Perimeter mowing.....why not?

[Vibe Ray]

Why do I hear from you guys that it is bad to mow a lawn by mowing from the outer perimeter to the inner perimeter? Doesn't it put less stress on the turf, because you are just making 90 degree turns instead of 180 degree turns??? What are your thoughts??? What about besides turf damage?

[rdh]

im not shure but woulnt that way take longer to cut.

[awm]

One of my favorite methods with LT was a center
cut and discharge out.It worked well on some
yds .Using a z I think back and forth seems
better,to cut down on mid yd turns.Also the
z ability to turn would make it more practical
especialy if you plan to stripe.THESE ARE JUST MY THOUGHTS.
HALF WAY THROUGH THE YEAR NO TELLING WHAT I WILL
HAVE FOUNDOUT.

[Vandora Lawn & Landscape]

The most efficient method of cutting is straight line. The mower can go its fastest and the fullest width of the deck is being utilized. When you minimize size of turns and maximize straight shots you maximize productivity.

[kutnkru]

The only time I dont put a ribbon cut on a lawn is when I start in the middle and do a circle from the inside out.

I only do the bullseye for the final cut before dumping the account.

I also agree with Cullen. The less turning you have to do on a lawn area the better. If you are that concerned, you can rotate the directions of travel as well. If you started at the curb and went towards the house the first time, the next time start the same line at the house and mow towards the curb.

just my .02
Kris

[John DiMartino]

I've always striped ,back and forth,I dont think i could mow in a circle if i tried,Id probably get dizzy.I wont try the circle thing anytime soon

[Vibe Ray]

I'm not talkin' about mowin' in circles, Kutnkru is. I'm talkin' about 90 degree turns along the perimeter.....

[Guido]

You don't get those pretty stripes if you just go around in one direction.

[rdh]

i would need a seat belt to mow in circles .my ztr would make it feel like some rides at the fair grounds.

[cantoo]

We do ball diamonds in an arc pattern from third base to first base. The next week we do it from pitching mount to center field in a fan shape.
Once in a while I will do big properties in small squares and do diamond patterns between them, kind of like a checker board but with diamonds thrown in. I'll have to take some pics this year. It takes longer to cut but this property belongs to a lawyer and he only uses it a few times per year so if it looks bad I just redo it. It is a good property to practice on, last year I tried different mixes of Killex to see how weak I could make it and still have a good kill.

[Richard Martin]

Actually lap (that what we call it here, you go round and round, like NASCAR) cutting is the most efficient way to cut grass. When you stripe a yard you are wasting the time spent at the end of each row by turning around on grass that you have already cut. That is assuming that you make at least one perimeter cut. With lap cutting there is no time wasted because you are constantly cutting uncut grass. I stripe lawns about 90% of the time. I do it because it looks good when you are done. I even had a yard once that I did a combo lap/stripe on. The yard was configured in such a way that it took too long to stripe so when I got back to where I started I turned the machine around and lapped it the other way. I have a picture of it here somewhere and if I ever find it I'll post it sometime.

[double e]

Back and forth is the quickest.

Has anyone ever tried to stripe a yard with "S" turns. I do it on some yards, once in a great while- looks wild!

[Trimline]

I have found that the fastest way to mow is whatever way you have to make the least amount of turns. For example a rectangular lot is faster to cut long ways than up and down. A square lot is equally as fast side to side as up and down. It will take longer to cut coner to coner.Odd shape lots are fastest cut coner to coner.I try to alternate every time except when really behind(usally in the spring do to rain).


Every yard is diffrent this is just my generic opinion.

[Nathan]

There are some yard configurations where perimeters would actually be faster but it is missing the beauty of a striped lawn. You need to remember that many people have their lawns done not only so they don't have to but also so it looks as good as possible. I don't think there are many residential customers out there that would say they like any method over stripes. We go so far as to not make any extra tracks on the lawn when entering or leaving a peice of lawn.

[Esby]

Sorry, only perfectly straight mowing patterns here. I couldn't imagine not having the crossed pattern on all of my lawns. Perhaps it just me, but its what all of my customers want too.

[rdh]

you only get 2 stripes going in circles.it would look half a$$ed doing it in circles

[Edited by rdh on 02-13-2001 at 04:58 AM]

[GrassRoots Lawn Care]

Some of you guys have to remember that in some areas Striping is not possible, the two main types of grasses in Florida (St Augustine and Bahia) do not show or retain stripes at all. So often, perimeter mowing is the fastest, according to Richard's post (which I agree).

[rdh]

i had read about a math school teacher, that ask his class witch takes the most steps with a puch mower pirimeter or back and forth ?every one said perimeter but hed did the math on the sq ft and proved they was the exact same, just that the guy puching the perimeter made more turn and has to use more energy.