Transporting garden machinery starts with preparing the machine
Transporting garden machinery doesn't go wrong while driving, but while loading. Spilled fuel, leaked oil or a machine that tips over on the way — these are the three most common problems. All three can be prevented with ten minutes of preparation.
Get the fuel out of the tank
Always transport petrol machines with an empty tank. The easiest way is to let the engine run until it is dry, or to pump out the fuel. In an enclosed cargo area the fumes have nowhere to go, and a tilted machine will start leaking through even a tiny gap in the cap.
Close the fuel tap if the machine has one. On older lawnmowers and wood chippers it is standard equipment. The remaining fuel in the carburettor then won't flow where it shouldn't.
Carry four-stroke engines upright. If you lay a lawnmower on its side, oil from the crankcase flows into the air filter and the cylinder. The machine then smokes when started and the filter needs replacing.
Clean the machine before loading
Cut grass from the underside of the mower will stay in the van. Dried grass and mud are harder to remove from the load floor than dry dirt. Ten minutes with a brush in the garden will save half an hour of cleaning afterwards.
Make the machine smaller where possible
A lawnmower handle folds. Most models have wing nuts; once you loosen them, the handlebar folds down onto the body. This shortens the machine by a good half metre.
A brushcutter comes apart. A split shaft is standard on many models, and transporting two shorter parts is easier than one long one. Always cover the blade with a transport guard.
Check the van's dimensions in advance. A garden tractor or a large wood chipper needs a different van from a lawnmower. You will find the internal dimensions and payload of each model in our fleet.
Disconnect the battery on machines that have one
Leave garden tractors and starter batteries disconnected. Vibrations can easily cause the terminals to touch tools that shift on the way. Disconnecting one terminal is a two-minute job and the risk disappears.
Carry cordless machines with the battery removed. Store it separately in a box, not in the machine. This way you avoid accidentally triggering the switch and damaging the contacts.
Loading, securing and driving safely
Loading heavy machines
You can't lift a wood chipper or a garden tractor by hand. Use loading ramps or sturdy planks and guide the machine up with two people. Never stand below a load that someone is pushing up a slope — if the ramp slips, there is nowhere to get out of the way.
Chock the wheels. Self-propelled machines move off on their own as soon as you let go. Put it in gear or apply the parking brake and place a chock under a wheel.
Securing against movement is a must
Every machine must be secured against movement. A free-standing lawnmower will start rolling at the first harder braking and cause damage to itself and the van in the cargo area. Ratchet straps are the quickest solution.
Run the strap over a solid part of the frame. Not over a cover, a plastic hood or the handle — these will deform when tightened. On lawnmowers, run the strap over the chassis; on a wood chipper, over the drawbar or the frame.
Secure the machine against sideways movement too. One strap forwards is not enough; on a bend the machine will tip sideways. Two straps crossed hold much better.
Small tools separately
Store fuel cans, shears and hand tools separately. Loose tools move around between the machines on the way and scratch whatever they meet. Put them in a box and lean the box against the side of the van.
Carry empty fuel cans with the cap closed. Even a rinsed-out can gives off fumes, and in an enclosed space you can smell it the whole way. Stand it upright and secure it so it can't tip over.
The practical side of the rental
Pick-up is possible non-stop. You unlock the vehicle via the web app on your phone, photograph its condition and find the keys in the glovebox on the passenger side. No registration or account is needed; all you need is a category B driving licence and two identity documents.
No deposit is paid and mileage within the Czech Republic is unlimited. A trip to a service centre on the other side of the region and back is therefore no problem. The vehicles have the motorway vignette included in the price, but may only be driven within the Czech Republic.
Only the person named in the contract may drive. A second driver can be added once registered, which comes in handy if you want to take turns on a longer journey. You will find the conditions in the FAQ and other people's experiences in the reviews.
