Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 7, 1993 TAG: 9303050401
SECTION: BETTER HOMES PAGE: BH-34 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By JOANNE ANDERSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
KEEP OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT TUNED UP FOR BEST RESULTS
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and possibly a pocket full of money when it comes to lawn equipment repairs that are preventable.The basic essentials of yard keeping include a fertilizer spreader, lawn mower, hose, sprinkler, a rake, a shovel and a sprayer. Equipment that does not function correctly can often create more work and expense in the long run and may actually damage your lawn, injure someone or harm the equipment.
Fertilizer spreaders are pretty simple pieces of machinery. As they are pushed, fertilizer is distributed below the unit. All it needs to function properly is a thorough washing after use, particularly if the fertilizer used contains harsh chemicals and/or salt that may corrode its metal parts. The moving parts should be wiped with a clean cloth on which a dab of oil has been placed. A fertilizer spreader that creaks or grinds or sticks should be checked for proper mechanical operation as it may unevenly fertilize the lawn.
For small or touch-up jobs, Ortho makes a neat little plastic, hand-held spreader called Whirlybird. It's perfect for small amounts of seed or fertilizer and can be used for salt in winter.
There are four basic lawn mowers: the push reel, the power reel, the power rotary and the riding mower. The push reel is probably close to antique status, but is perfectly suited for the very small lawn and/or the owner who enjoys working up a good sweat when trimming the grass. Power reel mowers are known for their superior cut, but they are expensive and must be maintained by a professional.
The power rotary lawn mower, by far the most popular, needs routine sharpening of its blade and periodic attention to its gas engine. If you are not comfortable with hand tools and mechanical gadgets, by all means, take your mower to a reputable dealer for a spring tune-up.
"We emphasize an early tune-up," says Rodney Allen of Blacksburg Power Equipment, "because what typically happens is the first warm spring weekend close to summer, thousands of homeowners pull out the lawn mower, crank it up with little regard to its recent hibernation, and guess what? It sputters to a halt somewhere in the middle of yard. The lawn mower dealers are swamped with non-working machines that everyone wants repaired in a day - or an hour."
Turnaround time for a broken lawn mower can be up to four weeks depending on the work load and nature of the malfunction. But this can be avoided with a little forethought. For the home mechanic, a spring tune-up typically includes, but is not limited to, a new spark plug, oil change, fuel conditioner, blade sharpening and balancing, belt checking, dressing and greasing the fittings and bearings.
Power rotary mower blades can be sharpened with a good grinder. The easiest way to balance a blade after sharpening is to hang it horizontally on an oiled nail; the heavier side will go down. Sharpen until the blade balances.
Riding mower buyers probably have lawns greater than\ acre to justify the cost. But, hey, sitting down on the job certainly does add appeal to the overall mowing experience!
Caring for a lawn mower means not hosing it down or leaving it outside in rain or snow. Prudent safety practice starts with not allowing children to play or use any mechanical or power equipment. Good shoes and protective eyewear are important to wear when mowing; long, loose clothing such as neckties and scarves or dangling jewelry should be not be worn when operating yard equipment. Shut off power equipment immediately if jamming, vibrating or odd noises occur.
Hoses and sprinklers are fairly simple items that need little attention. A hose with a closed nozzle on the end that is left turned on during a hot day may burst because the pressure has no where to go. Other damage comes from improper winter storage, that is, being put away without being completely drained or not being put away at all. Rakes and shovels should be stored safely after each use. Small children's rakes and shovels are particularly useful under low bushes and in little spaces.
Sprayers are most often used in the yard for weed control. Selecting a sprayer depends on its use, the size of your lawn, and ease of operation. When one sprayer serves multiple purposes, it must be cleaned thoroughly after being used. The slightest residue of one chemical may mix inappropriately with the next and damage your lawn or garden.
Weed trimmers, hedge clippers, sweepers and blowers should be examined before purchasing to make sure the buyer understands how, where and for what they may be used. All instruction manuals should be read, highlighted and understood prior to operation of new equipment.