Electric lawn mowers are a safe, economical and environmentally friendly choice of lawn trimming tool. If you already have either a corded or cordless electric lawn mower, or are thinking of buying one, here are a few tips on how to maximise the life of your mower to ensure you get a long life span out of it.
Battery Care for Cordless Lawn Mowers
If you have a cordless or battery operated mower, it will come with a rechargeable battery. Since this is what powers your mower and can be expensive to replace, you will want to take good care of your battery. Always read and follow the manufacturers' instructions on charging the battery unit. Try not to completely deaden the batteries if possible - it will be easier to tell if the battery is nearly flat if your mower has a power level indicator. If you need to store your mower over winter or for an extended period of time, remove the battery prior to storing.
Take Care While Mowing
Before you start mowing, always do a quick check of your yard and remove anything lying around - hoses, sprinkler heads, dog bones and children's toys are easy to miss and could become dangerous flying projectiles if you accidentally mow over them. Also, mowing over foreign objects could cause damage to your mower blades or the mower deck. Be careful when mowing next to fences and garden edges, and it is a good idea to switch the mower off if you have to cross over paths or non-grassy areas.
Store Correctly
When you have finished mowing, don't just leave your mower sitting out in the yard in the weather. Rain, hail, sleet and snow add unnecessary wear and tear to your mower, and may shorten its lifespan. Make sure you store your mower in a shed, garage or other shelter to ensure it is completely protected from the elements. Many electric-powered mowers have collapsible handles that fold down completely, to allow you to store your mower upright or in small, compact spaces.
Clean and Check Regularly
Unlike traditional gas powered lawn mowers, electric mowers require very little maintenance. There is no need to change the oil or replace spark plugs and air filters. To keep your electric lawn mower in tip top shape, try and give it a quick clean after you finish mowing so it will be all neat and tidy when you stow it away. First make sure you have the mower turned off and check that safety switch is also off. If you have a corded mower, unplug the power cord at the wall.
Electric lawn mowers are a great tool to use when maintaining your lawn, and with a healthy market for both corded and cordless electric lawn mowers there are plenty of brands to choose from such as Black & Decker, Worx, Earthwise and more.