Lawnmower safety
Although a lawnmower is one of the more common pieces of garden equipment, it also has the potential to be the most dangerous. With a little common sense, it’s possible to store, use and repair your mower in complete safety.
Before mowing:
Always read the manual.
Always make sure your mower is stowed away securely from young children.
Clear the area of stones and debris.
Put some shoes on! Never mow barefoot.
Remember to keep hands and feet away from the blades.
If it’s raining, don’t use the electric mower that works from the mains!
For petrol engines, make sure not to overfill the fuel tank.
During mowing:
If the machine starts to vibrate, make funny noises or does anything odd, always stop to investigate!
Don’t run over the mains cable. This might sound obvious, but an amazingly large amount of accidents happen this way.
During servicing
Always remove the spare plug wire when servicing to prevent accidental starting.
Disconnect the main plug before making any changes on electric machines.
Avoid transporting petrol engines with fuel in the tank.
Regularly check that all nuts and bolts are secured on tightly.
Replace any damaged or missing items immediately.
Ensure that blades are not worn, damaged, cracked or bent.
Check fuel lines for any breaks.
Do not run an engine in an enclosed area.
Wear protective equipment when appropriate.
This is not an exhaustive list. Remember that lawnmower blades are sharp and engines can heat up and you’ll be able to use and repair your lawnmower safely.
Engines and basic repair techniques
This guide isn’t a definitive list of all mower engine designs, quirks, and mechanical fixtures. Rather, this is an introduction to basic lawnmower design and some commonly encountered problems with the domestic mower. If you’re ever unsure of a repair, the best bet will always be to take it to your local lawnmower dealer or trusted domestic appliance mechanic.
The basic petrol lawnmower is one of the most common types of lawnmower engine. Petrol engines can generally be divided into lighter two-stroke engines or heavier four-stroke engines. Two-stroke engines tend to be lighter, with fewer moving parts and no oil sump. Four-stroke engines more closely resemble a car engine, with a separate oil sump and a greater amount of power for larger areas where weight is not an issue.
The oil issue is more crucial than it might otherwise appear. A two-stroke engine doesn’t require oil to be added to the engine separately; you will need to find fuel that contains an engine lubricant. These are easily available on the market. If you’re not sure if you have a two-stroke or a four-stroke engine, check the manual. If this has been mislaid, check for an oil cap, much like the one you’ll have in your car. Failing that, telephone your local garden machine dealer, who should be able to help you if you quote the engine model. If you do have a four-stroke engine, you’ll need to occasionally top it up with new oil, as well as change the oil periodically – just like a car. If you feel confident on a mechanical level, then it’s a relatively straight-forward job if you follow the manual. If you’re not too confident, make sure it’s one of the areas that gets some attention when you take the machine in for servicing. As a basic rule of thumb, the oil will be ready to be changed after about 25 hours of use.
In terms of fuel for your petrol engine, it’s important to use the right kind of fuel. It’s important to get the appropriate specialist fuel for lawnmowers, as petrol for cars is designed for a completely different type of engine. It also deteriorates very quickly if left in a jerry can, or in your lawnmower engine. A better fuel to use for lawnmowers is alkylate fuel. This fuel has the advantage of being far more environmentally sound as well as better for your lawnmower, keeping the engine cleaner and not leading to any unpleasant petrol smells. Speak to your local garden machinery dealer for advice on which specific alkylate fuel is best for your machine, and where to obtain it.
