Robotic Mower, Snow Sweep Catching On Fast

2020 - Volume #44, Issue #6, Page #18

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The robotic RT-100 mower and snow sweeper from Left Hand Robotics (LHR) is catching on fast for commercial groundskeeping and paying for itself quickly. The company’s hometown of Longmont, Colo., reports reducing mowing costs from $850 to $3 to $5 per acre per year.
“Originally we were considering the residential market, but as we investigated the market, we recognized the real need was in the commercial and municipality market,” says Mike Ott, Left Hand Robotics.
Ott and his partner Terry Olkin introduced the gas-powered rotary snow sweeper followed quickly by a mower deck. They went with gas over diesel to save costs, as well as for easier winter starts. The 37 hp. Vanguard engine with its 12-gal. fuel tank offers a long run time and plenty of power for the 14 gpm, 3,000-psi hydraulic pump. The tractor unit weighs in at 1,250 lbs. with a 93-in. length.
“We went with a broom because a snow blower auger would be more dangerous on a robotic tractor,” says Ott. “A broom system is limited to 3 to 4-in. depths for effective clearing. However, with an autonomous system, that is not a problem. Operators start the units when snowfall starts, and day or night, they continue until snowfall ends. As a result, sidewalks never have more than a few inches of snow on them.”
The RT-1000 operates safely following dual band GNSS RTK maps. Multiple layers of obstruction detection systems using lidar and radar identify any unexpected obstacles. The 360-degree on-board cameras allow remote observations by operators and also serve for obstacle detection.
“No one technology is perfect, so we tackle the problem using multiple technologies. The software selects the best one for a situation,” says Ott.
Designed with a no-nonsense approach and lowest cost goal, the RT-1000 has a simple design with straight lines and mostly flat sheet metal cowlings. Hydraulic drive motors powered through a flow-balancing manifold ensure one wheel spinning on ice won’t rob flow from the other wheels. The articulated design offers a 7-in. turning radius that makes 90-degree turns on sidewalk corners a reality. The center-pivot design allows a wheel to climb as much as an 8-in. obstacle without affecting wheel-to-ground contact of the other 3 wheels.
The hydraulic pump also powers the mower with a 63-in. cutting width, and the broom has a 48-in. clearing width. A drop spreader with a 6-cu. ft. capacity hopper and a 36-in. spread is also available and can be used for pre-storm treatments, notes Ott.
“When mowing, our software defines multiple patterns for the operator to select. The software also constantly monitors operations and can instantly alert an operator about a problem.”
LHR has established dealers in many areas of the U.S. and Canada and deals directly with prospects in other areas. The suggested retail price for the tractor, mower deck and broom is $65,000.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Left Hand Robotics

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Robotic Mower Snow Sweep Catching On Fast FARM HOME Miscellaneous The robotic RT-100 mower and snow sweeper from Left Hand Robotics LHR is catching on fast for commercial groundskeeping and paying for itself quickly The company’s hometown of Longmont Colo reports reducing mowing costs from $850 to $3 to $5 per acre per year “Originally we were considering the residential market but as we investigated the market we recognized the real need was in the commercial and municipality market ” says Mike Ott Left Hand Robotics Ott and his partner Terry Olkin introduced the gas-powered rotary snow sweeper followed quickly by a mower deck They went with gas over diesel to save costs as well as for easier winter starts The 37 hp Vanguard engine with its 12-gal fuel tank offers a long run time and plenty of power for the 14 gpm 3 000-psi hydraulic pump The tractor unit weighs in at 1 250 lbs with a 93-in length “We went with a broom because a snow blower auger would be more dangerous on a robotic tractor ” says Ott “A broom system is limited to 3 to 4-in depths for effective clearing However with an autonomous system that is not a problem Operators start the units when snowfall starts and day or night they continue until snowfall ends As a result sidewalks never have more than a few inches of snow on them ” The RT-1000 operates safely following dual band GNSS RTK maps Multiple layers of obstruction detection systems using lidar and radar identify any unexpected obstacles The 360-degree on-board cameras allow remote observations by operators and also serve for obstacle detection “No one technology is perfect so we tackle the problem using multiple technologies The software selects the best one for a situation ” says Ott Designed with a no-nonsense approach and lowest cost goal the RT-1000 has a simple design with straight lines and mostly flat sheet metal cowlings Hydraulic drive motors powered through a flow-balancing manifold ensure one wheel spinning on ice won’t rob flow from the other wheels The articulated design offers a 7-in turning radius that makes 90-degree turns on sidewalk corners a reality The center-pivot design allows a wheel to climb as much as an 8-in obstacle without affecting wheel-to-ground contact of the other 3 wheels The hydraulic pump also powers the mower with a 63-in cutting width and the broom has a 48-in clearing width A drop spreader with a 6-cu ft capacity hopper and a 36-in spread is also available and can be used for pre-storm treatments notes Ott “When mowing our software defines multiple patterns for the operator to select The software also constantly monitors operations and can instantly alert an operator about a problem ” LHR has established dealers in many areas of the U S and Canada and deals directly with prospects in other areas The suggested retail price for the tractor mower deck and broom is $65 000 Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Left Hand Robotics

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