VBRM16 Robot Mower Support
Discover all you need to know about the VBRM16 Drop and Mow robotic lawnmower and whether this is the right robot for your garden. Learn how to set up, use and update your LawnMaster VBRM16 with instruction manuals, user guides, videos and FAQs.
Getting Started:
Is the Drop and Mow VBRM16 Robotic Mower the right robot for your garden? Watch this video to discover all you need to know about starting and running your VBRM16 robotic lawnmower.
Owners Section
For the best performance and latest features, keep your VBRM16 LawnMaster robot mower firmware up to date.
VBRM16 July 2023 Update 1.0
This firmware update improves the mowers ability to detect borders.
- Download the software file above and save it to a blank USB flash drive/memory stick. Do not change the filename. The filename should show as border - if the file has downloaded with a (1) or (2) in the filename, please re-name the file when you save it.
- Make sure that the battery indicator is green and has sufficient charge to perform the software update.
- Remove the safety key and turn the mower on its side on a clean, soft surface.
- Open the USB port rubber cap (in the mower deck) to reveal the USB port.
- Insert the safety key and long press the START/ON button for 3 seconds. Wait for the green lights to stop flashing and the mower to beep.
- Insert the USB flash drive into the USB port. You will hear four beeps and the indicator lights will flash green. The software is now updating.
- When the software update is complete, the mower will beep continuously, and the battery indicator light will be lit green.
- Remove the USB flash drive and replace the rubber cap. To complete the software update, restart the machine by removing and reinserting the safety key.
Spares Parts and Accessories:
LawnMaster spare parts and accessories are designed specifically to fit your LawnMaster robot mower. The parts that fit your specific machine are available to buy directly from the product page of the machine you own. Open the VBRM16 Robotic Mower product page and and click on the 'spares available' link found just below the 'Add to Basket' button.
Contact Us:
Please complete our contact form, where you can request a call back or email us at sales@cleva-uk.com. We typically reply the same day or within 48hrs.
FAQs
How does it work?
The VBRM16 uses a camera combined with two ultrasonic sensors to navigate around your garden. The camera detects the difference between surface textures and colours, for example grass or paving, and the ultrasonic sensors detect obstacles higher than 6cm, such as plants, garden furniture, walls and fences meaning there is no need for a boundary wire.
To keep the mower within the lawn area, your lawn must be bordered on all sides by a hard, visually distinctive border. This can be a flat border of paving, gravel or wooden boards, or a raised edge such as border edging, walls or fences. The mower can detect some edges that are not distinctive however for best and correct operation making your borders clearly defined will improve edge detection and allow the robot to work correctly.
Why are there such specific lawn border requirements?
If the mower cannot recognise a clearly defined lawn edge, it may not stay within the lawn area. Bare earth borders which can become weedy, or flower borders with low plants can be interpreted as grass by the Optical Grass Recognition (OGR) software. For this reason, we recommend that either raised edges, a hard border of paving or gravel, or walls and fences are the best options around the lawn.
Can it stay on the lawn 24/7?
Unlike traditional robots the VBRM16 is designed to Drop and Mow. The mower is designed to be placed on the lawn once or twice a week and will mow for up to 4 hours on a single charge covering 100m2. The mower should be stored away in a dry place between uses.
Will it cut up to edges?
The mower stops approximately 10 - 20cm away from the edge of the lawn, meaning some grass will remain uncut. This can easily be taken care of with a grass trimmer such as our battery compatible LawnMaster MX 24V Grass Trimmer. Lawn edges should be kept neatly trimmed so that the VBRM16 can easily see the edge of the lawn.
My lawn has hard borders/raised edges but is bigger than 100m2, can I still use this mower?
The VBRM16 works with our MX 24V 4.0Ah battery. The mower will cover 100m2 on a single charge. Lawn coverage can be increased with additional batteries (sold separately).
Can the mower be used at night?
No. As the VBRM16 requires good light in order for the camera to function, this mower can only be used in the daytime. The robot will not operate outside daylight hours.
What happens to the grass clippings?
The grass is cut using three small sharp blades and the clippings are returned to the lawn surface where the nutrients contained in them fertilise the soil. This means stronger, healthier grass with less need for supplemental fertiliser and has the added bonus of helping the lawn retain water in dry periods. It also means no grass clippings to dispose of or compost. Provided that the VBRM16 is used regularly (i.e., once or twice a week) the clippings are not visible to the eye.
Can this mower be used in a garden with a pond?
It is possible to use the VBRM16 on lawns with a pond, however it is strongly recommended that the pond is surrounded by a raised barrier to safeguard against the mower falling in. We recommend either a raised edge or a paved/gravel border at least 75cm wide surrounding the pond. Water damaged mowers are not covered under guarantee.
Is it safe to use around pets and children?
The VBRM16 has a safety key which can be removed to prevent children starting the mower unsupervised. Safety sensors stop the blades if the mower is lifted or flips over. The mower is also equipped with ultrasonic sensors which will avoid obstacles higher than 6cm. We recommend that children and pets are not left unsupervised with the mower while it is operating.