Damon Hildebrand

Garden Guides Editorial Policies

Garden Guides uses a knowledgeable team of editors, writers, and experts to create all our content. We dive deep into the ever-evolving conversations surrounding gardening and landscaping, striving to deliver the most current and helpful tips, strengthened by expert insight and tutorials from our talented team.

As we cover many fields of expertise, we make it a priority to ensure every beat remains fresh and comprehensive. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Damon Hildebrand

  • ...
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022

    How To Test The Solenoid On A Kohler Lawn Mower Engine

    How to Test the Solenoid on a Kohler Lawn Mower Engine. The electric starter on Kohler lawn mower engines is both a convenience and a necessity. The additional torque and compression of larger Kohler engines make it difficult to start them with traditional pull-ropes. Starters mount onto the engine block with a bendix gear positioned in such a way that it engages and spins the engine flywheel when energized. The starter solenoid serves as a relay between the lawn mower's battery and the engine starter. By turning the ignition key, the solenoid is in effect “given permission” to apply battery power to the starter motor to crank the engine. If the solenoid is suspect, troubleshoot it to confirm whether it is bad.

    By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022

    How Do I Grease A Weedeater Shaft?

    How Do I Grease a Weedeater Shaft?. Weed Eater shafts require very little maintenance overall. Unless the owner specifically looks for the actual drive shaft, he would not realize it even existed. The rigid tubing running from the drive motor to the trimmer head houses a small spiral shaft. It is made of several twisted wires, making it possible to transmit torque while remaining flexible. Lubrication of the shaft reduces friction and wear created by it rotating inside the outer housing. It also serves as a corrosion inhibitor and water repellent should the Weed Eater be exposed to moisture.

    By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022

    Instructions For Greasing A Toro Riding Mower

    Instructions for Greasing a Toro Riding Mower. There are only a few moving parts on the Toro riding mower that require lubrication. Those that do need grease are critical to the overall operation of the lawn mower. Grease helps to prevent corrosion by serving as a barrier against water intrusion. The recommended lubricant for Toro riding mowers is lithium-based, extreme-pressure (EP) number 2 grease. Lithium is soap-like thickener that helps resist moisture accumulation. The extreme-pressure properties of the grease make it resistant to being squeezed out. The grade designation refers to the grease's consistency; EP-2 grease is semi-soft and buttery.

    By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022

    Briggs & Stratton Lawn Mower Engine Troubleshooting

    Briggs & Stratton Lawn Mower Engine Troubleshooting. The most common engine found on residential lawn mowers is a Briggs & Stratton. While these engines provide years of dependable service, like all mechanical equipment, they are prone to intermittent problems. When a small air-cooled engine such as the Briggs & Stratton isn't running quite right, or fails to start, start with the symptoms to best troubleshoot and isolate the cause of the problem.

    By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022

    How To Troubleshoot A Gravely Zero Turn Lawn Mower

    How to Troubleshoot a Gravely Zero Turn Lawn Mower. Zero turn mowers bring a whole new meaning to fast and efficient lawn care. They can perform a 180-degree turn on a dime--and give back nine cents in change. But they are not without hiccups of their own now and then. As with all mechanical equipment, the day approaches when even a Gravely lawn machine requires troubleshooting and maintenance. The most common symptoms also have the most common cures.

    By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022

    How To Remove A Rear Tire From A Craftsman Mower

    How to Remove a Rear Tire From a Craftsman Mower. With all the wear a Craftsman lawn mower's tires receive every season, it is no wonder the occasional flat occurs. Sometime the smallest things create a puncture in the tire, allowing the air to quickly escape. Tire repair fillers--such as flat fixer and foam fill--may not get the job done. Remove the wheel entirely and take it in for repair, or just replace it with a new one.

    By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022

    How To Install A Craftsman Mower Deck

    How to Install a Craftsman Mower Deck. Many Craftsman mowers are modular in that the mower deck is removable. Installing the mower deck after repair or lawn mower service is best performed on a hard surface. The ability to slide the deck both under the mower, and side to side to assist in pinning the deck to the mower, improves installation time and reduces effort.

    By Damon Hildebrand November 4th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand September 6th, 2022

    Problems With A Snapper Lawn Mower

    Problems With a Snapper Lawn Mower. Snapper was the first company to market a rear engine riding lawn mower. They've long been among the most popular riding mowers ever produced, according to the manufacturer. An advantage of a rear engine mower is its stability from the improved center of gravity. With an average-sized rider in the seat, the weight distribution is such that the rear wheels maintain better traction. In addition, there is ample forward weight to improve maneuverability. Nonetheless, a Snapper mower experiences many of the same problems as other riding mowers.

    By Damon Hildebrand September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand September 6th, 2022

    Troubleshooting A Cub Cadet Lawn Mower

    Troubleshooting a Cub Cadet Lawn Mower. According to the manufacturer’s website, Cub Cadet produces the only mower in the industry to incorporate a direct drive shaft, and marketed the first zero-turn riding lawn mower. As one of the top brands of lawn mowers in the industry, significant problems with a well-maintained machine are rare. Nonetheless, adjustments and troubleshooting are occasionally called for to keep the lawn mower operating at peak efficiency. A common issue with wide-cut Cub Cadet mowers involves mower deck problems. Among these are: vibration while mowing, inadequate mulching and uneven cutting.

    By Damon Hildebrand September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand September 6th, 2022

    Facts About Buffalo Grass

    Facts About Buffalo Grass. Buffalo grass (Bouteloua dactyloides) was a primary food source for the large herds of bison roaming the plains in years past, hence the name. It is today used primarily for cattle and other livestock on ranches in its native region. Lawns of buffalo grass consist of both male and female plants when established naturally. Male plants have taller crowns and long seed stalks, while the female plants provide a more uniform, dense lawn. Lawn grass seeds of the buffalo grass variety selectively consist of female seeds.

    By Damon Hildebrand September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand September 6th, 2022

    Craftsman Lawn Mower Maintenance

    Craftsman Lawn Mower Maintenance. Routine maintenance is necessary for keeping a Craftsman lawn mower performing at its best. Not only are gas and oil required for the mower to operate, filters, tires, belts and blades all need periodic service to prevent mower problems, and ensure a reliable machine is ready when needed.

    By Damon Hildebrand September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand September 6th, 2022

    How To Use 2,4-D In Lawn Care

    How to Use 2,4-D in Lawn Care. 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) is used in the control and prevention of numerous broadleaf weeds in agricultural and residential applications. It is best to apply the product in a garden pump-up sprayer, or a ready-to-use spray container in residential lawns. This type of application helps to control overspray on areas other than the targeted weeds where nearby trees and ornamentals could be damaged by the mist. 2,4-D has been an effective weed control product since its introduction in the 1940s. It can be used in spring, summer or fall as a selective herbicide when weeds are actively growing.

    By Damon Hildebrand September 6th, 2022 Read More
  • ...
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Care By Damon Hildebrand November 20th, 2021

    How To Level A Mower Deck For A Toro

    How to Level a Mower Deck for a Toro. The first indication of an uneven lawn cut is an immediate call for action. A couple of things will cause a deck to cut unevenly. Bumping against an obstacle while operating the mower is common, while hanging the edge of the deck on a slope or incline is another possibility. In either case, a readjustment of the deck is necessary.

    By Damon Hildebrand November 20th, 2021 Read More