So, you’ve been tending to your vast fields in Farming Simulator 22, harvesting crops, raising livestock, and generally living the dream digital farmer life. But then you look at your sprawling farmstead, the areas around your buildings, perhaps even some smaller plots you’ve acquired, and you notice… they’re looking a bit unkempt. The grass is growing wild, and it’s just not the aesthetically pleasing, well-maintained farm you envision.
You’re probably asking yourself, ‘Can I even mow the lawn in this game?’ The answer is a resounding yes! Getting your hands on a lawn mower in Farming Simulator 22 is straightforward, and it opens up a whole new dimension of farm customization and maintenance. Let’s get your pastures looking pristine!
Getting Your First Lawn Mower in Farming Simulator 22
While Farming Simulator 22 is primarily about large-scale agriculture, the developers have thoughtfully included features for maintaining the more ‘domestic’ areas of your farm. This includes the ability to mow grass in areas not designated for crop production. The process is surprisingly simple, and once you know where to look, you’ll be trimming your farm’s edges in no time.
The core of acquiring any new piece of equipment in Farming Simulator 22, including lawn mowers, lies within the game’s Shop. This is your one-stop-shop for everything from colossal harvesters to the smallest attachments. Lawn mowers are no exception. They’re categorized alongside other mowing equipment, but often with specific tags or in a dedicated section that makes them easier to find.
Where to Find Lawn Mowers in the Shop
When you open the Shop menu (usually by pressing ‘P’ on PC, or through the in-game menu on consoles), you’ll see various categories. To find lawn mowers, you’ll typically want to navigate to the ‘Mowers’ or ‘Grassland’ sections. However, the ‘lawn mower’ is a bit of a special case. They are often smaller, more compact, and designed for maneuverability rather than large field coverage. This means they might be listed under specific sub-categories or simply amongst the smaller mowers.
Identifying the Right Mower
The key to spotting a lawn mower is by its size and its intended use. Unlike the massive mowing decks attached to tractors for field work, lawn mowers are usually self-propelled or designed to be attached to smaller utility vehicles. Look for:
- Compact Size: They will be significantly smaller than field mowers.
- Maneuverability: Often featuring smaller wheels and a design that suggests they can navigate tight spaces.
- Power Source: Some might be electric (requiring charging, though less common for purchasable items in FS22), while most will be petrol-powered.
- Attachment Type: If they are not self-propelled, they will be designed to be attached to a small tractor or a utility vehicle.
In Farming Simulator 22, you’ll find a range of brands offering various mowing solutions. While some might be marketed as ‘field mowers’, their smaller counterparts are often perfectly suited for lawn care. The game doesn’t always have a strict ‘lawn mower’ category separate from all other mowers, so you’ll need to use your judgment based on size and description.
The Purchase Process
Once you’ve located a mower that fits the bill, the purchase process is standard for any in-game item:
- Navigate to the Shop: Press ‘P’ (PC) or access it via the menu (console).
- Browse Categories: Look for ‘Mowers’ or ‘Grassland’.
- Select Your Mower: Click on the desired mower.
- Check Price and Stats: Review the cost, working width, and any other relevant information.
- Purchase: Click the ‘Buy’ button. The mower will then appear in your vehicle dealership.
Remember that all purchased vehicles and equipment appear at your vehicle dealership. You’ll need to travel there to pick them up and bring them to your farm. (See Also: How to Seed Your Lawn in Spring: A Step-by-Step Guide)
Using Your Lawn Mower Effectively
Once you’ve bought your mower, the next step is to put it to work. This is where the ‘fun’ part of maintaining your farm’s aesthetics comes in!
Attaching and Operating
If you purchased a towed or front-mounted mower, you’ll need a suitable tractor or utility vehicle to operate it. Smaller, more compact tractors are often ideal for this purpose, as they offer better maneuverability around buildings and other obstacles.
The process is as follows:
- Locate Your Mower: Go to your vehicle dealership and attach the mower to your chosen tractor/vehicle.
- Start the Engine: Get into your tractor and start its engine.
- Engage the Mower: Most mowers require you to activate them (often with a dedicated button, like ‘V’ on PC). You’ll see the mowing deck start to spin.
- Mow the Grass: Drive your tractor over the grassy areas you wish to cut. The mower will cut the grass, leaving behind swaths of cut grass.
For self-propelled mowers, the process is even simpler: just hop on, start it up, and drive it around!
What Can You Mow?
In Farming Simulator 22, you can mow grass in several key areas:
- Farmstead Areas: The grass patches around your farm buildings, silos, animal pens, and other structures.
- Unused Plots: Any land you own that isn’t currently being used for crop cultivation.
- Pastures: Areas specifically designated for grazing animals. While animals don’t strictly *need* their pastures mowed, keeping them tidy can be part of your farm’s visual appeal.
- Roadsides and Edges: You can also mow along the edges of your fields or roads for a cleaner look.
It’s important to note that mowing these areas does not produce saleable crops. The primary purpose is aesthetic and potentially for animal feed if you choose to collect the swaths.
Collecting the Cut Grass
After you’ve mowed an area, you’ll be left with swaths of cut grass lying on the ground. If you wish to collect this for use, you’ll need additional equipment:
- Windrower: This machine gathers the cut grass into neat rows (windrows), making it easier to collect.
- Forage Wagon: This is used to pick up the windrowed grass. It’s essentially a trailer with a pickup mechanism.
- Baler: If you want to store the grass or sell it as hay, you can use a baler to compress it into bales.
This process is identical to how you would handle grass for animal feed or silage production in the main farming areas, just on a smaller scale for your farmstead. (See Also: How to Attach Toro Lawn Mower Bag: Simple Steps!)
When to Use Which Mower
The type of mower you choose will depend on your needs and budget:
- Small, Self-Propelled Mowers: Excellent for very tight spaces, around buildings, and for quick touch-ups. They are easy to operate but have a small working width.
- Small Tractor-Mounted Mowers: Offer a slightly larger working width than self-propelled mowers and can be used with a variety of small tractors. They provide good maneuverability.
- Front-Mounted Mowers (for small tractors): These can be very efficient, especially when paired with a rear-mounted mower or other implement, allowing for wider coverage in a single pass.
Consider the size of the areas you want to maintain. For a few small patches, a basic self-propelled unit is perfect. For more extensive farmstead areas, a small tractor with a mower attachment will be more efficient.
Beyond the Basics: Advanced Lawn Care and Customization
While the primary function of a lawn mower is, well, mowing, its presence in the game opens up possibilities for more detailed farm management and customization.
Aesthetic Farm Design
Many players enjoy the visual aspect of Farming Simulator 22. A well-maintained farmstead, with neatly trimmed grass around the buildings and pathways, significantly enhances the overall look and feel of your operation. It’s a small detail that can make a big difference in immersion.
Utilizing Cut Grass
As mentioned, the cut grass can be collected and used:
- Animal Feed: If you have cows or sheep, dried grass (hay) is a valuable feed source. Collecting and baling the cut grass from your farmstead can supplement your main feed production.
- Silage: While typically made from chopped grass or maize, hay can also be used to produce silage in a bunker.
- Selling Hay: If you have excess hay, it can be sold at the sell points for a profit.
This means that even the grass you cut for purely aesthetic reasons can have a practical in-game use, adding another layer of gameplay.
Modding for More Options
The Farming Simulator community is incredibly active with modding. If you find the in-game selection of lawn mowers a bit limited, or if you’re looking for specific types of mowers (e.g., ride-on mowers, zero-turn mowers, or even specialized landscaping equipment), the modding scene is your best bet.
How to find and install mods: (See Also: How to Change Carburetor on Lawn Mower: Diy Guide)
- Official Mod Hub: Visit the official Farming Simulator Mod Hub website. Search for ‘lawn mower’ or ‘mower’.
- Third-Party Mod Sites: Many other reputable websites host FS22 mods. Always download from trusted sources to avoid malware.
- Installation: Mods typically come as ZIP files. You’ll need to place the unzipped mod folder into your game’s ‘mods’ folder. The location of this folder varies by platform, but on PC it’s usually found within your ‘Documents’ folder under ‘My Games\FarmingSimulator2022\mods’.
- In-Game Activation: Once installed, the modded equipment will appear in your in-game shop, often under its own category or amongst similar items.
Be aware that mods are created by the community and are not officially supported by Giants Software. While most are high quality, some might have bugs or compatibility issues.
Alternative Mowing Solutions
While we’re focusing on dedicated lawn mowers, it’s worth noting that some smaller field mowers can also be used for larger grassy areas around your farmstead if you don’t have a suitable small tractor for a dedicated lawn mower. However, their larger working width and less nimble design make them less ideal for tight spots.
Similarly, if you’re playing with mods that introduce more detailed landscaping tools, you might find equipment that offers more specialized grass cutting and maintenance options.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Occasionally, you might run into minor issues:
- Mower Not Engaging: Ensure the mower is correctly attached to your tractor. Check that you’ve activated the mower’s PTO (Power Take-Off) and the mower itself.
- Mower Not Cutting: Verify that the mower is actually running (the blades should be spinning). Sometimes, very short grass might not appear to be cut, but it is.
- Performance Issues: If you’re using many mods or have a large farm with lots of equipment, your game’s performance might suffer. Ensure your PC meets the game’s recommended specifications.
- Mod Conflicts: If you’ve installed multiple mods, they might conflict with each other. Try removing recently added mods to see if the issue resolves.
The key to a smooth experience is usually ensuring your equipment is properly attached and activated, and keeping your mod list organized.
The Impact of a Well-Maintained Farmstead
It might seem like a minor detail in the grand scheme of crop yields and livestock profits, but the ability to maintain your farmstead’s appearance is a significant part of the overall Farming Simulator 22 experience for many players. It allows for:
- Increased Immersion: A tidy farm feels more realistic and lived-in.
- Personalization: You can shape the look of your farm to your own preferences.
- Sense of Accomplishment: Transforming an overgrown area into a neat and clean space provides a visual reward.
- Potential for Role-Playing: For players who enjoy role-playing scenarios, a well-maintained farmstead is essential.
So, don’t underestimate the power of a good lawn mower!
Conclusion
Acquiring a lawn mower in Farming Simulator 22 is a straightforward process that enhances your farm’s visual appeal and functionality. By navigating the in-game shop, you can purchase small, maneuverable mowers suitable for maintaining your farmstead areas. These tools allow you to keep your surroundings tidy, collect grass for animal feed, and contribute to a more immersive and personalized farming experience. Don’t forget to explore the modding community for even more specialized options!
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