graphic version rss
LSUAgCenter.com
innovate, educate, improve lives
Home | Calendar | About Us | Our Offices |
Search: [Go]
Topics
Lawn & Garden
Family & Home
Crops
Livestock
Money & Business
Community
Food & Health
Environment &
Natural Resources
Kids & Teens

 Home>Lawn & Garden>Home Gardening>Equipment>Lawnmowers>
[Image: belt drive to mower deck]How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Power To Implements
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.
[Image: mower discharge chute]Safe Operation of Riding Mowers and Lawn/Garden Tractors
Riding mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, and garden tractors are large and powerful. They can be dangerous if not used safely.
[Image: chain guards on rear]Thrown Objects Safety With Rotary Cutters
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.
How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Cost and Life
Two questions of interest to prospective purchasers are: How much do riding mowers and small tractors in the various classes cost and how long can I expect one to last?
[Image: self-propelled lawnmower]Do You Need a Power Lawnmower?
If you have a small lawn and are willing to get a little exercise while mowing, a good manual push mower can be a good alternative to a powered mower.
[Image: mulching mower]Lawnmowers - Mulch, Bag, or Throw
Walk-behind rotary lawnmowers can handle clippings in one of three ways: they can mulch them, bag them or discharge them to the side. Some mowers can do any of the three with minimal adjustment. Any of the three modes can be useful in some situations.
[Image: use of lawnmower on slope]Safe Use of Lawnmowers
Walk-behind home lawnmowers are covered by safety standards and regulations, but the real responsibility for safety rests with you, the operator.
Rescue Your Lawnmower or Other Small Engine After a Flood
Many lawnmowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers, and other lawn and garden equipment with small engines were inundated during the flooding from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In many cases, that equipment can be salvaged.
[Image: finishing mower with 4 wheels]Adjusting Finishing Mowers
Finish (or grooming) mowers typically have (two or) three blades and are designed for quality mowing of turfgrass. They are not designed to cut tall, weedy grass. They have multiple gage wheels and rollers that allow a relatively low cutting height with minimal scalping.
[Image: mid-mount mower deck]Adjusting Mid-Mount Tractor Mowers
Adjusting a mid-mount mower is more complicated than some other types of mowers, but once it's adjusted, you shouldn’t need to change the adjustments unless you change the cutting height.
[Image: gear transmission]How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Transmissions
There are three primary transmission systems used in riding mowers and the various classes of mowing tractors.
[Image: operator presence control]Lawnmower Safety Standards
When you buy a walk-behind lawnmower, you benefit from safety standards and regulations from two sources: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
[Image: grass catcher]Picking Up Lawn Waste
Maintaining quality turfgrass sometimes requires that lawn waste be picked up. This trash can include leaves, pine needles and grass clippings as well as twigs, seed pods from trees and pine cones.
[Image: vertical shaft engine]How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Engines
One of the factors that most affects both the capability of a lawn/garden tractor, and the price, is the engine.
[Image: rotary cutter]Adjusting Rotary Cutters
Many people use a rotary cutter (often referred to by the copyrighted name “Bush Hog”) to cut grass and weeds, but, in too many cases, the implement is not correctly adjusted.
How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Where To Buy
You will save money in the short run at discount stores and mass merchandisers. You will pay more but get better quality equipment and service with dedicated lawn and garden dealers or farm equipment dealers.
Suspension Systems for Mower Decks on Lawn and Garden Tractors
Mid-mount rotary mower decks are common on lawn tractors, garden tractors, subcompact tractors and smaller compact utility tractors. There are two ways that these decks can be mounted, and the mounting method affects adjustment and operation.
[Image: rutted turf]Mow Like a Pro
Varying your mowing pattern can cause you to spend a little more time mowing, but the result will be a greatly improved appearance in your turfgrass.
Safety Standards for Riding Mowers and Small Tractors
Riding mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, and garden tractors are covered by several safety standards that are designed to protect you, the operator.
[Image: finishing mower]Adjusting Finishing Mowers
Finishing (or grooming) mowers typically have (two or) three blades and are designed for quality mowing of turfgrass. They have multiple gage wheels and rollers that allow a relatively low cutting height with minimal scalping.
1 2