Using Garden Machinery Safely During a Heatwave: Top Tips from Radmore & Tucker

When the sun is shining, it’s tempting to spend the entire day getting your garden into shape. However, during a heatwave, both you and your garden machinery can suffer from the effects of extreme temperatures.

Whether you’re mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, strimming long grass or using a chainsaw, taking a few simple precautions can help keep you safe while ensuring your equipment continues to perform at its best.

Here’s our expert advice from the team at Radmore & Tucker.

1. Work During the Cooler Parts of the Day

The best time to use garden machinery during a heatwave is:

• Early morning, before 10am
• Late evening, after 6pm

Not only is it more comfortable, but your machines will also run more efficiently in cooler temperatures. Midday heat increases the risk of overheating and operator fatigue. Government guidance also advises employers and workers to reduce heat stress by adapting work patterns during periods of extreme heat.

2. Don’t Mow a Dry, Dormant Lawn

If your lawn has turned brown during hot weather, don’t panic—it isn’t dead.

Grass naturally goes dormant during prolonged dry spells to conserve moisture. Cutting it too short can cause additional stress and slow its recovery once the rain returns.

Instead:

• Raise your mower cutting height.
• Mow less frequently.
• Leave longer grass to help shade the soil.

Your lawn will usually green up again when temperatures drop and rainfall returns.

3. Give Petrol Machines Time to Cool

Petrol-powered machinery generates a lot of heat, especially:

• Lawn mowers
• Brushcutters
• Chainsaws
• Hedge trimmers
• Leaf blowers

Avoid running machines continuously for extended periods.

If you’re tackling a large job:

• Take regular breaks.
• Allow the engine to cool naturally.
• Never refuel while the engine is hot.

Petrol should only be added once the machine has cooled and always outdoors, away from buildings and ignition sources.

4. Keep Air Filters and Cooling Fins Clean

Dust is much more common during dry weather.

Blocked cooling fins or dirty air filters reduce airflow around the engine, making it work harder and increasing operating temperatures.

Regularly inspect and clean:

• Air filters
• Engine cooling fins
• Air intake vents
• Grass build-up underneath lawn mower decks

A clean machine runs cooler, uses less fuel and lasts longer.

5. Look After Your Battery Equipment

Modern cordless garden machinery performs brilliantly in summer, but lithium-ion batteries don’t like excessive heat.

To maximise battery life:

• Never leave batteries in direct sunlight.
• Store batteries indoors in a cool, dry place.
• Allow batteries to cool before charging.
• Never charge batteries inside a hot vehicle or conservatory.

This is especially important for STIHL AK, AP and ALLPRO batteries, as well as Husqvarna BLi and Aspire battery systems.

6. Stay Hydrated

Looking after yourself is just as important as looking after your machinery.

Remember to:

• Drink water regularly.
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Use sunscreen.
• Wear eye and hearing protection.
• Take regular breaks in the shade.

Heat exhaustion can creep up quickly when using vibrating machinery or carrying heavy equipment.

7. Watch for Fire Risks

During prolonged dry weather, grass, leaves and hedge cuttings become highly flammable.

Take extra care when using:

• Chainsaws
• Brushcutters
• Clearing saws
• Petrol hedge trimmers

Before storing your machine:

• Remove dry grass from around the exhaust.
• Brush away debris from the engine.
• Never place hot machinery onto dry grass or in long vegetation.

Keeping machines clean reduces both fire risk and overheating.

8. Water Before You Mow

If you’re planning to water your lawn, do it:

• Early in the morning
• Late in the evening

Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day, as much of the moisture will evaporate before reaching the roots.

Likewise, avoid mowing immediately after watering, as wet grass can clog mower decks and reduce cutting performance.

9. Sharpen Your Blades

Sharp blades matter even more during hot weather.

A blunt lawn mower blade tears grass rather than cutting it cleanly, leaving brown tips and making the lawn more susceptible to drought stress.

The same applies to hedge trimmers and chainsaws—sharp cutting equipment reduces strain on both the machine and the operator.

10. Don’t Ignore Your Machine

If your machine begins to:

• Lose power
• Smell unusually hot
• Produce excessive smoke
• Struggle to cut

Stop using it immediately and allow it to cool.

Continuing to operate an overheating machine can lead to unnecessary wear and expensive repairs.

Now Is the Perfect Time to Service Your Garden Machinery

Summer is the ideal time to have your garden machinery professionally serviced. After months of regular use, your equipment has been working hard, and a service now can help prevent costly breakdowns just when you need it most.

Regular servicing doesn’t just keep your machine running smoothly—it also improves reliability, extends its lifespan and ensures it’s ready for the busy late-summer and autumn gardening season.

A professional garden machinery service can:

• Improve engine performance and fuel efficiency
• Extend the lifespan of your equipment
• Reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns
• Identify worn or damaged parts before they fail
• Ensure your machine operates safely
• Help maintain manufacturer warranty requirements where applicable

At Radmore & Tucker, our experienced workshop technicians service and repair a huge range of garden machinery, including:

• Lawn mowers
• Ride-on mowers
• Robotic lawn mowers
• Chainsaws
• Hedge trimmers
• Brushcutters and strimmers
• Leaf blowers
• Pressure washers
• Garden tractors

As an authorised dealer for leading brands including STIHL, Husqvarna, ECHO, Masport and Kress, we use genuine parts wherever possible and carry out thorough inspections to keep your machinery performing at its very best.

If you’ve noticed your mower isn’t cutting as cleanly as it should, your chainsaw has lost power, your hedge trimmer is becoming difficult to start or your brushcutter isn’t running smoothly, don’t wait until it stops altogether.

Booking a service now could save you money on expensive repairs later and ensure your machinery is ready for autumn lawn care, hedge maintenance and leaf clearing.

Contact Radmore & Tucker today to book your garden machinery service and let our expert workshop keep your equipment running like new.

Need Advice? Visit Radmore & Tucker

Whether you’re using a cordless mower, petrol chainsaw, hedge trimmer or brushcutter, our experienced team is here to help you get the best performance from your equipment throughout the summer.

As an authorised dealer for leading brands including STIHL, Husqvarna, ECHO, Masport and more, we stock everything from replacement blades and chains to oils, batteries, chargers and genuine spare parts.

Visit our showroom in Exeter, shop online at www.radmoretucker.co.uk, or contact our friendly team for expert advice on choosing, maintaining and servicing your garden machinery.

Stay Safe This Summer

Heatwaves don’t have to stop you enjoying your garden, but a little planning goes a long way. By working during cooler hours, maintaining your equipment and taking care of yourself, you’ll protect your machinery, your lawn and your own wellbeing while making the most of the sunshine.

Whether you’re a homeowner, professional landscaper or arborist, Radmore & Tucker has the tools, accessories, servicing and expert advice to help you get the job done safely and efficiently.

Need help choosing the right garden machinery or booking a service? Contact Radmore & Tucker today or browse our extensive range of garden machinery, batteries, accessories and spare parts online.