Robotic mowers are low-maintenance by design, but they're not no-maintenance. Here's a complete guide to keeping your mower running at peak performance. ## Weekly Maintenance (5 Minutes) Visual inspection: Check for grass buildup on the underside, around the wheels, and on sensors. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. Blade check: Look for nicks, bends, or dullness. Replace if damaged. Most disc blades last 4-8 weeks depending on usage. Charging station: Keep the area around the dock clear of debris, overhanging vegetation, and water pooling. ## Monthly Maintenance (15 Minutes) Deep clean: Remove the mower from the dock and clean the entire underside with a brush and damp cloth. Clear any debris from wheel axles. Sensor cleaning: Wipe Lidar/camera lenses with a microfiber cloth. Dirty sensors reduce navigation accuracy. Software update: Check the app for firmware updates. These often include navigation improvements and bug fixes. Wheel inspection: Check for excessive wear on drive wheels. Worn wheels reduce traction on slopes. ## Seasonal Maintenance Spring startup: - Clean thoroughly before first use - Install fresh blades - Check that the boundary/virtual map is still accurate - Start with a higher cutting height and gradually lower it over 2-3 weeks - Verify charging station position and connections Fall shutdown / winterization: - Clean thoroughly — remove all grass and debris - Remove blades (prevents corrosion) - Charge battery to 50-75% (not 100% — better for long-term storage) - Store indoors in a dry location above freezing - Cover or remove the charging station (or leave out if using YARBO for snow) ## Blade Replacement Guide Disc blade systems (ECOVACS, Mammotion, Segway, Worx, Eufy): Replace the small spinning blades every 4-8 weeks. Cost: $10-25 per set. Rotary blade systems (Lymow, YARBO): Sharpen or replace every 6-12 months. Cost: $30-60 per blade. Husqvarna: Proprietary blade discs, replace every 4-8 weeks. Cost: $15-30 per set. ## Common Troubleshooting Mower won't return to dock: Clean the dock sensors and charging contacts. Ensure nothing is blocking the approach path. Uneven cutting: Blades are dull — replace immediately. Also check that cutting height is set correctly. GPS/navigation issues: Restart the mower. Check for firmware updates. For RTK systems, verify base station has clear sky view. App connectivity: Restart the mower and app. Check Wi-Fi/Bluetooth range. Most issues resolve with a restart. Mower gets stuck: Check for new obstacles, deep ruts, or overgrown areas. Update virtual map if needed.