Bottom Line up Front (BLUF)
This post discusses equipment for making the weekly lawn mowing experience a h4ppyLife experience. Categories range from MUST HAVES, to HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, to NICE to HAVES.
Background
Every week during the summer months I get the joy of mowing the lawn for 2 – 4 hours. While I actually find the lawn mowing experience enjoyable …most-of-the-time… it can be a pain knowing that you’ve got to commit that amount of time each week or the grass will get out of hand!
I’m not trying to maintain a perfectly groomed yard, so this post will not be about that, however I’ve put together some equipment that I’ve found to make the lawn mowing experience more pleasurable and/or safe. We’ll start with the…
MUST HAVES, the most beneficial lawn mowing equipment:
- MiraCool Cooling Bandana by OccuNomix — These things are fantastic!! I first encountered these bandanas in the aircraft maintenance community. Working out on the flightline during the summer months can be miserable, but soak one of the MiraCool Cooling Bandanas in water for 10 – 20 minutes and tie it around your neck…then feel the cool breeze! You DO NOT need to put it in the freezer—in fact, the manufacturer suggests to not cool it at all…just add water. Too easy! Works great to beat the summer heat while mowing or any other outdoor activities for that matter — make this part of your heat stress gear today!
- Sunglasses — It may just be that my eyes are sensitive, but sunglasses are a requirement for me when I’m out in the sun! Many sunglasses are ANSI rated and can also act as personal protective equipment; a common theme amongst the things I most enjoy—there are multiple uses.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED lawn mowing equipment:
- In-Ear Noise Canceling Headphones — These are nearly MUST HAVES for me — I like to be productive while I’m sittin’ on the mower (I know, I know — I’m technically already being productive by mowing the lawn). I get to “kill two birds with one stone” with in-ear noise canceling headphones…I protect my ears from the noise and listen to my favorite Podcasts to keep my knowledge growing! There’s that multiple use concept again. 😉
- Podcasts — Almost a MUST HAVE for me as stated in the previous paragraph. I’m a serial learner, plus it’s much more entertaining than watching the grass mow. …Haha, you thought I said watching the grass grow. Nah, seriously though, I get some of my best ideas while mowing the lawn. At times, it’s nearly a meditative state. Check out this post for some of my favorite podcasts.
- Wide brimmed hat — Not only does it look cool, but it protects my pale skin from the sun. WIN/WIN. Sold! This particular one makes me feel like Indiana Jones riding a Zero-Turn. You’d be silly not to get one, especially if you live out in the country like me…nobody looks at me funny when I wear it to the local Farm and Home.
- Water bottle — Hydrate or …possibly overheat… and die! HAHA! Slightly different take on the more popular tagline. Hydration is important to help beat-the-heat. These are excellent water bottles that keep cool liquids cool or hot liquids hot. I’m assuming your putting something cool inside though while you’re mowing! …unless it’s coffee… then I’m not sure how straight your lines will be!
- Boots — These have been my favorite work boots. They’ve been great for all around use — work or town! Very comfortable, easy to take on and off, water proof and steel-toe for added protection.
- Coveralls — While it can be freeing to mow in your shorts and sandals…I don’t recommend it! I prefer to wear a light material coverall. It’s great to quickly go from wearing my gym shorts and dry fit shirt while in the house to throwing on my coveralls and boots on my way out to mow the lawn. The transition back to the house is smooth and you leave all the dirt outside in the garage! Super easy clean up.
- Gloves — I’ll be honest, I rarely wear gloves while I’m mowing…but I gotta recommend using your personal protective equipment! 😉 These are my favorite for chores around the farm and these are my favorite for handling fuel and oil.
NICE TO HAVE lawn mowing equipment:
- Zero-Turn Mower — This could be in the MUST HAVE category if you have more than a couple acres. Prices vary from ~2k on the low end to ~10K for the entry level commercial mowers. I believe the commercial mowers are worth it for the bigger lawns. They last longer, have a larger fuel tank, and a much more comfortable seat—if you have back problems like me, the seat is a life saver. I have the Hustler Super Z and love it. It’ll mow down almost anything and it’s fast!
- Beer — HAHA…J/K very hard to operate a zero-turn while drinking beer! But afterwards you might try this craft beer club.
Thanks for reading…What’s your favorite lawn mowing equipment and why?