Different Types of Mowers

• Lawn mowers have revolving blades that cut grass evenly and smoothly, without leaving the blades of grass hacked off at different lengths. Rotary mowers are those that have blades that rotate around a vertical rod known as an axis. Most gas-powered push mowers are of this variety. Mowers that have blades that revolve around a horizontal axis are called Reel Mowers or Cylinder Mowers. These types are still being built today though they are quite old-fashioned. Reel type mowers are often human-powered without a gas or electrically-powered engine. Small mowers are ideally suited to small lawns, whether residential or commercial, while the larger models, especially the rider mowers, are better suited to larger lawns. Some mowers are self-propelled, meaning that their front wheels are controlled by the motor rather than by the operator. These mowers move faster and easier, though some operators find them difficult to keep up with at times.
  
  

Priming the Motor

• Most residential lawn mowers have pull-cord starters on them, and some of the older models require priming before pulling the cord. The primer is usually located either on the side or the front of the machine. If it is in the front two people may be required to start the mower, while the side primers can be easily started by just one person. The primer usually requires about three pushes, and then the starter cord is pulled, thereby starting the mower's motor. Typically, the operator has to hold onto both the machine's handle and another handle known as the "dead man's switch" in order to start the engine. If this switch is not compressed the engine will not turn over and if it is released after starting, the engine will stop immediately.
  
  

Side Discharge or Mulching Mowers

• Rotary style mowers have openings either in the side or the rear to spew out the cut grass. If the mower has a rear opening, it is a mulching mower and there should be a bag attached to the rear of the housing to catch the clippings when they are expelled. Without this bag, the clippings, small stones and twigs will clip the operator in the legs all through the process, so the bag is essential. Side opening mowers typically don't need any bags or further safety measures. The grass clippings and other detritus are expelled to the right side of the machine. Some of the newer mowers have multiple openings so that they can be used both as mulching mowers or side-discharge mowers. If you have one of these and do not wish to use the rear opening it will need to be blocked so that nothing can shoot out through that opening.