Short-Staffed Grounds Crews & Autonomous Mowers | Facilities Unfiltered | Episode 22

Grounds work is getting harder to staff—and the riskiest areas (steep slopes, roadside embankments, fire-abatement hillsides) are often the toughest to maintain safely. In Episode 22, Josh and Nic sit down with Neil Simons of RC Mowers to unpack how remote-controlled “extreme slope” mowers and full-size commercial autonomous mowers are reshaping the way facilities and contractors tackle dangerous terrain, heat exposure, and relentless labor shortages. You’ll hear where each approach fits (remote control for high-risk areas vs. autonomy as a true “labor multiplier” for wide-open spaces), what adoption really takes when teams are used to doing things the old way, and why having an internal champion can make or break implementation. Neil also digs into the practical side—gas-powered runtime, maintenance expectations compared to traditional zero turns, and the operational data these machines can surface (hours, acres, productivity) to help facilities teams plan smarter. Plus, a forward-looking conversation on where autonomy is headed next in grounds and outdoor maintenance. Chapters (00:06:06) - Do You Need an Operator on Your Mower? (Autonomous(00:10:56) - Mower Technology's Failure(00:15:15) - Robot Mower: How Much Data