After such a long winter, we don’t want to complain about this hot weather, but wow! This extended heat wave has us thinking safety, for both you and your equipment.

Full disclaimer: the tips below on protecting yourself in this heat may seem like they were written by your mother.

Working in this extreme heat doesn’t only cause you to be irritable with your coworkers, it can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke.  Let’s get back to the basics on how you can protect yourself:

Dress cool. Make sure you have a hat (or hard-hat) , loose fitting and breathable clothing, protective glasses with UV protection, and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Sweat! Sweating is the body’s most effective mechanism to cool itself. You may not love it, but your body is helping keep its temperature down.

Drink, drink, drink. Drink often, even if you don’t feel thirsty, to help replace the fluids you’ve lost. Avoid caffeinated beverages which can quickly dehydrate you.

Take breaks. Over exerting yourself isn’t going to get the job done faster if it leads to injury. It can take up to 14 days for the body to acclimatize to the heat, so don’t push it.

Know the warning signs. You can find the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what actions to take here. 

Protecting yourself is top priority, but if you’re well protected and your equipment isn’t, then you may have a problem getting the job done.

Check your oil. With a small engine and such hot weather, you want to make sure you’re on top of your oil levels. A hot engine needs all the lubrication it can get.

Pins? Grease them! Ride-on mowers typically have a number of pins. This hot weather can cause the grease to become displaced quicker. Keeping them greased will prolong any wearing.

Keep on top of your tires. When the heat rises, so does your tire pressure. This can cause poor handling, premature wear and poor traction. Keeping your tires at the recommended PSI is ideal for maximum efficiency.

Taking a break? If you’re taking a break, consider giving your equipment a break too. If you’re leaving it outside, put it in the shade rather than the direct sun. This will also help make sure you don’t burn yourself when you’re ready to get back to work.

Remember, grass doesn’t love it either. Mowing causes stress on the grass (just as pruning causes stress on a plant). Mowing in the heat of the day causes grass to lose more water making it slower to rebound.

If your equipment is acting up, bring it in for one of our technicians to take a look at.