Summary
The McCulloch ROB S600 Robotic Lawn Mower is designed for lawns up to 600m² and returns to base to recharge before continuing to mow your lawn. The mower is fully programmable either via the mower or the app, and can be configured to mow day or night at a time convenient for you and your family.
Robert McCulloch founded the company in 1943 giving them many years of experience and expertise. Not only do they make traditional and robotic lawn mowers but they also have an extensive and popular range of garden power tools.
The ROB S series features a range of powerful robotic lawn mowers with a model to suit most small to medium lawns. The McCulloch ROB S600 is a popular choice that works well on lawns up to 600 square metres. They will keep the lawn plush and neat all year round without you having to lift a finger.
The machines are user-friendly, efficient, and hassle-free. We take a closer look at the S600 as well as the other models in this range if you have a smaller or larger area of lawn.
Main Features
• Ideal for lawn up to 600m²
• 16cm cutting width
• Adjustable height – 4 settings from 20mm to 50mm
• Works on a gradient up to 35%
• Lawn Shield function
• Charges automatically
• Bluetooth enabled
• Time lock function
• PIN Code and alarm
• Collision sensor
• Lift and tilt sensor
• Quick-Stop blade
• 60 Minute charge time
• 60 Minute operation time
Lawn Area Coverage
The McCulloch ROB S600 has a 16cm cutting width. The design and performance allow it to be effective on lawns up to 600m².
Max Incline
The S600 can handle a slope with a gradient of up to 35%. This should be more than adequate for most lawns of this size.
Charge Mow time
The robotic lawn mower takes only an hour to charge and gives you roughly an hour of mow time. If the grass is a bit wet or long, you might get slightly less. This will not be an issue as the mower can simply continue as soon as it has automatically recharged.
Cutting Heights
One can adjust the cutting height through 4 height options ranging from 20mm to 50mm. This will allow you to adjust according to the seasons or achieve your lawn maintenance goals.
Like the vast majority of robotic lawn mowers, the McCulloch ROB S600 mows in a random pattern within the area defined by the boundary wires. While we would not dream of using a traditional lawn mower in this fashion it works extremely well on robotic models.What makes the mowing even more effective is the Lawn Coverage function. This ensures that specific areas that might otherwise be neglected are given the attention necessary. It works with the guide wire and you can program the frequency according to your needs.
The collision sensor helps to ensure the McCulloch ROB S600 operates effectively and efficiently as it keeps the lawn perfectly mowed at all times.
It has a Lawn Shield function which allows the device to adapt to growth and the lawn conditions to maximise efficiency and ensure a consistently good-looking lawn.
Power System
The lawn mower is powered by a rechargeable 18 V 2.0 Ah lithium-ion battery. The battery is included in the kit.
McCulloch ROB S600 Video
To give you a visual representation of the McCulloch ROB S600, please see the video below.
Charging Station
One of the standout features of this robotic lawn mower is that the docking station is easy to position. This is often tricky on certain models but the S600 gives you more flexibility.
Simply find a flat area on the edge of the lawn that is near a power outlet and you are good to go. For security and aesthetic reasons, it is advisable to position it out of sight if possible.
Blade
The blade system consists of 3 sharp blades with a pivoting action. They are highly effective and deliver a clean cut. The kit comes with a set of replacement blades. The pivoting blade is efficient and does not get damaged easily if it hits stones or debris.
Control Panel & Setup
The control panel sits under a hatch that opens when you hit the stop button. You simply follow the instructions to set the various options and settings to your preference. The process is straightforward.
Once the ROB S600 has operated for a while, you might wish to tweak a few of the settings according to your requirements. Again, the instructions will guide you through the process if necessary.
Mowing Features
Cut to Edge
The S600 does a pretty good job of getting to the edges provided the boundary wire is set up correctly. It is, however, not perfect. To achieve a perfect finish you will have to do the edges yourself from time to time. To do this you will need to use the Best Cordless Grass Trimmer to suit your requirements.
Spot Cut
It boasts a spot cut feature which is very handy. This mode allows you to place the robotic lawn mower in a small area that might be tricky to get to. It will focus on this area cutting in a spiral fashion. This is great for hard to reach parts of the lawn.
Cutting Pattern
The cutting pattern is randomised. This simple system keeps costs down and allows the lawn mower to reach all areas of the lawn equally over time. It cuts often so while the concept may seem odd it is highly effective. It will give the lawn an even cut for a smooth finish with no stripes or patches.
Narrow Passage
This intelligent device handles narrow passages well and is functional in areas as narrow as 60cm.
Multi-Zone
There is no mention on the McCulloch website nor in their user manual that suggests the McCulloch ROB S600 has this feature. If your garden has multiple zones you will have to set up an additional boundary wire and manually take the unit from one zone to the next.
Height Adjustment
Height adjustment is quick and easy. A simple knob under a hatch at the top of the machine will allow you to dial it to the height required in seconds. No tools are needed. There are 4 height options from 20 to 50mm.
Mulching
The three razor-sharp blades cut the lawn into fine clippings that you can barely see. These remain on the surface of the lawn and provide a thin almost invisible layer of mulch.
Over time, the mulch breaks down and delivers nutrients to the soil. This will leave the lawn healthy and reduce the need for fertiliser. It is eco-friendly and cost-effective. It also means no time wasted emptying out a grass collector.
Rain Sensor
One of the drawbacks of this model is that it lacks a rain sensor. That being said, it can be used in light rain. It is only necessary to bring the S600 in if the weather conditions are extremely poor.
App & Installation
The app must be downloaded to your smartphone or device and paired with the S600 using Bluetooth. The app is intuitive and user-friendly. It will guide you through the setup process.Setting the lawn mower up is much like most other robotic lawn mowers in this category. The first step is to carefully lay the boundary wires, position the charging station, and connect it. You will also need to run the guide wire.
The appliance comes with instructions that will guide you through the process.
Safety Features
The McCulloch ROB has multiple features to make it safe to use.
- Emergency STOP button
The emergency stop button is large, prominent, and easy to reach. - Collision sensor
This helps the lawn mower navigate obstacles in the garden but also functions as a safety feature. It is a simple bump sensor that will detect items in the way and automatically avoid them and change directions. - Lift and tilt sensors
These do what the name suggests and detect any lift or tilt of the lawn mower. If this happens the blade will immediately stop spinning to ensure safety. - Quick-Stop Blade
The quick-stop blade feature will stop the blade almost instantly if any lift or tilt is detected or the emergency stop button is pressed.
PIN & Alarm System
Security was a priority in the design of the McCulloch ROB S600 and it has a number of features to increase protection of the machine and prevent unauthorised use. It has three security levels according to your needs, low, medium, and high.
First is the time lock function. The lawn mower will automatically lock if the pin is not entered for a month. This ensures that no one can use the lawn mower without knowing the pin. This default protection is present even at the lowest security setting.
If you increase the security setting to medium or high, the PIN code will need to be entered when starting the mower or after stopping it for any reason.
The PIN code can be established when you set the lawn mower up just make sure you remember it or keep it somewhere safe.
An alarm provides additional security. On the high security setting, an alarm will sound within 10 seconds of the stop button being used or if the mower is lifted. The PIN code will be needed to stop the alarm.
McCulloch Robotic Mower Comparison Table
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Warranty
The ROB S600 comes with a 2-year McCulloch warranty.
McCulloch ROB S600 User Manual
Click here to download the McCulloch ROB S600 user manual.
What’s included in the box?
• 1 x McCulloch ROB S600
• 1x Charging station
• 3 x Metal Cutting Blades
• 50m Boundary Wire
• 200 x Staples
• Instruction Manual
Pros and Cons
Other Options/Models
If you have a slightly smaller lawn area, the McCulloch ROB S400 is what you want. It will work wonders on lawns up to 400 square metres. All the other specs and features are the same.
There is also an McCulloch ROB R1000 for larger lawns up to, you guessed it, 1000 square metres. It is also very much the same but can only handle a gradient of 25-percent compared to the 35-percent the other options can manage.
Conclusion/Should You Buy This Model?
McCulloch is a well-established brand with a good reputation. They make a wide range of quality garden power equipment. They have transitioned well into robotic lawn mowers and the customer feedback on the S Series has been extremely positive.
There are slightly less expensive options out there but the McCulloch ROB S600 is good value for money. It is reliable and gets the job done neatly and efficiently. There are no significant features you will miss, the machine is safe, and is easy to use. I confidently recommend this model for a small to medium-sized lawn up to 600m².
Where Should I Purchase This McCulloch ROB S600?
- Cuts lawns up to 600 square metre with inclines up to 25%
- Robotic lawnmower is easy to install and program, a boundary wire defines the area for every garden type
- Cuts the grass into small clippings naturally feeding the Lawn as it goes
- Works by mowing in a Random pattern, whatever the garden shape so that all parts are always covered
- Comes with two wired transformers; one with a UK plug and one with an EU plug. Easy to connect the plug type you need.
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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McCulloch ROB S600 FAQs
Can the McCulloch ROB S600 operate in the rain?
Yes, but it is advisable to bring it in to shelter during very heavy rain and storms.
Does the McCulloch ROB S600 have a rain sensor?
No
Does the McCulloch ROB S600 cut right to the edge of a boundary wall?
No, some trimming will occasionally be required.
How does the McCulloch ROB S600 avoid obstacles?
The mower is fitted with a bump sensor so will make contact with the obstacle and then change direction.
Yes, as long as the path and lawn are level.
Do I need to cut my grass before first use?
Yes, your lawn will need to be less than 5cm long before you can start using your robotic mower for the first time.
If my lawn is slightly larger than 600m² will I have an issue?
No, 600m² is just the recommended size, as long as your lawn is not over 650m² you will be fine.
As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.
Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.
With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.
