Mowing grass during or after rain is not ideal for any homeowner or lawn care professional. Wet grass creates unsightly, clumped grass discharge, which gets stuck to the underside of your mower deck. It also spreads diseases that thrive in moist environments. But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. When mother nature doesn’t give you a choice, be sure to check out the following helpful advice for mowing wet grass.
Raise Your Mower Deck Height
Wet grass is naturally weaker due to the excess weight of the water and moisture, so ideally you want to mow only 1/3 of the height of the grass at a time, and more frequently to help maintain the structural integrity of the grass blade. Cut higher up on the blade to put less strain on your engine and minimize grass clumping.
Mow at a Slow Speed
Back off from the maximum mower speed when mowing wet lawns to reduce wet clippings discharge during mowing. This prevents clogging, is easier on the engine, and creates a higher cut quality. Keep the throttle maxed for optimal output from your engine, just go slower.
Mow with a Clean Mower Deck
Ensure your mower deck is clear from debris before mowing. Air flow generated by the blades is important to effectively discharge clippings. By cleaning the underside of your deck, you can help reduce grass clumping by providing a wide open space for clippings to discharge through. Some mower decks have a wash port to facilitate cleaning. Use it right after each mow before the clippings have a chance to dry out and harden.
Use Sharpened Side Discharge Mower Blades
A sharp blade produces a crisp cut which keeps your lawn healthy and beautiful. It’s particularly important to use side discharge or high lift blades during damp mowing conditions, where a low lift mulching blade will rip grass rather than cut it. Torn grass blades turn brown at the tip and make your lawn unsightly. High lift blades create higher air flow to move wet clippings through the deck before they accumulate.
Use Fuel Stabilizer
Moisture in the fuel tank can be a big problem when you mow in the rain. Any excess water can damage engine components. Use fuel stabilizer when filling up the gas tank, and monitor your fuel levels so you only put in what you will use in the next few weeks. This prevents fuel from sitting around drawing in moisture and contaminating the tank.
Visit the professionals at Mutton Power Equipment for lawn mower tune-ups, repairs, and blade sharpening services in the greater Fort Wayne area.
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