Starting and operating a push mower can be confusing for some people, but once you get the hang of it, it is like riding a bike. Mowing with a push mower can be very enjoyable and gives you a chance to enjoy what Mother Nature has provided.

Starting a push mower can be the most difficult part of operation, but with practice, you will get it. Most push mower models have a rubber bulb on their side that you will in push three times before you start the engine. This button primes the gas into the carburetor, and creates a vacuum to help the engine get the first zap of fuel. Be sure not to pump the bulb too many times or you will flood your push mower carburetor with too much fuel, and if pushed less than three times, it will not get enough fuel to mix with the air to ignite in the engine. Next, grab the safety lever that is attached to the top and squeeze it towards the handle. Then, locate the pull cord on your push mower (sometimes called a crank cord) that is usually attached to the side of a handle, or down by the base of the motor, and pull swiftly up and out. You may have to do this several times to get the engine to turn over. If you let your hand off of the safety lever, the motor on your push mower will cut out automatically, and the blade will stop spinning immediately. Some people have difficulty getting this process down, but just be sure you hold on to the safety lever, and pull the pull cord on your push mower quickly and swiftly. Before you pump the rubber bulb again, try pulling the cord at least ten times to insure you don't flood the engine on your push mower.

Now that the push mower is running, there are a few tricks you can follow to make your lawn look amazing. First, you should adjust the wheel height, and it is a good idea to do this with your push mower motor turned off. During the summer, the grass should usually be cut to ½ inch to 2 inches at most. Inside the underside of your push mower there should be latches or screws that let you adjust the height of the wheels and will have measurement indicators on them. After you have decided on the length you want your grass cut at, adjust the wheels and get mowing. Lawn mowing with a push mower can be challenging and gets your heart rate moving, so don't walk too slowly or grass clumps can clog up your blades. Use your push mower to mow across slopes, not up and down them for safety, and turn off the engine if you hear anything clunking around or jamming up.

It may be best to use your push mower early in the morning, just after the dew has dried on the grass. Always use your push mower on dry grass and mow at best once a week. With practice you will get the hang of using a push mower, and soon you'll want to be out there mowing every sunny day.

Push Mower