How to Mow a Lawn Fast and Professionally with an Electric Mower

Discover how to mow a lawn fast with electric mower power, and bid the smelly gas fumes goodbye. Even better, the electric models do away with much of the noise commonly associated with cutting the grass.

Cutting Grass in Modern Times

Ohio State University(1) puts it best when it refers to the gardening chore of cutting the grass as being the “partial defoliation of the turfgrass plant.”

While this may sound a bit stilted to the average gardening hobbyist, it does help to put the task of lawn mowing into the proper perspective: discovering how to mow with electric mower power is a newer take on a simple mechanical application that traditionally relied on gasoline.

Staunch traditionalists may hold on to their fume-belching machines because that’s just how “it’s been done.”

Of course, when breaking down the task into its individual components – a motor propels a rotating blade that cuts the individual plants in a horizontal fashion – it sounds a bit silly to not at least give the electrical mower a second look.

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• How To Select The Perfect Mower For Your Needs

Getting to Know the Electric Lawn Mower

As the name implies, electric lawnmowers feature an engine that requires electricity – not a gasoline and additive mix – to power the rotating blade.

Functionality of both gasoline and electric mowers is comparable – except when dealing with heavily overgrown areas. Moreover, the proper way to mow the lawn does not change depending on the type of mower used.

With all that being said, there is a bit of learning curve associated when using this kind of lawn cutting device:

• Electric mowers function either with an extension cord that must remain plugged in at all times during operation or a rechargeable battery.

Charge the battery for the latter at least 12 hours in advance of gardening; manufacturers generally suggest keeping the batteries plugged in until needed.

• Understand the limitations. Most any battery-powered electric mower cuts a quarter of an acre; a bigger property may require the use of two batteries that need to be switched out halfway through the job.

Along the same lines, think carefully before opting for the extension cord model if the lawn is sizeable; for smaller backyards with easily accessible exterior outlets, the corded mowers are no problem.

• Enjoy the start button. Forget everything you may have learned about mixing oil and gasoline, fine-tuning the engine and pulling on starter cords. Just like a sports car, pressing the start button gets the engine going.

For the best lawn mower battery on the market today, visit Green New Lawn’s battery review page.

Safety Considerations: How to Mow a Lawn Fast

There is no need to store flammable gasoline, keep an oil and gas mix in a clearly marked container or add the liquid to a potentially warm engine.

Nevertheless, there are safety concerns with an electric mower as well.

The West Virginia University Extension Service(2) reminds gardeners to mow away from the area where the machine is plugged in.

This prevents an accidental damaging or clipping of the extension cord. If the grass is slightly wet, a damaged cord poses an electrocution hazard.

It goes without saying that only a properly grounded outlet and a three-prong heavy-duty extension cord (rated for outdoor use) should be used.

The University of Arkansas(3) relaxes the requirement about the three-pronged cord slightly, but only if the mower displays a sticker identifying it as “double insulated.”

Discovering how to mow a lawn fast and professionally with electric mower machines represents a new learning experience.

The absence of gasoline fumes, the noise pollution caused by a gasoline-powered engine and also the ability to opt for battery power versus the cord make this one new gadget that is worth a bit of extra time spent discovering its idiosyncrasies.

Sources of How to Mow a Lawn Fast and Professionally

1. Ohio State University Extension; http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/aex-79031
2. WVU Extension Service; Lawn Mower Safety Guide; http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/lawn_garden/lawns/lawn_mower_safety_guide
3. RESEARCH & EXTENSION University of Arkansas System; Lawn Mower Safety; http://www.uaex.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-1005.pdf

Photo Credits:

• Electric lawn mower, frontal view by Hedwig Storch/Wikimedia Commons at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electric_lawn_mower_IMG_5499.JPG
• Electric lawn mower, bottom view by Hedwig Storch/Wikimedia Commons at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electric_lawn_mower_underside_IMG_5501.JPG
• Electric lawn mower, plugged in by Hedwig Storch/Wikimedia Commons at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AElectric_lawn_mower_IMG_5496.JPG

Guide to Buying and Using Electric Lawn Mowers

Electric lawn mowers offer an environmentally friendly choice for the most common landscape maintenance task: cutting grass. Find out how to go gas-free and how the mowing experience may differ when compared to the gas-powered models.

1. Comparison: What are the Best Electric Lawn Mowers?
2. How to Mow a Lawn Fast and Professionally with an Electric Mower
3. Lawn Mowing Tips for Healthy Grass