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.
Despite being fun to drive, safety is a huge factor when handling a ride on mower, So educate yourself on how to drive them, how to maintain them and what to do if something goes wrong.
Following a system or method for using your ride on mower will ensure safe operating, help you achieve the optimal performance and assist in maintaining your ride on mower in top condition.
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. Secondly protect yourself by wearing the right clothes. These include closed-toed shoes and protective eye. Consider additional protection 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. At last - it's time to get into the seat. Get comfortable and take a look at where your controls are located. First check that your park brake is on. It's a good thing to note as many mowers won't start unless this is engaged. Check your manual for more details!
5. Get your steering into the correct position. Your user manual will have the information on what this is. It may be as simple as aligning your wheels to straight ahead if you have a steering wheel. If you have a difference type of steering systems, like levers, then check what position the levers need to be in for starting.
6. Make sure the blade button or lever is in the off position. The mower won't start if the blades are engaged.
7. Pull the choke lever out and give the mower max throttle.
8. Turn the ignition key to "start," and when the engine starts, push down on the choke button, turning off the choke.
9. Release the parking brake. Ease the ride on mower forward by pushing the steering lever, or levers, forward slowly. If your mower has a steering wheel, then it will be equipped with a gas pedal, gently put pressure on it until the mower moves forward. Guide the mower to the part of the yard where you'll begin mowing.
10. Stop the mower when you've reached your starting point, and engage the blades using the blade button or lever. This engages the blades, so be certain there are no people or animals in your path. Once again, gently accelerate until you've reached a comfortable operating speed.
11. Make long, sweeping passes over the lawn. Avoid sharp turns. Unless your mower is designed for mowing on slopes, avoid traversing on the side on a hill. Instead mow up and down a hill, moving from one side to the other. Most ride on mowers are tested on 11 degree slopes. There are some available that are testing up to 17 degrees on the side mowing and 33 degrees when mowing up and down.
12. Keep your eye out for things that could be classed as hazards. We've already discussed rocks and stumps and toys. Even if it looks organic, it's best not to try and mow over it. The time to stop the mower and move it will be less of a hassel than repair any breaks from a collision. Impact damage can blunt your blades and potentially damage your drive shaft. If you find that you have areas you cannot reach with your ride on mower then you'll need to finish these off with a trimmer mower, line trimmer or a hand mower. Areas such as this can include the underside of bushes, fence lines, and right alongside walls and tanks.
13. After mowing, disengage your blades while transferring the mower back to the yard, shed.
14. Clean your ride on mower. Equipment only lasts as long as you look after it. Clean the underside of the mowing deck with a hose to remove built up grass. Clean the grass ans dust off the air filters and engine covers with an air compressor. Never use water on this area. Top up your fuel and check your oil again.
15. Plan a maintenance schedule with your outdoor power equipment dealer. Seasonally blades will need to be sharpened each new season and you will need to follow guidelines for maintaining your engine with regular oil changes.
Want to find out more about ride on mowers, then visit Mike Welch's site on how to choose the best ride on mower for your needs.
View this post on my blog: http://travelnursesuccess.com/the-best-way-to-operate-a-ride-on-mower
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