To keep your yard looking its best, you will need to keep your lawn mower properly maintained. A neglected lawn mower will be less effective and have many problems, in the long and short term. Giving your lawn mower a tune up two to three times a year as a general rule will be beneficial.
Refer to your Manual
Before undertaking any maintenance procedures, you should always refer to your owner’s manual for proper maintenance advice and guidance.
Fuel & Fuel Stabilizer
Fuel can go stale in as little as 30 days. So often people make the mistake of using fuel that has been sitting in the shed for months. Not only does the fuel go stale sitting in a fuel can, it also goes stale sitting in the fuel tank of your mower. The fuel will become a gooey mess causing damage to the engine, carburetor and fuel lines. Before storing your lawn mower away for winter, we recommend completely draining all the fuel out. When you will be leaving the fuel in the mower or storing fuel in a fuel can, adding a fuel stabilizer will keep your fuel fresh and protect your mowers engine.
Oil
You will need to change your oil at regular intervals to ensure that your engine is running at its optimum capacity. Changing the oil every 50 hours or annually, whichever comes first is generally a good rule to work off.
Always refer to your manual for advice on the correct grade of oil and the capacity of oil that will be required. Using the wrong grade at the wrong level can cause irreplaceable damage to your engine. Always ensure the side with the air filter is facing up when draining used oil from your mower. The last thing you want is dirty oil running through your air filter and carburetor.
Air Filter
The air filter on your mower should always be kept clean, to avoid debris and dirt from clogging up your engine. The air filter should be replaced after every 30 hours of use. We also recommend checking the air filter before every mow, so you can remove any excess dirt and debris that may have accumulated.
Spark Plug
For your engine to start without hassle, a functioning spark plug is essential. If your engine struggles to start, starts and cuts out or consumes excessive amounts of fuel, it may be time to change your spark plug. As a general rule, your spark plug should be changed annually.
Blades
When performing maintenance on your mower, you should inspect the blades for damage. Between regular use and potential damage from unseen branches or rocks, mower blades endure a great deal of stress. A dull mower blade cuts unevenly and shreds the tips of grass blades, which can turn them brown and make the lawn look dry. The ragged ends can also be entry points for disease.
Your mower blades can be sharpened at regular intervals with a file or grindstone. If the blades need replacing, you should be able to source a new set from most mower stores.
Deck
Excessive amounts of dirt and debris left on your mower deck can cause rust. When cleaning the mower deck, it will be best to do so with fuel tank drained and the spark plug disconnected. You can then turn the deck onto its side and scrape away all the excess dirt. You can remove the remaining dirt by washing the underside of the deck. Allow the deck to dry before re-assembling your mower and storing it away.
Summary
When spring comes around and the sun starts to shine, your lawn will awaken from its winter slumber. To ensure your mower starts with no hassle, follow the steps provided in our quick guide above.
