Why We Choose Reel Mower
Why Reel Mowing?
When it comes to lawn mowers, most of the market uses rotary blades. However, the Oasa R1 innovatively employs a reel blade system. But why did we choose to integrate such a complex mechanism into our robotic lawnmower? And what benefits does it offer to users? Here's how we thought about it.
Understanding Lawn Health
The primary goal for any lawn mower user is to maintain a healthy, beautiful lawn. Achieving this requires understanding the best practices for lawn care. Our journey began with extensive research on lawn grass, studying its growth habits and the optimal ways to mow it. This comprehensive research guided us through 22 months of development to create the Oasa R1, a mower designed with your lawn's health in mind.
The Basis of Clean Cuts
Technically, mowing the lawn often brings up the term "clean cut." This refers to a cut that is smooth and even, without tearing the grass. In contrast, using dull blades can result in shredded grass with jagged brown edges, which can harm the lawn.
Our Analysis of Current Solutions
There are various methods for mowing lawns, and after comprehensive comparisons, we found that reel mowers provide the best cutting quality. We chose a reel blade system to achieve the cleanest cut possible, despite the challenges this choice presented.
Here’s a comparison from the user's perspective between reel and rotary mowers:
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Blade Type
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Reel Blade
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Rotary Blade
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Quality of Cut
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Utilizes a scissor-like cutting action, similar to scissors, resulting in cleaner, more precise cuts. This prevents tearing the grass and leaves smoother edges, reducing disease by up to 65% (Beard and Eaton, 1973).
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Relies on high-speed rotation to cut grass, which can result in rougher cuts, especially when the blades are not sharp.
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Frequency of Maintenance
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Typically lasts 1-2 years with proper maintenance. The blades can be sharpened by running in reverse.
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Blades need to be replaced at least once a month.
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Difficulty in Maintenance
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More challenging to maintain, requiring knowledge of reel blade systems.
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Easier maintenance, primarily involving blade replacement.
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Grass Height Suitability
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Traditionally better suited for low-cut grass.
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More adaptable to various grass heights, capable of cutting different heights effectively through design adjustments.
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Safety
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Low speed inherently prevents blade ejection issues.
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High-speed rotation can pose risks if blades are not tightly secured.
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Noise Level
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Operates at lower speeds, resulting in quieter operation.
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Blade design generates more noise even when idling.
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Complexity in Design and Manufacturing
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Higher complexity.
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Easier to design and manufacture.
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Occurrence of Scalping
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Due to their rolling action, they naturally avoid scalping on uneven terrain.
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Can scalp the lawn if a wheel falls into a hole, requiring additional tracking systems to prevent this.
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Length of Grass Clippings
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Produces 1mm clippings.
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Produces 5mm clippings.
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Comparing our precision reel blade with a standard rotary blade
Our Solution to the Problem
After identifying the isolated problems of traditional reel mowers, including limited cutting height adjustment, precision issues, and high maintenance requirements, we developed specific solutions to address each challenge.
1. Blade Configuration:
We selected a 6-inch, 6-blade reel design, different from traditional 5 or 7-blade systems, to achieve cutting heights from 0.8 inches to 4 inches without needing to change the reel.
2. Precision Engineering:
By using high-tonnage die-casting technology, we consolidated 33 components into just 2 parts, significantly improving precision and manufacturability.
3. Ease of Maintenance:
Reel blades require precise gaps between the blades and the bedknife. We’ve designed our product to include a micro-adjustment drive motor that automatically sets the blade gap and facilitates self-sharpening.
The Birth of the R1
The Oasa R1 is the world's first reel blade robotic lawn mower, encapsulating our commitment to delivering the best possible lawn care experience. By addressing the inherent challenges of reel mowers, we’ve developed a product that ensures optimal lawn health while being easy to use and maintain. Our journey has been one of innovation and dedication to providing users a superior lawn mowing experience.
