The trimmer or robot mower no longer cuts the grass
As soon as the good weather arrives, it’s time to mow the lawn or set up the robotic lawnmower to keep your grass looking beautiful. However, things don’t always go as planned in the garden: the grass might be poorly cut, or the mower may struggle to work. Let’s explore the possible causes of these malfunctions and how to resolve them.
THE POTENTIAL CAUSES OF THIS PROBLEM:
WARNING
Before working on your device, make sure to take these safety measures according to the type of mower you own:
- Electric mower: unplug the power socket, or rechargeable battery,
- Petrol mower: turning off the equipment is not enough. To prevent accidental starting, disconnect the spark plug,
- Robot mower: remove the battery to avoid any risk of unintentional start-up.
The blade is worn or no longer rotating
The mower’s blade is located under the housing or cover of your machine. To control this element, it is essential to take security measures. First, unplug your appliance if it is electric, or remove the battery, and disconnect the spark plug if it is a petrol mower. This is essential to prevent any risk of accidental starting. Let’s keep our fingers intact! Once this is done, check the condition of the blade to detect any anomalies: breakage, erosion, etc. To test the cutting edge of the blade, run a standard sheet of paper over the edge and attempt to cut it. Sharpen if necessary with an angle grinder. If the blade appears to be in good condition, check the tightening of the center bolt. If it is not tightened properly, the blade will rotate irregularly and will be less effective.
The lawnmower is dirty
Due to multiple mowings, cut and dried grass can accumulate in the mower frame and on the blades. Sometimes this is enough to prevent the blade from rotating properly and affects the quality of the cut. To solve this, you’ll simply need to turn your mower over to clean it, after taking the safety precautions above of course! Clean your machine blades after every use.
Wrong cutting height
Most mowers have a height adjustment. This allows the mowing to be adjusted according to the height of the grass. Sometimes the setting is unsuitable for cutting, for example if the grass is tall and wet and the height is set to the lowest. This can cause the engine to struggle and it will no longer be able to rotate the mower’s propeller optimally. Be sure to check and change the cutting height accordingly. The adjustment lever is most often located on the side of your mower near the wheels.
The belt has shifted or is damaged
Some petrol mowers have a drive belt which can become misaligned or twisted. Similarly, it can break or sag. In this case, the motor will no longer be able to rotate the cutting blade. Check the condition of the belt and reposition it if it has moved, or change it if it is defective. Remove the cover of the tensioner roller (axis of rotation) to reduce the tension on the belt. Installing a new belt may require some force. Ensure it is properly installed by making several turns.