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   Mowing
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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?

Lawnmowers - Mulch, Bag, or Throw
mulching mower

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.

Safe Use of Lawnmowers
use of lawnmower on slope

Walk-behind home lawnmowers are covered by safety standards and regulations, but the real responsibility for safety rests with you, the operator.

Do You Need a Power Lawnmower?
self-propelled 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.

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. This can cause premature wear, poor quality of cut, and an excessive power requirement.
Adjusting Mid-Mount Tractor Mowers
Mid-mount mowers for lawn, garden, and compact tractors 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.
Adjusting Finishing Mowers
finishing mower with 4 wheels
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.
How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Transmissions
gear transmission
There are three primary transmission systems used in riding mowers and the various classes of mowing tractors.
Lawnmower Safety Standards
operator presence control
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).
Picking Up Lawn Waste
grass catcher
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.
How To Choose a Lawn/Garden Tractor - Engines
vertical shaft engine
One of the factors that most affects both the capability of a lawn/garden tractor, and the price, is the engine.
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.
Lawn Mower Blades
zoysia
A sharp mower blade produces a prettier cut with less stress on the turf plant. Sharpening a reel mower blade assembly is difficult and best left to a professional, but sharpening a common rotary mower blade is not a big problem.
2009 Get It Growing Calendar
Lawn and Garden Publications