Robot Mower Winter Storage: How to Put It Away Properly

Winter storage is the one maintenance job that decides whether your mower starts cleanly in spring or needs a new battery. It takes about an hour, once a year, and the steps are much the same for every model.

Do it when grass growth stops for the season, not at the first frost. In most of the country that’s late fall.

Step 1: Clean it properly

A summer of wet grass and soil leaves a layer underneath the mower. Segway warns that damp clippings are acidic and promote corrosion of blade screws and charging contacts over months, and that dried dirt can jam wheels and the cutting deck by spring.

• Switch the mower off completely and follow your manual’s instructions for disabling it before touching the blades.
• Clean the body, chassis, wheels and blade disc, removing clippings and debris from moving parts.
• Wipe the metal charging contacts on both the mower and the station with a dry cloth.
• Check your manual before using any water. Mowers have different water ratings, and hosing one down can be the wrong move.

Step 2: Fit new blades now, not in spring

Winter is the right time for this. Husqvarna recommends installing new blades and screws before storage, which prevents rust and means sharp edges ready for the new season. Segway makes the same point from the other direction: in spring you want to mow, not order spare parts, and dull blades tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly.

Order blades to match your exact model. Our guide to robot mower maintenance covers blade changes in more detail.

Step 3: Check it over

Husqvarna suggests a general inspection while the mower is out: check for wear on parts such as the lower front wheel bearings, the blade disc and the body panels, and rotate the wheels listening for squeaking, grinding or unusual resistance. Anything you find now can be fixed over the winter rather than in the spring rush.

Segway also suggests checking for a firmware update before you switch off, since manufacturers sometimes update charging and battery behavior in the fall.

Step 4: Charge the battery, then switch off completely

This is where manufacturers genuinely disagree, so check your own manual rather than following a general rule.

Two things every source agrees on:

• Never store it empty. A flat lithium battery left for months can discharge too deeply to recover.
• Switch it fully off, not into standby. Standby keeps drawing power all winter.

If your model has a removable battery, taking it out and storing it separately indoors is usually recommended.

Step 5: Store the mower indoors

Husqvarna is direct about this: store indoors only, in a garage, shed or basement, somewhere dry and above freezing (over 32°F). Rest the mower on all its wheels on a flat surface, or use a proper wall hanger if the manufacturer makes one.

On temperature, sources differ again. Husqvarna’s floor is simply above freezing. Segway suggests a cool but not cold spot, warning that a boiler room is often too warm and an unheated garage too cold. The practical version: a dry space that stays above freezing and doesn’t swing wildly in temperature. An attached garage is usually fine, a heated utility room is a good choice, and a damp outbuilding is not.

Step 6: What to do with the dock and antenna

This varies by brand more than anything else, so check your manual. Some general guidance from manufacturers:

• Charging station. Husqvarna says that on its NERA models only the top of the station needs to come indoors, while the baseplate is designed to stay outside. Segway’s guidance recommends storing the charging station and power cable indoors where you can, and at minimum unplugging the power adapter for the winter.
• RTK reference antenna. Husqvarna says its EPOS reference station is weatherproof and can stay outside all year, and that leaving the mounting arm in place preserves your virtual boundaries, as long as it goes back in exactly the same position. Mammotion’s guidance is to bring navigation units indoors and reinstall them in exactly their original spots in spring.
• Boundary wire. If you have one, it stays in the ground over winter.

Starting up again in spring

1. Put the charging station and antenna back in exactly the same positions.
2. Reconnect the power and let the mower charge fully.
3. Check the signal or positioning quality in the app before starting a mow.
4. Walk the lawn for winter debris, fallen branches and molehills.
5. Run one mow while you watch, rather than leaving it to a schedule straight away.

If the mower has been in a very cold space, let it come up to room temperature before charging.

Questions

Can I leave my robot mower outside over winter?

Manufacturers advise against it. Husqvarna says to store the mower indoors only, in a dry place above freezing. Cold and damp are hard on the battery and the electronics. Some parts, such as a boundary wire or certain reference antennas, are designed to stay outdoors, so check your manual.

Should the battery be fully charged for storage?

It depends on the brand. Husqvarna says to charge fully and switch off. Mammotion recommends about 80%. Segway’s general guidance suggests a mid-level charge, often 30% to 80%. Follow your own manual. What every source agrees on is never storing it empty, and switching it fully off rather than leaving it in standby.

Do I need to bring the charging station inside?

Usually at least partly. Husqvarna says only the top of its NERA charging station needs to come indoors, while the baseplate stays outside. Segway’s guidance is to bring the station and cable indoors if you can, and to unplug the power adapter at minimum.

When should I put my robot mower away?

When grass growth stops for the season, which in most of the country is late fall. There’s no need to rush it away at the first cold night, but don’t leave it out through hard freezes either.