Simple Life Hacks: share 'em (1 Viewer)

[Joe Summer]

Any bug spray containing DEET will (temporarily) clear up your headlights......but as soon as the DEET starts to drain down off of the headlight, it'll strip the paint off of your bumper.

So if you really want to do this, you need to 1) spray the DEET onto a rag, then wipe the rag on the headlight; and 2) wash off the DEET as soon as the headlight is clean.

 

[Cowboysfan8]

But i have bug spray. 

This

Any bug spray containing DEET will (temporarily) clear up your headlights......but as soon as the DEET starts to drain down off of the headlight, it'll strip the paint off of your bumper.

 

Yeah, I read this online somewhere. All the paint is still on my bumper 

 

[parasaurolophus]

This

Yeah, I read this online somewhere. All the paint is still on my bumper 

What if i clean the deet off with toothpaste!? 

 

[offdee]

LawnGuys...

For those that mulch up their leaves with a rider mower, go over piles in reverse.  For whatever reason it chops them up into a fine dust.

 

[Angry Beavers]

LawnGuys...

For those that mulch up their leaves with a rider mower, go over piles in reverse.  For whatever reason it chops them up into a fine dust.

i noticed this as well with my walk behind... weird

 

[shuke]

i noticed this as well with my walk behind... weird

Do you mean doing a second cut in reverse, or the initial/only cut? 

 

[NutterButter]

i might get arrested for operating machinery under the influence if my neighbors see me driving around my property in reverse

 

[Angry Beavers]

Do you mean doing a second cut in reverse, or the initial/only cut? 

only cut

 

[shuke]

only cut

Explain the science behind this.

 

[wilked]

Explain the science behind this.

It’s nonsense (as I think you know) 

 

[shuke]

It’s nonsense (as I think you know) 

Could have something do to with the deck height being different front/back on some mowers?   

 

[dino259]

Could have something do to with the deck height being different front/back on some mowers?   

Could it be the direction of the blade spinning? Does it create a suction to lift the grass/leaves?

 

[wilked]

Could it be the direction of the blade spinning? Does it create a suction to lift the grass/leaves?

The blade spins the same direction, clockwise in both cases 

 

[grateful zed]

Most blades spin clock.

Do the math.

 

[shuke]

Most blades spin clock.

Do the math.

Regardless of which way the blade spins, the leaves are going to get chopped in the same direction/manner regardless of what side of the deck they enter.  There is no "math" here.

 

[AAABatteries]

https://www.hunker.com/13405243/why-does-my-mower-mow-better-in-reverse

 

[ChiefD]

Just bag 'em you heathens. 

 

[jhib]

Explain the science behind this.

When you go in reverse, the exiting leaf pieces are further away from your eyes, so they look smaller.  

 

[Summer Wheat]

Just bag 'em you heathens. 

Thats not "green" Chief.          Mulching leaves is better for the lawn and enviroment.  Even better try mulching back and forth with a Scotts push mower to save emissions. 

 

[ChiefD]

Thats not "green" Chief.          Mulching leaves is better for the lawn and enviroment.  Even better try mulching back and forth with a Scotts push mower to save emissions. 

I put them in my compost pile.

I'm not a savage. 

 

[Angry Beavers]

Could have something do to with the deck height being different front/back on some mowers?   

This -my best guess

 

[UOFI_316]

I know when I let the grass get too long in the spring after it rains, my mower cuts through it easier when I am pulling it backwards compared to pushing forwards.  When I am going forward the grass seems to clump up more and bogs down the blades.  Pulling it backwards the cut grass doesn't really do anything to the blade speed.  I just assume it has something to do with the way the grass is trying to go into the bag/out the chute and when going forward more grass gets pushed into the same spot.  When pulling backwards the grass just falls.  Maybe when I am pulling backwards the front of the mower is slightly higher so the grass can escape easier  

 

[Da Guru]

I know when I let the grass get too long in the spring after it rains, my mower cuts through it easier when I am pulling it backwards compared to pushing forwards.  When I am going forward the grass seems to clump up more and bogs down the blades.  Pulling it backwards the cut grass doesn't really do anything to the blade speed.  I just assume it has something to do with the way the grass is trying to go into the bag/out the chute and when going forward more grass gets pushed into the same spot.  When pulling backwards the grass just falls.  Maybe when I am pulling backwards the front of the mower is slightly higher so the grass can escape easier  

I tried it yesterday and it did not work that well.  Better results just turning around and going back over it again. 

 

[gianmarco]

I tried it yesterday and it did not work that well.  Better results just turning around and going back over it again. 

Just like rabbits, right?

 

[AAABatteries]

Just like rabbits, right?

 

[Da Guru]

Just like rabbits, right?

My backyard is a sanctuary yard now.  

 

[Psychopav]

https://www.hunker.com/13405243/why-does-my-mower-mow-better-in-reverse

Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story.

This source is obviously compromised.  Fake news, propagated by the lawnmower industrial complex to lull you into submission.  Come on, man, open your eyes!

 

[shuke]

https://www.hunker.com/13405243/why-does-my-mower-mow-better-in-reverse

Wow that's a dumb article.

 

[shuke]

Just like rabbits, right?

Epic notebook.

 

[Da Guru]

Epic notebook.

I am an animal lover and really regret that happened.   I still feel bad. At the time I panicked and felt it was the best way to handle it as they were badly injured.

 

[Willy]

Could have something do to with the deck height being different front/back on some mowers?   

Yeah.  Its that and the way the airflow is designed to work on mowers. Any clippings that come out the back while you are going backwards you just run it over again, which is more likely to happen since the back of the deck is higher than the front.  Since the front is lower, clippings are less likely to escape before getting pummeled a bunch of times by the blades.

If you are side discharging, the clippings take a longer path before getting shot out the side when you are mowing in reverse. During normal use, when going forward the grass/leaves get cut by the blades when they pass the front part of the mower deck and the air flow shoots most of the clippings right out the side before they get shredded into tiny pieces.  Its by design so that decks don't get clumped up with clippings as quickly.  Blades on residential mowers and tractors are 12000-16000 rpms, so a few extra seconds under the deck results in a lot of chances to get clipped again. 

I think it's way faster to just mow forward, side discharge until you have a line of leaves, then bag it and compost it or mulch it.  

 

[SWC]

Do you mean doing a second cut in reverse, or the initial/only cut? 

i cut my whole lawn in reverse while i hold a command hook and drink bug spray take that to the bank bromigos 

 

[offdee]

Yeah.  Its that and the way the airflow is designed to work on mowers. Any clippings that come out the back while you are going backwards you just run it over again, which is more likely to happen since the back of the deck is higher than the front.  Since the front is lower, clippings are less likely to escape before getting pummeled a bunch of times by the blades.

If you are side discharging, the clippings take a longer path before getting shot out the side when you are mowing in reverse. During normal use, when going forward the grass/leaves get cut by the blades when they pass the front part of the mower deck and the air flow shoots most of the clippings right out the side before they get shredded into tiny pieces.  Its by design so that decks don't get clumped up with clippings as quickly.  Blades on residential mowers and tractors are 12000-16000 rpms, so a few extra seconds under the deck results in a lot of chances to get clipped again. 

I think it's way faster to just mow forward, side discharge until you have a line of leaves, then bag it and compost it or mulch it.  

Good description.

Usually what I do is forward mow (like you said) to dice up majority and create the remnants lines, and then reverse over those final lines to fully dice up.   I have a side discharge rider, but bought a plastic piece that attaches to the discharge chute that caps it off, so the leaves stay under the deck to get cut up and don't shoot out.

 

[Sullie]

I have a lot of trees around my property but the biggest source of leaves are the seven mature and really tall maple trees in front of my house.  So, from those, I get a TON of leaves that fall on my front and side lawn.  I can't stand raking leaves so I pretty much don't.  I used to have a John Deere push mower and I replaced that about 10 years ago with a Honda push mower.  Anyway, with the John Deere mower, I would go over the leaves two or three times and then the fourth time, I would put the bag on and bag the leaves and I thought that was a decent solution.

So, ten years ago, when I got my Honda, I immediately knew it was a game changer because it minces the leaves on the first pass.  So, now, I run the mower once (like I'm just doing a normal cutting) and then a second time with the bag on and I would say that I have to empty the bag about 5 or 6 times.  During the fall, I think I have to do this about 4 times to get all the leaves and I would say I get about 90% of them because I always have those stubborn leaves that won't fall until it snows (which is annoying.) 

Anyway,I think Honda's stacked blade technology is amazing and I find it's the key.  I know it was designed to mulch the grass (which it does exceptionally well) but it's also pretty amazing with the leaves too.  If I ever replace this Honda, it will be with a commercial grade Honda, just because I want one, I don't need it, I just want it.  Having said that, I think I've got several more years left in this one unless I give this one to a relative or something.

 

[Nathan R. Jessep]

I've seen the videos online of people taking a giant (think 10-12') piece of cardboard to "rake" leaves with. Haven't tried it, but looked pretty easy as far as gathering leaves goes. May give it a shot in the next few weeks. 

ETA: I saw ones with bigger cardboard, but this will give you the idea

 

[Psychopav]

I have a lot of trees around my property but the biggest source of leaves are the seven mature and really tall maple trees in front of my house.  So, from those, I get a TON of leaves that fall on my front and side lawn.  I can't stand raking leaves so I pretty much don't.  I used to have a John Deere push mower and I replaced that about 10 years ago with a Honda push mower.  Anyway, with the John Deere mower, I would go over the leaves two or three times and then the fourth time, I would put the bag on and bag the leaves and I thought that was a decent solution.

So, ten years ago, when I got my Honda, I immediately knew it was a game changer because it minces the leaves on the first pass.  So, now, I run the mower once (like I'm just doing a normal cutting) and then a second time with the bag on and I would say that I have to empty the bag about 5 or 6 times.  During the fall, I think I have to do this about 4 times to get all the leaves and I would say I get about 90% of them because I always have those stubborn leaves that won't fall until it snows (which is annoying.) 

Anyway,I think Honda's stacked blade technology is amazing and I find it's the key.  I know it was designed to mulch the grass (which it does exceptionally well) but it's also pretty amazing with the leaves too.  If I ever replace this Honda, it will be with a commercial grade Honda, just because I want one, I don't need it, I just want it.  Having said that, I think I've got several more years left in this one unless I give this one to a relative or something.

Say, what brand of mower do you use?

 

[Sullie]

Say, what brand of mower do you use?

Sorry, just trying to be helpful.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Lots of leaves to rake?   

I've seen this and thought it was brilliant.

Anyone tried this one?

Using pressure washer to rake even wet sticky leaves

It looks like an amazing hack but I haven't tried it or know anyone who has but just look at the video, looks effective and an incredible time saver and it would work in windy or rainy conditions and a wet pile won't blow back in your or your neighbors yards.  

 

[NutterButter]

Lots of leaves to rake?   

I've seen this and thought it was brilliant.

Anyone tried this one?

Using pressure washer to rake even wet sticky leaves

It looks like an amazing hack but I haven't tried it or know anyone who has but just look at the video, looks effective and an incredible time saver and it would work in windy or rainy conditions and a wet pile won't blow back in your or your neighbors yards.  

That's brilliant especially for his situation where it appears to just want to push them to a certain spot and leave them there.  

 

[ChiefD]

Lots of leaves to rake?   

I've seen this and thought it was brilliant.

Anyone tried this one?

Using pressure washer to rake even wet sticky leaves

It looks like an amazing hack but I haven't tried it or know anyone who has but just look at the video, looks effective and an incredible time saver and it would work in windy or rainy conditions and a wet pile won't blow back in your or your neighbors yards.  

Looks like a grass destroyer. 

:shakesfist:  not on my lawn!

 

[mr. furley]

I've seen the videos online of people taking a giant (think 10-12') piece of cardboard to "rake" leaves with. Haven't tried it, but looked pretty easy as far as gathering leaves goes. May give it a shot in the next few weeks. 

ETA: I saw ones with bigger cardboard, but this will give you the idea

thank goodness youtube came back up so i could watch this

 

[shuke]

Lots of leaves to rake?   

I've seen this and thought it was brilliant.

Anyone tried this one?

Using pressure washer to rake even wet sticky leaves

It looks like an amazing hack but I haven't tried it or know anyone who has but just look at the video, looks effective and an incredible time saver and it would work in windy or rainy conditions and a wet pile won't blow back in your or your neighbors yards.  

Looks awesome for someone who has a lawn made of gravel.

 

[Stompin' Tom Connors]

That's brilliant especially for his situation where it appears to just want to push them to a certain spot and leave them there.  

Right -- if I needed to pick these up and put them in yard waste cans or bags, that's instant thrown out back wrangling all that wet, heavy foliage.

 

[SWC]

if you had a big enough yard you could call in a volunteer fire department and ask them to do a proscribed burn of all the leaves in your yard on the plus side you get rid of the leaves and as an added bonus you help train firefighters take that to the bank bromigos 

 

[E-Z Glider]

Spent the morning searching for "women's beachwear" for xmas gifts for wife and daughters. Now my Facebook feed is filled with pics of hot chicks in bikinis. Wa-La!

 

[offdee]

I have to share this life hack I just discovered. Lounging by the pool and want to lay on your stomach, but no damn comfortable way to do it without arms falling asleep and neck cramping instantly…

Airplane neck pillow! Face right in the hole like a massage table.