What is the recommended duration for operating a lawn mower without interruption?

The permissible time of continuous operation of the lawn mower depends on the type and class of equipment. Although it is almost never directly indicated in the technical specifications, how long a lawn mower can work without interruption can be judged by indirect signs and “hints” from the manufacturer.

Many lawn mower manufacturers provide a "recommended area" (in our catalog it is indicated for many models) specification, indicating the approximate square meters of lawn that can be mowed in one continuous operation. For gasoline mowers, this recommended area is typically equivalent to the operating time on a single tank of gas, which is usually around 40-60 minutes. Manufacturers intentionally equip mowers with small fuel tanks (typically up to 1 liter) to ensure regular pauses for engine cooling and refueling.

Electric lawn mowers typically have shorter allowable continuous operation time compared to their gasoline counterparts. It is recommended that electric mowers powered by a 230V mains should not be operated continuously for more than 20-30 minutes. However, these limitations are not typically problematic since during the lawn mowing process, there are natural breaks required for tasks like emptying the the grass bag or repositioning the the power cable to avoid obstruction during the next pass.

The permissible operation mode of lawn mower equipment can vary based on its class and price. For example, household-class devices, such as those produced by Einhell, is typically designed for up to 50 hours of annual usage (approximately twice a week for an hour during the season). On the other hand, Honda petrol engines have a resource of about 5000 hours, allowing Honda mowers to operate in a more intensive manner and even be suitable for professional use.

Lawn mowers with Honda engines are considered very hardy and reliable.
Petrol Lawnmowers

Is it advisable to mow grass when it is wet?

Manufacturers of garden equipment and employees of service centers that service and repair lawn mowers are in full agreement that wet grass should not be mowed. They have many good reasons to hold this opinion.

  • Engine power, speed of rotation of the blade or line, the internal profile of the deck, and the dimensions of the discharge opening, are typically designed and optimized based on the assumption that the grass being mowed will be dry.
  • Wet grass weighs much more than dry grass. Due to the increased weight, the load on the engine also increases. It is more difficult for mowing elements to “chew” wet greenery. In addition, when grass blades are wet, they tend to clump together and stick to various parts of the mower, impeding the smooth rotation of the blades and potentially causing clogging issues. This can make the grass collection into the bag or discharge through the side window more difficult.
  • When the grass is wet from rain or dew, the rotary cutting system cannot mow the greenery cleanly and neatly. Instead of mowing, the blade cuts off the tips of wet blades of grass. This is bad for plant health and negatively impacts the look of your lawn.
  • Heavy wet pieces of grass mowed by the mower do not collect well in the grass bag. Most likely, they will remain lying on the lawn and will prevent the lawn from growing.

Mowing wet grass is generally not recommended as it can cause more harm than good. It is advisable to avoid mowing the lawn when there is thick morning dew, right after rainfall, or after operating a sprinkler irrigation system. Waiting until the excess moisture has evaporated from the grass stems and leaves due to sunlight is preferable before proceeding with mowing.

Mowing grass during or after rain is not a good idea.

If you find yourself in a situation where you urgently need to mow the lawn after rainfall, particularly for important guests or occasions, there are a few things you can do. First, mow the grass incrementally, taking off no more than 1-2 cm per pass. Additionally, mow with narrower strips instead of the full working width to avoid overloading the motor. While this technique may require more passes than usual to completely mow the lawn, it helps prevent excessive strain on the mower, protecting it from potential overloads.

Electric Lawn Mowers

Is it safe to leave a lawn mower in the rain?

Most lawn mowers are not designed to be fully waterproof and have limited protection against moisture. The level of protection is usually indicated in the technical specifications or operating instructions. The IPX1 rating means the mower is protected against vertically falling raindrops, while the IPX4 rating indicates protection against water splashes from any direction. Higher-rated classes that allow for operation in any weather are less common.

Despite the presence of any protection class, it is not recommended to mow the lawn during a rainstorm or leave the lawn mower in the rain. Especially when it comes to mowers or trimmers that run on mains, because electricity does not forgive negligence. Gasoline-powered mowers are less sensitive to rain but still dislike excessive moisture. Prolonged exposure to water can lead to rusting of metal parts, bearings in wheels becoming stiff, and corrosion affecting bolts and nuts. If the lawn mower has been left in the rain or exposed to moisture in a damp shed, it should be thoroughly dried, washed, and cleaned of dirt. Additionally, applying anti-corrosion agents to the metal parts is recommended to prevent further damage.

How to properly clean the lawn mower?

It is essential to clean the lawn mower after each mowing session as dirt particles and grass debris tend to accumulate on various components. This buildup can hinder the movement or rotation of parts and even clog internal cavities. If the equipment is not cleaned and grass residue is left on it, the moisture within the residue can lead to corrosion on the mower's metal surfaces.

Please, note: after using the mower, certain components such as the engine and exhaust system can become hot. It is important to avoid dousing them with water until they have cooled down to the ambient temperature. When these parts are still hot, it is recommended to refrain from washing the motor section altogether and focus on cleaning the deck both internally and externally.

We recommend using a brush, scraper, damp cloth and hand spray to remove grass and dirt. To clean your lawn mower, use a brush to remove grass clippings and leaves from the wheels, body, and inner surface of the deck. Residues can be washed off with a gentle stream of water, taking care to avoid getting water into the engine or carburetor. You can use clean, cold water or a mild soap solution for cleaning. After the mower has dried, it is advisable to lubricate the moving parts and the knife blade with a suitable protective agent, such as WD-40.

Some lawn mowers are equipped with a special nozzle designed to flush the deck, which greatly simplifies maintenance. With this feature, you can rinse the inside of the deck without needing to overturn the equipment. Simply attach a garden hose with a connector to the fitting, open the water supply tap, start the engine and let the mower run for a short period while stationary. Within a few minutes, the rotating blade will spray a stream of water, effectively washing away grass and dirt from the inner surface of the deck.

A small nozzle on a lawn mower saves a lot of time and effort. Thanks to it, the process of washing the deck from the inside is easy and fast.

Many manufacturers caution against using pressure washers and air compressors to clean lawn mowers due to the risk of inexperienced users causing damage with high-pressure water or air flow. However, practical experience has shown that a pressure washer can be used effectively if it has a pressure regulator to reduce the water pressure or an adjustable fan nozzle to control the strength and width of the water jet, making it softer and gentler. It is crucial for the user to have a good understanding of the mower's design and know where not to direct the water flow. For instance, it is important to avoid spraying water on electrical components, prevent liquid from entering the engine and exhaust system, and avoid directing the jet at the air filter to prevent water from entering the carburetor.

Cordless lawn mowers

When and how to sharpen a lawn mower blade?

During use, the cutting blade of a lawn mower gradually becomes dull due to contact with grass and other objects. Dull edges tend to tear vegetation rather than cut it cleanly, resulting in an unsightly lawn. To maintain optimal cutting performance, it is recommended to sharpen the lawn mower blade periodically. For typical domestic use, sharpening the blade once a season or twice a year is usually sufficient.

The most straightforward method to sharpen a lawn mower blade is by using a grinder machine equipped with a grinding stone. This allows restoring the sharpness of the cutting edges and remove any burrs or dents that may have formed from collisions with foreign objects on the lawn. Alternatively, if a grinder is not available, you can securely hold the vise and sharpen the edges using an abrasive wheel on angle grinder, a grinding nozzle on an engraver, or even a regular hand file, if you have the necessary skills.

Manufacturers of garden equipment generally do not endorse or provide specific instructions for self-sharpening lawn mower blades. This is because improper sharpening techniques can lead to the removal of excessive material and disrupt the balance of the blade. An unbalanced blade can cause wobbling and vibrations during operation, potentially damaging the motor shaft. Consequently, the typical recommendation found in lawn mower operating instructions is to have the blades professionally sharpened at specialized workshops to ensure proper balance and performance.

How to properly store the lawn mower?

To ensure the longevity of your lawn mower, proper maintenance and storage are essential. When storing your garden equipment, it is important to choose a dry and protected location such as a garage, pantry, or shed. This will prevent moisture and extreme temperatures from damaging the mower. Additionally, it is advisable to keep the mower away from heat sources and chemicals, as they can accelerate corrosion and the aging of plastic parts. Using a cover, tarpaulin, or film to protect the equipment from dust is also recommended.

To optimize storage space, many lawn mowers are equipped with foldable handles, allowing the equipment to be compactly stored.

Before storing the lawn mower for the winter, it is important to take certain precautions. First, it is recommended to drain the fuel from the gas tank for safety reasons. Additionally, thoroughly washing the equipment is necessary to remove deep-seated dirt. For steel body lawn mowers, applying a protective agent on the inside of the deck, such as WD-40 or equivalent, helps prevent rust. It's also advisable to use a rodent spray if storing the equipment in a barn or garage to deter pests. If the mower has an electric starter, removing and storing the battery in a frost-free location is necessary. Winter preparation can be combined with seasonal maintenance tasks such as changing the engine oil, replacing the air filter, sharpening the blade, and ensuring that all bolts and nuts are tightened.

What kind of petrol is poured into a lawn mower?

Regular automobile gasoline is poured into the fuel tank of gasoline-powered garden equipment. Depending on the region of the planet, “regular” may mean gasoline with an octane rating of 89 to 92 units. Therefore, when buying fuel with an octane rating of 92 or 95 at a gas station, you can be 100% sure that the engine of a petrol lawn mower or petrol trimmers will “digest” it perfectly. But using fuel with a higher octane rating than recommended in the instruction manual should be avoided for garden equipment. The lower compression in these engines compared to modern automobile engines means that higher octane fuel doesn't fully burn in the cylinder and can partially burn in the exhaust system or muffler. This can lead to issues like exhaust valve damage, smelly exhaust, blue smoke, and increased fuel consumption. It's best to stick to the recommended octane rating to prevent these problems and avoid costly repairs in the future.

Please, note: some manufacturers allow refueling devices with E10 fuel, which contains 10% of ethyl alcohol, or gasoline with 5% of methanol. But if there are no direct instructions in this regard in the operating instructions, then it is not worth taking risks and experimenting, since the consequences can be disastrous for the engine.

It is important to ensure the cleanliness of the fuel used in gasoline-powered gardening equipment since they typically lack fuel filters. Contaminants such as sand grains, rust particles, or other debris, no matter how small, can cause damage or accelerate wear to the engine when they enter the cylinder. To maintain fuel purity, it is recommended to store gasoline in dedicated clean petrol cans designed for this purpose. When transferring fuel from the can, to the equipment's gas tank, using a watering can with a strainer can help filter out any impurities.

To refuel a lawn mower, it is better to buy a special petrol can with a long spout that does not allow fuel to spill past the petrol tank neck.

Avoid using fuel that has been stored in a garage for more than 2 to 3 months. Over time, gasoline undergoes structural changes such as oxidation, degradation of additives, formation of a resinous precipitate, and a decrease in octane number. The light fractions responsible for starting properties also disintegrate. Using "old" gasoline can result in difficulty starting and running the engine, as well as increased deposits on spark plugs, piston rings, and combustion chamber surfaces. You can identify old gasoline by its cloudy appearance or a light brown tint, whereas fresh gasoline is usually transparent or slightly yellowish.

Always exercise caution and follow safety measures when refueling your lawn mower with gasoline. Only add fuel to the gas tank when the engine is turned off and the cylinder and exhaust system parts have cooled down to a safe temperature. It is essential to prioritize safety and use common sense. Additionally, it is advisable to have a fire extinguisherreadily available near the gas lawn mower as a precautionary measure.

Is it necessary to mix oil with gasoline for a lawn mower?

Engine oil is added to gasoline only if the lawn mower or petrol trimmer is equipped with a two-stroke engine. The "two-stroke" does not have a lubrication system and an oil tank. Therefore, during the operation of a 2T engine, its parts are lubricated with engine oil, which is added to the fuel in a small amount.

For a two-stroke lawnmower, it is necessary to mix gasoline with special engine oil marked "2T" in the recommended ratio of 50:1 (20 ml of oil per 1 liter of fuel) or 40:1 (25 ml of oil per 1 liter of fuel). This mixture is important for proper lubrication and cooling of the engine, preventing overheating and potential damage.

Use a measuring cup and follow the exact proportions to mix with the correct ratio of gasoline and engine oil for 2-stroke lawn mower.

But when operating lawn mowers with 4-stroke engines, everything is exactly the opposite - adding oil to gasoline is not only not necessary, but also strictly prohibited. Each "four-stroke" has a special oil tank, from where engine oil enters the lubrication system.

Can car oil be used in lawn mowers?

Air-cooled gasoline engines, like the ones used in garden equipment, have different characteristics and requirements compared to water-cooled car engines. It's important to use the appropriate lubricants for each type of engine. Lawnmower oil, typically marked with a lawnmower icon or similar image, is specifically designed for air-cooled 4-stroke engines. This type of oil is suitable for various equipment, including lawn mowers, generators, motor pumps, gasoline compressors, and similar devices.

Examples of packages that immediately show that inside the capacity there is engine oil for lawn mowers.

In summary, it is important not to use car engine oil in a lawn mower. Instead, it is recommended to use lubricants specifically produced by garden equipment manufacturers or trusted counterparts (for example, AL-KO, Husqvarna, Oleo-Mac and Stiga). These oils are designed to meet the unique requirements of lawn mower engines and are available in small capacities for convenient use.

Lawn mowers are typically filled with engine oils labeled 10W-40, 15W-40, or SAE30 (refer to your equipment manual for manufacturer's recommendations). These oils are versatile and maintain their properties across a wide temperature range, making them suitable for operation in temperatures ranging from 0 °C to +30 °C. It is important to use high-quality oil and avoid mixing fluids from different brands, as they may have incompatible additive packages. If you need to change the brand of oil, ensure that you completely drain the old oil from the engine before adding the new one to maintain optimal performance and longevity of the motor.

It is important to regularly check the oil level of your petrol lawn mower before each use. Additionally, a complete oil change should be performed at least once a season or after every 50 hours of operation.

Why can't the lawnmower be turned over?

There is a common belief that a petrol lawn mower should not be turned over on its side. Some stories suggest that the engine may fail to start or stall during the starting process after a rollover. However, these stories typically arise from mishandling or improper technique when turning the lawn mower over. It is important to understand the correct procedure for turning over a petrol lawn mower to avoid any potential issues.

Manufacturers often provide explicit instructions in the user manual, including illustrations, indicating the appropriate side for tilting the lawn mower. It is generally recommended to tilt the mower on its side in a way that positions the fuel filler and air filter on top, while the exhaust system and oil drain are positioned on the bottom. However, it's important to note that not all engines installed on garden equipment are designed to be turned over without any consequences.

It is possible to turn over a gasoline lawn mower, but only on the “correct” side.

Incorrectly tipping over a petrol lawn mower can lead to several problems. Fuel can spill from the tank, causing a potential fire hazard. Engine oil can enter the air filter, causing damage to it. Air jams can form in the carburetor, preventing the engine from starting. The worst-case scenario is when oil or fuel enters the combustion chamber through open cylinder valves, leading to a water hammer effect that can severely damage or even destroy the engine.

Note that there are no prohibitions on turning over electric and battery-operated mowers. They simply do not have fuel, oil or other technical fluids that could spill, leak, get in the wrong place, etc.

More useful information about lawn mowers

All articles on lawn care equipment, ranging from useful tips on choosing a lawn mower or petrol trimmer, and ending with TOP-5 selections in various "nominations", can be found in the corresponding section of the catalog.