Why is my riding mower not cutting evenly? (2024)

FAQs

Why is my riding mower not cutting evenly? ›

Replace a riding mower blade

If you've checked and sharpened your mower blades, but your riding mower is cutting uneven, then it may be that the mower deck requires leveling. This process helps ensure the mower blade is at the correct distance from the ground on both sides of the mower and the blade is positioned correctly from front to back.

The majority of the time, the mower itself is the root cause of leaving stripes of grass. Over time, the mower loses efficiency and gets exposed to external wear and tear. Mostly, it's the blades, motor, engine, wheels, belts that impact the efficiency of the whole machine.

Driving faster than the mower blades and deck can process overwhelms the deck and leaves behind stragglers and clumping. Slowing down the drive speed of a mower allows the blades enough time to lift, cut and discharge grass clippings evenly.

Heavy mowers will start to sink into the grass and whip up moisture as they cut your grass, which causes grass to clump in matted wet wads that clog the deck of your mower and its catcher.

An unbalanced blade spinning that fast will cause a significant amount of vibration, which will put stress on yout blade shaft, spindle, and even the engine. So if you want to get the most life out of your mower... keep the blades balanced!

The “stripes” that you see on a lawn or athletic field are caused by light reflecting off the blades of grass. They have not been cut at different heights nor are there two different breeds of grass. The “stripes” are made by bending the blades of grass in different directions.

The key is to mow a straight line and then use it as a guide for the rest of the stripes. With practice, mowing straight lines without string will be easier — just pick a point in the distance and mow toward it. If a line is crooked, or a mistake is made, go back two lines before it and start over.

You Lose Power in the Middle of Mowing:

Here's why this happens and what you can do: Dirty Air Filter on Your Lawn Mower: Clean or replace. Dirty Spark Plug: Clean or replace. Build Up of Clippings & Debris: Clean underside of your lawn mower deck as noted above.

What is the best mowing pattern for a riding mower? ›

Lawn Mowing Pattern: Rows

Mowing in rows is one of the fastest, most efficient way to cut your lawn. The size and shape of your yard plays a part in what direction the rows should go. If your yard is more wide, mow in horizontal rows to cover the longest part of your lawn with the least amount of turns.

To mow with a riding lawn mower, adjust your speed for different sections of your lawn so the cuts are smooth and even. You can't make quick, sharp turns on a riding mower. Instead, take long turns or move in a circular pattern. When you make a turn, raise the blade or blade deck if you get off the grass.

The highest setting on your mower! The top setting for most mowers gives a cutting height between 3.25 and 4 inches. This is best for your lawn, but at a setting of 4 inches you may sometimes see some “laying-over” of turf blades that some people find undesirable.

Dull or damaged blades can tear the grass rather than cut it cleanly. If you notice ragged edges and uneven areas after mowing, inspect your blades and consider sharpening or replacing them if necessary.

Mow First

By mowing first, you know how short to trim grass along edges and will be less likely to scalp those areas, giving rise to bare or weedy patches.

A dirty carburetor is one of the most common reasons your lawn mower shuts off after starting. What is this? The carburetor is the engine mechanism that brings in air and mixes it with fuel to create combustion. It's part of your lawn mower's ignition system.

There are several reasons why your lawn mower might start and then suddenly stop. The most common reasons include old fuel, a clogged air filter, or a carburettor that needs cleaning. Another possibility is a problem with the spark plug or the ignition system.