Pre-Mowing Checklist
As tempting as it may be to just jump on your riding mower and begin cutting the grass, there are several steps you should take to make sure your yard and mower are ready for mowing.
Instructions
The first step is to clear your mowing area of any sticks or limbs that may have fallen. Taking care of removing them will allow you to continuously mow without having to stop and clear them out of the way.
To protect yourself while working, it is important to wear safety gear. Safety glasses and hearing protection are two highly recommended pieces to wear. If needed, you can also wear work gloves. And if dust and allergies bother you, respiratory protection can help you avoid dust and grass debris floating around while you are mowing.
Having an operating checklist to go through before beginning to mow can be helpful.
- Do a visual inspection of the mower before starting. Check for any damage or loose equipment.
- Check that the tires are properly inflated. Add air if needed.
- Check the fuel level to make sure your have gas for operation.
You want to be comfortable when you are mowing, so proper seat distance is necessary. The seat adjustment is usually underneath the seat on the right side.
You should also raise the cutting deck up to avoid cutting your grass too short when starting. The cutting deck height adjustment is usually on the lefthand side of the seat.
Once you have settled in it’s time to begin mowing.
Once the mower is running, press the brake pedal and release the parking brake. Push the accelerator to begin moving forward. When you are on the grass, adjust to your preferred cutting height. Warm weather grasses like Bermuda and St. Augustine are cut between two to three inches high. Cool weather grasses like fescue and bluegrass are normally mown at a three to four inch height. Engage the mower blades with the blade lever.
Backing up with your mower is important to navigate around your yard. Fortunately riding mowers have this ability to both back up and mow while in reverse. To back the riding mower up, bring the mower to a complete stop. Look back over your shoulder to make sure your intended path is clear. Press the reverse pedal and start traveling backwards. When finished, release the reverse pedal and return to the forward pedal.
Once you have completed your mowing, it is a good idea to clean off your mower. After the motor has cooled down, wash your machine off with a spray hose. This will remove any dust and grass clippings that have landed on the hood, seat and deck. You should also wash off the mower blades and underside of the mowing deck. Some mowers have a special deck wash port where you can attach your hose and easily clean underneath. Wipe the mower off and you are ready to store it away until the next time for mowing.