Grasshopper mower deck removal. Grasshopper 729T

How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard (and Keep Them Away)

These little diggers can cause a lot of damage. Use these tips to stop existing moles and prevent more from moving in.

Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3 decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media.

David McKinney is an experienced plantsman sharing his expertise in horticulture. His knowledge spans landscape management, growing plants indoors and in the greenhouse, ecological plant selection, and much more. With nearly 15 years in the industry, he is well versed in both herbaceous and woody plants with additional interest in entomology.

When you see a series of 3- to 5-inch, rounded, raised ridges running across the surface of your lawn, accompanied by little volcanoes of soil here and there, you know you have a mole around. These small mammals can cause quite a bit of damage quickly because their tunneling ruins any plants in their path. As they dig through the earth, they destroy roots, so the tell-tale ridges of their tunnels rapidly turn brown. On the positive side, moles help aerate the soil and eat up destructive insects while they’re at it. Read on to learn how to get rid of moles in your yard before they do extensive damage.

What Are Moles?

Moles are burrowing insectivores. They are about 6-8 inches long and have gray to velvety black fur, slender, hairless snouts, and small eyes and ears. Moles’ large front feet have long claws that dig like a hoe. Except for breeding season in early spring, moles tend to live alone, so the multi-tunneled pattern in your yard is likely home to only one mole.

Before you learn how to get rid of moles, you need to know how they live. Moles build new feeding tunnels constantly and may not use the same one twice. You may find entry and exit mounds, usually round and symmetrical, pushed up volcano-fashion by the mole. The hole usually has soil in it but remains visible. The mounds are connected to main runways, which moles use repeatedly. The runways are 12-18 inches underground and not usually visible.

Moles feed on insects and insect larvae, but they’re especially fond of white grubs, a common lawn pest. Given a choice, moles pick moist, sandy loam soils over dry, heavy clay soils. They are most active during warm, wet months, although they live underground year-round.

Confusion with Gophers

Homeowners sometimes mistake mole tunnels for those made by gophers, small rodents that also tunnel underground. Gophers, however, don’t create raised ridges as they go. Instead, they eat the grass roots and other plants, pulling them down into underground burrows, which tend to push soil out to the side. Their tunnels look more flattened, with fan-shaped or semicircular mounds. Each mound may contain a visible hole, although earth clumps can camouflage the hole.

Mesh barriers, traps, and poison baits can be used to eliminate gophers. However, avoid baits that contain strychnine because predators or scavengers that eat the poisoned gopher may also die.

How to Get Rid of Moles

Figuring out how to get rid of moles can be tricky because they live underground. Repellants, poisons, and fumigants are all options but should be avoided if you have pets or children that may get exposed. You may have heard of home remedies like putting moth balls in the tunnels or spraying castor oil over the area, but none are effective.

The only sure way to eliminate a mole is to use a mole-specific trap that will kill the animal. You can find below- and above-ground traps to do the job. Follow the package directions for correct placement, and move the tunnel traps daily while you’re still noticing activity to increase your chances of eliminating the mole.

Spring and fall, when the ground is not frozen, are the best times of the year for getting rid of moles because that’s when they’re most active. Usually, you’ll only have one or maybe two moles to trap to solve the problem because they don’t live in groups.

How to Keep Moles Away

Some places are more likely to have moles visit, usually rural or suburban yards with large open areas or lawns. If you frequently have moles around and don’t mind a few tunnels around your property, you may want to try the barrier method to protect smaller spaces, like a veggie garden or a colorful flower bed in your front yard. You can create an underground fence by burying a 24-inch metal or hardware cloth barrier (17, Wayfair) at least a foot below the surface. If a mole tunnels into this barrier, it will usually move on and dig elsewhere.

Because moles prefer to live in areas where the soil stays moist, you can try improving drainage on your property to discourage them. If the problem isn’t severe, you can wait it out to see if the mole moves to another location on their own. However, if the damage to your lawn or garden seems to worsen, it’s best to take action to get rid of the mole.

Luckily, you’ll probably never notice more than one mole at a time tearing up your yard, but that doesn’t make them any less of a nuisance. Once you know how to get rid of moles, you can deal with those that try to tunnel their way under your lawn and hopefully discourage any more from arriving by adding barriers or improving soil drainage.

Grasshopper 729T

Designed for speed and durability, the liquid-cooled Model 729T delivers powerful performance to easily master a wide range of grounds maintenance tasks in record time.

Available with 52, 61, and 72 inch PowerFold decks. 962 cc, 3-cylinder MaxTorque gasoline engine T-Drive™ hydrostatic direct drive transmission. Mowing speeds up to 10 MPH and 6.55 acres/hr. based on 72 cutting width

Family Owned

For over 40 years, Hy-Flo has been owned and operated by the Williams family. It is Hy-Flo’s mission to provide the Four States with quality products and services.(3 Generations and Counting!)

Quality Products

Hy-Flo’s Goal: To provide quality products, with quality people, and provide a quality experience!~A New Generation of Quality~

Excellent Parts and Service

Hy-Flo’s recipe for success is very simple: Provide quality products and simply back them up with excellent parts and service!

• Tandem 16cc Parker pumps-in-reservoir transmission with design-matched Parker high-torque wheel motors
• In-line CoolFan™ cooling system for cooling efficiency and long service intervals
• Delivers smooth response and requires less maintenance, with industry-leading 1,000-hour fluid change interval

• Add or remove implements in minutes without tools with QuikConverter™ Implement System
• Equip your out-front mower with a wide range of tools, including turf cleanup, renovation and snow removal implements that extend your productivity year-round

Commercial Use: 2-year or 500-hour (whichever comes first); limited warranty covering parts and labor.

Residential Use: 4-year or 500-hour (whichever comes first); limited warranty covering parts and labor.

Isolates the engine and T-Drive™ from the operator platform for an unprecedented vibration-free experience

• Fewer than 10 grease points and easy top-side access to belts and filters
• 1,000-hour transmission fluid change intervals
• Self-tensioning belts minimize cost and labor on routine maintenance

• Robotically-welded, high-grade steel construction and I-beam reinforcement for long-lasting durability
• Centered-bearing design provides greater load-bearing capacity to easily handle the weight of operator, fuel and high-capacity collector with reserve strength for curb shocks and weight shifts
• Tough-as-nails powder-coated finish is fusion-bonded for chip and rust resistance

Standard on all FrontMount™ DuraMax® decks 48-inch and larger, PowerFold® is the zero-turn mower industry’s first electric deck lift (introduced in 2004).

PowerFold® rotates the deck nearly 90 degrees to provide easy access to the underside of the deck for simplified maintenance and mulching package installation, plus space-saving portability and storage.

The feature also adjusts cutting height between 1.0 and 5.0 inches and controls deck lift functions using a single switch.

• Equipped with a High Temperature Clutch Cut-Out that automatically disengages the PTO if engine temperature reaches a certain point to prevent engine damage

• Standard, low profile operator protection structure (OPS) with an adjustable seatbelt
• Dampened steering levers that return to neutral from forward and reverse
• Interlock switches that shut down the engine when the operator leaves the seat while PTO is engaged or levers are in drive position

Wide stance single-fork tail wheels provide increased flotation and stability for a smoother ride.

• 962 cc, 3-cylinder Kubota MaxTorque™ gasoline engine with horizontal crankshaft and pressure lube delivers maximum power for commercial applications

• Extra-deep, 5.5-inch deck is fabricated from heavy-gauge formed steel with a reinforced anvil edge
• Specially designed cutting chambers enhance airflow for better cut quality
• Deck easily converts from side discharge to optional Down Discharge™ mulching or PowerVac™ collection
• Sentry™ spindles with massive, 8-inch flanges anchored in a 6-bolt pattern, spread the force of impact for greater strength
• Spindle planes are fabricated from double-layered formed steel laminate and combine with the spindles to form a triple-strength deck to keep blades level and deliver a high-quality cut.
• Sentry™ spindle guards shield spindle housing and seal lower bearings from fiber wrap and dirt ingestion

LED work lights provide improved visibility in low light situations.

How to Change Blades on a Grasshopper Mower- Experts’ Guide

Do you think of changing your grasshopper mower blades? But you don’t know how to change grasshopper mower blades. Then you have come to the right way.

Let’s know about how to change blades on a grasshopper mower. A good quality full grasshopper lawn mower depends on the mowing blade. Grasshopper mower will not be able to do his job well if the blades are not mowing.No need to worry about it.

Here, we will provide the best directions on how to replace the old blades and install the new mower blades. And this article will help you to find out your natural process. Let’s give some description bellow.

How To Change Blades On A Grasshopper Mower

In this part, we will mention the stepwise guidelines of how to change blades on a grasshopper mower.

Open the mower deck

First of all, you lift the mower deck and check it safely. The best time to check when there is no gas in the mower. Then you used your hand to removing mower blades. Please wait for some time until you use it all up to change the blades.

Grasshopper mower deck is very heavy, so carefully doing this job.

Unplug your mower spark plug

It is the best side to stay on the safe when unplugging the spark plug. But oil and gas have also come in contact with the spark plug. It is not a big problem if you hold the mower properly.

Remove the blades from the mounting bolt

Use a perfect-sized socket wrench and unbolt the mounting, using your other hand to keep the blades from turning. Very carefully doing this step, because not lose any washers and mounting hardware. You hold the leaves and take it easy. You can reuse the mower blade.

Attention to the blade position when you’re removing it. You will adjust the new mount in the same way. You will use this step then you install the blades easily.

Purchase the replacement mower blades

After replacement, the blades are decidedly sharper. You can use the previous replacement blade if your old mowing set is some problem, the best idea to invest in a new blade set.

Some mower’s blades are not the same. The two shorter blades attached in the mower, and the single one feature is longer. It looks like a ruler. Check the mower deck and inspect the blade. Talk to someone and clear this problem.

So, you purchase a new blade set for your mower and attached it. And you can salvage the old blade set.

Adjust the new blade in the appropriate direction

Before you start the adjustment, you make a line for blades, and step by step matching washers or nuts. It is essential to use new washers or nuts of the appropriate size. If you do the job manually, then you have to check the nuts.

Just for sure not to over tighten and warp the blade, because your mower can cause vibration. Most blades are not a universal fit. You have the same length as the old blades before adjusting the new blades for your same mower deck.

Tighten the new blades carefully because it’s so sharper more than old blades. When you are doing the adjust blade, you must wear the hand gloves to keep your hands safe.

All the steps are beneficial to do the job correctly.

Check the blade for starting

Check the blade is mounted correctly and no issues when you move it up and down. Before stating you check all parts correctly, otherwise can damage your machine.

Refill the gas tank

Check the gas tank for sure the oil did not saturate the foam filter. And the spark plug wire in reattached. You carefully refill the gas tank.

Pre-check before mowing

After all the steps, you check the mower properly and start cutting the grass much more comfortably with the new grasshopper mower blades.

With the help of the above description, you gain lots of information about How to change blades on a grasshopper mower.

Final Thoughts

Any model of the grasshopper, you can follow this instruction and doing better work. End of the process, you can drive for testing. Your grasshopper mower is perfect for riding.

Now we can assure you are reading this article. You can find out your proper information about How to change blades on a grasshopper mower.

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How to Remove Grass Buildup from Your Lawn Mower Deck

Lawn mower maintenance is an important part of overall lawn maintenance. Without regular cleaning, cut grass can accumulate on the underside of your mower deck, and this buildup can reduce airflow to the engine and interfere with your mower’s performance. Keep reading to learn how to solve this common problem, and prevent it going forward.

If you have any questions about lawn mower maintenance, feel free to ask the friendly staff at AJ Cycle Trike Conversions. You can find us in Jasper, IN.

Gathering Supplies

Removing grass buildup from your mower deck is a simple task that you can do at home, but you will need the right tools for the job. Round up a pair of gardening gloves, a flat pry bar, an air hose with a nozzle or wand, dish soap, a pressure washer, and a metal putty knife or wire brush. You are also going to want some kind of non-stick cooking spray, or a graphite, silicone, or Teflon spray.

Cleaning the Underside of the Mower Deck

The first steps to removing grass buildup from your mower deck are to empty your mower’s gas tank and remove the spark plug. Now tilt the mower so that you can access the underside of the deck, and secure it in place. Detach the mower blade, and then you can get to work using your flat pry bar to dislodge clumps of grass from the underside of the deck. Your metal putty knife or wire brush can scrape off smaller remnants of grass, and your air hose can take care of any leftover bits. If there is any grass remaining, remove it with your pressure washer.

Now inspect your mower’s air filter to determine if it needs to be replaced. If you have a washable filter, you can blow off any grass and debris with your air hose, then wash the filter with dish soap and water. You can then use your air hose to blow-dry the filter. Just make sure the filter is completely dry before you re-install it.

Your mower deck should also be completely dry before you proceed to the next step. Once again, your air hose can be used to speed up the drying process.

When the deck is dry, you can coat the underside with your non-stick cooking spray. This leaves behind a slick surface that will deter further grass buildup, and make it easier to remove next time. As an alternative, you can use graphite, silicone, or Teflon spray. These products are going to cost more, but yield better results.

When you have finished all these steps, you can re-install the mower blade, replace the spark plug, and refill the gas tank.

Preventing Grass Buildup

The best way to prevent grass buildup is to do your mowing when the grass is dry. Whenever possible, wait for at least a day or two after a rain shower to mow your lawn. You might be surprised at how long your grass holds onto moisture, and wet grass is the number one culprit behind grass buildup.

Frequent mowing will reduce grass buildup, as longer grass is more likely to form clumps. Mowing at full throttle can also help, as your mower will eject grass clippings at a faster rate.

If you continue to encounter this problem, you may want to consider upgrading to a high lift mower blade. This style of blade boosts airflow and propels clippings with greater force, minimizing the potential for buildup.

When you are ready to upgrade your mower, head to AJ Cycle Trike Conversions. We proudly serve Jasper, IN, along with our neighbors in Evansville, IN.

Riding Lawn Mowers Tractors (22 items found)

Make lawn care easier than ever with a riding lawn mower. At Ace, we offer a wide variety of sit-down lawn mowers and riding lawn tractors to meet even the largest yard’s trimming needs.

Benefits of Riding Mowers

A riding lawn mower can turn the most exhausting chore into a breeze. If your lawn is an acre or more, a riding mower can split your maintenance time in half. than that, this equipment makes it more physically comfortable to care for so much yard. Rather than walking back and forth across your entire property with a gas or electric model you have to push, imagine sitting upright and steering a reliable machine to the far reaches of your domain without ever even breaking a sweat.

Our selection features a range of cutting widths that are larger than most walk-behind models, letting you cover more ground in less time. Most riding mowers are designed to easily handle shifts in weight when driven at an incline and they usually have room to haul loads of materials so you can multi-task while you mow!

Zero-Turn Capabilities

Zero-turn riding lawn mowers use castor wheels that allow you to essentially turn your mower around in place rather than needing to swing out and around to make a wide turn. With turn radius of zero, you can get cleaner mow lines, fit around edges and areas of all shapes, and complete large jobs easily and with more precision in less time.

Choosing a Riding Lawn Mower

Yard tractors are also typically more powerful than standard push mowers, and you can select different amounts of engine power based on your needs. Some things to consider when choosing the right type of mower for you include:

• The size of your lawn
• The terrain you’ll be covering
• The activities you’ll be using the riding mower for
• Attachments you might want for growing and off-seasons

Hydrostatic and Electric Riding Mowers

An electric riding lawn mower relies on a heavy-duty battery to power the mower. You just have to charge the battery between uses so your mower has enough juice for the next job. A lawn mower tractor with a hydrostatic transmission uses gas to fuel the mower. With this type, you don’t need to charge any battery but you’ll want to keep gas on hand to refuel whenever you’re running low.

Features and Attachments

Some ride-on mowers and garden lawn tractors offer attachment options like power tillers and snowplows that give you versatility so you can get the most use out of your equipment during any season. The latest models of large and small riding mowers at Ace often come equipped with mulching capabilities, advanced horsepower, multiple speeds, multi-blade systems, cruise control, automatic transmissions and improved fuel optimization.

Always keep your lawn looking its best while saving time and labor with the outdoor power equipment from Ace. Browse our selection of seated garden tractors and riding mowers from all your most trusted brands including Craftsman, Ariens and EGO in our Lawn and Garden department.