This merits the following countermeasures:

• Keep peripheral areas (meadows, orchards, slopes, etc.) open via economically efficient mowing methods
• Adapt mowing procedures in peripheral areas, i.e., reduce the number of mowings per year and push back the first mowing
• Adjust the mowing time to accommodate insects and bees – early in the morning with overcast skies or late in the evening are best
• Create rotational fallow land or leave old grass strips untouched

Rethinking the maintenance of green areas is necessary to protecting biodiversity. Thus high-grass mowing is more than just a trend: it represents a step to protect the environment and, above all, to reduce bee mortality.

Meadow orchards preserve our ecosystem by functioning as bee pastures, promoting biodiversity. It is thus important that mowing does not occur until flowering (end of June – middle of July). Following this guideline plants in the meadow can quickly grow to a height of 100 cm or higher, terrain ideally suited to AS-Motor’s Allmähers and ride-on mowers.

Cultivation of orchard meadows and other peripheral areas requires mowing only 1-2 times a year, to keep areas free of shrubs and bushes. In this time grass can grow 60-100 cm high, requiring outstanding mulching capabilities. AS-Motor devices have been engineered precisely for this purpose.

Reducing the number of mowings per year not only makes sense for environmental reasons, but also offers economic advantages by minimising time, personnel expenditure, and operating costs such as fuel and wear parts. Mulching and uniform cutting placement also eliminates the need for cost-intensive removal.

Naturally, extensive care with only 1-2 mowings per season also translates to significantly lower emissions in the form of exhaust gas and noise.

The first thing that comes to mind here are various puncture aids. These are products, mostly in the form of a spray can, which are carried in the car instead of the good old spare wheel and are available at every petrol station. In the case of a defective tyre, the agent is supposed to make the tyre drivable again by a chemical reaction and adhesive effect. Application is therefore not possible as a preventive measure but only in the case of an acute puncture. Almost always, this type of repair is not permanent, but only short-term. After repeated use, the tyre can even become unusable and must be replaced.

However, there are also permanent puncture protection products. These are filled into a tyre as a preventive measure, sealing the tyre immediately in the event of a puncture and thus enabling work to continue without downtime. Compared to short-term puncture aids products, these are able to permanently seal leaks and injuries and allow use of the tyre as usual. The way permanent puncture protection products work is simple but amazing. Either rubber particles or synthetic fibres of different sizes or lengths are added to a water-based, solvent-free fluid.

An attempt to solve the problem by permanently foaming the tyres with polyurethane failed. Although permanent foaming prevents flat tyres 100%, it is accompanied by three major disadvantages: First, the weight. The weight of a front wheel (4.80/4.00-8) of the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD XL, diameter approx. 40 cm, width approx. 10 cm, increases by a 7 kg when foaming. If all four tyres of the machine were to be foamed, including the large rear wheels (20×10.00-8), the additional weight of the machine would be about 64 kg! Including the driver, this can exceed the maximum permissible total weight of the machine. Secondly, the high price. The foaming of an AS Sherpa front wheel costs about 70€ at a specialised company. Third, the completely missing suspension comfort afterwards. The driver and the machine will permanently suffer negative impacts. The handlebars, axle bearings and axle suspension will soon wear out and so will intervertebral discs of the driver.

Because the operator is situated on a ride-on mower, it must always be suitable for the slope. A low centre of gravity and special features such as all-wheel drive, differential lock, and/or special tyres ensure that the mower maintains traction even on steep inclines. Information regarding mower stability must always be known. The tipping threshold of a ride-on mower is defined as when steering is turned all the way in one direction; the device cannot overturn unless this stability value is exceeded. But differences exist even among similar models, as illustrated by the AS-Motor Sherpa family: the AS 915 Sherpa 2WD and AS 920 Sherpa 2WD have a stability of 18 degrees transverse to the slope, the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD has a stability of 20 degrees and the XL version and remote-controlled RC model have a stability of 21 degrees in ride-on mode. If the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD RC is operated remotely, stability is 33 degrees.

When terrain is steep, the operator’s sitting position becomes difficult to maintain when working across the slope. This is why ride-on mowers must move uphill and downhill on slopes. Operators should be careful to avoid uneven soil that can unintentionally cause the mower to lean at an extreme angle, particularly when turning.

However, since up and downhill movement in ride-on operation also places physical demands on the operator, it is particularly advantageous to have a ride-on mower that can be switched to remote-control operation in steep terrain.

Remote-controlled devices enable mowing both transverse to the slope and up and downhill. Caution should be taken when driving on fresh cuttings which can reduce traction, thus risking mower slippage. When working crosswise to the slope, mowing should be done from top to bottom so that cut grass is deposited above the mower. Furthermore, it is important not to walk below or in front of the mower.

Giant hogweed’s various species (Heracleum mantegazzianum, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Heracleum persicum) originate in the Caucasus, Turkey, Iran and Iraq. Giant hogweed was introduced to Europe in the 19^th century as an ornamental crop and has now spread over most of the continent. Giant hogweed stores nutrients in tap roots and forms flowers and seeds as soon as sufficient reserves are present. The single flowering, herbaceous plant usually blooms in its third to fifth year of life, which in Central Europe occurs between June and July. The plant’s numerous individual flowers form a cone with up to 50,000 highly germinating seeds, making the giant hogweed’s reproduction potential enormous. After flowering, the plant dies and its seeds are spread by wind, water and human beings. The seeds are ready to germinate after flowering in spring and remain germinable for up to 10 years.

While all parts of the plant are toxic, the clear, aqueous sap from inside the plant contains photo-sensitizing substances (furanocoumarins) that, in combination with UV radiation, can cause severe skin burns (phytophotodermatitis) in humans. Native vegetation suffers in biodiversity and biodensity from the giant hogweed as these plants are forced to compete for light and water with an herbaceous perennial that grows up to 4 meters high. Giant hogweed populations can also cause erosion damage in shore zones as their roots do not have a shore-stabilising function.

Increased caution is required on steep slopes as there is danger of injury if the operator slips or the mower tips over. Downhill tasks are more difficult to master than uphill tasks – even if you can easily make it up the slope with your mower, things can become problematic on the way down.

Thus, the downhill path must be thought through from the outset. At certain gradients you should only work with mowers that have both propulsion and a brake. AS-Motor devices are equipped with a safety brake, meaning that release of the drive lever automatically activates the parking brake, bringing the mower to a standstill. Limited-slip differential is not a luxury but rather a considerable safety feature that limits the speed of downhill travel.

Certain ground rules apply whether the area is steep or level: for example, a visual inspection should always take place before starting a mower. Check the blade, protective cloths or plates, drive and fastening parts, as well as cables and cable connections for faultless condition. Also check your work area for foreign objects before starting to mow. Remove rocks, sticks, wires and other objects that could be ejected from the mower deck. Holes, stones, roots, drainage ditches, etc. can cause imbalance or collision with the blades, especially if the mower is not equipped with a blade clutch. The operator must note these points and mow at an adequate distance from them.

The gradient and ground conditions are important when mowing slopes. Today smart phone apps can easily determine the gradient – at a tip-over limit of 21 degrees, who can precisely assess whether the inclination is 19 or 23 degrees by eye? In any case, ride-on mowers should ideally be equipped with tilt meters.

Moreover, it is important to assess the ground condition when mowing slopes. Minimal ground cover and loose or wet soil increases the danger of slipping. If a mower starts to slip or tip over, immediately let go of the mower and do not attempt to stop it or keep hold of it. Injury should be avoided at all costs.

Extreme slopes start at inclines of 40 degrees. Walking becomes difficult on these slopes, let alone mowing tasks. Certain accessories such as agricultural tread and/or twin tyres, spikes and steel wheels improve traction while oscillating crawler tracks that move in proportion to each other are particularly effective at maintaining ground contact on extreme slopes.

Operating manuals specify the engine manufacturer’s precise gradient limits. The lubricating film of 4-stroke engines can tear on extreme slopes, causing engine damage. This risk does not exist for 2-stroke engines which is why they are ideally suited for tasks on extreme slopes.

A basic rule for mowing on a slope is: fill it up. If the mower does not have a fuel pump, petrol will no longer reach the engine at certain gradients which can lead to the engine stopping on its own. Tapered fuel tanks are better suited for inclined surfaces. When the level of liquid drops, petrol will no longer reach the fuel tap in tanks that are flat at the bottom. As a rule, AS-Motor devices are equipped with a fuel reserve which makes it possible to safely drive off the slope and refuel.

The mower must be on a level surface when refueling. Furthermore the engine must adequately cool down so that spilled fuel cannot spontaneously ignite. The operating manual specifies how long it takes for the engine to cool down. Since excess pressure can occur in the tank, the tank cap must be opened slowly and carefully. Mechanical brakes that work in the instance of engine failure are important safety features, especially for ride-on mowers.

Using AS-Motor tyre sealant is quite simple: Let air out of the tyre or inner-tube and fill “Flat-Stop” through the valve. That’s it. The product has an unlimited shelf life and does not stick or clump. Once filled, the liquid rotates along with the tyre. If a puncture occurs up to 15 millimetres in diameter – from objects such as thorns, branches, or nails – the puncture seals on its own. Air pressure forces millions of Kevlar fibres suspended in propylene glycol into the opening, sealing the puncture within two to three wheel revolutions. This happens so quickly that there is virtually no loss of pressure, which in most cases leaves the operator unaware of the fact that a tyre has been punctured.

“Flat-Stop” is suitable for all agricultural and forestry vehicle tyres that do not exceed a speed of 80 kilometres per hour. It is at least 90% effective on the tread of tubeless tyres and at least 75% effective on tubular tyres. An antifreeze component prevents the sealant from freezing at low temperatures and corrosion protection protects the rim.

The product can be purchased from authorised dealers in a 950-milliliter bottle – sufficient to seal the rear tyre of an AS-Motor Sherpa ride-on mower – or in a 20-liter container. Information on how much puncture protection agent must be filled per tyre is provided on AS-Motor’s webpage, under Products/Accessories. Avoid gradual pressure loss, flat tyres and downtimes for years to come with “Flat-Stop.”

Heating, lumbar support, adjustable side bolsters, massage function and built-in ventilation – the last 20 years have seen a lot of changes in car seat technology. The gain in seating comfort is initially invisible, but becomes noticeable after 300 kilometres of driving. Mobility instead of stiffness, looseness instead of tension, and above all freshness instead of listlessness. The difference is still known especially by the elders among us, thanks to the seats of the VW Golf II and Opel Kadett.

A single mower for all mowing jobs. In the morning, lawns in the city with a top cutting result as a given; after that quickly cutting the flower meadow that has blossomed out, speedy mowing and no clogging of the machine a given as well. In the afternoon, mowing slopes along the access road – easy handling of the machine on 35-degree incline are to be expected – and finally, mowing the access road, with garbage and foreign objects no problem for the machine. Maximum safety for the operator and absolute safety for passers-by against ejected grass cuttings and stones must be guaranteed.

It would be great to have such a machine in your equipment pool. Unfortunately, when designing a mower, a technician faces competing and contradictory challenges. Let’s take a quick look at what he has to take into account when designing a mower.

Nowadays, most machines for mowing lawns or high grass are sickle or flail mowers. Special forms such as spindle, beam, rotary or disc mowers are mainly used on golf courses or in agriculture.

A sickle mower, such as an ordinary lawnmower, uses a fast rotating blade on a vertical shaft. Technically, this is relatively simple to implement. But what happens if this blade hits a hard or immovable foreign object. Very simple – it stops abruptly. According to Isaac Newton, energy is never lost. So where does the kinetic energy go? For example, in a bent blade, a broken crankshaft or a torn-off fan in the engine.

Good rotary mowers have some technical features to protect against expensive engine damage.