Up to now, the only thing i've really used the tractor for is riding round wildly whooping and a 'ollering, and basically trying to go as fast as I can!
But Thursday was different - I had a purpose!
I woke up in the morning, looked out the front door and decided today was the day that I was going to cut the grass with the tractor.
After I had taken Kane to school, I psyched myself up, and went down the new place. I made sure the fuel was topped up, and the flat tyre which was, was still pumped up.
Opening the garage doors I started to get excited.....
...I was about to try something new - ok it was 'only cutting the grass' but it was the method I was excited about. A man with a purpose, a man with a ride on lawn mower!!!
I drove the mower onto the main lawn, and very carefully, drove around the outside of the entire lawn, making sure I didn't behead any plants or flowers on my way. The run went amazingly smootly, i was amazed at how easy the job was!
However, I had to blink a few times before the reality actually hit me.....
.... I hadn't actually cut a SINGLE blade of grass!
Although I had carefully lowered the grass collector and made sure it was working correctly, although I had switched on the cutting blades....
...I had forgotten the golden rule that the previous owner had so carefully explained to me....
...I had forgotten to LOWER the blades to the correct height!!
Therefore all I had managed to do was to firstly carefully fan the grass as I drove over it, then I totally squashed it and rolled it flat with the metal roller at the back!
Oh dear... time to rethink my greatness at this outside life.
Ok - this time I had it - the cutters switched on and lowered, the grass collector lowered and switched on, THIS time It was going to work.
I started on an easy bit, gradually gaining confidence as I circled the snowdrop bed and pear tree area.... ok so maybe I didn't have to go round quite so many times, but I just HAD to make sure ... i just HAD to!
Once I had grasped the basics of the job, nothing could stop me - I was about to attempt striping the lawn.
The first few stripes admittedly went pretty badly, looking like meandering rivers, sometimes together, they differed in size, but once I figured out that I had to line up the front of the mower rather than look down at the cutters, I was set.
I must admit, the last few stripes on the lawn were the best, and I even found a way to get the thing into reverse without having to smash my hand each time, but all in all it was a very successful day - that is until the cutters stopped working!
Luckily I had already finished, well, all apart from a sliver, so I wasn't too bothered.
Anyway - tinkering with engines is yet another fun activity I enjoy, so still no complaints there!
5 comments:
Great reading Dave - the garden does look like a great place
LMAO at you gently fanning the grass!!! You did a fab job all the same.
I'm really enjoying reading this and what a fabulous view!
What a very fun blog! We too, have a riding mower (actually we just got a bigger 2nd one - that one my husband drives - i use the little one) I love mowing! I find it really meditative. I like to sing really loud - I think no one can hear me above the engine (hah! my DH says I am wrong)we have to mow every 10 days - it takes just over 2 hrs.......
We also have chickens. Not because we want them. They are wild chickens - maybe about 50 or so wander our property.....they are noisy! Our whole island is unindated with chickens - even the Walmart parking lot!
LOL @ fanning and squashing the grass. You did a great job. Did you remember to empty the grass collection box, if it gets over full that could stop your cutters and you start to find a little trail of cut grass.
Post a Comment