Collecting your leaves in the fall can be a slow and labor-intensive process. However, there is a solution if you have a rear or side discharge lawn mower. Instead of spending hours raking leaves, you can utilize your lawn mower to pick up leaves efficiently and effectively.
In this article, we’ll explore how to choose the right lawn mower and accessories and provide a step-by-step guide on how to pick up leaves with a lawn mower.
Types of Lawn Mowers Suitable for Picking Up Leaves
Choosing the right lawn mower for leaf collection depends on several factors, including your yard size, terrain, and personal preferences.
Rear Discharge Mowers
These mowers direct clippings and leaves out the back of the mower, making them ideal for attaching accessories like the Big Leaf Bag. They provide better control over where leaves are deposited and can handle larger volumes more efficiently.
Side Discharge Mowers
While not as effective for leaf collection as rear discharge mowers, they can still be used with attachments or accessories to improve leaf collection efficiency.
Accessories for Leaf Collection
Bagging Attachments
The Big Leaf Bag is a handy tool for managing leaves. It can hold a lot of leaves because it’s so big. It’s easy to attach to mowers that discharge from the back. When it’s time to dispose of the leaves, it makes the job quick and easy.
How to Pick Up Leaves With a Lawn Mower: Step-by-Step Guide
1) Check Mower Condition
Before you start, ensure your lawn mower is in good shape. This means checking that the blades are sharp and the mower deck is clean. Wondering if you really need to sharpen your mower blades? This helps prevent leaves from clogging up the mower.
2) Attach Big Leaf Bag
If you’re using a Big Leaf Bag or similar attachment, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to attach it securely to your rear discharge mower. This bag will collect the leaves as you mow.
3) Adjust Mower Height
Set the mower deck at the right height. For picking up leaves, it’s best to raise the deck slightly higher than when you mow grass. This prevents the mower from cutting too closely to the ground and helps it pick up leaves more effectively.
4) Start Mowing
Begin mowing your lawn in straight lines, overlapping each pass slightly. The mower will cut the grass and vacuum up the leaves into the collection bag at the same time.
5) Navigate Turns Carefully
When you reach the end of a row or need to maneuver around trees and other obstacles, be cautious. Turning carefully ensures you collect leaves evenly without missing spots.
6) Empty Bag as Needed
Keep an eye on how full the leaf collection bag is getting. When it’s full or nearly full, stop the mower. Empty the leaves into a compost pile or designated collection area. This prevents the bag from overflowing and makes mowing more efficient.
8) Consider Mulching
If your mower has a mulching feature, you can mulch the leaves directly into the lawn. Mulching chops the leaves into small pieces, which decompose quickly and provide nutrients to your grass. It’s an eco-friendly way to manage leaves and reduce waste.
9) Cleanup
After you’ve finished mowing and collecting leaves, clean any remaining debris from the mower and store it properly. This helps maintain your mower for future use.
Seasonal Considerations
Early Fall vs. Late Fall
n early fall, leaves are often just starting to fall, so the volume might be lower. They’re usually drier, which makes them easier to pick up with a mower or rake. Later in the fall, as more leaves fall, the volume increases. Leaves might also be wetter because of autumn rains. This can affect how you collect them—wet leaves can be heavier and stickier, making them harder to manage.
Wet Leaves Management
Handling wet leaves requires a bit of strategy. One tip is to adjust your mower’s height settings to lift the blades higher. This prevents the mower from getting clogged or bogged down by the heavier, damp leaves. Another option is to use a leaf blower before you start collecting. Blowing the leaves around can help them dry out a bit, making them lighter and easier to pick up.
It’s important to let wet leaves dry before you try to collect them. This makes the job easier and prevents your equipment from getting overloaded or stuck.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using a lawn mower to pick up leaves can make fall yard work much easier and faster. By choosing the right mower and accessories, learning the best ways to collect leaves, and using effective strategies, you can clean your yard efficiently and in an eco-friendly way.
The Big Leaf Bag is especially helpful for collecting lots of leaves easily, better than regular lawn bags. Whether you decide to mulch leaves or use a bag, using your mower for leaf cleanup can save time, reduce physical effort, and keep your lawn healthy.
Make sure to stay safe, maintain your equipment well, and be responsible for the environment when collecting leaves. Following these tips and adjusting them for your yard will help you keep your outdoor space clean and beautiful without the hard work of raking leaves by hand.