{"id":53,"date":"2020-07-06T09:05:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-06T13:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/?p=53"},"modified":"2020-10-17T17:37:35","modified_gmt":"2020-10-17T21:37:35","slug":"installation-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/2020\/07\/06\/installation-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Installation day!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5721-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Mo (the lawnmower's) components for installation (e.g., instruction book, stakes)\" class=\"wp-image-55\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5721-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5721-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5721-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5721-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5721-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Mo&#8217;s stakes needed to be prepared for installing.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It took us about 3 hours (including a break and a trip to the store for more wire) to install Mo&#8217;s boundary wire in our 1\/3 acre yard. It was a fairly simple process, aided significantly by a measuring tool my husband crafted part way through the installation. We also got into a rhythm with assigned roles between the two of us. So, it went more quickly as the time passed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The boundary wire is like an invisible dog fence. Mo follows it to get &#8220;home&#8221; when it&#8217;s time for a recharge (more about this another time), and he uses it to know where he should and shouldn&#8217;t mow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you will be doing this, the main things to know to install the wire are to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5720-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"This shows the grass burnt where it was cut short to ease the wire installation.\" class=\"wp-image-88\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5720-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5720-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5720-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5720-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5720-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>ignore <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Raise the Blade (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/lawntolake.org\" target=\"_blank\">Raise the Blade<\/a> lawn mowing best practices for the day, and cut the grass quite short with a regular mower along the path where you will lay the wire. This eases the wire installation process.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5743-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Mower with two wheels on the driveway\" class=\"wp-image-70\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5743-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5743-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5743-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5743-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5743-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>plan to place the wire 14&#8243; from edges you want the mower to avoid, and place the wire closer to edges where the mower can safely operate off of the grass. For instance, Mo can happily move along with two wheels on our driveway and two in the grass. That saves us time weed whacking along the driveway.)<\/li><li>plan to make corners into curves with the wire, as Mo (and his cousins) cannot make 90 degree turns.<\/li><li>Position the base so the mower can enter it in a counter-clockwise direction (that is, it will be moving from right to left to enter the base).  <\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5716-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Tools for the installation include a hammer or rubber mallet, wire, stakes, and some way to measure 14&quot; and 24&quot;.\" class=\"wp-image-61\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5716-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5716-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5716-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5716-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5716-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Here is what was needed for the wire installation: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>a hammer or rubber mallet<\/li><li>the stakes<\/li><li>wire<\/li><li>a way to measure 14&#8243; and 24&#8243; (the recommended distance between stakes) <\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5724-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Shows a person's knee with a knee pad, plus a hammer, a stake and the wire.\" class=\"wp-image-81\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5724-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5724-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5724-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5724-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5724-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">I found that wearing knee pads really helped my ability to crawl along the ground for the time it took to do the installation. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5717-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Overhead picture of a piece of wood and a measuring tape measuring 14&quot; and 24&quot; , respectively.\" class=\"wp-image-62\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5717-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5717-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5717-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5717-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5717-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">We originally used a measuring tape and a piece of wood to measure the 14&#8243; and 24&#8243;, respectively. That was slow and cumbersome, however. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5769-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Shows a measuring tool in the shape of an L, with one length cut to 14&quot; and the other to 24&quot;. This is used for positioning the wire.\" class=\"wp-image-69\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5769-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5769-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5769-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5769-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5769-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">At some point in the process, we advanced like ancient peoples discovering the wheel when my husband invented a tool specific to the task at hand. It measured 14&#8243; inches wide and 24&#8243; in length.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"923\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MeasuringwTool-1024x923.jpg\" alt=\"Shows a person's arms positioning the measuring tool on the grass with the wire aligned and one stake int he foreground.\" class=\"wp-image-80\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MeasuringwTool-1024x923.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MeasuringwTool-300x270.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MeasuringwTool-768x692.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MeasuringwTool-1536x1384.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MeasuringwTool.jpg 1771w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Its size and L-shape allowed for the wire to be easily lined up at the correct distance from the edge of the grass, and for stakes to be placed 24&#8243; apart. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5772-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Shows a person joining two wires.\" class=\"wp-image-64\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5772-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5772-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5772-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5772-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5772-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Since we wanted Mo to do his job in both the front and back yards, we had to supplement the supplied wire with some from the local hardware store. We used wire cutters to strip the wire.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5776-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Shows a person twisting two wires together.\" class=\"wp-image-65\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5776-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5776-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5776-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5776-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5776-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">Then we simply twisted the two together, and sealed the connection point with electrical tape. (Note: We have had no issues with this junction or any others we have had to make for various reasons over the last few years. &#8230;Knock on wood I have not just blown our luck by saying that.) <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5712-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Old dryer vent in house was where we ran the wire for the mower.\" class=\"wp-image-57\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5712-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5712-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5712-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5712-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/IMG_5712-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>After the wire was installed, the installation was nearly complete! The last step was to install Mo&#8217;s home base where he returns to charge. The two ends of the wire simply connect to the base at provided connection points. Then the power cable on the base plugs into a standard outlet. We had an existing hole in our house from an old dryer vent, so we ran the power cable through that to reach an indoor outlet, and then sealed up around it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"361\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/madame-t2.jpg\" alt=\"Image from Mo Farah's Official website at http:\/\/www.mofarah.com\/#images\" class=\"wp-image-93\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/madame-t2.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/madame-t2-300x181.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">That&#8217;s all there was to it! Below (if you click on the photo) is a link to a video of Mo&#8217;s maiden mowing expedition (which followed him taking one victory lap around the entire boundary wire in Sir Mo Farah-style). We didn&#8217;t see him doing the Mobot in celebration like Sir Mo in this photo I found on his <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"official website (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"http:\/\/www.mofarah.com\/#images\" target=\"_blank\">official website<\/a>, but we will keep our eyes peeled for that!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/WrxTbN5sDx4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"820\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MosFirstVoyage-820x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-96\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MosFirstVoyage-820x1024.png 820w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MosFirstVoyage-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MosFirstVoyage-768x959.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/files\/2020\/07\/MosFirstVoyage.png 1188w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 820px) 100vw, 820px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><span class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Click on the image above to view a video of Mo&#8217;s maiden voyage.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It took us about 3 hours (including a break and a trip to the store for more wire) to install Mo&#8217;s boundary wire in our 1\/3 acre yard. It was a fairly simple process, aided significantly by a measuring tool my husband crafted part way through the installation. We also got into a rhythm with &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/2020\/07\/06\/installation-day\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Installation day!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39410,645865,646203,646594,1],"tags":[650127,650126],"class_list":["post-53","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-installation","category-lawn-care","category-mo-farah","category-robotic-mower","category-uncategorized","tag-tips-to-install-robotic-mower","tag-worx-landroid-installation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53"}],"version-history":[{"count":32,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":383,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53\/revisions\/383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/kstepenu-mo\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}