1 Thoroughly clean power equipment
2 Tighten loose bolts and make simple repairs. Grease and oil edger arm
3 Clean air filters. Check oil in mowers and edger.
4 Sharpen mower blades. Test for blade alignment.
MOWING PROCEEDURE
Do not use power equipment anywhere it poses a hazard to people, plants, or property.
1. Whip where mower is unable to go; rocky areas, along walls and fences,
and around all beds. Edge areas where edger is unable to go using whip
(or hand clippers). Be careful not to cut down plantings in beds.
Make sure whip is not vibrating and will operate at full power. If not,
check string length. It must be 5 to 6 inches, or damage may result to whip.
Reduce RPM around tree trunks to avoid injuring them. Do not scalp down
edges along flower beds. Do not "mow" embankments with the whip unless
mowing is too dangerous.
2 Edge all driveways, walks, and define beds using the edger. Set edger
about 1 inch below the sidewalk. Lift rear wheels to negotiate curves. Don't
grind into concrete, just barely brush against it. If edger lacks power,
check belt for wear. A whip can substitute for a power edger.
3 Mow at the lowest setting at which the mower functions properly.
The mower should cut cleanly without plugging up, and shouldn't drag
from cutting too low. If grass is wet or long, plan on mowing twice over.
Watch out for rocks and pipes
Mow banks at a high setting. Start at the top, traverse back and forth
across the bank, working your way down. Don't stand downside of the mower.
Never set the front and back more than one notch differently.
Make sure the mower is cutting grass evenly
Keep blade sharp at all times
Don't mow going backwards.
4 Blow off sidewalks, paths, patio's and street. Blow grass clippings
that are visible on lawn or in flower beds to disperse them. The mower
can be used to disperse clippings on hard surfaces when run at low rpm
and if loose rock and gravel are not present.
6 Inspect and make sure job is satisfactory before putting equipment away.
PROBLEMS WITH EQUIPMENT
Mowers and edgers
check gas and oil before starting
clean air filter and dry off if dirty
check throttle position on motor
Shut off throttle and pull 3 times. Then give throttle and pull.
Check spark plug. If dirty, clean and retry.
If all else fails, try new plug.
Whip and blower (2 cycle motors)
USE 2-CYCLE GAS ONLY. Use of improper mixture will ruin motor.
Check Kill switch.
Prime and discharge excess fuel
Give it throttle.
Choke and pull until it sputters, then open choke and pull
Check air filter, throttle and plug as above