Selecting a new lawnmower is an important decision when you want to keep your lawn lush and healthy. Once you’ve chosen the right unit to purchase, you’ll want to make sure your mower lasts as long as possible. Regular servicing gives you several years of efficient use. Developing a maintenance schedule for your mower is important and keeps it intact for another season of maintaining your yard. There are some maintenance tips you should follow only once a year, while you should practice some maintenance methods every few months.
When the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to having your riding or walk-behind mower in great condition to evenly cut your grass and prevent dead grass, moisture collection and mold buildup.
Here are some practical tips to ensure your lawn mower is in great working condition for years.
Start your mower maintenance process by cleaning the engine. Be sure to remove the spark plug with a spark plug socket wrench before cleaning the engine. This keeps the mower from starting while you’re cleaning it. After cleaning, use water and degreaser to clean the mower engine; you can use water from your garden hose. Make sure you avoid the air filter area while applying water and degreaser. Once the engine is clean, it will run cooler and more efficiently.
If your mower has a paper filter, make sure you replace it and see that the paper edges are facing outward. If the mower has a sponge filter that is soaked with oil, remove the filter and wash it thoroughly with soap and water. Make sure the filter dries completely and add some clean oil to the filter before placing it back in the mower.
Regular recharge your lawn mower battery is the important things. Read more Top 6 Best Battery Maintainer In 2022
Make sure you empty all fuel from the tank of your mower and add new fuel. Keep in mind that before you start the unit, you’ll have to prime your mower to start. If your lawnmower runs or surges on primer alone, you’ll need to have further fuel system work done on your unit. If this applies to your lawnmower, contact the service engine department for your mower engine model.
If you have a gas-powered lawnmower, remember to take out any fuel that was left in the tank before you put the unit into storage for the winter. Old fuel will go bad and corrode the inside of the mower, so be sure to add new fuel to your mower at the start of the new mowing season.
To keep rust and clear the discharge chute, make sure the bottom side of the mower is as clean as the inside. Then, you’ll need to clean all the debris from the undercarriage. Remove mud build-up and old grass from the mower with a wire brush or putty knife.
It’s important to make sure the lawn mower blades are sharp. This keeps your mower running correctly and helps your grass to grow stronger.
If you mow your lawn with blunt blades, it will damage the grass instead of cutting it evenly. This damages the plants and makes them weaker and more susceptible to disease. To sharpen the blades, wear thick gloves and take the mower blade from the unit by unscrewing the bolts that hold the blades in place. Put the blade in a vise and put on safety glasses to avoid eye damage from metal shards.
With a hand grinder, grind the blade parallel to the original angle removing as little metal as you can. Be sure to clean the debris and dirt from the blade.
It’s best to sharpen your blades as least once a year to ensure they are ready to use at the start of mowing season.
If the blades are bent, you can try to hammer them back into shape. If the blades can’t be repaired, it’s best to replace them with a new set.
If your mower is self-propelled, remove the belt cover to inspect and clean the pulley assemblies and belt. If the belts are worn or cracked, you’ll want to replace the belts as soon as possible.
Before you replace the spark plug, make sure you check its gap. Next, screw the new plug-in and make sure it’s extra tight. Be sure to tighten ¼ to 1/3 turn more if you have a spark plug socket, then attach the spark plug wire.
To change the oil on your mower, turn the engine on for about 15 minutes beforehand. This loosens the debris and sludge in the engine and allows you to change the oil more efficiently. If your mower has a dipstick, title your mower on the side and drain it using the dipstick tube. If your mower doesn’t have a dipstick, look for the drain plug under the unit. Then, place a drain pan under the mower and drain the oil from the unit. When all the oil is drained, replaced your drain plug and refill the tank with new mower oil.
If you have a riding mower, check the tires to ensure they are fully inflated. This helps the lawn mower efficiently each time you use it. This is also true when it comes to other types of lawn mowers if the device has inflatable tires. It’s important to check the tires at the end of mowing season as well. This helps you prepare the appliance for storage and keeps the mower intact for the next season.
Finally, you should inspect your lawn mower for any oil or fuel leaks. A brief evaluation will also let you know if there is any damage to the lawn mower. Once your device is in working order, you can safely cut your grass and keep your lawn looking great. Exercising lawn maintenance tips at least once a year is ideal for protecting the mower and keeping it working at its best for years to come.
