Everything You Need to Do to Keep Your Lawn Mower Running All Summer Long
Keeping your yard in good shape during the summer and fall can be enough weather and weed control—you don’t need a lawnmower problem either. But some problems with your lawnmower can be completely avoided and the life of your lawnmower can be extended by doing a basic maintenance checklist once a season.
Remove the lawnmower spark plug
The first step in any lawnmower maintenance is to remove the spark plug. For electric mowers, unplug them, and for battery-powered mowers, remove the battery. This is vital for safety because it will prevent the mower from starting while it is being serviced. If you plan on keeping all your fingers, this step is key. If you notice that the spark plug is worn out, you can easily replace it yourself. Simply use a wrench to remove the old spark plug and replace it by tightening the new one. Avoid over-tightening – a quarter-turn hand tightening is all you need.
Remove leaves every time you mow
It is important to regularly remove leaves and other debris from the mower blades and deck. To do this, turn the mower on its side and – after disconnecting the power source – sweep all leaves or grass from the surface of the deck above the blade, as well as from the blades themselves, with a wire brush or a plastic brush with hard bristles . . A buildup of leaves inside the deck can cause the mower to overheat or seize.
Change lawnmower oil
Another easy maintenance task for petrol mowers is regular oil changes. Before storing the mower at the end of the season, drain the old oil by removing the plug at the bottom of the oil tank and allowing the oil to drain into the sump. If you have a lawnmower without a plug, you will need to turn it upside down to drain the water. This can be simplified by leaning it against a wall or saw. You should use a metal pan, not plastic, because some plastics will degrade with oil (a disposable lasagna pan is a good option). After draining the oil, replace the plug or turn the mower vertically and fill the tank with new oil.
Replace air filter
Replacing the air filter after each mowing season, or at least after a particularly smoky season, can help your mower last longer and perform better. Replacing the air filter or cleaning the reusable permanent filter will reduce engine wear and improve mower efficiency. Because gasoline engines need to suck in air to run, a clean filter makes the mower cheaper to run and helps prevent overheating.
Mist engine
A practice known as engine fogging is also recommended for annual maintenance: removing the mower’s outer cover and coating the inside of the carburetor and spark plugs with fogging oil will help prevent these important areas from getting wet during mowing season. This should be done at the end of the season and, as always, the spark plug should be removed before performing this task.
Empty the fuel tank
Before you put your mower away for the season, you should also empty the fuel tank because the gas can go bad over time, either from evaporating more combustible material or from collecting condensation. Leaving the fuel in the tank for long periods of time can lead to corrosion and damage to the tank, so it’s best to either use up all the fuel or drain the tank before putting it away for the colder months. If you do decide to drain it, remember that gasoline is flammable and vapors are highly flammable. Be sure to drain the gas in a well ventilated area free of sparks and dispose of the gas properly when finished.
Sharpen and balance blades
Sharpening and balancing lawn mower blades is an annual maintenance you can do if you’re up for the challenge. Sharp blades cut grass more easily, saving on fuel costs, which will allow battery-powered mowers to extend battery life. The best option for beginners is a lawn mower knife sharpening kit . They come with a rotating sharpening tool that can be used with any standard drill and a guide to help you balance the blades. You will need to remove the blades with a blade remover and place the blades in a vise to sharpen. Remember to wear proper protective gear such as goggles and gloves and clean up the metal filings with a vacuum cleaner or magnet to avoid metal shards. If you don’t have the tools or time to sharpen your blades yourself, you can have your mower serviced by a professional once a season.