Despite Chicago being the most populous city in Illinois, it has managed to preserve its open spaces and recreational parks. The famous Grant Park, about 319 acres of open ground, sits right in the middle of Chicago's central business district. Chicago public parks have a history; some were fought for by the residents while others were the scenes of famous historical events. Chicago's liking for recreational grounds didn't start with this generation; it has been there for centuries. In the 1830s, the then government had the dream of making it a 'city in the garden.' In the 1850s and 1860s, residents of Chicago aggressively pushed for the creation of large public parks.
Chicago's recreational grounds go beyond public parks. Walk into any learning institution in Chicago, and you'll be sure to find well-mowed loans and playing fields. Outdoor recreation plays a vital role in the development of young children; it enhances cognitive, physical, and social development. Schools in Chicago, IL seem to have realized that secret a long time ago. Further, private homeowners have not been left behind in the dream of making Chicago a city in the garden; they have embraced growing and maintaining lawns as a way of improving the aesthetic appeal of their homes, increasing property values, and enhancing the health of residents.
Behind every beautiful lawn is an effective lawnmower
Having a beautiful lawn in Chicago, IL, takes a combination of skill, hard work, and patience. Mowing is one of the most valuable skills in lawn maintenance, and it entails choosing the right lawnmower, setting it right, and mowing according to the landscape and the type of grass on the lawn. There are many types of lawnmowers classified according to their power source, how they are operated, and their functionality.
Lawnmower choice and the cut quality
The cutting system is one of the factors you should focus on when choosing the lawnmower to buy or use; it determines the cut quality. Broadly, a lawn mower can be classified into rotary and cylinder lawnmowers depending on the cutting systems.
Cylinder lawnmowers
These mowers have 5-12 blades. Below the blade is a fixed plate that holds the grass for easier cutting. As the blades rotate, they trap and cut the grass. Most cylinder lawnmowers have a grass collection box at the front. The quality of the cut depends on the number of blades; the higher the number of blades, the higher the quality.
The fact that cylinder lawnmowers have many blades means that they can easily create the stripe effect of lawns. Cylinder mowers give a quality cut when used to cut short grass. This means you will have to cut the grass frequently, at least once a week, if you are using a cylinder lawnmower.
Cylinder lawnmowers have different features and forms. For a small area such as home yards, a manual cylindrical lawn mower can do. These lawnmowers are also suited for sloping gardens as they are pushed around by an operator. For large lawns such as golf courses, go for lawn mowers with electric or hydrostatic engines.
Rotary lawnmowers
Rotary lawnmowers run on petrol or electric engines. They have a single blade that rotates at high speed to chop the grass. The cut grass is collected into a box that is fixed at the back of the motor. Some rotary mowers have integral grass collection boxes. Rotary lawn mowers are suited for cutting the grass between 1.3-10 centimeters long. The quality of the cut depends on the sharpness of the blades.
Generally, the cut quality of a cylinder mower is better than that of a rotary mower. It's so because a cylinder mower cuts grass by slicing like scissors while a rotary mower cuts grass by smashing. However, when the blade of the rotary motor is sharp, the quality of the cut is almost as good as that of a cylinder mower.
Maintaining a lawn mower
For the lawn mower to maintain a high cut quality, you have to take care of it. A lawn mower is a simple machine; the mains parts are the engine, spark plug, gas tank, oil reservoir, air filter, rotary blades, and a fixed bottom plate. The state of each of these components affects the quality of the cut in one way or the other. Below are some of the tips for keeping your motor in good condition.
Keep the blades sharp
Within the grass are hard objects such as rocks and metals that make the blades blunt. A blunt blade rips grass instead of cutting it. You can sharpen the blade by yourself using a file or take them to mower repair shops.
Check the air filter
When the air filter is dirty, gas is burned slowly and inefficiently thus straining the mower's engine. You should replace paper air filters at least once a year. For foam filters, clean them 1-2 times every four months.
Clean the deck
Grass blades can collect in the deck and block the discharge chute. To clean the deck, tilt the mower and scrap the grass blades off using a broom or a wire. You can remove small debris and light glass blades from the deck by blowing them using a hose.
Change the oil
You should check the level of oil in the reservoir regularly and fill it if the level has fallen. You should also check if the oil has any floating objects and remove them. If the oil has stayed in the mower for a long time, you need to replace it. Most mowers have a drain plug which you should remove and let the let flow out; check the mower's manual for guidance on the location of the drain plug and how to remove it. For mowers that don't have drain plugs, you can tilt them and drain the oil through the fill hole.
Mowing services in Chicago, IL
Lawn Love pros can maintain your lawns as you focus on your daily activities. Our pricing is flexible, and we will give you a quote beforehand. Contact us today for a free, instant quote.
