Robot mower winter care: cleaning, battery storage and spring restart

When to stop for the season

Grass growth slows sharply when temperatures stay low, and wet, soft ground is easily marked by wheels. Most owners stop when growth stops in late autumn. In milder climates some mowers can keep running at a low frequency; check the manufacturer’s minimum operating temperature and keep the mower off frozen or waterlogged grass.

Clean and inspect

• Switch the mower off and wear gloves when handling the blades.
• Brush or scrape dried clippings from the underside, wheels and cutting disc. Avoid pressure washers unless the manual allows them.
• Wipe the charging contacts on the mower and dock.
• Check the blades for chips and wear, and note replacements for spring.
• Clean camera lenses and sensor windows with a soft cloth.

Battery storage

Lithium-ion batteries store best partly charged, somewhere cool and dry, and away from frost. Follow the exact level the manual specifies. Many manufacturers recommend charging fully before storage and topping up partway through winter, because a battery left completely empty for months can be damaged.

Store the mower indoors in a garage, shed or utility room rather than on the lawn.

What to do with the dock and stations

Some manufacturers recommend bringing the dock and power supply indoors for winter; others say it can stay out if disconnected. Follow your model’s guidance. If you leave an RTK station in place, check it is secure and that cables are protected. Wire-guided systems can stay in the ground, but note any areas where winter work, such as tree planting, could cut the wire.

Spring restart

• Update the mower and app firmware before the first run.
• If the lawn is long, cut it once with a conventional mower.
• Fit fresh blades and check the dock is level and firmly fixed.
• Walk the boundary and remove winter debris.
• Start with a higher cutting height and a modest schedule, then increase as growth picks up.