The fully automatic iMOW^® maintains your lawn by mowing daily to ensure it keeps looking perfect. However, the robotic mower also requires some attention at regular intervals and has to be cleaned.

During the mowing season and before extended breaks in operation, it is especially important to clean and remove plant debris and moisture from the mower. This will not only ensure that the lawn continues to have a clean cut, but also that the robotic mower has longevity.

We will show you how to clean the mower in just a bit:

Step 1: Cool the robotic mower down and disable

Before you start cleaning, let it cool down for about 5 minutes. To ensure that it does not autostart while cleaning, disable the mower by pressing and holding the STOP button for 5 seconds and select the "Disabling tool" option in either the "Commands" or "Safety" menu item.


Step 2: Clean the housing of your robotic mower

To clean the top of the mower, place the iMOW^® on firm, level ground. It is best to remove deposits from the housing with a damp cloth or a brush with soft bristles to avoid scratching the hood.

Be sure that you do not use abrasive cleaning agents that might harm the metal and plastic surfaces. Do not clean your robotic mower by placing it under running water or using a high-pressure cleaner or garden hose.


Step 3: Clean the mowing deck

Tilt the mower to one side and lean it against a wall. This makes its underside easily accessible and easier to clean. First, disassemble the mowing blade. To do this, press in the tabs on the carrier plate with one hand and loosen the fixing nut with the other hand. Then, remove the driving plate and clean the mower thoroughly with a brush. This is especially important in wet weather conditions, as deposits will collect between the disc and the housing of the mowing deck and can lead to an increase in energy consumption and noise.

Then, also be sure to clean both the carrier disc and blade themselves. Exercise extreme caution when cleaning the blade to avoid injury. Sticky clipping deposits can be very easily removed with a wooden stick.

STIHL professional tip: Cooking utensils made of silicone or wood are also good tools for cleaning your robotic mower. They are stable enough to remove even stubborn deposits, but their soft surface won't scratch the mower housing. They are also flexible, allowing you to clean along corners and curves easily.


Step 4: Check wear limits and mowing blade

When cleaning the robotic mower, check the wear on the mowing blade. We recommend that the iMOW^® mowing blade be replaced every 200 operating hours at the latest. Your iMOW^® will notify your automatically when 200 operating hours have been reached.

STIHL professional tip: If the mowing blade becomes dull and no longer provides a clean cut, it is time to replace it. Never sharpen it, just replace it with a new one. This ensures that the robotic mower will operate properly and keep the noise level to a minimum.


Step 5: Reassemble the mower

Now it's time to put all the components back together. Push the carrier plate onto the blade shaft. Then place the mowing blade and the fixing nut on the carrier plate. Be sure that the support clips are correctly seated in the mowing blade and screw the fixing nut down until you hear a click. Wiggle the mowing blade back and forth to ensure that it is seated correctly.  

Then, place the mower back on its wheels and push it into the docking station. Press the symbols shown on the display to restart the iMOW^®.

Step 6: Clean the docking station:

Disconnect the plug from the docking station before cleaning. Wipe down the charging area for your robotic mower with a damp cloth. You should also clean the contacts that connect the mower to the charging station, if necessary. A microfiber cloth or a brush with soft bristles works best for this.

Summary:

Please be sure to keep the following points in mind and that you clean the iMOW^® robotic mower accordingly:

      ● Activate the disabling tool before performing any maintenance or cleaning work.

      ● Before cleaning, be sure that the rotary knob on the top of the mower that adjusts the cutting height is properly assembled. Otherwise, water may get into the mower.

      ● Place the mower on a firm, level, and flat surface to clean the top of the mower (hood, remote control).

      ● To clean the underside of the mower (mowing blade, mowing deck), tilt the robotic mower onto its left side as shown and lean it against a wall.

      ● Clean off deposits with a brush or with a cloth; do not spray with water. Don't forget to clean the docking station specifically as well.

      ● Dislodge clipping deposits accumulated in the housing and mowing deck by using a stick beforehand.

      ● Don't forget to clean the mowing blade specifically as well. Only clean the mowing blade when wearing thick work gloves and be sure to exercise extreme caution.

      ● If necessary, use a special cleaner (e.g., STIHL special cleaner).

      ● Detach the carrier plate at regular intervals to remove clipping deposits. The carrier plate must be cleaned frequently in wet weather conditions. Deposits that accumulate between the carrier plate and the mowing deck housing create friction, which leads to an increase in energy consumption.

      ● Keep all screws tightly fastened, replace danger and warning stickers on the mower that have become illegible, check for damage. Replace all worn or damaged parts.