Dixon Lawn Mowers

Dixon Lawn Mowers

More than 30 years ago, an idea combined with ingenuity inspired the beginning of a brand that revolutionized the way homeowners and professional landscapers alike cut grass.
Dixon acquired the patent to a unique mechanical transmission that allowed a zero turning radius on a mower. This transaxle allows steering to be controlled by the power wheels on the mower instead of a steering wheel. By delivering the power independently to each rear wheel, the operator is able to turn the mower around within its own dimensions. This greater maneuverability allows for trimming close to shrubs, around trees, and in fence corners or other tight spots – places that usually had to be trimmed by hand.

With its new design and a plan to carve a niche in the riding mower market, Dixon rolled its first zero turn mowers off the assembly line in 1974. Then, beginning with a group of distributors in the Midwest, Dixon convinced the world that there was a better, faster and easier way to mow. The rest is an American success story. Today, Dixon mowers are sold across the United States and throughout the world.

Source: Dixon ZTR

History of Kubota - Kubota Tractors In The Beginning

History of Kubota -

Kubota Tractors In The Beginning

Kubota was established in 1890. The corporation has a long history of manufacturing agricultural machinery in Japan. With a great line of compact tractors, necessary on smaller Japanese farms, Kubota entered the North American market in 1969. In 1974, Kubota introduced a 12 HP four-wheel drive tractor in the US.

The popularity and low price of Kubota tractors led to a number of "grey market" imports of Japanese models into North America. These models lack safety equipment required in teh US such as PTO shields and seatbelts. Kubota won a lawsuit in 1997 to make it illegal to distribute these tractors.

What to Look For When Purchasing a Lawn Mower

What to Look for When Purchasing a Lawn Mower

You want to ensure your lawn mower is going to be a good fit for your needs. There are many models and features to choose from, but by focusing on these basics, you will be able to choose the right mower for both your budget and your lawn. Knowing what to look for when purchasing a lawn mower can save you money and frustration down the road.

The most basic aspect of choosing an appropriate lawn mower, is the size of your lawn. Larger yards may require a tractor mower, while smaller ones may be more suitable for a push mower. Walk behind lawn mowers are best suited to yards under three quarters of an acre. In addition lawns that are fairly flat don't require additional features in the lawn mower. Yards that are more than half an acre and do not contained various grades are best suited to a self-propelled walking mower. That way you won't have to do the pushing over hills or rougher patches yourself, you simply guide it. Choosing the right size will also help you to keep your fuel costs under control.

Another key aspect of choosing a lawn mower is the size of its engine and lawn mower deck. The size of the mower deck relates to how much grass the lawn mower will cut at each pass. For large yards, having an engine of suitable power and a large lower deck, helps to get the job done quickly and efficiently. However, you don't want to overshoot your lawn mower's power and size, because that will just cost you money in fuel expenses.

Wheel size is another important consideration in lawn mowers. Standard wheel sizes are good for lawns that are fairly flat and smooth. If your lawn contains rougher terrain and/or many hills, opting for larger rear wheels will make the job much easier.

The same principles for lawn mower engine power and mower deck size apply to riding mowers. If your area is more than three quarters of an acre, a riding mower is a good choice for you.
The new models of lawn mowers can come with many extras, such as mulching the lawn cutting as you go and redistributing them over the lawn. Lawn mowers that also mulch have specially designed blades, which cut the grass into many tiny fragments as you go. Those grass fragments are a great natural source of fertilizer as they decompose. If you don't want this option, make sure your lawn mower bags your grass clippings.

In addition to those basic elements, there are options for solar powered lawn mowers, robotic lawn mowers, and lawn mowers that come with cords or are cordless. Doing a little bit of research on each of these options will help you to know what's a good fit for your yard.
Now that you know what to look for when purchasing a lawn mower, you will be able to make the best decision for your yard.

About the Author:
Blake Bahrns is a lawn mower parts and small engine parts expert with over 20 years of experience working on lawn and garden equipment. For additional lawn mower tips, lawn care tips, and more free lawn mower articles visit http://www.lawneq.com/.

Tips on General Lawn Mower Maintenance

Tips on General Lawn Mower Maintenance

You want to keep your lawn healthy, green and lush all season long, and your lawnmower is an important part of maintaining your lawn's overall health and appeal. By following these tips on general lawn mower maintenance, you will ensure that your lawn mower is working at peak efficiency every time you need to use it.

Tip #1
Keep your lawn mowers blade sharp. A dull lawn mower blade makes for an uneven cut to your lawn, and may even damage your grass. In addition, a sharp blade means cutting efficiency, reducing wear and tear on your lawn mower's engine and other parts.

Tip #2
Ensure your lawn mower's air filter is kept clean and free of dust and dirt. You can usually just shake the air filter out to remove dust and debris. However if your air filter has been in use for a while, and has a lot of build up on it you should replace it immediately. All of your lawn mower's parts work in conjunction with one another so saving money by not replacing an overly dirty air filter will only cost you money in the long run.

Tip #3
Clean your lawn mower's carburetor. Just like your car, your lawn mower's carburetor needs to be looked after. Before removing the carburetor, make sure the fuel line has been turned off. Once you have the carburetor out give it a good clean so that it's floating valve is able to move freely. Then replace the carburetor and turn the fuel on back on.

Tip #4
Check your lawn mower's fuel. In addition to keeping the fuel topped up, to at least halfway, you want to replace any gas that was left over from the previous season that did not have a stabilizer added to it.

Tip #5
In addition to keeping the fuel topped up and in good shape, you also want to inspect your lawn mower's fuel line. It's very common to switch your fuel line off at the end of the season, so it's easy to forget about it. If your lawn mower isn't starting check that first. If the engine still doesn't start the gas may not be getting to the carburetor. To check that, remove the fuel hose from the carburetor to see if the fuel is flowing through. If it is, you can reconnect the two. If it isn't your fuel line may be plugged or the filter may be blocked.

Tip #6
Check the spark plug. That's one of the most basic things you can do if your lawn mower is not starting or working properly. To check it, detach the wire at the end of the plug before removing it. You want to ensure the spark plug is not wet or dirty.

These tips on general lawn mower maintenance will keep your lawn mower doing its job properly throughout the season. You will save money on costly lawn mower repair and part replacement by performing regular upkeep on it. Your lawn mower will last much longer, and your lawn will be a lovely sight to behold.

About the Author:
Blake Bahrns is a lawn mower parts and small engine parts expert with over 20 years of experience working on lawn and garden equipment. For additional lawn mower tips, lawn care tips, and more free lawn mower articles visit http://www.lawneq.com/.

The Most Common Lawn Mower Problems

The Most Common Lawn Mower Problems

You depend on your lawn mower to keep your lawn healthy and properly maintained. Lawn mowers have many moving parts, and like any piece of equipment may break down from time to time. Troubleshooting common lawn mower problems can save you time and money in expensive lawn mower repair. Of course, the first step is to familiarize yourself with your owner's manual, to ensure proper procedures are followed for safety and to avoid damage to your lawn mower.
The most basic and common lawn mower problems involve a lawn mower that won't start or runs rough. There may be many reasons why this happens, but here are some easy things to check:

#1. Check to see that the fuel line is switched on. This is an easy one to forget at the beginning of the season, because several months may have passed since you last used it. In addition, you want to ensure you have enough gas for the engine to fire. That's another easy one to forget the first time you bring your mower back out.

#2. If your lawn mower has enough gas (at least half a tank) and the fuel line is switched on, the next thing you can check is to see that your fuel line is clear and enough gas is getting to the carburetor.

#3. While you're checking your gas, you may want to think back and try to recall if you had added a fuel stabilizer to it at the end of last season. If not, replace the gas.

#4. A dirty or faulty spark plug is a common culprit of lawn mower problems. Your lawn mower's spark plug should be dry and dirt free.

#5. Dirty air filters can also hamper the lawn mower's function. Before you replace your filter, you can shake it out to get rid of dust and dirt. However if the air filter looks oily and has a lot of caked on dirt you need to replace it.

#6. If you are finding your lawn mower is leaving a ragged edge on your grass, it probably means that the blade needs to be sharpened. A dull lawn mower blade will not only leave your lawn looking uneven, but it can also damage your grass.

#7. Clean your lawn mower's blade often. It's a good idea to clean grass and dirt off your blade after each mow. That goes for the rest of your lawn mower, too.

#8. Check your engine oil. The same way your car's oil needs to be clean and properly topped up, so does your lawn mower's oil. The oil provides a vital function in lubricating your lawn mower's engine parts, so replace it frequently to avoid damaging the engine.

Those are the most common lawn mower problems that people face. Checking each one of these items when your lawn mower is malfunctioning can save you costly repair bills. In addition, you want to make sure you follow the manufacturer's recommended guidelines carefully. Each lawn mower will have different specifications, so have a read over the owner's manual before attempting any repairs on your own.

About The Author:
Blake Bahrns is a lawn mower parts and small engine parts expert with over 20 years of experience working on lawn and garden equipment. For additional lawn mower tips, lawn care tips, and more free lawn mower articles visit http://www.lawneq.com/.

Simple Steps For How to Sharpen a Lawn Mower Blade

Simple Steps for How to Sharpen a

Lawn Mower Blade

You take a great deal of pride in your lawn, and keeping it looking healthy and beautiful is important to you. To give your lawn a nice clean edge and to prevent the grass from being damaged or falling prey to disease you need to ensure your lawn mower blade is kept sharp. There are some simple steps for how to sharpen your lawn mower blade, that you can do yourself.

These are the following items that you will need to sharpen your lawn mower blade:

* Safety glasses, a sturdy set of gloves, WD-40, a grinder (also a vice grip if you are using a file or angle grinder instead of a bench grinder), a ratchet and socket set, a spark plug wrench, a scraper, a vice grip or C-clamp to hold the blade while the bolts are taken off.

The first thing you want to do is to take out your lawn mower's spark plug to ensure your engine doesn't accidentally start while you're taking off the blade. Since you're going to be tipping your lawn mower, you should also take off the air filter and remove the fuel cap. With the fuel cap off, place a plastic lining over the fuel hole, then replace the cap and make sure it's tight. This way your fuel won't leak out of the tank. Don't forget to get rid of the plastic when you're finished.
The next step in how to sharpen a lawn mower blade is to turn your lawn mower over. Make sure you don't turn the lawn mower upside down or even more than 90¡. That will keep oil from getting into your cylinder. Next, you'll be removing the lawn mower blade bolts. The number and placement of your bolts will vary based on the type of lot more you have. The bolts are likely stuck in there pretty good, so use a little WD-40 to make them easier to remove. Like any type of maintenance job, always pay careful attention to how things were initially placed, so that you can put them back the same way.

Before sharpening your lawn mower blade, give it a bit of a clean first. This not only helps with the sharpening, but it will prolong the life of your blade by helping to prevent rust from forming.
Now you're ready to start sharpening. By far, the best and safest way to sharpen your lawn mower blade is to use a grinder that is bench mounted. If you don't have one of those, you can easily make do by placing the blade in a clamp or vise on a table to stabilize it. Then you can use a file, the grinding attachment for a drill motor, or an angle grinder. It is extremely important that you only grind the engine side of your lawn mower blade. You must not sharpen the other side - the grass side - of the blade. You can tell the difference between the two because the engine side of the blade has a bevel - that's the portion of your lawn mower blade that you will be sharpening.

By following these simple steps for how to sharpen a lawn mower blade, you can easily and safely perform this task yourself. This will help to keep your lawn healthy and beautiful.

About the Author:
Blake Bahrns is a lawn mower parts and small engine parts expert with over 20 years of experience working on lawn and garden equipment. For additional lawn mower tips, lawn care tips, and more free lawn mower articles visit http://www.lawneq.com/.

Fall Lawn Mower Tune Up Steps

Fall Lawn Mower Tune Up Steps

Your lawn mower has been working hard for you all summer long, so come the fall, it is a good idea to give it a tune up. You wouldn't let your car be used for an extended period of time, without checking its basics, so your lawn mower shouldn't be any different. Lawn mowers have many moving parts that need to be maintained for a long working life and effective performance.
Before you get started on performing your lawn mower's fall tune up, ensure you are familiar with the manufacturer's recommendations, and follow those guidelines accordingly. Doing that ensures your safety and the lawn mower's useful life.

Step #1
Check the spark plug. With frequent use, your lawn mower's sparkplug may become dirty or wet. If the spark plug is dirty, you may be able to clean it. If it's wet, it will need to be replaced. In addition, keep the spark plug out as you are checking all the other parts, so that the engine doesn't fire accidentally.

Step #2
With the spark plug out, give your lawn mower a good clean with a scraper and an air gun. Lawn mowers are great at accumulating dirt and debris both on their underside and in any holes or ducts.

Step #3
Remove the lawn mower blade, and sharpen it. This will go a long way to improving your lawn mower's performance. Use either a bench mounted grinder or an angle grinder or file. Make sure you only sharpen the engine side of the blade, the side that is beveled.

Step #4
Apply WD-40 to your lawn mower's various moving parts to keep them from sticking.

Step #5
If you're going to be putting your lawn mower away for the season and you still have a half a tank of gas remaining, added fuel stabilizer to it. That will allow you to still use the gas next season. If you don't do this, the gas will need to be replaced.

Step #6
Change your lawn mower's engine oil. The oil is there to lubricate the engine, to prevent damage and to ensure efficiency in its performance. Therefore you want to make sure the oil is clean.

Step #7
Inspect your lawn mower's engine belts. Any belts that appear frayed or loose should be replaced.

Step #8
The end of the lawn mowing season is a good time to replace your air filter. Throughout the season, it is okay to just shake your air filter out, removing dirt and debris. However, after a period of heavy use, it is more beneficial to replace a dirty air filter.

These steps should be followed after every lawn mowing season. Doing so will keep your lawn mower functioning at peak efficiency, and will prevent damage and costly repairs down the road. As always, you should ensure your lawn mower is kept in a dry, covered place. Following these steps, along with the recommendations from your owner's manual, will ensure a good fall tune up, and have your lawn mower ready in great working condition for the next season.

About the Author:

Blake Bahrns is a lawn mower parts and small engine parts expert with over 20 years of experience working on lawn and garden equipment. For additional lawn mower tips, lawn care tips, and more free lawn mower articles visit http://www.lawneq.com/.