All Hands on Deck

See, there’s a lot more to choosing the right mower than just horsepower, cut width and price. In fact, the information can be a little overwhelming. So quiz your dealer, talk to other contractors, and be sure to demo equipment in the same conditions you’ll be operating in.

When it’s all said and done, you’ll become the proud owner of a shiny new mower that will help you stand out in the increasingly crowded business of lawn maintenance.

HOW TO BECOME A MASTER MOWER

• Specific grass types require different mowing heights. Become familiar with these to provide the best appearance and keep the lawn healthy during the growing season. And remember, these heights may also vary throughout the year.
• Higher cutting heights may cause more grass to be missed,
but cutting too low may damage the turf.
• Adjust mowing speed based on density of grass. Fast is not always best, but slow may not be either.
• Adjust mowing speed based on moisture in the lawn, as this can help prevent clogging and clumping of clippings.
• Vary the direction of cut each week to prevent forming tracks or ruts.
• Tractor should be operated at full RPM to allow the deck to work in its optimum design condition.
• A clean deck and discharge chute are critical to moving grass out from beneath the deck housing.
• Make sure blades are sharp, balanced, not too worn and definitely not bent. Be careful with aftermarket blades, since many are not made to OEM standards (thinner blades can cause flutter and a variation in the finished cut). It also helps when they are installed correctly (not upside down).
• Deck leveling is critical. This is done by properly controlling tire pressure and height adjustment mechanisms.
• Be careful to control the tractor properly on turns. Slow down and make a gentle turn. It is not natural for a 1,000-pound machine with a 200-pound operator to come to a sudden stop on turf, as this will definitely affect the finished look of the yard.

Information provided by Walker Mfg. (walkermowers.com)