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West Central Blog

Friday, September 24, 2021

How to Use a Riding Lawn Mower

A riding lawn mower helps you mow your lawn more efficiently and quickly. It requires substantially less physical effort than a push mower and comes at fantastic price points, too. These mowers are more versatile than other comparable models and are easier to handle and use.

Our experts at West Central Equipment have created this guide to help you with a few tips to use your machine. Keep reading to learn more, then visit us for more information and advice. We serve all of Pennsylvania, so stop by today.

Riding Lawn Mower

Check Your Gas and Engine Oil

Before starting your riding mower, check if it has sufficient oil to keep the machine running. You'll want to maintain the oil at its required levels and replace it if it is sludgy or dark in color.

While you can safely store your lawnmower with fuel in its tank for short periods, avoid leaving gas in the tank over the winter. Old gas can create engine problems and lead to damaging the part.

Start Your Engine

Your riding mower may have a manual transmission or an automatic transmission. While the former is a better fit for people who prefer to roll their gearbox, the latter is ideal for those who prefer a more easy implementation.

If you have a manual transmission, you will need to press down both the brake and clutch or the dual-purpose pedal before turning the key. On a machine with an automatic transmission, you will have to press a button or turn on a switch.

Engage Your Blades

Now that you are ready to mow, you'll want to adjust the cutting height of your machine. To do that, you'll need to set the adjustment lever and then engage your blades with the lever or switch. You can now drive your lawnmower in straight lines to trim the grasses in your yard. To head in the opposite direction, make a U-turn, and ensure that you overlap your previous path a little bit to avoid missing any spots.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Like you proactively maintain your other machines, you’ll need to service your riding mower, too. Make sure you sharpen its blades, which can become dull over time and with regular use. If you notice any dents or cracks in them, you’ll need to replace them instead. Also, you’ll need to change your oil and oil filters and monitor the fluid levels on your mower.

If you aren't comfortable performing the maintenance steps yourself, don't hesitate to seek professional help. A trained mechanic can look at your model and tune it up to optimize its performance.

We hope this guide helps you use your riding lawn mower safely and efficiently. If you need more advice or want help upgrading your machine to the latest model, visit West Central Equipment. Our experts can address your concerns and help you choose a lawn mower that suits your requirements. To speak to us, visit our dealership, where we happily welcome our customers from Pennsylvania.


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