In the robotics era at Worth School
Robotics in turfcare is something that we are seeing now more than ever. We spoke to Rob Taylor, Head of Grounds at Worth School, about the benefits robotic mowers have had on his grounds management.
When did you first start using robotic mowers?
It wasn’t something that I had previously looked at, I started using robotic mowers about two years ago, it was the Husqvarna Ceora. We’ve seen great success using them.
What benefits have robotic mowers had on grounds management?
· Precision cutting: Many robotic mowers use navigation systems like GPS or boundary wires to ensure precise cutting patterns, minimising missed spots or over-cutting.
· Reduced labour costs: By automating mowing tasks, grounds managers can allocate staff to other maintenance jobs.
· Safety: Robotic mowers reduce the risk of accidents associated with manual mowing, especially in large or hard-to-reach areas.
· Data integration: Some advanced robotic mowers integrate with grounds management software, providing data on mowing patterns, frequency, and coverage.
· Increased efficiency: Robotic mowers work autonomously, reducing the need for manual labour and allowing staff to focus on other tasks.
· Consistent cutting: Robotic mowers maintain a regular cutting schedule, resulting in a more uniform appearance.
· Reduced noise and emissions: Compared to traditional ride-on mowers, robotic models are generally quieter and emit no pollution during operation.
Do you think this technology can extend into other sectors, such as golf and football?
Yes, I believe it should. In golf, robotic mowers can operate overnight and won’t interfere with players. In football, I know robotic mowers are already being introduced. The model we have can be fitted with a dew brush, which means it can cut the pitches earlier and with less mess, it brushes the surface before you arrive at work.
Have the robotic mowers been a good addition to the team? Have they allowed you to focus on other areas of management?
For us, it’s like having another team member, we can just walk away and let it get on with the job. For example, we had to initially mark out three football pitches and one rugby pitch for summer camps. Normally, that would take a few days, but with the RM-21 it only took a couple of hours to mark the pitches, then the afternoon was spent setting up the posts. It was all done in eight hours instead of three to four days. That’s a massive saving in both cost and time.
What has the cost been to purchase and run the robotic mowers? Do you think this is a good investment?
The cost is similar to hiring a new member of staff for a year, but from year two onwards, the cost drops significantly because you don’t have the ongoing expenses associated with an employee. The charging costs are minimal, especially when you consider what the robotic mower and line marker can do. Compared to the yearly cost of running a large ride-on mower, it’s much cheaper. We’re also considering adding a solar panel to our grounds shed, which would bring the charging cost down to zero.
In my opinion, it’s the best investment anyone can make when they have a small grounds team. The robotic mower and line marker save so much time and getting that time back to focus on other tasks is priceless.
What was the initial recommendation from Andrew? Did he convince you, or was this something you always wanted to explore?
To be honest, I saw the RM-21 last year before the developers partnered with anyone, and I was impressed by a single robotic machine being able to complete two of the most time-consuming tasks for any grounds team.
Do you see this as the future of turfcare?
Absolutely, I would recommend robotic mowers and line markers to anyone. I believe the robotic side of turf care will only continue to grow and improve in the future.
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