May 15th, 2010
The Best Way to Operate a Ride On Mower
Your ride on mower has finally arrived! Before you jump on and roar off to mow your grass, take some time to understand how your ride on mower works and follow the operating instructions to make sure you enjoy a safe and effective mow. I’ve set out a how to guide on how to use your ride on mower for the first time.
Ride on mowers are moving vehicles. What’s more, their cutting decks hide multiple sharp blades, creating a huge safety risk. Because of this, a routine systemic approach is needed to ensure safety and a good performance. Just like learning to drive a car, it’s very important you learn how to drive and properly control your ride on mower.
Ride on mowers are very fun to operate, so let’s keep it fun by educating ourselves on how to drive and maintain them and protect ourselves against unexpected accidents.
This how to guide will give you a good foundation for years of safe use and good performance.
1. First thing to do is to read the manual. Read the manual. Read the manual! Get the feeling about how to use your ride on mower and what safety features or particular restrictions it has.
2. Wear the right clothes. Don’t mow in bare feet! Closed-toed shoes and protective eye wear are a minimum. Also think about protecting yourself against sun burn and wind factor.
3. Check fuel level and that oil level is appropriate. Nothing is more frustrating than running out of fuel half way through. Checking oil levels is a good habit to get into and can avoid a lot of problems.
4. Get comfortable in the seat. Make sure the park brake is on. This will probably be on anyway as the ride on mower is stationary, but it’s a good thing to know as many mowers won’t start unless this is engaged. Check your manual for more details!
5. Position your steering system for starting. Once again your manual will have more details. if you have a steering wheel, it may be as simple as having the wheels pointing straight ahead. Other steering systems, such as levers, require the levers to be in a certain position.
6. Double check that the blade engage button or lever is off.
7. Pull the choke lever out and give the mower max throttle.
8. Now it’s time to start your mower. Turn your ignition key to the on position. Once on, you can reduce the choke and the amount of throttle.
9. Now it’s time to take the park brake off. Nudge the mower forward and drive until you come to the place you would like to begin mowing.
10. From a standstill position engage your blades. When you are doing this, make certain that there are no animals or people nearby. Now you are ready to begin mowing.
11. Long sweeping passes over the lawn are the most effective way to mow. Try and avoid obstacles, people, kids toys, animals, rocks and stumps. Also be careful when making turns – get the feeling of the machine first. If there are slopes, mow this up and down, rather than across the lawn as this can make your mower unstable. Not all ride on mowers are designed for mowing on slopes. Your manual will provide more detail on this.
12. Again, watch out for potential hazards you could mow over and try to avoid doing this. Impact from rocks, stumps, toys and more will blunt your blades and potentially damage your drive shaft. If your mowing route leaves some areas inaccessible or unfinished you may need to finish these with a trimmer mower or a line trimmer or a hand mower. Examples of these include under bushes, fence lines, and right alongside walls and tanks.
13. When you have completed the mowing, turn your blades off doe transportation.
14. The job isn’t finished until you have cleaned the grass and debris off your ride on mower. Don’t risk build up and rust that will effect future performances. Use a hose to clear the bottom of the mowing deck to remove built up grass. Brush off grass and dust from air filters and engine covers with an air compressor or blower. Never ever use water in these areas. Finish off by checking oil anf topping up fuel ready for next time.
15. With your dealer organise a maintenance plan. The blades will need sharpening from time to time. It’s good to do this in the off peak season to save time. And you will also need to follow guidelines for maintaining your engine with regular oil changes.
Looking to find the best deal on Grillo ride on mowers, then visit www.agrigarden.co.nz to find the best advice on quality ride on mowers for you.
