Archive for lawn mowers

Mowing advice on getting your lawn fit for Spring

Spring has finally arrived, which means it’s time to prepare your lawn for the upcoming season. Our garden lawns are the ‘go to place’ for outdoor summer activities, such as hosting parties and providing a space for relaxation, play, and dining. So to set your lawn up for the summer, follow these practical tips for the first cut:

1. Clear up beforehand

After months of bad weather, remove any debris like dead sticks, leaves, and rubbish. Check for stones and thick branches hidden in the grass that can damage the lawnmower blade.

2. Timing is key

In the first two weeks of April, it’s usually the best time to give your garden lawn a good trim. However, the timing can vary depending on your location.

3. Follow the “one third” rule

When mowing for the first time, never cut more than a third of the grass blade. Gradually reduce the grass length over a few weeks to avoid stressing the grass and prevent disease and weed infestation.

4. For longer grass

If your lawn has grown longer than desired, still follow the one third rule but decrease the cutting height gradually over multiple weeks until you reach your preferred length.

5. Pay attention to the edges

Trim the edges of your lawn after mowing to avoid a messy appearance and wasted effort.

6. Consider new grass seeds

If you’ve recently repaired your lawn with new grass seeds, wait until it has grown over three inches in length before mowing to allow it to strengthen.

7. Make it a habit

After the first cut, maintain the desired grass length by mowing once or twice a week, as warm weather encourages grass growth.

8. Choose the right equipment

Consider the condition and size of your lawn, as well as your gardening needs, when selecting a lawnmower.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your lawn is ready for a summer of enjoyment. If you need any help or advice on whether your lawnmower or ride-on-mower is ready for the new season then please call us on 01403 283814 and we’ll be delighted to help.

 

5 essential steps to get your lawnmower ready for spring

Did you know that cutting your grass when it gets too long can harm your lawn? As spring is finally here and the weather warms up, it’s the perfect time to start mowing your lawn. But before you begin, make sure your lawnmower is in good condition and learn how to keep it running smoothly during the season.

Here are our top tips:

  1. Change the fuel

For petrol mowers, drain the fuel from the previous season as it can spoil over time. If there’s leftover fuel from the winter, replace it with fresh fuel according to your instruction manual.

  1. Check the oil

Petrol mowers need oil to lubricate the machinery. Depending on your lawnmower, the oil may need to be added separately or combined with the fuel. Refer to your manual for instructions on oil maintenance.

  1. Inspect the power cable

Electric mowers should have their power cables checked for any damage, such as fraying or holes. If your mower cable is damaged, consider getting a replacement to ensure safety. It’s also important to fully untangle the cord before mowing to prevent overheating.

  1. Sharpen the mower blades

Dull blades will result in uneven cuts and may damage your grass. Sharpen the blades if needed, or replace them if they’re cracked, damaged, or too dull to sharpen. New blades will improve the performance of your mower.

  1. Clean the lawnmower

Regularly cleaning your lawnmower will extend its lifespan. Remember to remove any grass build-up from vents to keep the motor well ventilated and prevent overheating. Clean the blades and their surroundings to allow for smooth spinning. Consider using a cleaning kit with a mulch barrier to prevent future grass build-up.

Once your lawnmower is prepared, you can confidently tackle your lawn! To maintain a healthy lawn throughout spring and summer, we recommend mowing regularly when the grass is reasonably dry.

If you would like your lawnmower or ride-on-mower or tractor serviced our team of expert mechanics will be delighted to help. Call us on 01403 283814 and we can arrange a day and time that best suits you.

Book a full service now and save 10% with NO VAT! Offer ends 1st April 2022

Our Winter Service Supersaver offer is back, with a 10% discount on parts and labour, plus FREE isolated local collection and delivery when we service your garden tractor, lawn tractor or ride-on mower.

Due to Covid – 19 this service is in line with Government guidelines. This means collection and delivery will be in isolation and arrangements for payment and delivery without contact will be discussed prior to collection for this service.

The 10% saving is for full services only, on any machine. And now we are no longer VAT registered there’s no VAT added to your bill, making your overall service even cheaper. Our Winter Service Supersaver is always popular so book now to be sure of your 10% saving. And remember, this offer must end on 1st April 2022 .

So what’s included in a WG Gardencare full lawn tractor, ride-on mower or garden tractor service?

The answer is a thorough and meticulous check on every element of your machine including cleaning, lubricating and tuning.

For petrol mowers, for example, we steam clean the machine, strip the carburettor, flush the fuel tank and replace the pull starter cord, fit a new spark plug, replace the air filter, sharpen and balance the blade, check and adjust the drive belt, lubricate the height adjuster and all control levers and cables. Finally, we tighten the engine mounting and handlebar bolts, run and test all machine functions, check the running speed and tune the carburettor. You can find out more about our full service here.

As part of your full service, we also supply a complimentary fuel stabilizer, which means you don’t have to drain the tank prior to storing your machine for the winter – a practical, time-saving touch that’s typical of WG Gardencare’s service.

Why not book your garden tractor or mower in for its full service now to be sure it’s running smoothly and ready to go this spring? Email us now or call us on 01403 283814 and we’ll be happy to help.

Tips and advice on mowing the lawn for the first time this spring

Spring has arrived, meaning that it’s time to dust off your lawnmower and gardening tools to prepare for the season ahead.

Garden lawns play an important part in our outdoor summer enjoyment – they host parties, provide a space to play, relax and read, and el fresco dining.

Therefore, it is important to get the first mow of the year just right to set your lawn up for a summer of use. Here are some practical tips for that first cut.

  1. A pre-cut tidy

After months of bad weather and lack of sunshine, your lawn may look a bit sad. Time to clear any mess including dead sticks, leaves and any rubbish that may have gathered.

Check to see what is hiding in the grass; stones and thick branches may have made their way into the overgrown lawn and the lawnmower blade can be damaged if the lawn mower catches these. Keeping the mower blade sharp is important as a blunt blade can cause damage to the new grass, opening up space for pests and diseases to enter.

  1. Don’t leave it too late

Although the difference in climate can vary depending on where you live in the country, usually the first two weeks in April is the best time to dig the lawnmower out and give the garden a good trim.

  1. Use the one third rule

When cutting your lawn for the first time, always follow the one third rule: never cut more than a third of the blade of grass in one go. The reason: cutting more than this can stress the grass.

Gradually reduce the grass length over a number of weeks to reach the desired length. Cutting the grass too short, too quickly, can lead to disease and weed infestation.

  1. What if your grass is really long?

If your lawn has been a little unkempt throughout the colder months and has grown longer than you would like, still follow the one third rule but take it in stages over a number of weeks. Gradually decrease the cutting height on your lawnmower each time until you reach your preferred grass length.

  1. Contour your garden

The edges of your lawn are important too when cutting your lawn for the first time. Overgrown edges can look messy and can mean time and effort spent working in the garden has been in vain. Trim the edges straight after mowing.

  1. Don’t water immediately after mowin

Don’t water your lawn immediately after mowing. There is no specific point in the month to give your lawn a hose down – it should simply be done if and when it needs moisture which is usually after a long period of drought – if you do chose to water then there are a few guidelines on what time it should be done during the day:

• Watering late in the evening or at night can lead to fungal problems as the grass doesn’t dry out as the sun has set.

• The middle of the day is when the sun is at its hottest. This leads to the water evaporating instantly or the droplets acting as a magnifying glass, burning the blades of grass.

• So the best time is first thing in the morning as the air is cool and the water can travel to the roots before drying up.

  1. Don’t forget about new grass seeds

If you have repaired your lawn in the autumn the new grass that has grown from the seed will be noticeably weaker than the rest of the lawn and can be easily damaged if cut incorrectly. Wait until the grass has grown over three inches in length before mowing for the first time to allow it time to build up strength.

  1. Make mowing your lawn a habit

Following your first cut of the season, you should consider mowing your lawn once or twice a week to maintain the desired length. This is due to the warm weather encouraging your grass to grow.

  1. Choose your equipment carefully

It’s important to remember that no two lawns or gardens are the same even if they are side by side. Take into consideration the condition and size of your lawn, and your gardening needs when choosing the best lawn mower for the job.

Preparing a petrol lawnmower for winter storage

With the growing season coming to a close, you should be looking forward to putting your lawnmower away for the winter. The best time to service your lawn mower is immediately after the last cut of the season. By doing this you will miss the mad rush next spring when everyone else has left it to the last moment to get their lawnmower or ride-on-tractor serviced. Also it is not good to put the mower away for the winter if it is wet and caked in grass clippings as it will cause it to rust and deteriorate.

Have your lawnmower serviced

At WG Gardencare we specialise in servicing and repairing all types of professional and domestic garden machinery including mowers, four and two stroke machines and commercial diesel tractors.

When we service a lawnmower, ride-on-mower or tractor we will look at a whole host of things. For a full list of what is included in our winter service click here. We will collect your mower and return it to you at home once the service is complete. Our Collection and Delivery Service covers West Sussex and Surrey.

So once spring arrives you will be ready to go with only a few spot checks needed.

Check the oil level before use

Once any faults have been repaired as part of the annual service, all you’ll need to do before use is check the oil level using the dipstick and top up if needed.

Clean after use

After use, clean the underside of the mower with a damp cloth to prevent a build-up of grass and rusting. Be sure to tip the mower toward the back of the sump, rather than toward the carburettor. Consult the manual if you’re not sure.

Consider a conditioner

If you’re storing more than one can, you can prolong the life of fresh fuel by adding an ‘additive’ or ‘conditioner’.

Servicing your lawnmower with WG Gardencare

Our comprehensive workshop facilities offer a service – second to none. Our service price is carried out at an hourly rate with free estimates. Please call us on 01403 283814 or email us for a quote. And from the 1st November 2017 until the 1st April 2018 we are giving 10% off our winter service.

Top lawn mowers for 2014

With the grass-cutting season in full swing and the regular use of your lawnmowers and Ride-on-Tractors, at WG Gardencare Machinery we thought you might like to know which garden machines were considered some of the best in 2014 by Which magazine.

Flymo Venturer 32 – rotary lawn mower

The Flymo Venturer 32 is a good option if you mow your lawn regularly and are looking for a light and easy budget mower. It is very manoeuvrable and can cut right up to lawn edges, reducing the need for trimming. This wheeled rotary mower easily cuts a family lawn and leaves a striped finish on short grass, thanks to the roller between the rear wheels. It’s small, easy to move around and comfortable to push. The inset front wheels mean it can cut close to obstacles and right over lawn edges. It is light and has a convenient carry handle on top. The grass collector has a good capacity and is easy to use.

Typical Price – £77.00

Bosch Rotak 37 Li – cordless electric lawnmower

This is the latest cordless electric lawnmower from Bosch. A light (13kg), battery-powered lawnmower with a 37cm cutting width. It has all the usual features, including grass combs so you can cut against obstacles and a single cutting height adjustment lever. Its Ergoflex handles means that you can use with your wrist horizontally or vertically and a roller to give stripes on your lawn. The 36v battery comes with a charger and fits onto the front of the lawnmower and has charge indicator lights. It is perfect for small and medium sized lawns and very easy to use as the system of switches on the handles means you can operate it one handed, ideal if your wrists or hands are not very strong. The handles are adjustable and have large, quick-release clips that make it easy to fold down for neat storage. It collects all the grass very well in grass box leaving no clippings on the lawn and the grass box is easy to empty and fits securely.

Typical Price – £243.00

Honda HRE370 – corded-electric rotary mower

This lawnmower cuts a wide range of lawn types and has enough power to collect the clippings, leaving a good finish – although it isn’t the best at edging a lawn. It’s comfortable and easy to use with a large grass collector and five cutting heights from 18mm to 65mm. It has a 37cm cutting width. This mower gives a family lawn a very even cut and removes nearly all the clippings. Even on damp, long and rough grass, it has enough power to cut and collect up the clippings to leave a neat finish.

Typical price – £179.00

Hayter Sprint 41 – push petrol rotary mower

This mid-range petrol rotary mower has a 41cm cutting width. It’s a push mower with a Briggs & Stratton series 500 engine and breezes through standard lawns and long grass, struggling only on damp grass. It is particularly good on short ornamental lawns, thanks to a lowest cutting height of only 13mm – most rotary mowers are unsuitable for short fine turf, but this might be an exception. It also cuts close to lawn edges, which makes it suitable for a well-kept lawn. The cutting height is easy to adjust as there’s a nice chunky, single lever with seven clearly marked positions.

Typical price – £279.00

Mountfield SP425R – self-propelled petrol lawnmower

This self-propelled petrol rotary mower has an ‘easy start’ 140cc Honda engine. It’s relatively small, weighing 32kg, and has a 41cm cutting width. It has five cutting heights between 20mm to 70mm and a single lever to change between them. It has a rear roller for stripes and a 55-litre grass collector. It can cut down to 20mm and is short enough for ornamental grass. It only has one speed but, as it’s a bit lighter than a lot of petrol mowers, it’s easy to handle. This lawnmower is ideal for a lawn but still manages long and damp grass with ease.

Typical price – £429.00

Remember you can always contact us if you need any advice or help with servicing, repairing or purchasing a new lawnmower and we are able to order and deliver most makes and models on request.