Proper control of a lawnmower is the next phase you get to after making a purchase. And if for some reason, you have a lawnmower that you can’t operate, then your entire investment becomes a waste of resources and time.
There are safety measures you will have to bear in mind whenever you intend to carry out any operation with the mower. There are procedures and conditions to look out for before starting the engine. Additionally, there are other considerable factors you need to take note of before getting involved with the machine too.
Operating a lawnmower can be demanding, so some experience is needed if you want to get an expected result. And since the machine has sharp blades, if they are not positioned rightly, they become weapons instead of a work tool. This factor is yet another reason why precaution should be your topmost priority when using the machine.
How to Use a Lawn Mower – 6 Steps
First and foremost, there are essential factors you need to consider when mowing. These factors are common irrespective of the brand, size, or type of lawnmower you’re using. So, let’s get to the points on how you can use your lawnmower.
Step 1: Get the Right Power
Know the power rate of your lawnmower. If you have a high power mower for mowing hills, you tend to get more efficiency from it. Power is vital if you intend to get the job done fluently and evenly. And if less attention is given to this part, the anticipated result will be uneven. I guess that’s not what you want.
Step 2: Sharpen Your Blades
Take out time to sharpen the blade properly before mowing, although this will be more effective if the lawnmower is old. There is no need to do this on new mowers since it has sharp blades already. Sharpening the blades requires a bit of experience. And if you’re experienced enough, you can –do it yourself or seek the assistance of someone who knows how to go about the process.
Step 3: Set the Height
You can adjust the height of the mower to the preferred grass size you want. Doing this will enhance evenness and beauty, and if this phase is ignored, the field will be filled with grasses that are uneven, i.e., either too short or too long. Although, this feature is most times, is available on adjustable lawnmowers. If you’re using a different device, then this might be absent.
Step 4: Set the Frequency
At this point, you need to consider how often the mower is used. Usually, you can choose to mow once your field gets overgrown with grasses. This can either be once in a month or twice a month. The type of lawnmower used can also influence this greatly.
Step 5: Reserve Additional Fuel
If you have a gasoline lawnmower, fill up the tank with enough fuel before carrying out any operation with the machine. And also ensure you have enough reserved to avoid stopping halfway when mowing.
Step 6: Start Mowing
At this point, let’s take a brief look at the different classes of lawnmower and how they work. Before mowing with any of the machines, you need to get comfortable with the mower; then, you can make progress to holding the mower hand firmly. Pull off the handle, and there you go! Once the mower is on, move slowly while pushing the mower forward in your desired direction. While doing this, ensure the lawn is in motion.
Start as slow as possible, and once you gain a bit of comfort, you can increase your pace.
Mowing Height Recommendations
Ensure the cord attached to your electric lawn mower is not too short or too long. Using either of the mentioned will only lead to chaos while mowing. You can also hold the chord using either hand, then direct the cord to the plugin board and ensure electric power is supply sufficiently to it.
At this point, you can go from one point to another, mowing the entire lawn in the direction you feel convenient enough. Run a check on wires to ensure it’s risk-free and in perfect working condition. Checking beforehand will help minimize the risk of sparks and electrocution.
Lawn Mowing Tips & Tricks
a) Push Lawnmower
First, you have to get a bit of comfort while handling the mower; then you can progress to the handle and grip it firmly. Now pull the handle with the required force to start the engine. Once the engine is running, start slowly and push the mower in the direction you want to go while mowing the lawn. Push slowly, and once you get to the point of comfort, you can increase your pace. Push lawnmowers are one of the most comfortable mowers you can find out there that operate with zero risks of accident.
b) Electric lawnmower
If you are using an electric lawnmower, you will need to ensure the chord that connects the electric lawn mower is not too short or too long. Since a long or short cord can only lead to chaos when mowing your land. You can choose to hold the cable with either hand. It’s also important to check the cord and ensure it is plugged into the power source.
And once all is set and ready, start moving from one end to another in any direction of your choice. Cross-check your wires and ensure its risk-free and are all placed in good condition. When all of these conditions are in place, your safety is guaranteed. Besides, you should also check if your device meets the national safety guidelines for electrical tools.
c) Gasoline Lawnmower
When it comes to gasoline lawnmower, you have to ensure that the tank is filled with enough fuel. To do this, open up the cap that covers the fuel tank and fill it up with enough fuel. Once you’re done, make sure the tank is closed tightly. Now start the engine and lawn in the desired direction.
The handle should be held firmly. Afterward, you can pull the handle with enough pressure to start the engine. Take off objects that will lead to distraction to avoid danger or potential damages on the parts of the machine. And when it’s time to turn of the mower, push the handle in a similar manner to what you did when turning the engine on.
d) Riding Lawnmower
First of all, you need to ensure the mower is placed on a flat surface, and before making further advancement, consider filling the tank with enough fuel. Now you can start the engine while sitting in a comfortable position.
First, you will have to engage the brakes and check out the PTO lever if it off the position. With all the procedures in place, progress by engaging the choke while turning the key to the start position. And once the engine is on, release the key. Now cruise around and enjoy the ride while you mow the lawn.
Conclusion
I firmly believe that these points will provide you with the needed stability required to handle your lawn mowing correctly. For most beginners who intend mowing the lawn for the first time, take any of the steps mentioned above with the guidance of someone who has some level of experience. Once you get used to the steps outlined above, you can proceed to carry out any of the above steps yourself.