Electric and gas-powered lawn mowers came to the aid of gardeners to get a neatly mowed lawn several decades ago. They help to quickly and effectively get rid of unnecessary grass on the site. But so that the neighbor's grass does not seem greener, the mowing process is quick and safe, and the gardening equipment lasts a long time, you must follow a few simple rules.
Choosing the right mower
The mower should be selected based on the characteristics of the site: planting density of trees, soil, availability of hard-to-reach places. For example, a gasoline four-wheel drive is convenient only when the planting site is located at a decent distance from each other, and the soil surface is sufficiently flat. And with an abundance of flower beds, bushes and mixborders, you cannot do without a trimmer, which allows you to trim the grass where the lawn mower will not pass.
Sharpen knives regularly
Experienced gardeners recommend having two sets of knives at once and changing them periodically. Dull knives create the effect of a torn lawn, and such a mower does not cut some plants at all, but only crushes them. Therefore, all the work on mowing may be in vain - a beautiful lawn with an insufficiently sharpened knife will not work.
Use at full capacity
Many people mistakenly believe that mowing at low power will extend the life of the mower. In fact, this is not the case. It is recommended to cut at low power only young, immature grass, but summer thickets lend themselves to a neat cut only at high speeds. Only the right mode and proper care will help extend the life of your mower.
Do not mow a wet lawn
Even if rainy weather fell on your only free weekend, on which you were going to mow, you should not do this. Wet grass does not lend itself well to cutting, it is only crushed, and after drying it takes its original shape. In addition, wet blades of grass clog the mower and can damage it. Therefore, you should not postpone mowing, waiting for the weekend, it is better to do it in advance, having tracked the weather forecast.
Mow regularly
The more often you cut your lawn, the cleaner it will look. Many weeds gain strength very quickly and form a dense stem that is very difficult to cut without damaging the knife. The recommended height of the grass should be such that when mowing, 2/3 of its length remains. Sometimes this requires a procedure 3-4 times a week to make the lawn look neat and juicy.
Clean after every use
In order to maintain the performance of the machine and extend its lifespan, it is necessary to clean the mower after each use. Some people ignore this rule, as a result of which they get clogged filters that impede the passage of air and the exit of freshly cut grass. Prolonged, abundant exposure to moisture and earth on the metal surfaces of the mower will quickly lead to rust and corrosion even on the highest quality models.
Comply with operating requirements
Each lawn mower has its own peculiarities of use, prescribed in the technical documentation. It spelled out the operating rules, requirements for the timing of oil and filter changes. Subject to fairly simple rules and terms for replacing consumables, the mower will serve you faithfully for many years.
Store correctly
The machine must be stored in a dry place protected from wind, snow, rain and severe frost. If you are conserving a summer cottage for the winter, it is better to remove it from the basement or shed into the house. Before that, it must be thoroughly rinsed, dried and the engine warmed up for 10 minutes.
Observe safety rules
Despite all the seemingly ease of the procedure, it is recommended to observe certain safety requirements when mowing.It is advisable to cover your legs and hands with clothing, and protect your eyes with a special mask. Before mowing the lawn, check if there are stones, pieces of wood, plastic or other objects among the grass that the knife can chop and throw at your feet. When mowing the lawn, animals and small children should be removed from the street.
