How Does a Ride-On Lawn Mower Work?

The riding lawn mower is used in yards where a push mower could take too long to do the job. Riding lawn mowers are used on farms, football fields and even single-residence lawns. The blade radius is usually 60 inches with a cutting speed of 3,600 rpms. The engines can be anywhere from 12 to 26 horse power. Although a riding lawn mower may look like a go-cart or car, operating one requires special controls and safety concerns.

Mower Design

Ride-on lawn mower operators use the mower from a seated position. Engine position and blade position can differ from model to model. Most mowers have four wheels, with rear wheels typically much larger than the front ones. For ride-on mowers that achieve a "zero degree" turn radius, there are additional wheels attached to the blade case that swivel and guide the mower to cut within its own space. Riding mowers typically operate on diesel engines.

Cutting grass with a riding mower starts with safety. Removing objects like rocks and toys is paramount with riding mowers because the blade size and rotation can send foreign objects flying much farther than with a standard push mower. The blade radius also extends past the mower's width, so small pets and children should be kept away from the mowing area.

Starting a riding lawn mower can vary, but many require the operator to put the mower's gears into "neutral" position and to ensure the blades are disengaged. After the mower is started, riders determine the blade height. There is usually a special control lever to make this adjustment.

When the mower is set into drive position, the rider begins cutting the grass, utilizing the brakes and steering wheel as needed. Some experts recommend cutting the grass from the outside of the field towards the inside in a zigzag pattern. Many riding mowers have attachments like clipping catchers that funnel all the grass clippings to a rear storage area on the mower.

Extra safety is also of concern when mowing. Running riding mowers should not be left unattended, and the mower should always have brakes on and the blade lifted when at a stop. Since riding mowers are much heavier than push mowers, mowing on slopes should be up and down and not side-to-side in order to avoid tipping.