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.
This is a lawn mower.
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)
I use a ridingmower and a self propelled push mower. For weedwacker, I use twist ties to attach a 4 ft broom handle. Easy to swing around with the broom handle.
I enjoy working in my yard, although extremely limited by COPD. Now my “weed-waking” has been hampered due to a ruptured bi-cep tendon in my left arm, limiting my ability to crank or maneuver the operation.
I can hire it done, but at age 77, I am “not ready” to stop everything that I have always enjoyed f
doing. Suggestions greatly appreciated. THANKS !
I love how you made that look soooo easy. 😉
I just mowed the lawn at my condo building last night. I had never mowed a lawn in my life and I just had a second round of shoulder surgery. (Long story). Any way, I was super pumped that I got it done. I don’t think I have near the upper body strength that you do, This made me smile.
I had a gas lawn mower but i wrapped a tie around. The starter to hold it down and then pulled the thing to get it sttarted it takes several tries watching your video made me think i needed the mower overhauled or tuned up. My old neighbors gave me a battery charged lawn mower it works decent but its hard to push , maybe i need a riding lawn mower . thanks for the video. It helped , maybe i ‘ll look into getting a lawn mower modified for me. .
That is really cool. I came to this because my right shoulder is really stuffed up and I tried to pull start the lawnmower the other day and the pain was excrutiating so I’m trying to find a better way to start it or use my left hand which is awkward (I’m a rightie). I just noticed that you have pulled the cord out and tied it to the handle so there’s less cord to yank out. At least I think that’s what you’ve done. I may try this as I can’t afford a new lawnmower and the grass isn’t going to stop growing:( Good job by the way and thanks for the video.