GRASSHOPPER MOWER
TIPS & TRICKS
From turf care to mowing, maintenance and storage, our Tips & Tricks features a growing collection of helpful articles and checklists designed to help you make the most out of your Grasshopper mower.
Practicing regular maintenance will extend the life of your Grasshopper and keep it in optimal working order. Simply follow these steps:
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Always check engine oil before starting the mower. Change oil at recommended intervals using the proper grade of oil, and always use OEM FILTERS.
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Check transmission fluid levels before each mowing, and engine coolant level if so equipped. Change at recommended intervals.
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Keep engine, mower deck and all other parts of the mower free of dirt and debris. The mower should be cleaned after each mowing using compressed air.
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Sharpen blades often - at least after every eight hours of use.
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Check belt tensions and adjust as needed before each mowing. When replacements are needed, always use OEM BELTS.
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Lubricate mower and change air filters at the intervals recommended in your Operator's Manual. Periodically check filter between intervals in harsh or dusty operating environments.
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Perform all other maintenance as recommended in your Operator's Manual.
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Protect mower from harsh elements by storing in a shelter or under a cover.
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Check tire air pressure before each mowing, using a low-pressure gauge. Do not over-inflate.
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Check battery terminals and wiring connections to make sure they are clean and fastened well.
Maintenance Tips
Water Conservation
In addition to general water conservation tips, such as deep-watering for longer periods of time once a week (versus short-duration daily waterings), collecting rainwater, and watering in the morning and evening to reduce evaporation, The Grasshopper Company recommends following these seven lesser-known, but highly effective, tips for saving water during the summer.
KEEP YOUR MOWER BLADES SHARP
Dull mower blades don't cut grass; instead, they rip and tear blades of grass, which weakens the plant's health. Sharp mower blades help contribute to turf health and reduce the amount of water the plant needs to thrive.
MOW HIGHER
A taller turf canopy shades the soil surface and feeds a deeper root system. Deeper roots are able to draw moisture from deeper in the soil, requiring less water to maintain healthy growth.
MOW LESS OFTEN
In the heat of the summer, mowing less often, and at a higher cutting height, helps reduce stress on the turf. Turf that is less stress requires less water to grow and maintain its health, even during hotter, drier periods.
MULCH YOUR CLIPPINGS
Mulching clippings and distributing them evenly throughout the turf canopy when mowing creates a buffer zone between the heat of the sun and the soil, which can have a cooling effect on the plant roots and reduce evaporation of moisture from the soil.
USE A ZERO-TURN MOWER
Zero-turn mowers require fewer passes to mow a turf area than conventional lawn tractors or push mowers. Less time on the grass and fewer passes of the mower's weight help reduce stress on turf areas and reduce compaction in the soil - which encourages better root growth
AERATE LAWN AREAS
Properly timed aeration in the fall and spring seasons help reduce soil compaction. Less compacted soils encourage better root growth and improve water filtration, both of which contribute to plant health and reduce water consumption.
LIMIT FERTILIZER USE
Nitrogen is a key element necessary for healthy soils and plants. But too much of a good thing can be devasting to a lawn. Using fertilizers that encourage fast, vigorous growth in the summer transfers the plant's energy from growing deeper roots - which is beneficial for withstanding hotter, drier spells - to growing a taller plant. Fast-growing grasses require more mowings and more waterings, both of which increase stress on the plant and increase water consumption.