radjack]

hey shep....
you ever get a reply?