Home > Lawn & Garden > Commercial Horticulture > Equipment > Tune up Landscape Irrigation [Image: irrigate] A properly designed and operated irrigation system will ensure that the critical factor of soil moisture will be there to sustain healthy plant growth. How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Engines [Image: vertical shaft engine] One of the factors that most affects both the capability of a lawn/garden tractor, and the price, is the engine. Safe Operation of Riding Mowers and Lawn/Garden Tractors [Image: mower discharge chute] Riding mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, and garden tractors are large and powerful. They can be dangerous if not used safely. How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Power To Implements [Image: belt drive to mower deck] A mower deck can’t cut grass unless it is connected to the tractor engine. This is usually done in one of two ways, with some possible permutations.  more articles... Thrown Objects Safety With Rotary Cutters [Image: chain guards on rear] All rotary cutters are inherently dangerous. The thrown object hazard is not fully recognized by everyone, yet it can cause injury, blindness or even death. Old Farm Tractors as Alternatives to Compact Utility Tractors [Image: new compact tractor] Although there are some imported compact tractors available under $10,000, most compact tractors from major manufacturers are in the $10,000 – $20,000 range. Older farm tractors can be a less expensive alternative to compact tractors. Alternative to Hard Chrome for Hydraulic Cylinder Rods [Image: hard chrome coating] Hydraulic cylinder rods have traditionally been coated with highly polished hard chrome. This surface provides reasonable corrosion resistance and good sealing in hydraulic cylinders, but the material can corrode. An alternate approach now used on some new equipment, including loader cylinders on compact tractors, is a sprayed-on tungsten carbide coating. Renting Lawn and Garden Equipment It is not necessary to buy all the equipment you need for your lawn and garden. In many cases, renting can be a practical option. Engine Oil for Lawn and Garden Equipment [Image: API symbol] Oil is the lifeblood of any engine. Neglecting your oil can be a costly mistake. Selection and Use of a Landscape Bedshaper [Image: landscape bed shaper] Some companies now offer landscape bedshapers designed specifically to lay out and maintain landscape beds. These machines are generally heavier, more powerful and more versatile than turf edgers. Spreader Setting Recommendations [Image: spreader test stand] When you buy a bag of fertilizer or granular pesticide to spread on your lawn, it will usually have a label on the back of the bag with settings for several common fertilizer spreaders. Do you know where those settings come from, how they were developed or how reliable they are? Rotary Spreaders With Pattern Cut-Off [Image: left port closed] Rotary spreaders offer the advantages of wide, fast coverage and forgiving patterns, but they are not well suited to working along turf edges. Some spreaders offer a pattern cut-off mechanism to address this problem. Distribution Patterns from Homeowner Rotary Spreaders [Image: spreader pattern] Some rotary spreaders can deliver a reasonably uniform distribution pattern with some products, but not with others, and some homeowner rotary spreaders don’t deliver a good pattern with any product. Oil and Fuel Filters for Small Engines [Image: external fuel filter] One of the most important things you can do to maintain your small engines and tractors is to service the oil and fuel filters as needed. Click for more information...