Home > Lawn & Garden > Home Gardening > Equipment > 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. Caring for Wooden Tool Handles [Image: wooden handle on shovel] Many hand garden tools have wooden handles. Although some newer tools have fiberglass or metal handles, wood is still a very common handle material. With just a little care, your wooden handles can last a lifetime. Engineer Says Transmission One Factor To Consider When Choosing Lawn/Garden Tractor Shopping for a riding mower or mowing tractor requires several choices – including the transmission, according to an engineer with the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.  more articles... 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. Expert Says Take Care Of Air Filters On Small Engines [Image: Air Filter] Many homeowners have several small engines in the garage or tool shed on equipment like a lawnmower or string trimmer. Some may also have a garden tiller, a hedge trimmer, a lawn edger or a chainsaw. Most of these small engines have an air filter. 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. 2-Stroke and 4-Stroke Engines [Image: 2-stroke engine on string trimmer] Most small, hand-carried lawn and garden tools use 2-stroke engines and most larger machines such as lawn and garden tractors use 4-stroke engines. The reason for this has to do with the weight ratio of the engines. Ballasting Compact Utility Tractors [Image: front weights] You may be able to improve the performance of your compact utility tractor by ballasting the tractor properly. 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 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. Expert Offers Tips For Selecting Pruning Shears Pruning shears are an important tool for most homeowners and grounds maintenance professionals. They are useful for trimming trees and shrubs and for harvesting fruits, vegetables and flowers.