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Monday, November 9, 2015

THE LAWN MOWER SELECTION AND MAINTENANCE 101


Introduction
 

Lawn mowers have become essential household accessories. They help us keep the garden neat, even and tidy. Purchasing a good mower for your household can be a tasking job at times. This article provides an overview of several mowers and corresponding maintenance and safety operations.

The Types of Lawn Mowers

Source: en.wikipedia.org

The most common types of mowers include gas powered, push mowers and electric mowers.
The gas-powered variety has been the most commonly used for users with small and medium size lawns. They're typically bulky and noisy. They demand regular refueling during mowing, and the user must move them around. Common problems in addition to noise include motor heating and exhaust fumes.
The electric mowers are fast becoming popular and accessible due to the ease of start, lighter weight and operation. Options include ones with power cables connecting the motor to the power source. Cordless options feature battery and solar powered motors. However, with this convenience comes greater safety precaution. Caution must be taken to prevent damage to extension cords and accidental fires.
The solar powered option features batteries to store the power. Most of these batteries are rechargeable by connection to a regular power source. The benefits they incorporate include the elimination of emissions and less noise. However, their use gets limited to warm climates. It gets quite complicated using them in winter. In fact, the battery powered option happens to be more reliable. Their cost is also higher than that of gas powered motors.

The most manually operated cutting mechanism is the real walk. They are the first mowing mechanisms ever used. Though not very efficient, they save hugely on costs and harmful emissions. Their modern version- riding mowers prove quite productive when attending lawns larger than half an acre of land. Ideal for ranches and large properties, they require less manual labor. The working time reduces by fitting a wider front cutting deck that covers more space.

Ordinary Maintenance and Safety Measures

The level and frequency of maintenance varies from one model to another. It's important to follow strictly the user manual that manufacturers recommend for each piece of equipment. Also, information regarding maintenance and general repairs can be accessed online on the companies' websites.
Basic maintenance routines include thorough cleaning, oiling, lubrication and blade sharpening. The engine compartment gets covered in all sorts of debris during mowing. A built up reduced the motor efficiency and life by choking air flow. The air filter also suffers and must be cleaned or replaced upon inspection.
Lubrication and oiling of moving parts reduced wears and tears associated with friction of moving parts. It also facilitates the pushing and operation of manual push mowers. A sharper mowing blade leaves you with an evenly cut and flat lawn. The tire pressure of your lawn mower may also affect the outcome. Your tire pressure should be medium.

The engines of gas powered and riding mowers must be perfectly tuned. Tuning includes oil and filter change. Just like in automobiles, fresh oil in the engine improves efficiency and life of the motor engine. Most manufacturers recommend an oil change after about 50 hours of operation and at the start of every climate season.

When it comes to battery and solar-powered mowers, keep them charged up with reliable backup solutions. Corrosion buildups are common due to acid leaks. They can be eliminated by wiping with damp rags. The electric cables and cords should also get a regular inspection.

Conclusion

The user's lawn needs go a long way in determining selection choice. Different mowers give the user several benefits. Today, environmental consequences of a potential lawn mower must be weighed in addition to price and safety.