Top 5 Preventable Mowing Errors

Five of the most common lawn mowing issues for homeowners include:

  1. Lawnmower will not start
  2. Grass is too tall
  3. Lawn is wet
  4. Uneven cutting height
  5. When to bag, discharge or mulch grass clippings

These problems can be overwhelming especially for new homeowners. This article begins the discussion of each problem and explores easy solutions.

Lawnmower will not start

Why won’t my lawnmower start? The common cause is dormancy is hard on equipment. At the end of the season, most homeowners simply store lawnmowers. Consider all the grass clippings, leaves, debris and fuel left on the mower and under the deck. Through the winter airborne debris and moisture also collect. All of these factors can make it tough for the engine to start without a little help.

If your lawnmower does not start, consider a simple tune up including change the oil, spark plug, air filter and filling with fresh fuel. These are easy to install as the video below demonstrates and most homeowners can performing these steps on their own. We package complete tune up kits for the DIY homeowner and we offer full services at our store. You can find your tune up kit or bring your lawnmower to our service department.

 

Grass is Too Tall

Grass grows very quickly in the spring. Between rainy days and hectic schedules, keeping up with your lawn is very difficult. Mowing tall grass damages the plant and often breaks lawn mower belts.

Most grass is healthy at 3-4 inches. You should never mow more than a 1/3 of the grass plant. In the spring, adjust the lawnmower cutting level to a higher setting. Always sharpen or replace blades in the spring and use a discharge chute if necessary.

If grass is too long, lawnmowers will struggle or shut off completely. Learn what to do when your grass is too tall.

Lawn is Wet

Mowing when turf is wet can form ruts on soil and compress roots. Wet clippings pack inside decks reducing cut quality and potentially corroded blades and steel decks. Mowing is stressful on plants so monitoring the forecast to mow before rainstorms is ideal for the turf, your lawnmower and the thirsty grass plants. When rainy days just won’t go away learn how to Mow in Soggy Conditions.

Uneven Cutting Height

Lawnmower decks get knocked around in the lawn and your garage. New lawnmowers can be easily leveled in four steps:

  1. Check that all wheels are set to the same position.
  2. Replace blade with new balanced blade.
  3. Clean mower deck of any debris.
  4. Riding lawnmowers have adjusters from the frame to the deck to adjust deck level. Owners manuals include instructions and we offer complete services including deck leveling. Older mowers may need adjusters replaced.

When to Bag, Discharge or Mulch Grass Clippings

The short answer: Mulch.

Mulching reduces waste by reducing grass clippings into fine mulch. Mulch returns nutrients to soil surface and protects grass crowns from sunlight.

Discharge methods are helpful as a last resort when grass is too tall, wet or dense. Riding lawnmowers are designed to discharge clippings. Mulch accessory kits enhance the appearance and health of lawns. Mulch kits require close attention and prioritizing mowing schedules. Mulch kits do not function well when grass clippings are too long or wet.

Bagging removes clippings. This creates waste and deprives your lawn of nutrients and moisture. You can explore a thorough guide of Why to Mulch, Bag or Discharge Your Grass Clippings