Lawn Mower Maintenance

Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades Sharpen your mower blade once a year, right after the first mowing in spring. Pay Attention to the Owner's Manual Perform regular mower maintenance. Follow the recommended maintenance guide in your lawn mower owner's manual. Your manual will detail schedules and tasks for basic maintenance like changing the oil, replacing the air filter and sharpening the blades. Always perform maintenance with the machine off, the engine cool and the spark plug disconnected. Clean the lawn mower thoroughly. Keeping your mower free of debris will add years to its life. Be sure to rinse off the mower deckand underside after each mowing. A thorough mid-summer cleaning of the cooling fins, choke and throttle linkages and carburetor will help to keep your mower running at peak performance. If something gets caught in the discharge chute, be sure to shut the engine off and make sure the blades are stopped before trying to clear it. Disconnect the spark plug wire and use a tool or stick to clear the clog. Never clear the deck or chute with your hands, and never place your hands or feet near the blades. Check the spark plug, air filter and fuel filter. Clean the spark plug and check the spark plug gap to make sure it is right for your mower. Check the air and fuel filters for debris and replace if necessary. These filters should be cleaned orreplaced once a year. A dirty air filter forces the engine to work harder, which wastes energy and can clog spark plugs. Check the oil level. Low oil levels can cause major engine problems. It’s a good idea to change the oil midway through the summer, but if you don’t have the time, take a minute to check the oil level and top off if necessary. Be sure to use oil recommended for your lawn mower. Of course, if you own a two-cycle lawn mower, oil changes aren’t necessary. Check all bolts, belts and chain drives for wear and tightness. Mower friction and vibration may loosen lawn mower parts. Check all bolts for tightness and signs of wear. It is also important to check any belts or chain drives your lawn mower may have for wear and replace if necessary Keep the lawn mower engine mower lubricated. Friction can cause your mower’s parts to wear out faster. You can eliminate unnecessary friction by properly lubricating the wheel bearings and joints on your mower. It is also a good idea to lubricate choke and throttle linkages and apply grease to fittings. Remember, it is always a good idea to remove the spark plug wire before starting any repair or routine inspection. Get Professional Help Have a professional perform annual maintenance. Tune up your mower and have major repairs done by taking it to a professional equipment dealer.