Before we do that, I'd encourage anyone that has the Gardena r40Li, Flymo 1200R or Husqvarna 305 to download the following exploded parts diagram from the Gardena web site:
And, whilst you're perusing it, and probably going "Ah, that's what that bit is!" at the same time, remember that we've had the r40Li since 2013, and this is only the second repair that we've had to do. Yes, I've changed the blades a couple of times per season -- thanks to the kids, the grass is littered with twigs -- but this is only the second major bit of work I've had to do.
This is despite the fact that I'm not the best at cleaning, or winterising the robot mower, which is where I suspect the cause of the current problems lie.
The Odd Symptoms of Bumper Failure
On the face of it, I should have realised straight away that something was amiss.
The mower would stop, mid-mow, for no reason, and then reverse. Then, it would turn and head off in a direction, before stopping again, reversing, turning and trying to get going in a number of different directions before giving up.
Having turned itself off, a restart listed a "collision detection failure" a few times, before I twigged that maybe this wasn't simply a question of the mower getting stuck in a corner.
So, I picked it up.
When I did so, grasping the cover, including bumpers -- look at the diagram, p.13 -- and the chassis listed alarmingly. Normally it bobs around, suspended, as I now know, on four rubber dampers, that give it flexibility and allow for the bumper to detect collisions.
Now, with one broken, it registers a permanent list to one side, and the inevitable bumper failure with it.
What Caused the Rubber to Perish?
Both the rear dampers have perished. Possible causes that spring to mind are:
- snails (and I'm not kidding: they eat the post!);
- cold (changes in temperature attacks rubber like nothing else);
- bumping into objects.
That last one is pertinent, as although the perimeter wire went in three years ago, we're still moving it around to get the best edge cutting possible. Thus, the mower spends a lot of time bumping into stone edges because the perimeter wire is just a little too close to the coping stones...
On the other hand, the amount of dead grass that I pulled out also hints that maybe that also had something to do with it.
Either way, my advice would be to:
- clean,
- winterise,
- avoid snails,
- place the perimeter wire a good distance away from any coping stones...
For readers with the same issue, the parts are numbers 574 46 91-02, and they cost around 7.50 EUR each plus delivery. Much less than the wheels; and I'll let you know how I get on swapping them out with the damaged ones.
The verdict? Still recommended!
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