One of my duties as landscape supervisor is training new workers. And sharing my knowledge and experience is actually a lot of fun. It’s commonly referred to as “sending the elevator back down”.
Almost all new landscapers commit the same mistakes over and over. And it all starts with lawn care because cutting grass is the first task given to new recruits. Note that my advice is always the same. Move on to other machines and tasks once you master the art of mowing. Quickly, because it’s all about skills. Don’t be a mow bitch for years. It’s not fun.
Mohawk mistake
New workers commit the same usual mistakes. One such mistake is mohawks which refers to an obvious high grass strip between two cut lines created when the mower doesn’t overlap properly.
Look closely at the picture below. There is a clear mohawk running from lower middle up through the middle of the picture. It’s obvious on the day it was cut. And just imagine how pronounced it will be in, say, four days. It’s not very professional. Luckily, with a bit of practice we can eliminate this mistake.
Eliminating mohawks
Mohawks result from improper mower overlap. So let’s take a look at how we turn around with a mower correctly. If your turns are executed correctly, you will not create mohawks in your lawns.
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First pass is completed, now we turn right for the next pass by spinning on the back right wheel.
This is the end of the line. Now we turn right by pivoting on the back right wheel. Do not move the wheel anywhere. Simply pivot on it as you turn right.
2.
The mower is turning right by spinning on the back right wheel. One Important note: do not move the wheel and consequently the whole mower anywhere. Just spin on the back wheel.
3.
Finally, the right turn is completed by pivoting on the back right wheel. This leaves our mower perfectly lined up for the next pass. So we have a small overlap that will make mohawks very unlikely.
Also, note that we don’t want to cut too much grass by overlapping too much.
In conclusion, practice your mower turns as indicated above and you will mow like a professional. Without mohawks.
