A Father’s Day Gift: Self-Operating Lawn Mowers
June 18, 2019
There’s a Keystone in every great invention.
Electric Lawn Mowers and their Electronics
As we recently celebrated Father’s Day, we’re taking a closer look at a classic machine that many fathers are handy with: the lawn mower. How has the lawn mower evolved to the self-operating, robotic varieties we have today, which enable dads to sit back and relax? Their humble beginnings date all the way back to 1830, when English engineer Edwin Beard Budding created the cylinder mower. It was so heavy it required two people to use it. Thankfully, the lawn mower has come a long way since then.
Lawn Mower Beginnings
Before 1830, beautiful lawns were only for the wealthy. After all, oneneeded the means to employ a gardener or two to cut the grass manually, with a scythe. Budding’s invention made well-kept yards accessible for a greater number of people—and helped promote sports that depended upon a grassy playing field.
Within 30 years, lawn mowers were available in eight different sizes. In 1859, the first chain-driven mower was invented, and grass boxes to catch the cut grass were added to the machines in the 1860s. James Sumner patented a steam-powered mower in 1893, and riding mowers were on the scene by the turn of the century.
Innovations continued as people looked for methods to make the lawn mower more efficient and the task of mowing even easier. Even push mowers gradually became easier to start and move.And, more recently, the self-operating robotic lawn mower has raised the bar again.
Self-Operating Robotic Lawn Mowers
You’ve heard of self-driving cars and robot vacuums—now robotic lawn mowers are available to automate the process and save the time of maintaining a beautiful yard.
Similar to robotic vacuums that shuttle around the living rooms, self-operating lawn mowers use sensors to stay on the lawn. A perimeter wire is set up along the edge of the lawn that is connected to the base and a second terminal. The electrical charge keeps the lawn mower within its boundaries and allows it to navigate its way back home when the battery gets low—or when the job is done. 
Depending upon the make and model of the robotic mower, the battery pack may last 30 minutes to several hours. Battery charge times also vary from machine to machine, so it may be helpful to choose one that can mowyour whole lawn on one charge.
Robotic lawn mowers tend to be much quieter than a traditional lawn mower, which is a great added perk for both their owners and neighbors. You can enjoy time outside while the mower does its job, without worry of disturbing the neighbors if you mow too early or late in the day.
The size of a yard and the obstacles within it, such as gardens, flower beds, rocks, paths, trees, and slopes, will help determine which robotic mower to choose. While mowers are equipped with different types of blades, all robotic mowers are designed to cut the grass into tiny pieces that can be left on the ground and work back into the soil—no need for bagging or raking. Check out this list of the top robotic lawn mowers to narrow down your choices.
Electronic Components for Your Applications
For more than 70 years, we at Keystone Electronics have been manufacturing electronic components and hardware for industries all over the world. Our Battery clips, contacts and holders as well as our quick fit terminals and screw terminals are among some of the Keystone devices used in these new lawn mowers and other high quality equipment.
We are proud to offer competitive pricing, custom fabrications, quality assurance, on-time delivery, and top-notch customer service. If you have any questions about our products and services, contact us today.
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