lawn maintenance
Relax
on the Job
BY LAUREN HEARTSILL DOWDLE
Why mower comfort is an
important feature, even if
you aren't in the seat
H
itting a bump, turning into a small hole
or simply feeling the vibration of the
humming engine could leave a mower
operator sore and a little reluctant when
hopping on the machine the next day.
"A mower that my crews don't like will last forever – because it just sits on the trailer," says Ben
Bowen, landscape manager for Ross NW Watergardens in Portland, Oregon. "In contrast, a mower that
crews like working with will get lots of use, and in
my experience, be cared for better."
So finding a mower with the right comfort
features is important, especially for commercial
cutters.
"When an operator is in the seat eight to 10
hours a day, it's a must," says Mark Meyers, marketing manager, Dixie Chopper. "If a machine is
mechanically designed to be used all day, every
day, but the operator can't stand to be in the seat,
it doesn't reflect favorably on the brand."
Being uncomfortable can lead to operator fatigue, which often negatively impacts performance,
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