There is a number of things to keep in mind when you are buying a lawn mower.
Size of your lawn mower vs. the lawn you need to cut. Small lawns are easier to cut with a manual push mower. Large rolling lawns really need to have a self-propelled machine to make your life easier.
Safety during operation of your lawn mower. Always use the dead man switch when operating the lawn mower. Avoid working on the lawn mower in any fashion while it is still running. Some consumers will ask someone to hold the dead man switch to keep it running while they check the grass catcher etc. This is considered a very dangerous thing to do. Many people are hurt every year this way.
Do you need a riding lawn mower, self-propelled or push mower? Large lots just take too much time to cut by hand. So many people will opt for a riding lawn mower in these situations even if they are more expensive.
Do you need a lawn mower with a grass catcher or a mulching mower? Mulching lawn mowers cut the grass into fine pieces so that the grass will decay more quickly. A grass catcher needs to be emptied and you need to have somewhere to dispose of the grass clippings.
Maintenance of your lawn mower on an annual and monthly basis? Most lawnmowers should have the oil changed once a year as a minimum. Your blade should be sharpened at the same time. Before starting your lawn mower always make sure it is clear of any debris. Make sure there is no fluid spilled anywhere, especially gasoline.
Adjustments and repairs to your lawn mower – disconnect the spark plug before doing any repairs yourself. Otherwise, find a reasonably priced small engine mechanic to repair your lawn mower.
Can you easily find parts for your lawn mower – keep your manual that came with the lawn mower. The part numbers are identified and parts can be obtained more easily from the manufacturer or your local repair shop.
Storage of your lawn mower during the off-season – drain the gasoline, and make sure there is oil in the crankcase. Clean any grass and dirt off the housing to keep your lawn mower running for many years.
Troubleshooting your lawn mower if it does not operate properly – the manual will have a troubleshooting chart that you can follow. if you are not comfortable doing this sort of work, take it to a small engine repair shop for proper repairs.
Safety is paramount when operating your lawn mower to ensure that you or anyone around you is not injured in any way. Always have all guards in place. Never direct the discharge from your lawn mower towards other people or windows. Stop the engine and disconnect the spark plug if you need to remove debris from the lawn mower. Always keep the machine clean and free of oil and gasoline that may be spilled anywhere on your lawn mower.
If you do spill gasoline as you are filling your lawn mower, wait until the gasoline has evaporated before trying to start it. This will avoid the possibility of a spark igniting the gasoline by accident and causing a much more serious situation. Of course, do not smoke around your lawn mower at any time especially when you are filling it.
Complete fertilizers are those that contain all three of the primary nutrients. Complete fertilizers require…
A high percentage of water-insoluble nitrogen means that fertilizer is less likely to burn the…
Slow-release fertilizer combines the characteristics of the organics and the soluble synthetics your lawn needs.…
The John Deere JS36 lawn mower is a great lawn mower that will meet the…
The fall is the time to consider repairing your lawn and getting it ready for…
This is our second post about types of fertilizers. Our previous post discussed organic fertilizers.…
View Comments
Lawn mowers used to work for many years, now you are lucky if the work for 5 years. Partly due to manufacture and partly due to poor maintenance