This one time I ran into a van with a riding lawn mower.
I had told the person I was mowing for that I knew how to use it. That was a lie. But, how difficult could it be, right? Well, apparently it’s important to know how the gears work. Especially on a hill. As I started to roll backwards, frantically trying to figure out how to stop, I saw the van out of the corner of my eye. Before I knew it… WHAM! I looked around. As far as I could tell, nobody saw it happen. I put the mower in gear and off I went.
Sorry…person that owned that van.
I’ve mowed lawns with a regular lawn mower my whole life. Never made any adjustments. Starting it can be a bear, depending on the setup of the mower, but it really hasn’t been a problem.
I still like mowing the lawn, but these days it’s a little more painful than it used to be. Having to push the mower with one hand is hard on my wrist. And the vibrations don’t help. That said, it’s still doable. (Full disclosure: I live in a condo. I never mow my own yard. Don’t worry about it.)
Here’s a video of me starting the mower and mowing a little bit. Please feel free to post your thoughts and questions in the comments section!
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haha… love the “wrap-up” motion at the end.
Yeah, I’m not sure what exactly I was doing there. hehe
Nice job…but, I’m completely jealous that your in-law’s yard is green. Our yard…yellow—from a water ban. (Not like yellow snow.)
When we bought our first home, 6 years ago, I got very gung-ho about the new responsibilities. I ran out and bought a basic gas powered weed-eater (aka string trimmer, or weed-whacker for you northerners) only to discover that starting a 2-cycle engine, once a month, was extremely difficult regardless of limb # or hand strength. And after you finally get it going, if it stalls, you’re there yanking again. After a whole summer of defeat I sold my $65 trimmer in a yard sale for $10 (truth be told, I would have given it away) and got an electric trimmer. Wow, what a difference. I actually enjoy it now. My advice to other one handers: use the money you save on gloves to upgrade your gas powered devices to electric start. Pull-cords aren’t worth the frustration. (And spend the extra dough on a two-wheeled wheel barrow. I never looked back)