Extension

The riding mower and the push mower are the stars of the show when it comes to lawn care; however, auxiliary equipment such as string trimmers, edgers and blowers play essential supporting roles.

 

Just like when using a lawn mower, these other pieces of equipment require safe usage and proper maintenance.

 

String trimmers and edgers can separate a good lawn care job from an excellent one. These tools give the lawn a polished, clean look and can increase curb appeal. They can be dangerous to operate, especially around gravel, trash and other debris in the yard. This is why picking up items in the yard before mowing, edging and trimming is important. Also, these tools can cause damage to tree trunks, landscape plants, house trim, fences and people. Trimming too close to these things can result in gouges in the surface. For plants, this could cause unsightly scars in the short term and lead to disease, insect problems and even death down the road.

 

Wear protective clothing when operating a weeder, edger or trimmer. In addition, make sure children and pets aren’t in the area. When edging the lawn next to the road, be aware of traffic.

 

Homeowners using electric-powered equipment need to be aware of where the cord is at all times to avoid a tripping hazard or inadvertently cutting the cord. As always, be sure to read the operator’s guide before using any lawn tool.

 

Leaf blowers are an excellent tool for the final steps in lawn maintenance. They can be used to blow grass clippings from hard surfaces. A word of caution – never blow grass trimmings onto the road. First, grass trimmings are a beneficial nutrient for the lawn. Second, they can be slick and cause problems for motorcyclists or bicyclists driving by the property. And third, grass clippings can be harmful if washed into storm drains.

 

The primary hazard of a leaf blower is that it can propel small rocks and sticks, nuts and other debris toward bystanders. These flying objects can strike people, pets and plants and cause damage.

 

Be sure to keep the air intake clean of lawn debris to ensure the motor doesn’t overheat. When cleaning the plastic parts of any lawn equipment, wipe with a damp cloth, but don’t use any type of solvent because it can damage the plastic.