Lawnmowers are a must-have outdoor power equipment that helps keep your lawn in perfect condition. But you should also know about the risks of using a lawnmower, including the risk of a fire.
Our Alabama lawnmower experts provide some tips on proper usage of lawnmowers in this blog post. You should follow the tips mentioned here for safe usage of your mower.
1. Never Refuel A Running Mower
Refueling in the middle of mowing is dangerous. Do not refuel the mower when it is warm. Make sure to always check the fuel before mowing grass.
The engine components, particularly the muffler, will be hot when in use. It will take at least 15 minutes for the mower to cool down.
Your mower will catch fire if you try to refuel it when it’s hot. This is because gasoline has a low flashpoint. It will ignite even when the engine is slightly warm. So, stop the mower and let it cool before refueling it.
2. Keep the Mower Deck Free of Debris
The mower deck must be free of all types of debris as a spark can occur when the mower blades hit a hard object such as a rock. It will ignite the pile of dry clippings under the mower.
A mower blade spins at a high speed. The speed can be high enough to cause a fire when it hits a solid object.
Avoid mowing a lawn with rocks and stones. Also, you should ensure that the blade is in good condition to avoid a fire. A bent blade could scalp the lawn and create a fire when it hits hard terrain. Maintenance of the lawn mower crankshaft is also important as a bent crankshaft can cause sparks to fly when mowing, thereby resulting in a fire.
3. Don’t Mow During Hot and Windy Weather
The chances of a lawnmower fire are high when the weather is hot and dry. The factor of wind greatly increases the chances of a fire.
Dry debris that includes lawn clippings can catch fire. High wind can force the clippings to cause a fire. So, you should avoid mowing your lawn in such a condition.
4. Keep Your Mower Well-Maintained
You must make sure that your mower is well-maintained. Routine maintenance can ensure that your mower works without any problems. It is particularly important to check the air filter of the mower. A clogged filter can make the engine get hotter faster. The chances of a mower catching fire are high when the engine is hot.
In addition, you should also check the oil level. You should ensure that there is enough engine oil before mowing. Engine oil lubricates the internal components of the engine. Your mower will catch fire in case the internal components are dry.
Conclusion
Taking the above precautions will go a long way in avoiding lawnmower fires. Make sure that you replace any leaky gas caps if using natural gas-powered Alabama outdoor power equipment.
You should not fuel up when the motor is running. In addition, you should put the gasoline container away from the mower once fueled up. You must also disconnect the spark plug of the mower when doing any type of repair.
Want to get in touch with a reliable Alabama outdoor power equipment dealer? You can contact the DR Power Store. We are a trusted DR Power lawn equipment supplier who has been serving residents of Alabama for over 30 years.
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