Ride On Lawn Mowers

Ride On Lawn Mowers: Safety Tips

2009-07-28T10:30:00.006-04:00

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.

How To Select A Ride On Lawn Mower/ Types Of Ride On Lawn Mowers

2009-07-15T13:53:00.005-04:00

There are basically two types of ride on lawn mowers. Tractor style and zero turn radius or ZTR. The determination should be made based on the size of the lawn to be mowed, and the number of obstacles (trees, flower beds, small buildings) throughout the lawn.

Tractor style mowers can be found at most home improvement stores at a cost from about $800 to $2000. If the lawn is residential, 1/2 to 3 acres with few obstacles, the tractor ride on lawn mower may be right for you. For lawns that are 3 acres or more, you may consider using a ZTR mower.

ZTR ride on lawn mowers are a bit more complex and expensive than tractor style mowers. They can be found at commercial lawn equipment dealers. The ZTR mower can easily navigate around trees and other obstacles and mow closer to fences which saves time on trimming. Most use a hydrostatic control for steering which requires hydraulic fluid. They are generally faster in speed than tractor mowers. ZTR ride on lawn mowers can cost from $3000 and up depending on the brand, engine power, and the size of the mowing deck.

Buying A Ride On Lawn Mower
Consider the size of the deck required. The deck size is actually the size of the blade or cutting path. Look for at least 38 to 42 inches.
If the lawn has few obstacles, a larger deck will be adequate. Use a smaller deck if the lawn has several trees that are close together.
Check the throttle or speed control. Most tractor style mowers have varying controls, while ZTR ride on mowers have a single throttle control.
Deck adjustment. This refers to the height of the blades. Some mowers have a foot pedal for adjustment and others have a hand lever to make adjustments.
Engine horsepower and type of engine. Obviously the more horsepower the stronger the engine and the more expense. Most ride on lawn mowers use other manufacturers engines like Kohler or Briggs And Stratton. Consider this when repairs are needed. The mower designer is separate from the engine manufacturer. Design problems can be fixed by the designer and engine problems can be fixed my a certified mechanic of the particular engine.

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2009-07-13T23:38:00.004-04:00

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