Matt Ireland
8 tips for implementing machinery safety systems
Ensuring your fleet of machinery is compliant with legislation and managing the risks of machinery hazards can aid in keeping your people and...
Maintaining a well manicured lawn requires the right equipment, and at the forefront of this stands the lawn mower. This machine plays a vital role in ensuring lawns of all shapes and sizes are kept tidy and inviting. This ultimate guide to lawn mowers covers everything you need to know about this machine, from its components and attachments through to popular models and safety issues to be aware of.
In this article:
Industries lawn mowers are used in
Popular makes of lawn mower in Australia
Potential hazards and safety issues with lawn mowers
What should a lawn mower risk assessment cover?
What is a lawn mower?
A lawn mower is a motorised or manually operated machine designed to cut grass to a desired height in an efficient and precise manner. Lawn mowers come in various configurations and the choice of configuration is dependent on the size of the lawn being mowed and the operator’s appetite for manual labour.
Lawn mower components
Lawn mowers have a few key components including:
- Motor or engine: these provide the power to the lawn mower and its blades.
- Cutting blades: rotating blades that slice through grass with precision.
- Wheels: allow the lawn mower to move and maneuver across various terrains.
- Handle or steering mechanism: used to control the direction of the lawn mower.
- Deck: encloses the cutting blades and grass collection system to ensure safety and efficiency.
Industries lawn mowers are used in
Lawn mowers are used across a wide variety of industries. Some of these industries include:
- Residential landscaping: for the maintenance of small areas of lawn in suburban areas.
- Commercial landscaping: used by professional landscapers for the upkeep of parks, gardens and commercial properties.
- Sports field maintenance: fields require regular mowing to provide a safe and even playing surface for various sports.
- Golf course maintenance: lawn mowers are used to groom the greens, fairways and rough areas on golf courses to meet the standards of the sport.
- Agriculture: specialised lawn mowers are used for agricultural purposes including pasture management, hay production and crop maintenance.
Types of lawn mowers
There are various different types of lawn mowers available for hire and purchase. Your choice of mower will be dependent on the location of the lawn, its purpose or industry and its size. The different types of lawn mowers include:
- Ride on lawn mower: these mowers feature a seat and steering wheel and are designed to efficiently mow larger areas.
- Zero-turn lawn mower: ideal for maneuverability and mowing around obstacles due to their ability to pivot on the rear wheels.
- Stand-on mower: feature a stand-on platform at the rear for enhanced visibility and control.
- Walk-behind mower: a common, versatile mower used for smaller areas of lawn, available in self-propelled and push configurations.
- Robotic lawn mower: automated mowers equipped with sensors and programming to navigate and mow smaller lawns autonomously.
- Wide-area lawn mower: cover and cut large areas of grass in a single pass. They are best suited to large lawns and to improve productivity.
- Slope mower: feature a low centre of gravity and specialised traction systems to cut lawns on steep inclines and terrain.
- Flail mower: feature fails instead of blades to effectively cut through dense vegetation with ease.
- Outfront mower: feature a front-mounted cutting deck to provide increased visibility and accessibility for hard to reach areas.
- Highway mower: specially designed mowers for cutting roadside grass.
- Tow-behind mower: used for large properties and agricultural settings and are usually attached to other machines such as tractors or all terrain vehicles (ATVs).
- Green and fairway mower: engineered for precision cutting to deliver high quality turf.
- Electric lawn mower: powered by electricity, often a rechargeable battery. Ideal for small to medium-sized yards and are known for their ease of use and environmental benefits.
Sizes of lawn mowers
Lawn mowers vary significantly in size. The size is determined by cutting width, overall dimensions and engine power. There are three main size categories of lawn mowers.
Compact
Compact mowers typically have a smaller cutting width ranging from 16 to 21 inches. These mowers are lightweight and maneuverable, making them suitable for use on small lawns, or compact, residential areas.
Medium
Lawn mowers in the medium size classification generally have cutting widths of 21 to 42 inches. While these mowers are still known for maneuverability, they are also designed for efficiency in cutting lawns in larger areas such as large residential yards, parks and sports fields.
Large
Large lawn mowers have cutting widths exceeding 42 inches, ideal for improving efficiency. These mowers are commonly used in commercial landscaping, agriculture and the maintenance of large parks and sporting grounds.
It’s also worth noting the height, width and length of the lawn mower will also vary for each machine. This may have an impact on their ease of use and storage. Therefore, when selecting a lawn mower, it is important to consider not only the cutting width, but also its physical dimensions.
Lawn mower attachments
The purpose of a lawn mower can be transformed through the use of attachments. Some of the most popular attachments include:
- Bagging attachments: used to collect grass clippings for disposal or composting, keeping lawns tidy and free from debris.
- Mulching kits: convert grass clippings into fine mulch which can be redistributed on the lawn to enrich the soil and promote growth.
- Sprayers: apply fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides to control weeds and pests or enhance lawn health.
Popular makes of lawn mower in Australia
There is a large variety of lawn mower manufacturers worldwide but there are a few particular makes that are most popular in Australia. Some of these include:
Honda
Honda is a globally renowned machinery manufacturer known for its reliability and innovative engineering. In Australia, Honda mowers are favoured for their powerful engines and fuel efficiency. One of the most popular models of Honda mower is the HRX217 which features the Versamow system used to shred, bag or mulch leaves.
Husqvarna
Husqvarna mowers are highly regarded in Australia for their quality, durability and ergonomic design. Husqvarna offers a wide range of mowers including diesel, petrol and battery-powered models however, the Automower series of robotic mowers autonomously maintains lawns, helping these models to gain popularity amongst busy homeowners.
John Deere
Popular in the landscaping and agricultural industries, John Deere is trusted for its durability and reliability. The John Deere X700 ride-on mower is a favourite in Australia, ideal for residential lawns, while the ZTrak series is popular for larger lawns and commercial applications.
Masport
Masport mowers are popular among Australians for their quality manufacturing and grass collection capabilities. The President series is highly regarded for its steel decks and Briggs & Stratton engines, while Masport also has electric and battery powered mowers available for the environmentally conscious.
Rover
Known for its rugged construction and versatility, Rover mowers are popular in Australia for their ability to tackle harsh lawn conditions. Models like the Rover Rancher are favoured thanks to their heavy-duty frames and powerful engines, while more eco-friendly battery-powered options are also gaining popularity.
Victa
Victa is an iconic Australian brand that has gained major popularity since its establishment in 1952, known for its affordability and simplicity. Among popular Victa models is the Corvette series which feature Briggs & Stratton engines and alloy decks. This series is ideal for residential use, however Victa manufactures lawn mowers to meet many different needs.
Potential hazards and safety issues with lawn mowers
Like all machines, lawn mowers can be hazardous to operate. Some of the main hazards to be aware of include:
Contact with blades
Lawn mower blades rotate at high speeds and cause severe injuries when contact is made with them. Operators should wear sturdy, enclosed footwear and avoid wearing loose clothing that could get caught in the rotating blades. It is also essential to turn off the mower and wait for the blades to come to a complete stop before performing any maintenance or adjustments to the machine.
Roll overs
Uneven terrain, slopes and obstacles can cause mowers to tip and roll over. Operators should exercise caution when mowing on inclines; it is recommended to mow across the slope rather than up and down to avoid the risk of tipping. Avoiding sudden manoeuvres can also help to reduce the risk of lawn mower roll over.
We’ve seen a number of avoidable lawn mower rollovers occur here at Ideagen Plant Assessor that have resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. Take a look at this article for further advice on how to reduce the risk of such incidents.
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Petrol-powered lawn mowers emit toxic carbon monoxide gas. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, it is crucial to ensure the mower is not operated indoors or in enclosed areas.
Burns
Lawn mower engines and exhaust systems can become hot during operation, posing the risk of burns when contact is made with them. Avoid touching these components during and immediately following use and allow them to cool completely before conducting maintenance or refuelling.
Debris ejection
Mowers can propel rocks, sticks and other debris at the operator at high speeds, posing a serious injury risk. Inspect and clear the lawn of any debris prior to operating the mower and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and a face shield to reduce the risk of injury should debris strike the operator.
Noise
Lawn mowers, especially petrol-powered models, can generate high levels of noise during operation, which may exceed safe limits and pose hearing loss risks to operators and bystanders. Operators should wear hearing protection such as earplugs or earmuffs, while engineering controls including noise reducing mufflers and administrative controls such as scheduling mowing for appropriate times, should be implemented.
What should a lawn mower risk assessment cover?
A thorough risk assessment should be carried out on lawn mowers prior to its first use and periodically throughout its lifespan. These risk assessments will help to identify any hazards that could pose risks to the operator and any other people in the vicinity of the mower. Some of the areas this risk assessment should cover include:
Hazard identification
A risk assessment should involve a comprehensive inspection of the lawn mower for signs of wear and tear, damage or malfunction that could become hazardous.
Risk evaluation
Assess the severity and likelihood of each identified hazard to determine the level of risk posed to operators, bystanders and property.
Control measures
The next step in the lawn mower risk assessment should cover the control measures used to mitigate the risks associated with each hazard. This could include elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls or PPE, as stipulated by the hierarchy of control.
Maintenance and inspection
Establish a schedule for monitoring the controls implemented and maintain them to ensure the highest possible efficacy. Schedule future inspections to ensure they are conducted on time and hazards are not going uncontrolled.
Need guidance on lawn mower safety and compliance?
Ideagen Plant Assessor can help! We have a team of machinery safety experts on hand to provide you with advice on how best to maintain the safety of your lawn mower and ensure its compliance with all legal obligations. Contact us today on 1300 728 852 or info@assessor.com.au.
Disclaimer: This information is intended to provide general information on the subject matter. This is not intended as legal or expert advice for your specific situation. You should seek professional advice before acting or relying on the content of this information.
About the Author
Matt Ireland is the Technical Compliance Manager at Ideagen Plant Assessor. His expertise and knowledge of machinery compliance stems from a broad range of experience in the construction industry. He has also personally inspected and completed over 15,000 machinery risk assessments as a Field Officer in our Professional Services Team. Matt’s integral role involves taking technical documents such as Australian standards and legislation, interpreting them and translating them into the IP that makes the Ideagen Plant Assessor software unique. Read More.
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