Introduction and Specific Yards Instructions

Proper yard maintenance, including lawn, tree and shrub care plays a major role in lawns overall health

and appearance. Maintaining a healthy lawn involves using good maintenance practices throughout the

growing season.

During periods of excess rain (from May to October), it's a good habit to match the mowing schedule to

the growth rate of the lawn. At this period it is necessary to mow the grass twice a month. From

November to April it is sufficient to cut the grass once a month.

See below the maximum credit limits service hours are set for cutting the lawn, removing the

branch/debris and picking up/dropping off the lawn mower.

Click the links to see further details about location of each yard and its specific maintenance:

- Palomar: 3.0 hrs (0.32 ac)

- Lee Office: 2.0 hrs (0.32 ac)

- Yeomans Office: 1.0 hr

- Hall: 2.0 hrs (0.25 ac)

- Empty lot: 2.0 hrs (0.25 ac)

- Gainesville: 2.0 hrs (0.25 ac)

- Duplex: 3.0 hrs (0.44 ac)

Read the entire instructions document so that you understand all aspects.

Lawn Mowing Instructions

Before starting, be sure you have the following items:

1. Lawn mower

2. Gas can with at least 2 gallons of standard gasoline (NOT diesel fuel)

3. At least one quart of 30W motor oil

4. Eye protection goggles

5. Long pants, long sleeve shirt, closed shoes (no sandals)

6. Photos and instructions from web site that shows the entire area to be cut at the dorm house and other

aspects of yard maintenance.

Read the entire instructions document so that you understand all aspects.

Attempt to cut the grass ONLY if it is dry. Wet grass does not cut properly and clogs the mower.

Wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, and closed shoes (no sandals). Wear eye protection goggles.

Check the air filter and CLEAN it (or replace if necessary) - don't allow it gets clogged.

The mower blade should be sharpened once a year. Only inspect blade if the spark plug is

disconnected.

Blade removal for annual sharpening is a special task for John or someone experienced with

mowers.

Check that the mower has sufficient oil (check the mark on the dip stick…do not overfill).

Fill the fuel tank with standard gasoline. (The weed eater machine is different; it requires a special

gas-oil mix.)

Adjust the wheel height to lift the blade higher above the ground if the grass is extremely long.

Adjust the wheels to lower the blade nearer to the ground if the grass height is moderate.

Before starting the cutting process, clear the yard of clear of any debris that might block, damage or

be flung from the mower. Walk all over the yard to check for stones, branches, trash or other such

items.

Prime the cutter by pressing the fuel bulb (mini-pump) five or six times.

Hold the handle switch down while pulling the starter cord. Repeat until the mower starts.

Cut the entire area specified in the photos diagrams/maps of the yard (available on the web site).

Return the mower to the office shed immediately after use. Never leave the mower outside at the

Hall Street or Palomar houses UNLOCKED. Mowers have been stolen from those locations

previously.

Lawn Mower Safety Safety is the top concern for students doing lawn maintenance at their dormitory or at the office. The

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that each year lawn mowers injure over 110,000

people seriously enough to require treatment in hospital emergency rooms. What can be done to prevent

lawn mower accidents? The following practices will prevent most accidents:

Train operator. Be sure you study this document to learn how to properly operating the mower.

Have John or another person experienced with the mower show you the first time. Observe the

operator until satisfied that he /she can handle the mower safely.

Check your lawn before mowing. Objects picked up and hurled by the blade cause many injuries,

even deaths. Clear the lawn of sticks, stones, toys, bones and other objects.

Check guards and shields. Be sure all protective devices are in place before starting the mower.

Shields and guards are for your protection and will prevent numerous injuries if used.

Eye Protection. Always wear eye protection (sunglasses or lab goggles) when operating the

mower. Always!

Dress properly to do the job safely. No bare feet! No sandals! No sneakers! Always wear sturdy

shoes; steel-toed safety shoes are preferred.

Handle gasoline with care. Do not fill the gasoline tank while the engine is running. Let it cool

first. Fuel up outdoors, then wipe up all spills.

Keep all persons and pets away from mowing area. Remember, a mower blade can pick up and

throw objects with force sufficient to seriously injure or kill.

No riders on riding mowers. Always say “no” to small children asking to ride the mower with

you. Extra riders can be thrown from the mower and run over. Extra riders also distract an operator,

contributing to careless mistakes.

No horseplay around lawn mower. Playing with a mower is asking for serious trouble. This has

caused many serious injuries. Use a mower only for the purpose it was designed – to mow lawns.

Do not use riding mowers on steep slopes. Mower overturns cause serious injury. Drive up and

down slopes when operating a riding mower. Mow across the slope when using a walk-behind

mower.

Take care of your mower. The operator-presence switch should stop the mower immediately when

you release the control. Clean and safety-check your mower during the mowing season. If you have

any doubt about how to adjust or repair your mower or sharpen your mower blade, see an expert.

An annual inspection by an experienced service person is a good idea anyway.

Store fuel safely. Store gasoline outside the house and away from any heat source. Frequently

remind yourself and everyone in the family that gasoline is a volatile flammable liquid.

Use earplugs to preserve your hearing. Inability to hear high-pitched sounds is the first indication

of damage. Hearing loss from loud noise is permanent.

Since 1982, manufacturers have made operator-presence safety stops that stop the blades within 3

seconds after controls are released. Brakes may have to be adjusted, but this safety feature should never

be bypassed. The trailing toe shield and the discharge chute protection should be operational.

Four types of power lawn mower accidents cause the majority of injuries:

Contact with rotating blade.

Propelled objects. Rocks, glass and wire are hurled at initial speeds above 170 miles per hour.

Objects maybe thrown 50 feet or more, causing death and injuries ranging from blindness to severe

bruising.

Overturning. This occurs primarily when riding mowers are used on steep slopes or embankments.

Victims may be pinned under the mower or come into contact with the blade.

Riding mowers running over the victim. Accidents occur if the operator fails to look when

backing a riding mower. Playing children are seriously injured. Or, an operator pulls a power

mower backward over his or her foot.

Mower Safety Guidelines

Before Starting Mower

Put on close fitting clothes and sturdy, nonslip shoes.

If the lawn is wet – wait!

Go over the lawn carefully to pick up stones, wire, toys, dog bones – anything the mower blade

might pick up and throw.

If your electric mower isn’t labeled "double insulated," never plug it into anything but a grounded

(3-prong) outlet.

Adjust cutting height before starting mower.

While You Mow

Never run mower over gravel, stones or hard, immovable objects like pipes, rocks or sidewalk

edges.

Mow advancing forward whenever possible so you can see where you’re going.

Keep electric mower cord out of the cutting path.

Stay clear of the blade housing and the discharge chute.

Never point discharge chute at others.

Turn off the mower before you leave it – even for a moment.

Be Sure To

Disconnect spark plug or power cord before working on your mower.

Treat gasoline like the volatile fuel it really is.

Keep the power cord of an electric mower in near-new condition.

Safety practices are just common sense – but we often need reminders. Take a few minutes to

review these safety suggestions at the beginning of each mowing season.

Cutting thick, high grass:

1. Do not try to cut grass too fast when it is high and thick. If the grass is formidable then you should:

A. Raise the mower higher off the ground (adjust the wheels.)

B. Do not cut a full 22-inch swath in one pass. Instead, cut only a 12 to 15 wide swath.

2. Do not overfill the oil level. That causes the mower to not start. When you remove the excess oil and

then start the mower, it will blow white smoke until it purges all the oil from the cylinders.

So, when you go to cut thick, high grass, be sure to follow the instructions listed above and the mower

should run well.

Standard Operating System for the Lawn Mower

Sequence of Job Steps

(What to do in the right

order)

Potential

Hazards/Risks of

Each Step

Standard Operating Procedure

(How to do it)

Personal

Protective

Equipment

Pre-Start Maintenance

Checks

Inhaling Fumes

Fire

Cuts/ Lacerations

Fig 1: top view

Work

Trousers

Steel Capped

Safety Boots

Check oil level.

Fig 2: oil tank

Check fuel level.

Fig 3: fuel tank

Ensure area is free from any ignition sources, e.g. flame or sparks.

Do not refuel in confined spaces due to danger of inhaling fumes.

Ensure correct fuel mixture is used.

Fig 4: fuel container

Ensure correct oil is used.

Fig 5: oil ND 30 Motor Oil

Check overall condition of mower, especially the undercarriage.

Check whether blades are broken/ damaged - replace if necessary.

Ensure blades are securely fastened.

Check nuts and bolts on handle or any other part of mower.

Ensure all nuts and bolts are securely fastened.

Attach Grass Catcher Cuts/ Lacerations

Ensure any other safety devices are securely in place.

Ensure all attachments are in good working order.

Work

Trousers

Steel Capped

Safety Boots

Air Filter Check Air filter

Fig 6: Air Filter

Check the air filter. Take it off from the machine.

Make sure it is not dirty inside or already clogged.

If it is dirty, clean it up or replace with a new filter.

Sequence of Job Steps

(What to do in the right

order)

Potential

Hazards/Risks of

Each Step

Standard Operating Procedure

(How to do it)

Personal

Protective

Equipment

Inspect Area To Be

Mowed

Cuts/ Lacerations to

Legs and Feet

Flying Debris

Eye Injury

Hearing Damage

Strains/Runaway

Mower

Slipping

Tripping

Clear area of any people before commencing mowing.

Survey area to be mowed.

Check slope of land, if applicable.

Clear area to be mowed of any obvious hazards, eg hoses, above ground

sprinklers, stones, large twigs.

Be aware of potential hazards, eg low tree branches.

Select correct height adjustment for the task at hand, taking into account

uneven ground.

Eye

Protection

Work

Trousers

Steel Capped

Safety Boots

Hearing

Protection

Dust Mask

Sun

Protection if

Necessary

Commence Mowing

Operation

Cuts/ Lacerations to

Legs and Feet

Flying Debris

Eye Injury

Hearing Damage

Strains/Runaway

Mower

Slipping

Tripping

Put on all other protective clothing/ equipment before starting the mower.

A broad brimmed hat should be worn and sunscreen applied in hot

weather conditions.

Eye

Protection

Work

Trousers

Steel Capped

Safety Boots

Hearing

Protection

Dust Mask

Sun

Protection if

Necessary

Ensure mower is started in an area that is grassed or stable and flat to

avoid sand or flying debris being blown up into operator’s face.

Fig 7: stable area

Ensure feet are in the correct position to stabilize mower and prevent from

moving.

Always keep feet well clear of blades when starting and operating mower.

Push three times the mini-pump for the fuel

Fig 8: side view

Fig 9: mini-pump

Keep the switch on to start the lawn mower

Fig 10: switch off and switch on

Keep the switch on and draw the cord with violence

Fig 11: students trying to turn on the lawn mower

with violence !!!

Fig 12: finally students turned on the lawn mower

Definitely good job!!!

Fig 13: students ready to cut the grass

Ensure stable footing when mowing on a slope or when moving

backwards to avoid slipping or mower getting away from operator.

Often students attach the lock cable to the mower handle, which is

pointless since the handle can be detached by hand power. The correct

way is to lock the cable through the cuttings ejection opening at the

bottom of the mower. This opening frame is all metal and thus the lock

cannot be removed except by cutting the lock cable. Similarly, the other

end of the lock cable must wrap around some fixed object like a concrete

post or a fixed metal cable.

Fig 14: INCORRECTLY locked mower

Fig 15: Correctly locked mower

Sequence of Job

Steps

(What to do in the

right order)

Potential

Hazards/Risks of

Each Step

Standard Operating Procedure

(How to do it)

Personal

Protective

Equipment

SPECIAL NOTE SHOULD OTHER PEOPLE ENTER AREA WHILE MOWING IS BEING

CONDUCTED - STOP MOWING IMMEDIATELY.

ASK THEM TO LEAVE OR TO WORK IN OTHER AREAS IF

POSSIBLE.

Emptying Grass

Catcher During

Mowing Operation

Cuts/ Lacerations to

Legs and Feet

Flying Debris

Eye Injury

Hearing Damage

Runaway Mower

Back Strain

Ensure mower is parked in a flat, stable area.

Ensure mower is idled back to the lowest engine speed possible prior to

removing grass catcher.

Always use correct lifting techniques (Manual Handling Code of Practice)

when detaching, lifting and emptying grass catcher.

Ensure grass catcher is securely reattached to mower before recommencing

mowing operation.

Eye Protection

Work Trousers

Steel Capped

Safety Boots

Hearing

Protection

Dust Mask

Sun Protection

if Necessary

Refuelling Mower

During Mowing

Operation

Inhaling Fumes

Fire

Runaway Mower

Ensure mower is parked in a cleared, flat and stable area.

Switch off mower and ALLOW TO COOL before refuelling.

Ensure correct pouring device is used.

Ensure area is free from any ignition sources, eg flame, sparks or cigarettes.

Ensure correct fuel mixture is used.

Eye Protection

Work Trousers

Steel Capped

Safety Boots

Hearing

Protection

Dust Mask

Sun Protection

if Necessary

Sequence of Job Steps

(What to do in the right

order)

Potential

Hazards/Risks of

Each Step

Standard Operating Procedure

(How to do it)

Personal

Protective

Equipment

Clean Up Cuts/ Gashes

Burns

Slipping

Thoroughly check mower for any damage.

Report any equipment damage to Manager.

Place Safety Tag (DANGER - DO NOT OPERATE) on equipment

until repaired, indicating fault/s on tag.

Once equipment is repaired, TAG IS NOT TO BE REMOVED - OR

EQUIPMENT OPERATED - UNTIL SANCTIONED BY

APPOINTED SAFETY OFFICER AND/OR MANAGER.

On completion of repairs and service, clean mower thoroughly (with

high pressure cleaner - if available - ensuring proper care is taken and

the correct protective clothing/ equipment is being worn).

Eye

Protection/

Face Shield

Overalls

Safety Boots

Gloves

Lawn mower maintenance

Basic engine maintenance is essential. Use the gasoline and oil recommended by the manufacturer. When working on the mower, be sure the blade and all moving parts have stopped. When accessing the underside of the mower for inspection or cleaning, always turn it so that the air-filter side of the mower is up. Otherwise, oil will drain out into the air filter and the engine won't start. Also detach the spark-plug wire so the engine won't start accidentally. Keep spark plugs clean; and have an expert adjust the carburetor. Check air filters REGULARLY, and clean or replace them when dirty. Be sure to regularly sharpen rotary mower blades, which operate on the principle of a sickle. It's advisable to have an extra blade on hand so a replacement is available when you detect poor cutting. A shredded or brown tip of grass blades is an indication of a dull or damaged mower blade. You can sharpen rotary mower blades with a grinding wheel and file, but be careful not to destroy the balance. To determine which end of the mower blade is out of balance, put a nail in the wall and hang the blade from the hole in the center of the blade. File more off the blade on the heavy end. Excess vibration is an indication of a damaged blade, mounting, or crankshaft. Frequently tighten the blade and engine mounting bolts, as well as any other nuts, bolts and screws. Check mower wheels, bearings and axles for wear and lubrication. If there are grease fittings, check them every couple of months. Replace loose, wobbly wheels. Be sure to keep the drive

mechanism on self-propelled mowers in good working order. Check belts and gears for wear and fit. After each use, clean the underside of the mower with a strong stream of water. The metal deck can rust out if residue builds up. To reduce fire hazard, keep the engine free of grass, leaves and excessive grease. Check the grass-catcher bag for wear or deterioration, and replace when necessary. At the end of the mowing season, be sure to drain the gas and follow the winterizing instructions in your owner's manual. To keep your mower in tip-top running condition, have a competent service person thoroughly inspect your mower at least once a year.