Riding Lawnmowers
Homeowners
with yards of lawn that are over approximately 25,000 sq/ft or one half
acre should consider purchasing a riding lawnmower. Also referred to as
a garden lawnmower or lawn tractor, these machines come with super
options like:
- zero turning radius that allows you
turn on a dime
- multiple cutting height control
- 12- 25 horsepower
- large mower decks ranging from 36- 60
inches
- larger fuel capacity so you can work
longer without having to fill up
- improved safety feature disabling the
rotating blades when driving in reverse
When looking for a riding lawnmower be sure to consider
manoeuverability. Being able to steer the machine around obstacles
quickly and effortlessly is important. The zero turn lawnmowers are
time savers because they allow easy turning on a ‘0
radius’. Be sure to follow all of the manufacturers
guidelines to
ensure proper safety. Zero turn mowers are susceptible to roll overs
due to excess speed and poor weight distribution from front to back.
Simply being aware of the dangers of riding lawnmowers
shouldn’t
discourage you from purchasing this type of mower.
- Always look behind when backing up as
on an
average of once per day in the United States a young child or toddler
is backed over and severely injured or killed, and most operators of
these riding lawnmowers are parents, grandparents, siblings or
neighbours. Half of all riding lawnmower accidents occur while in
reverse.
- As mentioned above reduce speed on
slopes, in some
cases it may be recommended to mow straight up and down the slope.
- Clear all debris from the work area as
lawnmower
blades can shoot material out at approximately 200 miles per hour.
- Maintain your riding lawnmower in good
operating
condition, for example, check blade mounting bolts for tightness.
Some manufacturers of riding lawnmowers are: Toro, Honda, Kubota, John
Deere, Ariens, Murray, Briggs-Stratton, Snapper, and Husqvarna. Be sure
to consult a dealer for proper specifications and to be sure that you
are getting a riding lawnmower that best fits your needs.
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