How to Get the Most Life Out of Your Mower

LAWNMOWER MAINTENANCE

Year in and year out you count on one tool to make the most impact in the appearance and usability of your lawn.  But while it’s working tirelessly for you, are you taking the time to make sure it can go the distance for you?

Proper maintenance of your lawnmower doesn’t have to mean you’re spending a ton of extra time in your yard, but you should be taking a few extra steps every year to keep it running well season after season.*

WITH EACH USE:

1. AVOID OBSTACLES THAT CAN DULL YOUR BLADES OR DAMAGE YOUR MOWER.

2. BRUSH THE MOWER OFF AFTER EACH USE.

After making sure the motor is completely off and cool, brush any loose grass off the surface of your machine and clear any caked grass from under the deck of the mower. This will prevent moisture from causing rust to form.

TWICE PER SEASON:

3. THOROUGHLY CLEAN YOUR MOWER

Before performing this “deep clean” that will help keep your mower running smoothly, run all the gasoline out of the tank or siphon it out, wait for the mower to cool, then carefully tip it on its side. For safety, remove the spark plug as well. Check for any debris caught in the blades and spray the underside of the deck with a hose to remove any mud or dirt.  Then scrub the underside of your mower with a soft brush and soapy water, and rinse.

4. SHARPEN YOUR BLADES

Dull blades tear the grass, rather than cut it cleanly.  Torn grass is prone to weakness and disease, so sharpening your mower blades is an important extension of your lawn maintenance.  This doesn’t have to be a difficult task, but do make sure the spark plug is disconnected before you remove the blade.

Today’s Homeowner suggests several methods for blade sharpening, noting this: “Regardless of the method used, follow the existing beveled edge on the blade by passing the file over the blade in the same direction each time.”

YEARLY MAINTENANCE:

5. CHANGE THE OIL AND THE SPARK PLUG.

The oil in your mower can get dirty and gunky, just like the oil in your car, and it needs to be replaced regularly.  To change your mower oil, follow the steps above for cleaning to tip your mower on it’s side, then remove the oil cap, drain the oil into a container to recycle it, and refill with clean oil according to your owner’s manual.

Then check your spark plug–depending on how often you use the mower, you may be able to simply clean it, or it may be time for a replacement.

6. CHECK YOUR AIR FILTER

Paper filters will need to be replaced but can be purchased quite inexpensively.  If your mower has a foam filter, you can simply wash it in clean water and let it dry before putting it back in.

7. DON’T LEAVE GASOLINE IN YOUR ENGINE OVER THE WINTER

Before putting your mower away for the last time, run the gas out or drain it to use in your car (if compatible).  The most common reason lawnmowers sputter or fail to start in the spring is due to old gasoline that’s been sitting for months.  Fill your tank afresh after the snow melts. Alternatively, run your lawnmower for a few minutes every couple of weeks over the winter to keep the gas from settling.

For a more detailed explanation of lawn mower maintenance, check out this Wiki How article. 

If this all sounds like a lot more work than what you had bargained for, EnJay is happy to help.  While our services don’t include lawnmower equipment maintenance, we are experts at lawn care.  We offer a number of service options including lawn mowing, trimming, and edging.  Call us or request a quote today.

*Please remember that the above information is general advice that may not pertain to your specific lawnmower.  Not every mower will need everything listed here.  Always read your owner’s manual before performing any type of maintenance.