Arigmaster
07-20-2008, 03:13 PM
Well... This may take a bit of the sting out of the constant grass cutting with all the rain we have been having... A lazy man's method for cutting the grass just got easier.
Supplies:
1 - Self propelled lawn mower.
1 - 13" car tire rim.
1 - Short dog leash.
2 - 24" landscape spikes. (3 optional)
1 - Heavy duty clothes line.
Tools:
1 - Hammer
1 - Knife or scissors
Step 1:
Locate the center of the large flat yard area where there are no obstructions. (i.e. trees, bushes, rocks, flower gardens, small children, etc.)
Step 2:
Place tire rim in center of area you wish to cut and anchor the rim to the ground through the lug openings with the landscape spikes. Face rim with valve stem side on the top. (drive spikes with hammer... duh)
step 3:
Feed heavy duty clothes line through the hole where the valve stem would normally be from the inner rim to the out side tire area. Tie knots in the end of the line so it will not pull through the opening and run the rope counter clockwise around the inner rim one full circle.
Step 4:
Walk away from the anchored rim feeding out the clothes line as you go to the nearest estimated obstruction in the area you wish to cut or the end of the rope. (which ever comes first) Then walk one revolution around the rim counter clockwise to insure there are no other obstructions on the perimeter of the area you wish to cut.
Step 5:
Attach dog leash to the front area of the mower so it is just behind the front wheel. (Locations will vary on models but most have heavy duty guards over the muffler) I Attached it to the guard on my Toro. Then tie the clothes line to the dog leash which is now attached to the mower removing all slack from the line. Cut excess clothes line off.
Step 6:
Now start your mower and engage the the forward drive. Use a 1' piece of the clothes line to tie the drive control and cutoff release both in the engaged position. (make sure it is done in a way where it can be untied quickly if needed) You are now making crop circles in your yard. Kick back in the lawn chair and wait for the mower to reach the end of it's rope. (Make sure you keep hydrated with your favorite beverage of choice... Supervising is hard work you know.
In conclusion... The mower will wind it's self in as the rope wraps itself around the rim. The 13" rim will adjust the path where each pass will overlap the last slightly.
Once you are done with that area, You can detach the rope and it's already wound up for easy storage. Pull the rime out of the ground, Mark the spot with something and all the guess work is done. You can repeat the process in multiple areas of the yard which will leave you minimal areas of manual cutting. Oh and the patterns are kinda cool too.
Supplies:
1 - Self propelled lawn mower.
1 - 13" car tire rim.
1 - Short dog leash.
2 - 24" landscape spikes. (3 optional)
1 - Heavy duty clothes line.
Tools:
1 - Hammer
1 - Knife or scissors
Step 1:
Locate the center of the large flat yard area where there are no obstructions. (i.e. trees, bushes, rocks, flower gardens, small children, etc.)
Step 2:
Place tire rim in center of area you wish to cut and anchor the rim to the ground through the lug openings with the landscape spikes. Face rim with valve stem side on the top. (drive spikes with hammer... duh)
step 3:
Feed heavy duty clothes line through the hole where the valve stem would normally be from the inner rim to the out side tire area. Tie knots in the end of the line so it will not pull through the opening and run the rope counter clockwise around the inner rim one full circle.
Step 4:
Walk away from the anchored rim feeding out the clothes line as you go to the nearest estimated obstruction in the area you wish to cut or the end of the rope. (which ever comes first) Then walk one revolution around the rim counter clockwise to insure there are no other obstructions on the perimeter of the area you wish to cut.
Step 5:
Attach dog leash to the front area of the mower so it is just behind the front wheel. (Locations will vary on models but most have heavy duty guards over the muffler) I Attached it to the guard on my Toro. Then tie the clothes line to the dog leash which is now attached to the mower removing all slack from the line. Cut excess clothes line off.
Step 6:
Now start your mower and engage the the forward drive. Use a 1' piece of the clothes line to tie the drive control and cutoff release both in the engaged position. (make sure it is done in a way where it can be untied quickly if needed) You are now making crop circles in your yard. Kick back in the lawn chair and wait for the mower to reach the end of it's rope. (Make sure you keep hydrated with your favorite beverage of choice... Supervising is hard work you know.
In conclusion... The mower will wind it's self in as the rope wraps itself around the rim. The 13" rim will adjust the path where each pass will overlap the last slightly.
Once you are done with that area, You can detach the rope and it's already wound up for easy storage. Pull the rime out of the ground, Mark the spot with something and all the guess work is done. You can repeat the process in multiple areas of the yard which will leave you minimal areas of manual cutting. Oh and the patterns are kinda cool too.