Are All Lawn Mower Spark Plugs The Same Size? Are They Same As Car Plugs?

If you're finding your spark plugs to be playing up recently, and are spending far too much time re-cranking them, then it's about time you changed those plugs. You may be wondering which plugs to use; what are the right electric spark plugs/spark plug options for me to use for my lawn mower engines?

Since lawnmowers are designed to last the owner many years of usage, it's quite self-explanatory that you'd need to change certain components up to increase the longevity and improve performance rather than stick with poor engine performance. Spark plugs need to be changed up too- after damage incurred via the improper use of your mower, the types of engine work that have been done, the quality of the motor engine, the quality of the engine components (engine components should be of a high quality to increase the lifespan of the mower as a whole), general daily use, and the previous spark plug types used.

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How Do I Know When to Change the Spark Plugs?

There are three giveaway signs that indicate the necessity to change your spark plugs:

• The spark plug doesn't look so good: Inspect your lawn mower plugs carefully. A bad spark plug can usually be told apart by physical differences, if you've seen what a normal spark plug should look like. If you find any bending or distortion on or around the outer electrode, the spark plug gap (the spark plug gap is usually the most visible distortion), the flat top, or the metal cap- then you will need to look into changing them and get a spark plug wrench.
• The engine is performing as well as it used to: You know your spark plugs need replacing when the engine (flathead engines, auto engines, automobile gasoline engines, combustion engines, for example), isn't working how it used to. You'll need a new engine spare unless you want to spend time re-cranking your mower all the time.  If something is wrong with the engine’s spark plug, it won’t run smoothly like it ought to. It will frequently require re-cranking to start again.
• There's excess fuel consumption: If you feel as though your mower is drinking up oil like it's been parched for days, then you need to look into replacing the standard resistor spark plug that has been damaged and purchase a new one with the same replacement spark plug number.

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Mower vs Automobile Plugs

There are some key differences and information to note when comparing auto plugs and mower plugs:

• Both automobile and lawn mower gasoline engines use spark plugs to help ignite and mix the fuel in the gas-packed chamber
• They cannot be interchanged because they differ in physicality, in terms of their shape and appearance (as we discuss below)
• Both engines work the same way; a voltage with high pulse is shot through an electrical spark, to quickly jump past the gap to the other electrode (outer)

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They Differ in Size

One main difference between automobile and lawn mower spark plugs is the size; lawnmower spark plugs' thread size is marginally smaller than automobile spark plugs- but the difference is significant enough to prevent successful substitution of the two plugs. 

Many automobile spark plugs' thread sizes range between 14-15 millimetres, while lawnmower spark plugs' thread sizes range between 9-12 millimetres. Hence, their spark plugs simply won't fit in with eachother. 

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Thread Length

As we touched on thread length earlier, this has a whole explanation for itself- lawnmower spark plugs are generally shorter than automobile ones- why? What does this mean? The difference in shape will essentially result in the spark plugs being unable to fit into the tapered holes for eachother- so always buy the right one for your specific device and model- and ensure you have the equipment necessary at hand. 

Are Lawn Mower Engines Interchangeable? Find Out Here...

If you've owned a mower for a few years, you may find that the power or cutting-effectiveness has dropped recently, and it just isn't what it used to be. This is the case with many mowers, even the very expensive ones- eventually, deck/engine corrosion will take a toll and ruin your lawnmower. 

Throwing your trusty mower out is both wasteful and heartbreaking- so why not switch up the engine to make your mower pretty much brand new again?

To answer your question on whether or not engines are interchangeable for mowers... yes- lawnmower engines are very much interchangeable and will swap with ease- however, the blades and drive systems will differ from mower to mower- this is a critical lawn mower engine point to note.

This article on lawn mower engine changing will cover everything you need to know. 

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Ensure Everything Else is Working Fine

This step involves performing a kind of MOT on your lawnmower, to check that everything else is in order. You'll need to check if the other mower components are in good health and are functioning as they should. You will know if anything is abnormal if you've been using your mower for a while now.

One major advantage of this is that if, in the case that your engine is in working order, you'll have spent money on a brand new deck, but still be having issues. In this case, another component of your mower will be the one with issues. Hence, we highly recommend conducting a thorough examination of everything (engine crankshafts, engine specs, standard deck specs, mower oil leaks, the source of mower oil (quality), as well as any general lawn mower engine faults). It'll save you a lot of money.

The engine is a very expensive part of your mower to replace- but you know what's even more expensive? Replacing your engine and discovering that the problem lies with the drive system instead...and then replacing that! Check out the drive system before purchasing a new engine.

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Checking Your Engine Health

A lot of the time, your engine won't have faults at all. In fact, many of these common problems occur, and there is no need for engine replacement:

• Fault in the coil
• Problem with the carburetor; dirty or faulty
• A shear-key that is broken
• A faulty pull-starter mechanism

There are some key things you need to check up to make sure your engine health is evaluated, to help determine whether or not replacement is necessary:

• Has your gas mower/drive mower/any general mower leaked the oil? Take a look for oil leakages around and beneath the engine- the crankshaft seal is actually a common culprit/source of these leaks.

• Does your engine start up easily? If your mower is rustier than normal to start up, this could indiciate the need for replacing your carburetor- or it may just need some fine-tuning.

• Check the oil level- an abnormally high level could again mean there is a carburetor-related issue, while a lower than normal level is a likely indicator that the engine is worn out.

• Check the oil quality- your oil should never be grey or black; this is a sign you need to change and switch the oil entirely.

• What is the engine revving like? Does surging happen? If your engine cannot rev without surging, a new carburetor is likely needed rather than a whole engine replacement.

• In terms of the engine, how would you describe the smoothness? If your engine ends up spluttering or misfiring, then there is a slim possibility that a minor problem is going on with your engine. Fine-tuning may be necessary, but in this case, you'll usually be looking at a much more expensive engine-related repair.

• Lastly, you'll want to make sure the engine doesn't smoke when you run it- smoke is a surefire indicator of a worn engine, but another likely possibility is overfilling the oil of your engine.

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The Drive System Health

The second largest culprit is a faulty drive system. Even if your mower is self-driven, you should check this system up to make sure it's working in order. Some common drive-system problems that may occur:

• The transmissions are worn out
• The drive pins are worn out
• The wheels are worn out
• The wheel's drive gears are worn out 
• The belts are worn out 
• The pulleys are damaged

Here are some key questions to help you troubleshoot any problems related to your drive system:

• When the drive is applied, do you notice any squealing, screeching, or grinding noises? If not, do you notice any unordinary sounds?
• The drive application occur smoothly?
• When travelling up an incline, does your mower need help by manual pushing, or is it capable of travelling up steep angles by itself?
• When using your mower, is the pulling action smooth and controlled? Or is it broken up and gritty?
• Is your mower's trans-axle oil-leak free? You also need to ensure that the drive belt of your mower is in good condition too!

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Finally... Changing the Engine

There are some key points to note about engine interchangeability, which we'll write below- make sure you read through them all.

All types of lawnmower decks are interchangeable- you can really just move one engine to another, and fit it into the current one. The reason why, is because generally, the engine mounting locations and points are standard for every machine. You can use any deck. However, you need to ensure the new deck is compatible and can work with the other components of your mower. This highly limits the range of other engines you can fit into your mower.

There are mainly 2 options to go for:

• Your new deck should be identical to your old one
• Find a second-hand mower with the same engine type (or a different but compatible one) with an engine that's blown- then, you just swap it for the good one. Make sure that the width and lengths of the crankshafts match each mower)

How Does A Lawn Mower Mulcher Work? Use Your Grass Clippings Wisely!

If you've been doing a fair bit of research regarding gardening and other mower-related ideas, you've likely come across some unfamiliar terms such as bio-clipping, mulching, or recycling. In actuality, all of these terms revolve around the same central idea: feeding your earth.

Mulching is a process in which you return, or feed, the mowed-off clippings back to your lawn as valuable nutrients for enhancing its growth- this function depends on your type of lawn mower, as some may have dedicated mulching blades (a dedicated mulch blade can improve the quality of the nutrients you return). 

This guide will cover all the essential knowledge on mulching, so stay tuned and make sure you read it from start to finish!

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Mulching 101: What is it?

Mulching is a highly efficient way to save yourself some money on fertiliser, while benefiting the environment at the same time- all while using the grass clippings. The greater the volume of clippings, the more mulch you can make- and dry clippings will result in a coarser, less moist mulch (higher volume of clippings will be a result of longer grass). 

You can help transform your lawn into, and maintain, and healthy and luscious green garden. This is done by re-circulating the glass clipping under your mower's mowing deck, in turn producing a fine, easily-distributable mulch. Depending on your mower's mechanism (and specialist mulching blade), the mulch produced from your grass clippings will be pushed back onto your lawn, where it would start to decompose at a rapid rate, hence feeding your earth/soil with the nutrients needed for optimal growth. 

Another benefit to this process is that there's little to no mess after mowing your lawn! You won't have to keep disposing of the lawn clippings and end up spending money of fuel for trips to the disposal unit- this is both cost-effective and beneficial to the environment, due to the recycling of grass clippings. Your mower will collect all the grass clippings from the cutting blades/grass blades and turn them into a beneficial, recycled mulch-fertiliser. 

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How to Mulch for A Healthy Lawn

Mulching will help you massively minimise, or even eliminate your entire need to rake the lawn post-mowing. There are some simple steps involved in the process of mulching, so make sure you follow them accurately:

1. Establish where you want to target the mulch disposal, and subsequently position your mower on the dry grass which needs to be cut, and ensure the exit chute is facing this part of the grass- now you'll want to cut no more than a third of the length of the grass. This is known as the "one third rule"- even the best mulching decks from a dedicated mulching mower (let alone conventional cutting mowers with a conventional cutting blade) can't handle an overload of grass clippings. 
2. Now, you'll want to remove the collection facility/bagging attachment from your dedicated mulching mower (or any mower is fine- hand-propelled mowers, ride on mowers, or even a combi mower). Once you've done this, starting mowing towards the centre from the edges of your lawn, whilst following all the specified safety measures as instructed in your guide. This will deposit your mulch in an orderly manner, from the outside towards the centre. 
3. Mow in circular steps, to ensure the mulch remains in the designated area you decide to deposit it within. Once you've done this, pulverise your clipping mulch for the second time, after you've returned to the start position. Repeat the steps, travelling in the same direction. 
4. If there are any spots which you may have missed, just go over them with a rake, to tidy it up. We recommend grabbing a watering can and moistening your lawn to help the clippings settle down and infuse into the earth/grass more effectively and quickly.

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Why Should I Get a Mulching Mower?

It's true- any mower can be doubled up as a mulching mower if clever implementation of manoeuvres are used, but this can be time-consuming and requires both skill and practice. To be frank- mulching can even be done manually- run your mower over fallen autumn leaves and collect them for mulch, rather than sucking them up or blowing them away for disposal with a leaf blower.

Mulching mowers will both simplify the task, and produce a higher-quality mulch. Lawn-mowers with mulching functionality actually deposit clippings as healthy compost for your grass, which is one of the things that make it so special!

Purchasing a mulching mower is an investment in your lawn, as you'll be saving money on harmful fertilising chemicals, but also because it's much more beneficial -as well as kind- to your lawn. The alternative is to purchase a regular lawnmower with a collection facility integrated. You will need to gather the clippings yourself, and add them to a compost heap to produce mulch. This is, yet again, a tedious method to go by so we highly recommend going for a mower with mulching functionality.

Are Mulching Lawn Mowers Good For The Lawn? Find Out Here..

What Are The Advantages & Disadvantages Of Using a Mulching Mower - Are They Worth It?

Mulching mowers are proving to become a popular choice in the lawnmower industry, not only do these types of mowers avoid you having to keep emptying your grass box, but they have a huge variety of benefits for poor soil conditions. 

Lawnmowers with a mulching kit are great for your lawn, they distribute your grass clippings onto the base of your lawn soil and act as lawn fertilizer, the mulching option reduces garden waste too and can actually speed up your lawn mowers mowing time. 

To find out whether or not a mulching mower is right for you and your lawn, as well as how these mulching kits work and other ways to help the condition of your lawn, we have composed a small guide for you below. 

How Do Mulching Mowers Work? 

Before we can discuss if mulching mowers are good or bad for your lawn and whether or not you should buy one, let's talk about how these machines work. 

Mulching kit lawnmowers work by keeping lawn clippings inside the mulching deck for a long period of time, this allows the blades of a mower to cut the grass clippings multiple times until they become 'mulch' and reach the base of the soil of your lawn. 

These types of mulching lawnmowers do require more power than a typical mower to keeping the grass mulch clippings at the base of the machine but are great for your lawn as they help soil fertility and decompose without making a lot of garden waste.

On the other hand, you can't use a regular mower to mulch your lawn as they produce grass clippings that are much larger in size that suffocates the lawn, these lawn clippings need to be put in a compost pile instead and emptied from the grass box on the mower. 

Mulching mowers tend to come in three different types; corded electric, battery cordless and gas-powered, gas-powered mulching mowers are more suitable for large lawns as they need the extra power, while electric models might be a better choice for the environment.

Pros & Cons Of Using a Mulching Mower 

If you have decided you are interested in buying a mulching mower for your lawn, then it's a good idea to familiarise yourself with the benefits and disadvantages of using a mulching mower in your garden to see if this type of mower is right for you. 

We have discussed the pros and cons of using a mulching mower below to help you out.

Pros Of Using a Mulching Mower On Your Lawn

First of all, mulching lawn mowers can actually save you a lot of time and money, as the lawn clippings can be used as fertiliser for your lawn, this saves you the money of buying fertiliser for soil nutrient, in the UK this can also save you from having to pay for your green waste bin. 

These lawn mulching mowers save you time too as you do not have to keep emptying a grass collection box to the compost pile on a regular basis and distributing fertiliser over your lawn.

Mulching mowers are additionally great for your soil as they increase microbial activity which can reduce thatch in your lawn and help add nutrients back into your soil quality. They are further better for the environment too as it stops lawns with chemicals due to there being no need for chemical fertiliser.

• Saves you money. 
• Helps you mow quicker. 
• Great for the soil.
• Better for the environment.

Cons Of Using a Mulching Mower 

Although there are many benefits to using a mulching mower for a lush lawn, there are additionally many potential downsides that should be discussed before purchasing your mulching mower. 

Mulching mowers should be avoided on wet lawns even more than a typical type of lawn mower as they cannot mulch wet lawn clippings, this will damage the lawnmower by putting unwanted strain on it. You also have to take care when using mulching mowers on tall grass as this can build up and damage the machine. 

It is a possibility that if you have weed grasses or worm problems on your lawn then mulching with heaps of grass clippings on your lawn can make matters worse. 

• Cannot be used on wet grass. 
• Not to be used on tall grass. 
• Can make weed problems worse. 

Conclusion - Should I Buy a Mulching Mower?

Overall, you should buy a mulching mower for your lawn if you have a healthy lawn with no weed issues and want to use a natural fertiliser for your lawn without any chemicals. They are also great for improving the soil quality of your lawn. 

We would not recommend using a mulching mower however if you have a grass type with lots of weeds or very tall grass blades that need cutting first.

How Often You Should Mulch Your Lawn? 

Figuring out when to use your mulching mower can be confusing, you should aim to only mulch during the summer and spring, you should also leave around 7 days in between each mulching time to give enough time for the lawn clippings to decompose properly. 

If you mulch your lawn too often then this will not give the grass time to recover and can end up suffocating the soil by creating a very dense lawn.

The Best Way To Mulch Your Lawn 

If you are using your mulching lawn mower for the first time then you should ensure you are mulching your lawn properly to get the best results possible. 

We have bullet-pointed a few of our best tips below for mulching your healthy lawn with lawn clippings below. 

• Remove your grass collection box - Before starting up your mulching mower make sure you remove the grass and leaf collection box as some models come with this option.
• Decide where your mulch should go - Adjust the height of your mulching mower and position the mulching chute where you want your lawn clippings to go as you mow, try and ensure your lawn clippings are mulched towards the centre of your garden.
• Keep the mower turned off - When fitting the mulching plug on your suited lawn mower make sure that the machine is turned off, it can be very dangerous to do this while the lawnmower's engine is running.
• Mulch dry grass only - Never try and mulch in wet conditions, try and aim to mow in weather without rain, if not tonnes of grass clippings will likely clump together and stick to your mowers machine which can damage it. Due to the cutting method of mulching mowers, wet grass cuttings can also put the mower under more strain and damage it.
• Never cut more than 1/3 - Also try and keep your method of cutting no less than 1/3 of the height of your blade of grass. If you cut under this height then it can affect how well you can mulch your lawn.
• Stay away from tall grass blades - Tall blades of grass need a standard cut before you use a mulching double-cut method on the grass for mulching, tall grass is not easy for the mowers blades to break down and mulch and can even damage the mower in some cases.
• Space out your mulching - Try and mulch with grass cuttings every 7 days, don't mulch your grass cuttings in a closer time of space as this can affect soil moisture and suffocate the ground.

Tips To Improve Your Lawns Condition 

If you don't have a healthy lawn and want to improve its conditions without mulching, then we have listed a few tips below to try as lawn owners which can help you bring your lawn back to life by implementing them on a daily basis. 

• Get rid of thatch - Thatch buildup can occur on grass when the roots of your grass start grown on top of the soil, a small amount of thatch is not unhealthy, but when this becomes a lot it can block air and nutrients reaching particles of grass.
• Don't cut too short - You don't want your un-mulched grass to get too high but you also don't want it to get too low, as this can encourage weed build-up, you should adjust the deck size cutting blade no shorter than 2 inches.
• Mulch - If your grass is in a bad condition then mulch and fertilise with it on a regular basis to help the organic lawns grow for a perfect lawn finish.
• Aerate - Aerate refers to making holes in your soil so as air and nutrients can reach the soil through the thatch layer and trodden down grass. You can do this by making small holes in the grass with special aerator sandals or with an aerating machine.

Last Words 

To conclude our mulching mower article, mulching mowers defiantly have more pros than cons for the health of your lawn and when done on your lawn weekly as organic lawn care can really improve its health and appearance by acting as a natural fertiliser.

Can A Lawn Mower Explode? What Can I Do To Prevent It?

Is It Possible For a Lawn Mower To Explode?

Like most power tools on the market, any tool that has an engine or a motor has a risk of explosion due to poor maintenance. 

All kinds of lawn mowers are no exception to this rule, although the chances of a battery-powered lawn mower exploding are smaller than the chances of a petrol conventional lawn mower exploding, it is still very possible without regular maintenance and under the wrong conditions. 

To find out what can cause a conventional lawn mower to explode and the safety precautions you should be taking to try and prevent this from happening, we have composed a guide below that will give you all the essential knowledge you need to know. 

Common Causes For Lawnmower Explosion 

Although the chances of your lawnmower exploding are small, when it does happen, it's usually because of a fire in the engine components or some unauthorized tinkering that has happened to the modern lawn mowers engine.

To help identify why your lawn mower has exploded or to prevent it from happening at all, we have listed the most common causes as to how this can happen below. 

It's The Weather Conditions

Believe it or not, although it's unlikely to happen, it is very possible that the weather could cause lawn mower explosions. 

If the temperature outside during the summer gets hot enough it can increase the chances of lawn mower models overheating, combined with harsh patches of grass is a recipe for disaster!

To prevent your lawnmower from overheating during the summer it would be best to hold off till evening when the sun is less harsh, or, alternatively, you could try putting water to make wet grass which would be easier for your mower to handle. 

Grass Clippings 

Another reason as to why you might have fires in lawn mowers is due to tall grass. It is important to always try and keep dry grass at a low height, not only as it is easier to maintain but also due to it being a fire hazard. 

It is very possible that tall grass blades get manage to get over the top of your lawnmower while mowing and make their way into the engine or motor of your lawnmower, this could cause them to catch fire and start burning in the engine. 

Objects Have Got Stuck 

You should always make sure that your lawn is clear of foreign objects for mowing, not only because they can damage the blades of your mower, but also because they are a fire hazard too. If a rock or stone hits the blades of your mower it could ignite sparks, these, in turn, could cause dry leaves to catch fire. 

Even though mowing wet grass is not recommended, you always have to be careful and focused when mowing dry grass too, as these objects can cause your lawnmower to catch fire before you even realise it and will spread quickly. 

You Have Not Been Cleaning The Lawn Mower Deck 

Cleaning the deck of all kinds of lawn mowers is essential daily maintenance to be doing after you mow. By letting grass clippings build up under your lawn mower blades you can cause your machine to overwork and put stress on the motor and engine, this will lead them to overheat eventually and explode. 

You should additionally never let these clippings dry as they can contribute to an accumulation and become much harder to clean over time. 

It's The Fuel & Oil Mix  

The fuel and oil inside of your lawnmower are highly flammable substances, accidental fuel spillages on the grass can become a fire hazard, so you should always wait for them to evaporate before taking your mower anywhere near them, as the heat of the mower can be a problem when combined with a bit of fuel mixture on the floor.

Not only do you need to be careful with fuel spillage but you should always take care when refilling your lawnmower with the proper fuel mix. Never refill the fuel supply in your lawnmower until the machine has managed to cool down. Spilling any fuel supply on your hot mower is a fire hazard.

Unwarranted Changes To Your Lawnmower 

One of the last reasons as to why a lawnmower can explode is due to any unauthorised changes being made to the mower and its engine. 

For example, changes to the motor, carburettor connections and fuel system in two-stroke engines could cause a risk of fire and cause the engine to overwork and overheat. 

Never try and change any parts of your mower without professional guidance to avoid this accident from happening. 

Why Is My Lawnmower Smoking?

Now we know the most common reasons as to why your lawnmower could explode, it's also a good idea to troubleshoot any smoking problems that could be happening in your lawnmower.

Most of the time, smoke from your lawnmower is not a major reason for concern, but a lot of people might assume this means a fire could happen.

We have discussed a few common smoke signs you might be seeing in your mower below and why they are happening to put your mind at ease. 

White & Blue Smoke 

If you are seeing blue smoke or white smoke coming from your lawn mower, then it might be due to the following reasons. 

First of all, if you see your lawn mower blowing smoke, it could potentially be the oil burning with the fuel in your machine or perhaps the crankcase in your mower has been overfilled. Any accidental fuel spillage could further produce smoke on your mower until it evaporates. 

Also, if your lawnmower machine is brand new it may produce white smoke which will disappear when first started up, you should take care when cleaning your mower too not to leak any oil into the combustion engine when tilting it on its side as this could cause smoke. 

Always double check you have a clean air filter and your mowers engine parts are in prime condition if you detect blue smoke, will we get on to maintaining your mower later on to avoid this.

Black Smoke 

So, if you are seeing black smoke coming from your mower then the machine might be restricted from the air and burning too much fuel instead. Make sure you clean a dirty air filter or check the carburettor to fix this issue. 

If you try all the solutions to your smoke issues above and none of them is working, then you might have a more serious issue on your hands. Worn out gaskets or seals could cause a smoke problem in your mower and would need to be replaced as they can potentially be quite dangerous. 

Never try and meddle with your lawn mowers engine yourself, as sometimes you can make the issue worse and void any warranty on your machine, always take your model to a professional who can identify and fix the problems with experience.

Best Ways To Maintain Your Lawnmower To Prevent Explosions

To avoid fire issues and explosions from your lawn mower or having to do lawn mower repair, you should ensure that you are maintaining your lawnmower properly with essential daily maintenance. 

We have bullet pointed the most important ways to be taking care of your mower and its engine below. 

• Maintain your lawn well - Although this does not directly relate to your mower, it can help prevent damage and explosions from happening to it. Ensure you never let your lawn get too tall and avoid cutting your garden when it's wet. Always cut your lawn down to manageable height with other tools beforehand, especially if you are trying to tackle tall dry grass which is a fire hazard.
• Sharpen your blades - Make sure you sharpen the blades of your mower regularly, failure to do so can cause issues when trying to cut your lawn with dull blades and put unnecessary strain on the mower.
• Keep the air filter clean - Use compressed air to keep your lawnmowers air filter clean and avoid debris build-up.
• Don't use it on hot days - Make an effort to avoid using your lawn mower on hot days in high temperatures, instead operate it in the morning or night.
• Cooldown before refuelling - There is always a risk of spilling fuel when refilling your lawnmower, wait for your mower to cool down instead before refuelling.
• Use the right fuel - In a 2-stroke engine ensure you are using quality fuel and the right ratio of fuel mix for the engine and model. The wrong ratio can cause damage and smoking in your machine. 
• Remove foreign objects - Before lawnmowing make an effort to survey your lawn and remove any foreign objects on the ground such as sharp metal objects and rocks that could cause sparks if your mower hits them.
• Clean the mower deck - Keeping your mower deck clean is essential maintenance needed to prevent clippings and debris from causing damage to the lawnmower and putting strain on the engine. You can use a steel wire brush to take off any clippings or hose the deck down after use.
• Take care when tilting the lawn mower - When tilting your lawnmower over for maintenance you should check you are being careful not to leak any oil into the combustion engine which could cause smoke.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawn Mowers Exploding

Why does my electric lawn mower keep overheating? 

Your electric lawnmower might keep overheating due to a faulty heat sensor, battery or loose connections inside of the machine.

What is the most common cause of a fire in a lawnmower? 

The number one most common cause of a fire in a lawnmower is dry tall grass getting caught in parts of the machine it shouldn't such as the motor.

Is it possible to mow in high temperatures?

It is highly not recommended to mow in high temperatures on dry grass, doing so is a fire hazard, instead, you should wet the grass beforehand or mow during the morning hours or evening hours when the ground is not so hot.

Final Words 

Overall, to conclude, the risk of your lawnmower exploding is possible but very unlikely, always avoid issues that could contribute to your mower overheating such as grass clippings and hot temperatures and take care to perform regular maintenance on your lawnmower to keep it in the best condition possible. 

How Do Robot Lawn Mowers Work? Our Guide to Robotic Mowers!

Should I Get a Robot Lawn Mower & How Do They Work?

With all the hustle and bustle of modern-day life, many of us don't have time to push conventional lawn mowers around a lawn, especially if you have a large type of lawn as these challenging lawns require a lot of time. 

This is why robotic lawn mowers are becoming more and more popular than conventional lawn mowers, the main features of a robot lawn mower are a battery self-charge system, auto-navigation system and clipping cutting mechanism, which allows the system of robot lawn mower types to work without manual interference. 

So as you can decide whether or not a robotic lawn mower is right for you and get some more insight into how these robot lawn mowers work, we have put together a small information article for you below.

Main Features Of Robot Lawn Mowers 

Robot lawn mowers might differ from one another in terms of size and brand on the market, but these robot lawn mower companies all make their mowers with three top specs which will discuss below and how they work in the systems of robot lawn mowers. 

The Efficient Route System

You might be wondering how robot lawn mowers manage to automatically find themselves a route around a domestic lawn, and this is because of perimeter wires. 

Robot lawn mowers for lawns have to have boundary wire laid out around a garden, this helps the robot lawn mower navigate its way around your lawn without crashing into flower beds or plants and keeps it on the route. 

These boundary wire types also contain sensors that stop the lawnmower from crashing and hurting itself.

The Self-Recharge System

Every robot lawn mowers model will come with its charging station, when the battery capacity of your robot lawn mowers type becomes low, the mower will find its way back to its charging station via the voltage perimeter wire.

After the robot lawn mowers battery fully re-charges it will then continue cutting the blades of grass where it left off, with no interference needed, unlike manual lawn mowers types.

The Cutting System

Robotic machines might have a longer cutting time than your usual mower as unlike manual lawn mowers they cut a volume of grass into much smaller clippings with their blades, this is a mulching type system, as the volume of grass then falls to the soil and fertilises the soil.

Extra Features 

When leaving your robot lawn mowers model alone for loads of time, you might be wondering if they can get stolen, luckily, in robot lawn mowers systems they often have an alarm system when taken out of their set GPS route and also have a pin code to enable the mower to work. 

As well as the sensors in the perimeter wire breaks, these mowers often sometimes have collision bump sensors that stop them from hitting objects.

Pros & Cons Of Robotic Lawn Mowers 

Now we know the main features of robot lawn mowers and how they operate, let's get into the advantages and disadvantages of these mowers to see if they are right for you and your lawn maintenance. 

Pros Of Robot Lawn Mowers

One of the first and most obvious advantages to robot lawn mowers have to be that they are self-sufficient and don't need any manual interference during their operating time. These robot lawn mowers are also packed full of great technology which is reliable and gets the job done. 

We also like these lawn mowers as they are super easy to store due to their small size and hard to steal thanks to their anti-theft technologies inside of the system. It is also worth noting that these robot lawn mowers are very quiet in comparison to other types of mowers on the market.

• Self-sufficient. 
• Full of great technology. 
• Easy to store. 
• Quiet. 
• Anti-theft.

Cons Of Robot Lawn Mowers 

Although robot lawn mowers are great and full of technology, they do have some disadvantages which are worth noting if you are considering purchasing one. 

Robot lawn mowers are pretty small and slow, this results in a longer cutting time for all-sized lawns due to the small cutting blade size. Robot lawns mowers also have a fairly small battery life so will have to return to their charging system more often which means a longer mowing time. 

The last major con of robotic lawnmowers has to be that they are very hard to repair, a lot of technicians have a hard time repairing these as they are not familiar with how the devices work.  

Conclusion - Should I Get a Robot Lawn Mower?

Overall, we recommend getting a robot lawn mower if you are looking for a device that can help you save time while getting on with other chores around the house, do not however get a robot mower if you are looking for a device that can cut your lawn quickly or try and invest in a model with a larger battery capacity. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Robot Lawn Mowers 

How much do robot lawn mowers cost? 

This all comes down to the type of robot mower you buy but they typically cost between £300-£3000, features such as battery life and cutting width will differ between expensive and cheap types.

Do I bury the boundary wire of a robot mower? 

No, you do not have to bury the perimeter wire of your mower in the ground as it will disappear in your garden over time, just ensure it is at least secured with some pegs so as there cannot be a break in the perimeter wire. 

Will robot mowers crash into objects?

Due to the great technology robot mowers have, it is highly unlikely they will crash into objects and animals when in use, they are often fitted with anti-collision sensors and the wire prevents them from overstepping into flower beds. 

Are robot mowers okay to use on steep hills?

Yes, most robot lawn mowers can work fine on steep hills, for very high gradient hills however you might need to look into a robot mower with a little more power so as it will be able to mow the lawn in a reasonable time.

Final Words 

To conclude, robotic lawn mowers work via their three main automatic features; their navigation system, auto-cutting system and self-recharge system. These types of lawn mowers are great as they don't need any manual interference but do have some downfalls as they take a lot of time to mow the lawn. 

Before investing in one of these mowers we recommend you check if your square or rectangular lawn is suitable for a robot mower and if one with a good battery capacity is within your budget.

How Do You Start A Lawn Mower In The Cold Weather? Our Guide

My Lawn Mower Is Not Starting In Cold Weather - Our Troubleshooting Guide!

As temperatures drop during the seasons, you might find that the cold weather is having an impact on how your mower engine starts, stubborn mowers might restrict valves or even stop the oil flow. 

To start a mower in cold weather, you first need to ensure that the mower is not starting due to other reasons such as a bad spark plug or air filter, after that, you will likely have to check the oil and valves, ensure the mower is clean and start again.

So as we can help you start your mower ignition in cold weather, we have composed a small troubleshooting guide below that will cover the common reasons as to why this happens, along with how to start your mower in the colder temperatures. 

Why Is My Mower Not Starting In Cold Weather?

If you have taken your lawn mower out of storage only to find that it is not starting, then it might not just be down to the cold weather, there are numerous other reasons you need to cross off your list so as you can be confident the colder temperatures are to blame. 

We have listed some common reasons as to why your mower is not starting in cold weather below, as well as other causes as to why your mower might not be switching on. 

You Have Little Or Bad Gas

One of the first issues you should check on your mower is the fuel. Fuel that has been sitting in your mower for too long might have expired and gone bad which can cause your mower to block up and not start. 

Also, ensure that you have enough fuel in your mower and that it is sufficient for the mower to be able to start up.

The Fuel Lines Are Blocked

After checking the fuel, you also need to make sure that its lines are not blocked. A blocked fuel line can cause the fuel to not reach the carburettor for combustion, meaning the mower will not start properly. 

Clogged Air Filter

As well as checking if the fuel lines are blocked, you should ensure the air filter is not dirty and blocked too. It is possible that an air filter in your mower blocked with debris can stop oxygen from reaching the combustion chamber in your mower, meaning it will not start. 

You should either try and clean the air filter or replace the whole part to fix this.

Check The Spark Plugs 

It's a good idea as part of regular mower maintenance to check that the spark plugs are not dirty and that they are fitted the right way, a very dirty plug will stop a strong spark from happening to ignite your engine. 

Applying starter fluid to a bad spark plug firing can help fix this issue. 

You Are Using The Wrong Oil 

Now, this cause does relate directly to cold weather. Oil viscosity does change according to temperature, during the summer oil will be thinner while during the winter it will be thicker, this can mean there might insufficient oil levels in your mower for it to start up properly. 

To fix this oil problem, you might want to consider changing to an oil type that is more suitable for the colder weather and topping up your oil levels during the colder months.

There Are Valve Issues 

Heat and cold can cause the metal parts in your lawn mower to expand and contract without you knowing, so a valve that works fine during the summer might not be in very cold temperatures, it's best to get a professional to check your engine if this is the case. 

Our Step By Step Guide To Starting Your Lawn Mower In Cold Weather 

Now you know the common causes which can cause a mower not to start up in cold weather, we have listed a simple step by step guide for you to try so as you can start your mower in cold conditions. 

• Step one - First of all, disconnect the spark plug on your mower with a wrench, make sure your mower has enough gas inside and clean the spark plug with a wire brush then spray it with some starter fluid. Replace the spark plug with its cap.
• Step two - After checking the spark plug, unscrew the air filter and clean it or replace it if it has become very dirty.
• Step three - Press the primer button three times on your mower then wait for the button to come back out, press again three times and then try to start your mower back up.

Last Words 

Overall, starting your mower in cold weather can be easily done as long as you have checked that all the major parts of your mower are clean and are functioning as they should be. A clean mower will always start well and you should make sure to store your mower properly over the winter too to avoid any of the cold weather damaging parts of the mower.

Can You Drive A Riding Lawn Mower on The Road? Find Out Here!

Is It Possible To Take a Riding Mower Out On The Road?

It is unlikely you will ever be faced with a situation where you have to take your riding mower out on the streets, but if you do have to so as you can get your mower from one place to the other, you might be wondering if it's legal.

Well, this typically comes down to where you are taking your riding mower out on the streets. For example, if you want to take your riding mower out the highway, this will not be legal or any high traffic areas, however, passing through one country lane to the other will mostly be fine. 

To find out more about the rules of riding mowers and whether or not you take them out on the road we have produced a small guide below to help you out.

Are Riding Mowers Illegal On The Road?

Figuring out whether or not you can ride your mower on the road all comes down to your location and context. Riding mowers are typically not approved of for taking out on the roads due to their slow speed, lack of registration and safety features such as headlights or rear lights.

A riding mower will typically be fine to take out on a rural road however in farming areas as it doesn't matter as there is a little traffic, it's highly unlikely you will be ticketed for doing this as long as it's with a purpose to get from point A to B in a quiet area.

We have summarised the points as to why a riding mower is not street legal below.

• No indicator.
• No headlights or rear lights.
• No license plate.
• No vehicle registration.
• They can't meet the speed limit.

Can I Be Charged For Driving a Riding Mower Out?

A riding mower is classed as a motorised slow vehicle in a lot of places, so yes, the same rules apply for issues such as driving the mower without a license on public roads and you can even receive a DUI if you decide to drive your lawnmower out on the streets under the influence.

If you decide to take your riding mower out even on lanes or rural roads, make sure you are carrying your license to prevent any misunderstandings.

FAQs About Taking Riding Mowers Out On The Roads

Can I have a passenger on my riding mower?

No, a riding mower only has one seat so it is not legal for a passenger to be seated on the mower at the same time.

Could I drive my mower on a sidewalk? 

All kinds of motorised vehicles such as electric bikes are banned for sidewalks, including a riding mower as they are a danger to pedestrians.

Can I drive my riding mower with no license?

If you take your riding mower out on public roads no matter what you will need a license to do so, trying without will be an offence.

Final Words

To conclude, we recommend only taking your riding mower out on rural roads, avoid using your riding mower on high traffic areas and only ride your mower out if you have a valid driving license just in case.

Can A Lawn Mower Get Flooded? Here's Our Guide On How To Fix It

Is My Lawn Mowers Engine Flooded? - Our Troubleshooting Guide!

You have a lawn mower that will not start, maybe you've just resurfaced your gas mower from storage or you have been having lawn mower problems for a while, but one key symptom of a problem with your lawn mower is that it smells of gasoline. 

It is common for an idle lawn mower engine to flood when left in storage, or it could be down to other causes such as priming your engine or overuse of the choke on your mower, luckily to fix this issue, all you have to do most of the time is wait. 

So as you can troubleshoot why your lawn mower got flooded in the first place and how to unflood it, we have made you a small guide below to help you out.

Why Did My Lawn Mower Flooding Happen? 

Before you can fix the smell of gasoline and flooding in your lawn mower, you need to address why this issue has happened in the first place. 

We have listed the most common reasons as to why your lawn mower flooded below. 

You Stored Your Mower Wrong 

Storing your mower wrong could potentially lead to a flooded engine and is one of the most common causes. Even if you have your mower on level ground, there is a high chance that the excess fuel could leak into the valve with carburetor and flood the whole engine.

Overuse Of Choke

As we mentioned above, overuse of the choke can flood your engine. Fuel troubles happen when you leave the choke of your mower engaged and try to pull the starter cord to your mower too many times, you would likely have to wait for the excess of gasoline to disappear in this case.

There Is a Defective Spark Plug 

A bad spark plug wire or plug terminals could lead to spark issues and push fresh gasoline into the carburetor of the lawnmower, flooding the engine. It is important to have a spare spark plug on hand for this issue and replace it.

Dirty Air Filter 

Having a blocked air filter in your mower will lead to an excess of unburned fuel in the internal combustion engines model as the fuel to air ratio will not be right, meaning the engine will flood. You would either have to replace or clean the filter and wipe any excess off the spark plug seat.

Blocked Carburetor Air Intake  

Lastly, you could have a flooded engine due to having a blocked carburetor time from sludge or dirt, this will trap gasoline inside and lead to the engine flooding, spraying an engine cleaner inside specifically for the carburetor should fix this problem.

How To Fix a Flooded Lawn Mower 

Now we know all the common causes of a flooded lawnmower and a few of their solutions, we will give you some general steps to take if engine flooding in your lawnmower ever happens to you.

Before we get into the steps below, we would also recommend waiting around 15 minutes for the gas to evaporate from your lawnmower to see if this helps first, if not, then follow the below.

• Step one - First of all, unscrew the spark plug wrench starter and either wipe it with a dry cloth or spray alcohol-based starter fluid into the electrode spark plug terminal. 
• Step two - Try cranking the engine a few times to let any air get into the carburettor and help dry it up quicker. 
• Step three - Put the spark plug back on the mower, make sure that the choke is turned off then try cranking the engine again a few times, if you hear a sputter, continue to crank until the mower turns on.
• Step four - If nothing happens, you can always try removing the air filter of your mower then trying to crank it, if it starts then, it's probably due to a bad air filter that might need replacing.

Final Words 

Overall, it is very possible for a lawnmower to get flooded, whether it's down to it being stored incorrectly or the overuse of the choke. Luckily, most of these issues can be fixed by waiting or with a few simple steps that we listed above. 

Always maintain your mower well to avoid these problems in the future and empty your mower of gasoline before storing it for long periods.

How To Attach A Grass Catcher To Your Lawn Mower - Our Guide

Our Best Step By Step Guide To Attaching a Grass Catcher To Your Mower

To clean mowing clippings from your garden is a time-intensive task that will take longer especially if you have a larger lawn type. 

That's why it's great to have a lawnmower with a grass bagger, these save you time and help your lawn look tidy, as well as having several other benefits. To fit one to your mower depends on the type of grass catcher you want to use, whether side or rear, but most can be fitted in a few simple steps using hooks and clamps. 

To find out how to fit a rear grass catcher or a side grass catcher to your lawnmower, as well as why you should use one, we have put together a simple follow along guide for you to use below.

Why Use a Grass Catcher? 

Before we get into how to fit your grass catchers to your mower to collect grass clippings, let's explore the benefits of using one and why you should fit one on your mower. 

Grass catchers come in three main types, the ones which trail behind for tractors and ride-on mowers, rear discharge collectors and side discharge collectors, all share the same advantages however and are easy to collect and empty.

• They stop contamination and disease - First of all, a grass collection box is useful as it can stop grass clippings from spreading fungus and disease when left to sit on grass over time. Having fewer grass clippings on your lawn also allows you to fertilise and spray pesticides with more ease.
• Keeps your lawn tidy - Having a grass catcher keeps your lawn tidy and stops grass clippings from flying around all over the place making a mess. It saves you time from having to manually clean it too.
• You can reuse the grass clippings - One of the best points about grass collectors is that you can reuse the clippings inside for a compost pile too or even for a new garden you want to plant. This stops them from going to waste left on your lawn to just decompose.

How To Attach a Rear Discharge Grass Catcher 

It is most common to have a mower with a rear discharge for grass discharge collection, to fit one, we have put some simple steps for you to follow down below.

Remember beforehand that you should be taking caution when installing your catcher around the blade area of your mower, also make sure you have a socket wrench, screwdriver and pliers around for this job.

• Step one - First of all, prepare your mower by disconnecting the spark plug, opening the rear discharge door cover area and take the mulching plate out if your mower has one so as it can be ready for the grass catcher to be fitted. 
• Step two - Where you took your mulching plate out, look for hooks and hangers where you will install the grass catcher, clean them and remember where your bagger will go after we set it up next. 
• Step three - Place the soft bag of the catcher onto the metal frame with the stiffer part of the bag on the bottom of the frame for holding the clippings, then install the bag onto where you found the hooks and hangers on your catcher. 
• Step four - Reconnect the spark plug and give your mower a test run, make sure everything is secure and that the bag is collecting clippings well as you mow.

How To Attach a Side Discharge Grass Catcher

Attaching a side discharge grass catcher to your mower is pretty similar to attaching a rear discharge bag, the only difference is that you have to install a chute before the catcher itself so as your clippings will be discharged side on.

We have listed the steps below. 

• Step one - Firstly, disconnect the spark plug and lift the over of the side discharge chute, remove the mulching plate as we did above. 
• Step two - Check the side-discharge area for hooks and bolts as well as clamps so as you can find where you will install the bagger, clean all the hardware hooks so as you ensure your bag will fit seamlessly.
• Step three - Lift the side discharge door and connect the side chute to the device, make sure the side chute is secure and tighten it up so as it will be able to hold the bag properly.
• Step four - Now assemble the bag, start by placing the frame into the bag this time and make sure the hooks are bound onto the bag. Make sure the hard parts of the bag is on the bottom for extra strength when holding the clippings.

Final Words 

Overall, attaching a grass catcher to your mower is a simple process and has a wide range of benefits if you want to have a tidy and healthy lawn.

Whether you decide to have a side rear catcher or a rear grass catcher, both follow a similar fitting process with our steps above and will have you collecting your grass clippings in no time for compost or fertiliser.

Can You Over Tighten A Lawn Mower Blade? Find Out Here!

Is It Possible To Over Tighten a Lawn Mower Blade?

When the time comes to tighten your lawn mower blade, you might be questioning just how tight a lawnmower blade needs to be, too loose can be dangerous, while too tight could also be damaging for your mower. 

You can in fact overtighten a lawnmower blade, an overtightened mower blade will be more susceptible to snapping when it has an impact from hard objects such as a rock, and it can eventually lead to damaging the blade bolt on the machine. 

To find out how tight your mower blade should be, reasons why your lawn mower blade keeps becoming loose and how to tighten it correctly, we have put together a small guide below with everything you need to know.

How Tight Should a Lawn Mower Blade Be? 

To prevent having an imbalanced blade on your lawn mower, you should make sure it is not too tight or too loose. 

How tight your lawn mowers blade should be all comes down to the model and type, most manufacturers will have it stated in their manual just how much torque you will need for tightening your specific blade in position, this will typically be stated in foot/lbs. 

If you don't know how tight your mowers blade should be and don't have any way of measuring then you should use a torque wrench that will act as a lawn mower blade balancer.

Why Does My Lawn Mower Blade Keep Becoming Loose? 

Sometimes you might feel forced to overtighten your mower blade bolt if it keeps coming loose, often this isn't the right solution however so we have listed some other common reasons as to why your lawnmower's blade might keep coming loose below. 

You Have An Unbalanced Mower Blade

Your original blade in your mower can become unbalanced due to uneven sharpening, for example, the left side of the blade might be thicker than the left. This in turn might mean the blade will become loose often so check the blade is balanced with a blade balancer. 

It Is In The Wrong Position

If you are using a different blade to the one that came with your mower then it might seem loose as it does not fit perfectly in your lawnmowers bolts how the original did. It would be wise to fit a blade adapter if this is the case or use a better blade that fits. 

The Blade Is Deformed 

Over time your blade might become slightly bent due to impact without you noticing, this can mean it might not tighten properly and will become loose often.

It Is Too Tight/Not Tight

Make sure you use a torque wrench to tighten your mower blade right, having it under tightened will cause it to become loose quickly while overtightening it will also make its position lose, always follow the suggestions in the manual for the correct requirements.

How To Tighten Your Blade In Position

Tightening your mower blades is easy to do if you have a torque adjustable wrench for the job, just make sure you are following the right foot/lbs for your specific blade and follow the steps below!

• Step one - First of all empty all of the gas from your mower and tilt it on its side with the oil chute facing up in the air. 
• Step two - Wedge a piece of wood between the bottom of the deck and the back of the mower blade to keep it steady while you adjust it. 
• Step three - Attach the right size socket wrench to the bolt and adjust to around 30 pounds or as your mowers manual states, steady one end of the blade while tightening the other with your snap-on wrench.
• Step four - Remove the wood and make sure the blade is tight, but not tight enough that you can see some movement when pressed (wear gloves!).

Final Words 

To conclude our small guide, it is very possible to overtighten your lawnmower blade without realising but to avoid this from happening you can use a torque wrench and follow the suggested foot/lbs tightening suggestion in the manual from your manufacture. 

Also, ensure that your blade is not bent or in bad condition, these can cause your mowers blades to become loose too often and result in you having to overtighten the blades. 

Do You Sharpen Both Sides Of The Lawn Mower Blade? Find Out Here!

Should I Sharpen Both Sides Of My Lawn Mowers Blade?

Sharpening your lawnmower's blades is part of essential maintenance for your mower so as it can be performing in the best way possible, on average you will need to sharpen them around twice a year.

Many people wonder when sharpening your mowers blades if you need to sharpen both sides, well, you should not sharpen both sides of your mowers blades, one should be left rough, while the other is sharpened at a 45-degree angle. 

So as you can find out why you shouldn't sharpen both sides of your mowers blades, how to sharpen your mowers blades, and some tips for doing so, we have composed a small guide below with everything you need to know.

Why You Should Sharpen One Side Of Your Mowers Blades

It is important when sharpening your lawnmower's blades to only sharpen one side of them, if you decide to file both, this will cause them to dull very quickly. If the rough side of your mowers blades has some dents and bumps, then you can pass over them once to iron any issues out.

Mowers blades should be sharpened the ways scissors are, one side sharp and the other dull.

How To Sharpen Your Mower Blades

Sharpening your blades has to be done once in a while to make sure your mower is cutting your grass properly and not tearing the blades apart which can hurt your lawn.

We have listed a simple step by step guide below that will help you to file your mowers blades correctly if you are a beginner.

• Step one - First of all, you want to make sure that the spark plug of your lawnmower is removed to prevent any accidental start-ups, make sure you are wearing goggles and gloves as well as having the right tools on hand such as; water, a flat-file, an angle grinder, steel brush and a wooden block.
• Step two - Put a plastic bag over the gas tank in your mower and replace the lid, tilt the mower to access the underside of the blades and place a wooden block underneath to make it more stable.
• Step three - Use your steel brush and water to clean any dirt or debris off the blade.
• Step four - Now file your lawnmower's blades at a 45-degree angle and ensure that both sides are evenly sharpened.
• Step five - Unseal your mowers gas tank and re-attach the spark, then you are good to go!

Tips For Sharpening Your Mowers Blades

Our step by step guide above tells you how to sharpen your lawnmower's blades without having to remove them, however, there are some tips and tricks you should be following to carry this out safely and smoothly.

• Replace when needed - If your mowers blades are dull and damaged then you might be better off replacing them rather than trying to sharpen them, sharpening them will only make them weaker over time and can even cause them to snap.
• Keep on top of maintenance - Examine your blades often and check for any issues, letting them become very dull can damage them over time and be more work for you when the time comes for sharpening.
• Make sure the gas is empty when sharpening - To prevent any gas spills or issues it might be best to empty the gas tank of your mower before sharpening.
• Iron out any bumps - On the rough side of your blade always give it one or two pass-overs to ensure that any uneven edges are ironed out as this can affect the performance of your blade.
• Keep it balanced - When sharpening use a blade balancer to make sure that you are sharpening both sides of your blade evenly.

Last Words

Overall, you should not sharpen both sides of your lawnmower's blades as this can lead them to become dull quickly, instead one side should be left rough while the other is sharpened at a 45-degree angle for effective cutting. Always ensure you are sharpening your blades regularly and check when they need replacing.

Do Lawn Mowers Come Assembled Or Is Some Assembly Required On Delivery?

If you've just recently bought a lawnmower and are eagerly waiting for its postal arrival, or you're planning to purchase one- you'll likely want to know a bit about the assembly. After all, why opt for a cheaper mower if the assembly will just be a hassle?

Luckily, even if your mower isn't pre-assembled (this will only be the case if the company which you bought your lawnmower from has offered an assembly team with your purchase), the task is easy enough to do by yourself. It actually shouldn't take you more than an hour. 

What do usually come pre-assembled in many store-bought push mower types, for example, are the mower parts, such as the wheels or collection facility. 

We've designed this guide to concisely guide you through assembling your own lawnmower.

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Step 1: Lay Out and Organise the Parts

Firstly, you'll want to empty out the lawnmower factory box and all the included components. Identify what you have, and separate them so you don't mix any parts up. Laying them out in a neat, organised manner will ensure you don't shuffle around for missing parts when you're actually assembling it.

The frame will normally have the blade and the motor usually pre-attached, and in some mower packages, you may even find the rear wheels to have already been assembled for you. This will save you a lot of time, but the assembly of these is minor can will be instructed in the manual for your particular model.

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Step 2: Putting it All Together

Now, you'll want to assemble two key components: the wheels, and the handles. The manual included in your mower box should tell you which accessories and parts you'll need for both. 

• Identify which parts will be needed for wheel installation, and attach them to the frame. Most mowers these days are self-propelled, and rarely need any wheel installation at all! The most you'll have to do it fit in the frontal wheels.
• Next you'll need to install and secure the push handle mechanism. Typically, this consists of two main parts; the upper piece, and the lower piece. In order to successfully do this, you;ll likely have to thread a pull rope within the guides to ensure the handle is accessible from any position- whether it's the middle, top, or bottom of the push handle. Make sure that the right side is facing upwards so that the self-propel guide and throttle are aligned in their correct positioning. 

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Step 3: Oiling/Fuel

Since you've just bought this new lawnmower and are looking to assemble it for the first usage, it's worth remembering that it won't have any fluid inside it at the moment. Oil will need to be added to your mower before starting it up. Make sure you add the oil to your mower's oil capacity before actually starting it up.

In terms of which oil you need, we recommend going for a synthetic one. The manufacturer guide should actually tell you which oil your mower takes anyway, so look through it to help you provide your machine with the best 'nutrition' to enhance its lifespan. Using the incorrect oil could mean the efficiency of your product is reduced, and it will start consuming more than necessary. This will be both costly (having to purchase more fuel with increased regularity), and damaging to the engine/motor (hence costing you motor repair too).

If you're dealing with a push mower rather than a petrol or electric, for example, you'll need to load it up with gas- or it just won't start up. You'll need to both prime the motor and fill up the gas tank with suitable gas. The primer button is usually any of the following three colours; red, black, ir yellow.

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Step 4: Seal and Start

Now that you've done all the required preliminary steps, you just need to make some final adjustments to confirm it's safe and efficient to use.

You should aim to keep the frontal and rear wheels aligned, at an equal height- this will ensure your mower attains the most uniform cut out of your grass. Try and align all four wheels in harmony and equivalent to station your mower at the best height. We recommend only trimming down your grass growth by a third, so make sure you keep this in mind during this height-setting stage.

Now you just have to start it up. The best way to do this is by yanking the rope-pull mechanism whilst holding the mower's throttle down- after priming the motor with all the preliminary steps, of course. If it doesn't start up the first time, keep going until it does. Once it's started up, letting your mower's motor run for a short period of time, as this will help burn off and disintegrate any dirt or residue. 

Your mower is now ready for use whenever you wish. 

Are Lawn Mower Blades Universal? Find Out Here...

The condition of your blade can make a huge difference when it comes to the overall cower performance and cut quality- it's not exactly the place to cut corners. That's why you need to give this page a read- so you know everything you need to know.

We recommend changing your blade at least every three years- while ensuring you're switching them with the correct blade. This is a critical step. These blades are designed to whizz away at around 200 mph- if not more! You need to ensure you are using a well-fitting blade that's in good condition- accidents with blades are fatal.

Are lawnmower blades universal? The short answer is no. They are mower-specific (different types of lawn mower have their own specific blade). Your mower blade needs fit exactly into the slots for your particular lawnmower model, and they also have to be specially torqued to the manufacturer's specifications.

This guide will help you with everything you need to know.

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Identifying Your Blade: How?

The first and foremost step is pinpointing which blade you need. As we said before, and ill-fitted blade can be extremely dangerous when in use- it could fly out and cause serious injuries. On the bright side, finding out which perfect blades/suitable blades you need is easy. Here are 3 ways to ID your blade:

Information Sticker

Have a look on your mower's deck or chassis- there should be a badge, label, or a sticker of some sort with information on the mower's model and make. A standard blade will have this. This will inform you of the details straight away. If you don't see a label, or it's simply illegible, then don't worry- there's another way to go about it.

Blade Part Number

Take a look on an old single blade surface. Are there any numbers etched into the surface of your current blade? This is most likely the blade part number stamped onto your metal blade. These digits are unique to that specific part. You can hit this number into Google and find out more about it, as well as where to buy it from.

If your blades have been subject to corrosion, rusting, or damage over the years of mowing and clipping- this number may not be visible anymore, or legible.

Blade Size

The final way to figure out what make and model your blades are is by checking out the size.

To help determine your blade size, take the time to figure out what types of blades you have. Below, we've listed the various blade types:

1. The 2-in-1 (cut and collect) blade/Lift Mower Blade; usually you'd see these blade types if your mower collects any grass clippings in a box or bag
2. The 3-in-1 (cut, collect, and mulch) blade/Mulching blade; this is usually the case if your mower deposits the clumps of grass back onto the ground- this is usually an all-purpose blade type (modern mulching blades mowers may come with a collection facility, making them multipurpose blades as a hybrid lifter and mulcher)

As a general rule of thumb to help you determine which of these type of blade categories your one belongs to (and avoid picking the wrong blade type), look at the wings. Lift blades have distinctively larger wings, while mulching blades have relatively smaller ones. You should also look at the cutting-leading edge; mulching blades have a longer edge while the lift type of blade tend to have smaller ones. 

Once you've found the type, you can determine the size.

Listen up close- you'll need to note down three key measurements: the blade boss shear pin (locating the hole distance), the central bolt hole (diameter of the centre), and the overall length (inches).

• Overall length: Make sure you get the accuracy in measurement right- if the overall length is too long- the blade simply won't fit, and if it's too short- your mower won't be the correct swath!

• The Center Hole: If you get this measurement wrong, you'll encounter major problems- so don't skimp on this one, it's a critical measurement! The centre hole we're talking about is the entire balanced center of your blade- not just the bolt hole.

• The Shear Pin Hole: Make sure you get this one right too, as an incorrect measurement will result in an imbalanced/weak support for the lawn mower blade. This measurement is calculated by finding the distance from the shear pin-locating holes, and the centre bolt hole.  

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How to Recognise a Wrong/Badly-Fitted Blade?

There are some clear giveaway signs that you've fitted (or someone else has fitted) a wrong lawn mower blade- or haven't fitted it in correctly. In fact, any of these could be a red flag indicator that something is wrong. Look out for the following to know if you're dealing with the wrong blade (or an ill-fitted one):

• The blade bolt is constantly becoming loose

• There's a distinct 'knocking' noise

• The mower isn't collecting or bagging the grass you're mowing

• Excessive amounts of vibration (abnormal)

• The mower components keep becoming loose

These are all strong indicators that there has been a problem with the blades assembly- you should ensure that you thoroughly investigate your machine and scan for any loosened or damaged mower components. 

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Fitting The Correct Blade: Mistakes to Avoid

Many gardeners (even experienced ones) can make mistakes which can cause damage to their appliances or reduce their effectiveness. Blade fitting isn't just something which can cause immediate harm, it can also reduce the overall lifespan of your product. Ill-fitted blades can gradually cause wear and tear on the blade supports, eroding them and eventually ruining your mower.

Here are some key things to avoid:

• Using the wrong blade type: As we mentioned earlier, this will pose numerous problems and essentially cause your machine to massively under-perform; make sure all blade dimensions are the same as required

• Mower is turned on the wrong side: Ensure that the mower is tilted in such a manner where the air-filter is facing upwards. If you're confused on this, here's an article that explains everything you need to know on how to tilt your mower correctly

• Using a larger centre bolt hole: If your new blades' centre bolt hole is larger than required, you'll find the blade to be displaced and lose balance- this is what results in excessive amounts of vibration, as we'll mention later

• Over-tightening the bolt: Don't over-tighten your blade bolt- this is likely to result in engine failure should the blade come into contact with solid debris and harder matter such as pebbles

• The blade bolt is turned the wrong way: Turning the blade bolts in the wrong direction can actually cause damage to the threads, so make sure you're turning them correctly!

• The blade has been fitted upside down: Some lawnmower blades are handy, and have a grass icon printed onto the side of the blade which should face the grass- but generally, make sure that the mower's blade wing tips are pointing away from the grass 

How To Repair A Cut Lawn Mower Cable? Find Out Here!

If you've wound up on this page, it's highly likely that you're indulging in some garden work this summer. Mowing the lawn is. both therapeutic and satisfying, but it's also a dangerous task if appropriate safety measures aren't in place.

If you've severed your lawnmower power cables- stop. Don't attempt to use it until you're confident that the safety/fix system you've implemented for your lawnmower cable is effective against water damage, tugging, and further damage to your electronics.

Soldering is a temporary, relatively easy, yet unreliable solution to fixing your power cord- so we've listed three different ways for you to repair your cut lawnmower power cord/broken power cable. 

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1) Crimping: The Cheapest Way 

While this method of power cable repair/fixing your severed power cord isn't the most efficient or perfect, it gets the job done and costs far less than ordering a new cable, for example.

This technique involves the extension of a new section of your cable to the pull bar, using one of the many connector types out there, aluminium crimps. This sort of cable connector is commonly used in soldering and other wire fusion techniques. You can grab a couple of hundred of these for a fiver- making them a very cheap way to fix you problem. Replacement cords can cost up to £30, depending on your lawnmower...that £15 saved could be used for far better things!

Additionally, this method is quick and easy- no hassle involved in fiddling around with a power outlet/power source. 

How to Do It

You'll need a total of 4 items to perform this task:

• Aluminium crimps
• A section of the cable
• Hammer
• Pliers with an integrated wire cutter edge (the whetted part nearest to the plier handle)

Method

1. Connect both the old and new wire segments; as below (we recommend doing this on the ground to avoid injuries and damage to yourself or surfaces)
2. Align and insert both of your cables within the aluminium crimp (or any other correct sort of connector) simultaneously- seal by striking the flatter edge of the crimp with your hammer.
3. You may remove the pull bar if needed.
4. Add on another crimp (or any suitable connector) on your new, extended cable. Loop the remainder of the cable through the original gap where the S-shaped part went. Run through the other end of your new cable into the aluminium crimp to close it off. This attaches the extended cord to the pull bar. 
5. Now that you've fixed it, you need to test it and ensure it's safe and working. As the severed ends of the crushed cables will be sharp, we recommend cutting them off. 

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2) The Manual Method: Easiest Way

This method is perhaps the one many people opt for first. It involves shortening the wire slightly, and reconnecting it with a wire nut, then sealing it up with electrical tape.

If you follow any method (not just for fixing severed cords) that involves the use of electrical tape, make sure you don't cut corners. Duct-tape or super-tape will not work; it must be electrical tape. This is essentially a pressure-sensitive type of insulation tape (common tape for electricity problems) used to insulate wires and other conductive materials. They provide long-lasting insulation and are also stretchier than traditional tape- many are waterproof too, making them suitable for contact with wet grass. 

How to Do It

 You'll need the following items to undergo this method of repair:

• Wire stripper
• Electrical tape
• Wire Nut

Method

1. Clean up your wires in preparation- peel back any outer covering and expose a longer portion of wire with only the inner coating
2.  Cut back on some of the wire with a wire stripper, exposing the metal wires inside- we recommend cutting back around 1/4 of an inch
3. Twist the wires together, and bind with a wire nut
4. Tape any remaining wires together with the wire nut with electrical tape- go over the area a couple of times and once at a slight distance from the site- to securely bind the system in place

This method is easy and pretty effective- the main issue is the ghastly lump in your cord that you'll be left with afterwards!

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3) Soldering: The Most Efficient Way

This technique is slightly more advanced, but highly preferable over the other methods mentioned. Soldering typically involves the use of a soldering iron, and solder. 

Soldering is a process where items are fused together by a melting method, and the addition of a filler metal into the joint. The filler metal would need a lower melting point than the metal used for adjoining. The way in which soldering is distinguished from welding, for example, is that it doesn't involve melting the actual work pieces. 

How to Do It

You'll need the following to do this method:

• Soldering iron 
• Solder
• Heat-shrink tubing (plastic tubing which contracts and shrinks when exposed to heat)
• Electrical tape (optional)

Method:

1. Clean up any wire, and slide some heat-shrink tubing onto one end of the wire- space these far away from the wire ends to prevent premature shrinking
2. Twist the opposite wire ends together, in a cross-hatch shape (X) to end up with a straight connection
3. Heat up the exposed metal wires with your soldering iron, and apply some solder to the connection of wires- ensure that this fully fuses and strengthens your wires
4. Wait for it to cool slightly, and then check to make sure the wires are strong- bend them a little bit and make sure they don't pull apart
5. Quickly but carefully slide the heat-shrink tubing onto the heat site- if they haven't shrunk enough, it may be that the heat site isn't hot enough; in which case, grab a hairdryer and apply some hot air to shrink it down completely
6. Cover up the broken cord remnants with some electrical tape or more heat-shrink tubing (with a larger final diameter)

Can I Clean A Lawn Mower Air Filter? If So, How?

Instead of spending hours searching for your lawnmower's exact model so that you can clean its air filter, find out some universal methods that will save you a whole bunch of time and money.

Yes, you can clean your mower's air filter and should regularly as to keep your lawnmower running healthily.

An air filter plays an important part in your lawnmower's day to day running. As such, it is vital to know exactly how to properly clean the air filter as to not damage it in the process.

The purpose of a lawnmower's air filter

Lawnmowers air filters are built to keep dirt and grass clippings from clogging up the engine and shortening your mower's life span.

Therefore, if you feel that your lawnmower is not working correctly or is failing to cut grass like it usually does, then you may find that a clogged air filter is the cause of the problem.

The longer you go without unclogging it and cleaning the filter, the worst your lawnmower's performance will get.

Not only that but if you insist on still using your mower with a dirty air filter then you will damage the filter and have to replace it.

What are the 3 types of air filter's used in mowers?

There are three types of air filters that a manufacturer may use in their mower, but the cleaning process for them are not that different.

The types of air filters that your mower may have are:

• Disposable foam air filter
• Reusable air filter
• Dual air filter

As is clear from the name, you will not need to clean the disposable foam air filter. You will need to replace it with an entirely new filter instead.

Make sure you have some spare disposable air filters to hand so that you can replace the filter whenever you may need to.

If you do attempt to clean a disposable filter, not only are you wasting your time but you may damage your mower as the filter will no longer work.

What you will need to clean an air filter

It is best to get everything you need to clean the filter together before you get to work. That way you can get the task done quicker.

You will need:

• Liquid soap - dishwashing soap will do here, you don't need a specialized soap for this
• Warm water - it is better to have warm or hot water to really clean out your air filter but cold water would do the job too
• Paper towels - to be able to properly reach every nook and cranny of your air filter without damaging it, make sure to use paper towels. They will also help absorb any water stuck in the filter which is vital
• Motor oil - oil is a key to keeping the air filter running smoothly and should be reapplied once you have washed the filter
• Old toothbrush - to clean less fragile parts of the filter, an old toothbrush can be used. If you have a cleaning brush, you can use that instead
• Screwdriver - many models use some type of screws to keep the air filter in place so make sure you have the right tool to hand in order to be able to remove the filter

How to clean a reusable remove air filter for your lawnmower

Turn off your mower!!

Before you start the cleaning process, you must make sure to correctly remove the air filter to avoid any damage to yourself or the equipment.

First, make sure that your mower is disconnected from its power source. Sigh as you might at the obviousness of this step, it is commonly missed.

It may be that you need to change your air filter halfway through your grass cutting session and so you forget to disconnect the power which is a bad step to miss.

You may also find that while the mower itself is off, all of the internal parts are still moving. This is because you need to give your mower time to properly power down and stop moving after it is turned fully off.

So, don't try and rush ahead as soon as you suspect that your air filter may need cleaning.

Give your mower time to shut down and stop moving so that you don't lose a finger in the process.

If you are still unsure whether or not your mower has stopped moving, try disconnecting the spark plug wire.

In fact, we recommend that you do this regardless for extra safety.

Locate your air filter

Air filters are not that hard to find inside your lawnmower. They are quite large and round, usually covered by a top cover to keep the filter from falling out during your mowing.

There may also be one or two screws in place to hold the filter still. Keep these nuts and screws somewhere safe so that you can put your filter back correctly once clean.

Once you have removed the cover and unscrewed what you need to, all that you should have to do is lift the filter out and you can begin the cleaning process.

Time to wash the filter

Don't just go ahead and dunk the filter into a tub full of water. This will not correctly clean the filter and could damage it.

Instead, put the filter in an empty tub and rinse with warm water and soap.

While you do want to avoid overdoing it with the water, you do need to make sure that the filter has been thoroughly covered in soap and then entirely rinsed with water to really cut through the grease.

Thoroughly dry

This is a key step in the cleaning process as having too much water left in your air filter could damage it and your mower.

Use the paper towels to squeeze out all of the water trapped in the air filter.

You may go through a fair few paper towels during this step, but it will be worth it to not have to replace your entire filter.

If you find that you are still removing soap from the filter even after you have rinsed it, then simply rinse with more water are start re-drying it again.

As long as you don't drown the filter then you will avoid damaging it.

Time to oil up

Just like with the water, too much motor oil will ruin your mower but too little can stop your filter from working properly.

To get just the right amount of oil on your filter, take a paper towel and tab some motor oil onto it. Then rub the towel all over the filter so that it is covered entirely on both sides.

Note that your air filter should not be dripping oil. If you do find this is the case then use a clean paper towel to dab off the excess oil.

Replace the filter

Before you put the filter back into place, you may want to clear any excess debris from the top cover or from around where the filer will be.

This way you are ensuring that it will not get clogged up again straight away.

Once you are satisfied, slip the air filter back into place and secure the screws once more.

Make sure to make them tight enough that they will not become loose while the mower's engine is running.

And there you have it - the easiest way to clean a reusable, foam air filter for your lawnmower.

But, as noted earlier, this is not the only type of filter manufacturers use in their mowers.

How to clean a dual air filter for your lawnmower

All of the safety steps and identifying your air filter's location are exactly the same for a dual air filter as a reusable one. However, removing the dual filter is different.

Not only will you spot the air filter but you will also see that a cartridge is attached to it. Is it this cartridge that you need to clean, not the filter itself.

Doing so will damage the air filter and you will have to replace it entierly.

As for the cleaning process, all you need to do is follow the steps described above for cleaning a standard air filter.

Just make sure to be extra gentle and not overdo it with the water.

If you do use too much water or even too much oil, then take some time to properly dry the cartridge before replacing it.

Of course, there will come a time when your air filter is too worn down to simply clean and will need replacing.

But until that point, be sure to keep your current filter unclogged and clean to keep your lawnmower running as smooth as possible.

Are Lawn Mower Engines 4 Cycle? Find Out Here!

We understand that most people are not professionals when it comes to engine types. If you are unsure what a 4 cycle engine lawnmower is, look no further.

While not all lawnmowers are powered by a 4 cycle engine, they are typically the better type of mowers to buy.

But why are 4 cycle engines so common in lawnmowers and why are top mower brands keen to use these types of engines? Let us explain.

How does a 4 cycle engine work?

As can be guessed from the name alone, a 4 cycle engine completes 4 cycles but of what exactly?

Almost always, these types of engines are internal combustion engine meaning that instead of the petrol being burnt elsewhere in the lawnmower, it is burnt within the engine.

This burning of the fuel creates hot air which pushes on a piston which then turns the crankshaft.

Everytime that the piston completes a 4 step stroke, one cycle is complete.

These steps are:

• Intake - the air produced by the fuel moved into the combustion chamber
• Compression - once in the chamber, the air becomes compressed. This is a key step in accessing more energy stored in the fuel's air
• Ignition - the now compressed air is combusted by rapidly mixing oxygen with the air, resulting in the release of energy in the form of hot air
• Exhaust - now that the energy is released, it is moved from the combustion chamber into the air

Once all of these steps have been complete then 1 cycle has finished.

However, just 1 cycle on its own does not produce the level of power expected from a top of the range lawnmower. Nor enough power to cleanly cut through grass.

That is why engines with more than 1 cycle engines are used.

What is the difference between a 4 cycle engine and a 2 cycle engine?

Unlike a 4 cycle engine, a 2 cycle engine does not require as many strokes of the piston to work. But that is not the only difference.

Different types of cycle engines require different types of fuel or power sources to operate and produce the most energy they can.

A 2 cycle engine needs to have a mix of fuel and oil so that the engine parts can be well oiled continuously during combustion.

One the other hand, a 4 cycle engine does not need its oil and fuel mixed.

It is this key difference that makes it easier for you to identify if you have a 2 cycle or a 4 cycle lawnmower.

Simply find where you fill-up the fuel on your mower and look for the little sign that will indicate what type of engine it uses.

Why do lawnmowers use 4 cycle engines?

The biggest attraction to a 4-stroke engine system is the environmentally friendly design.

When comparing 2 cycle and 4 cycle engines, a 2 cycle engine produces just as much power as a 4 cycle and is lighter.

This is why a 2 cycle engine is most often used for self propelled lawn mowers.

However, manufacturers are trying to move away from 2 cycle engines due to the oil and fuel mix that they require.

Every time combustion happens, a little bit of oil is burnt at the same time, releasing extra pollution into the atmosphere.

4 cycle engines keep their oil and fuel separate. Therefore, no oil is being burnt while the engine is completing its cycles.

That is why you will find top lawnmower brands like Bosch using a 4 cycle engine, as they are committed to reducing air pollution.

There is also the fact that a 2 cycle engine has to work twice as hard as a 4 cycle engine to produce the same amount of power meaning that it will have to be replaced more regularly.

Therefore, not only do 4 cycle engines burn less oil but they are also saving you money in the long run as they will not wear out as fast.