Ride on lawn mowers provide an easy way for property owners to mow their lawns. You should however, know of some basic safety tips that can also save time on the job in the long run.
Read the owners manual. Even if you are already familiar with mechanisms on a mower, the manual was written for the specific mower that you are using. Keep the manual so that you can refer to it for trouble shooting problems, ordering parts, and basic review. The manual will not tell you how to fix a lawn mower if you have major problems.
Maintain the mower by checking all fasteners, guards and parts. Check the oil before every use. Check the hydraulic oil if applicable. Check the blade sharpness and keep the under deck clean after every use. Change the blades if needed. Check the drive belts and replace when needed. Maintain spark plugs and keep the air filter clean.
Do not carry passengers or put excess weight on the mower by using it as a way to transport heavy garden objects around the lawn. Do not wear excessive loose clothing while operating ride on lawn mowers like a dress or bathrobe. They can get caught in moving parts.
Disengage all clutches, including the blades, and put the gear in neutral before starting the engine. Most ride on lawn mowers have safety interlocks that prevent the engine from starting unless the controls are in the proper starting position.
Know your lawn and where holes and bumps may be so that you can carefully maneuver the areas.
Be careful when mowing on a slope. Check your manual to see what degree of slope your mower can withstand. Most ride on lawn mowers allow up to 20 degrees of angle. Do not operate your mower at excessive angle for long periods of time. It can cause the oil to drain from the cylinder and cause oil starvation and an expensive repair bill.
Do not add gas or oil while the engine is running. Disengage the blades when not mowing.
