Do you own an Electric Grass Cutting Machine, whether corded or battery-powered (yes, some come with more than one battery)? That’s fantastic if you said yes.
Electric mowers are less harmful to the environment. If you have a tiny lawn, they can be cost-effective in the long run because of the money you’ll save on gas.
That doesn’t imply you can mow anytime you want. For example, when it’s raining outside.
That’s correct. Although your Electric Grass Cutting Machine is ecologically friendly, you must get a pass on combining power and water.
Consider this: do electricity and water go together? Technically speaking, they do. However, because you are made up of water and electrolytes, you become conductive if you are present.
When salt or sugar is present, water conducts electricity very well. We’re not talking about table salt or sugar. More akin to sodium and glucose ions. This means that anything other than deionized water will be conductive.
That also means that if you’re near water and electricity, you’re more likely to get electrocuted. On a dry day, you wouldn’t play with electricity for fun. So why take a chance on a wet one?
However, you may be interested in utilizing an electric mower on damp grass. Before you do, let’s look at six potential hazards and safety precautions.
Always start with your owner’s or manufacturer’s manual.
After all, that’s one of the reasons you get that handy manual when you buy a lawn mower.
The manual isn’t just there to safeguard the maker from legal action. They recognize that if someone is injured while using their product, it reflects poorly on them. The cautions in the guides are intended to avoid accidents and undesirable behaviour. For example, poor appearance is detrimental to business.
It is dangerous to disregard warnings.
When I did a random Google search for a couple of electric mowers, both corded and battery-powered, the first warning in the related instructions was, “Avoid Operating in a Dangerous Environment.”
“So, what constitutes a risky environment?” you could question.
You’ll be glad you did because the answer follows. “Do not use the mower in damp or wet conditions.” Also, do not operate when you are unsure of your footing.”
So they’re not just concerned about electricity. They want you to stay in control of the Engine Grass Cutting Machine, too.
That’s understandable. The manufacturer has issued the following warning: “Do not use in the rain.”
That’s all. There is nothing else. It even has its budget line item.
Is it a corded or battery-powered lawnmower?
This is a critical question because a corded mower, by definition, must be plugged in a while in operation. A battery-powered one, on the other hand, requires charging.
So, even if it isn’t raining, but the grass is wet, you should be aware that there is still a risk of electric shock when using a corded mower rather than a battery-powered one.
Why is this crucial to understand?
You want to avoid fiddling with or dragging electrical plugs around in wet grass. What if your chord isn’t long enough to cover your entire lawn, and you have to unplug, move the cord, and put it back in someplace else in the yard, or use another cord as a jumper? Meanwhile, everything is becoming increasingly soaked.
Can you handle a cord in wet grass? Yes, there is always a way, especially if the line is double-insulated and in good condition. But, even if you have excellent cords, what if you are unaware of a cut in the thread? When was the last time you checked your power cords? You may now be confronted with something unexpected.
Even if batteries don’t like wetness, there’s less of a possibility of a shock if it’s battery-powered. However, there is always a risk when working with anything electrical. However, there are other concerns with battery-powered lawnmowers.
The Risk of Equipment Damage
When you mow in wet grass, regardless of the power source, there is always the risk of potential equipment damage. For example, mower blades are damaged by damp grass.
Consider this: have you ever cut heavy grass and observed how difficult it is to push the mower? How does it occasionally stall? Or do the mower blades become clogged with clumped-together turf pieces caused by wetness rather than lovely dry individual blades of grass?