Gate clearance should be larger than the mower’s published body width. Autonomous steering is not perfectly centered on every pass, and a tight approach angle can require substantially more room than a straight corridor.
The practical answer
Measure the narrowest permanent opening at wheel height and include hinges, posts, plants, and anything that can move into the path. Then add lateral clearance for normal steering variation.
The constraint that matters most
A gate that works in a one-time manual test may still fail during autonomous return-to-dock routing if the approach is diagonal or the surrounding grass is slippery.
How to set the mower up for it
Choose the widest practical mower gate, keep the corridor straight near the opening, and test both directions repeatedly before relying on unattended schedules.
How we research robot mowers
We normalize manufacturer specifications around the buying constraints that actually change the decision: recommended mowing area, navigation architecture, slope capability, cutting-height range, obstacle sensing, charging behavior, multi-zone support, warranty, parts availability, and current pricing. We give more weight to property fit than to feature count.
Prices, specifications, firmware, and configuration-driven features can change. Check the current manufacturer page and local requirements before buying or installing equipment.