Largest debris size that robotic pool cleaner can capture (s200)?

[Urbandweller]

My Polaris 380 pressure side cleaner motor has kicked the bucket and I want to buy a robotic pool cleaner as that is the consensus in having the best cleaner. What are the largest sized objects a cleaner such as the S200 can capture? My pool has loquat and liquidambar fruit that drop in the pool. Both are slightly smaller than the size of ping pong balls. The polaris 380 that I have can suck them up through its opening. I’m worried the robotic ones will not be able to. Can someone provide any info? If those objects are too large I will have to buy a new motor for the polaris pump.
Thank you!

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Do you want to buy a new robotic cleaner every 3 to 5 years ? Just asking because that seems to be the state of the technology these days in terms of lifetime.

Robots can pickup big leaves and even small stones (1/2” or less). I’ve have problems with long stringy palm fronds but I don’t use a robot anymore so it’s not an issue for.

 

[Jimrahbe]

U,

Robots are not going to pic up ping pong sized fruit.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Those liquidambar thorn-balls are dangerous both to people and pool plumbing. If you step on one, that's a problem. If one somehow goes down your skimmer, that's a big problem.

There were 9 liquidambar trees near the pool when we bought our house in 2012. By early 2013, there were none. Cut 'em down, sez I. We kept finding thorn-balls years after the trees were gone.

 

[Urbandweller]

Those liquidambar thorn-balls are dangerous both to people and pool plumbing. If you step on one, that's a problem. If one somehow goes down your skimmer, that's a big problem.

There were 9 liquidambar trees near the pool when we bought our house in 2012. By early 2013, there were none. Cut 'em down, sez I. We kept finding thorn-balls years after the trees were gone.

I wish I could. It is our neighbor's tree.

 

[Kaylee34]

Those liquidambar thorn-balls are dangerous both to people and pool plumbing. If you step on one, that's a problem. If one somehow goes down your skimmer, that's a big problem.

This ^^^^^ Detestable things. They're just the perfect size to go down the skimmer plumbing and get stuck. Perfect size to get stuck in the head of a manual vacuum too. A robot will not pick these up if they're a mature size. Very small ones, yes but 99% of them no.

 

[Jimrahbe]

U,

Have you ever talked to your neighbor about it??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Urbandweller]

The polaris even when it works doesn't do a great job. I think I might be better off with a robotic cleaner and just manually net any of the larger items it doesn't pick up. Any thoughts or other suggestions?

 

[Kaylee34]

Leaf net and a little practice with technique is what I do. I check the pool and deck 2-3 times a day when they’re dropping and I’m pretty meticulous about cleaning them up from the yard. Use a bagging lawn mower. A lawn sweeper works pretty well if the grass is short enough. Doesn’t work on concrete though, just kicks them forward.

Talk to your neighbor about the trees. They might be willing to do something.