Want to keep your mower going as long as the grass is growing? Follow these mower maintenance instructions.
For do-it-yourself gardeners the lawn mower is an essential piece of equipment, worthy of meticulous maintenance. In fact, you may pamper your lawn mower just as much as you do your car!
Even if you winterized your lawn mower last fall, it’s a good idea to give it a good inspection and tuneup come spring. Here are 10 expert tips to help prevent expensive repairs and keep your mower running smoothly through the grass-growing season.
1. Maintenance
Review the maintenance section of your owner’s manual for the best maintenance schedule — what to do and when to do it.
2. The right equipment
Have these tools on hand:
● Hammer.
● Clamps.
● Socket/ratchet set.
● Spark plug socket and spark plug gap gauge.
● Grease gun.
● Square tip screwdriver.
● Oil filter wrench.
● Shop vacuum.
● Side cutter.
● Torque wrench.
● Plastic gloves.
3. Clean out the mower
Remove the belt guards on the mower deck and clean out any grass clippings, dirt and debris. This buildup can damage belts and pulleys as it gets sucked up into the mower. Use an air compressor or leaf blower and a screwdriver to blow out and scrape away debris. Do this after every third mowing.
4. Check the spark plugs
Worn spark plugs can make it difficult to start the mower and can lead to misfires, poor fuel economy and engine damage. Replace spark plugs based on manufacturer recommendations.
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Mow to the max
Keep your lawn mower humming with these tips from Angie's List:
● How to Tune Up and Maintain a Lawn Mower
● Repair or Replace: Is It Time to Buy a New Lawn Mower?
● How to Store Your Lawn Mower for the Winter
● Angie's List Guide to Lawn Mower Repair
5. Spark plug maintenance
● Make sure nothing falls into the spark plug cylinder by cleaning around the plug before you remove it.
● If the old plug is difficult to remove, use a spray to help loosen it (rather than brute force, which can damage the engine).
● Set the gap on the new plug before installation.
● Finger-tighten the new plug first, then use a plug wrench to gently tighten it down.
6. Fuel filters
Worn fuel filters can cause poor fuel economy, hard starts or a carburetor rebuild. Replace old fuel filters per manufacturer instructions.
● Reduce gas spillage by clamping off the fuel line, releasing the clamps that hold the filter in place and plugging the filter inlet with the thumb of your gloved hand.
● Pull the filter out of the outlet hose and install the new filter, pointing the fuel flow direction arrows toward the engine. Put the fuel line clamps back into place and un-pinch the fuel line.
7. Fill’er up
Fill the fuel tank with new gas. Gas stored more than 30 days can cause starting problems.
8. Oil change
Replace the oil and oil filter regularly and at the same time, using the recommended viscosity (such as 10W-30).
9. Stay sharp
Inspect mower blades and replace those that are dull or worn. Instead of slicing the grass cleanly, dull blades leave a torn edge on the grass that takes longer to heal. They also make the mower engine and belts work harder.
Consider keeping a spare set of blades handy for easy replacement.
Dull blades also can be sharpened by a professional.
10. Tires and grease
● Grease every fitting with a grease gun each time you change the oil. Locate all the fittings by using the owner’s manual and only use the type of grease recommended by the manufacturer.
● Check mower tires for punctures. Repair or replace if needed.
As of April 13, 2015, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.