By CHAD SMITH
There’s nothing like that first whiff of the season’s first freshly cut lawn.
Truly—since after the first one it tends to lose its luster and become another chore you do when you wish you were doing something else. But you can make it all a little easier on yourself with a little TLC paid to your lawn mower.
Investing time in your lawn mower each spring will minimize headaches all summer, which will make you, and your grass happier.
Your lawn mower is just like your car: without maintenance it is liable to breakdown at the worst possible time (that is the morning of your cookout). The good news is, you don’t have to be a mechanic to keep your trusty mower in working order. Investing a little bit of time each spring will help keep you cutting in the sun instead of cursing in the garage. Most of these tasks can be accomplished with few tools and novice technical prowess. Much of the work comes down to common sense and visual inspection: if it is dirty, clean it… if it is loose, tighten it… If it’s dull, sharpen it. Your user’s manual is a wealth of model and brand specific information. If it has been lost to the ravages of time or commandeered for mouse bedding, you can download manuals from the internet or request them from customer service at the manufacturer. Once you’ve consulted your manual, it’s time to dig in.
Safety is a primary concern and so is the condition of your spark plug. Removing the spark plug first will prevent an accidental starting of the engine and will allow for its inspection. Your spark plug uses electricity to create a spark that ignites your mower’s fuel, providing the power to spin the blade. If your spark plug does not function property, then your blade will not cut effectivly or your engine may not start at all. Spark plugs are generally inexpensive, and can be replaced annually. However, a little attention can keep them functioning properly for a long time. By removing the spark plug with a deep socket wrench, you can visually inspect its condition. One end is tapered and is connected to the ignition wire, the other end is threaded like a bolt. Ensure both ends are clean and corrosion free. The grounds can be cleaned with brake cleaner and scrubbed gently with a small brush. It is wise to leave the plug out until you are finished working on your mower.
Draining used engine oil and refilling it with fresh oil is essential to keeping your mower functioning. Your manual will specify which oil your mower uses, how much oil it takes and where the oil cap is located. It will also recommend intervals of when to change the oil based on time and use. Your mower’s engine oil is what keeps your engine lubricated and moving freely. Over time and use the oil will begin to lose its viscosity and its ability to keep your engine lubricated with it. As a general rule of thumb, oil should be changed once a year or every 50 hours. Waste oil can be disposed of at many automotive locations. Many transfer stations also have waste oil receptacles. Maintain your oil at the proper level all summer by adding as needed, and check your oil before use.
Blade sharpening can be done by yourself, but it is recommended taking it to a professional to keep it in balance.
Your lawn mower’s blade needs to be sharp in order to finesse your fairway into that patch of green goodness your family spends the summer on. Blades are designed to be removed with a wrench for service and replacement. It is a helpful idea to mark the blade before removal to avoid reinstalling it upside down. Many hardware stores will sharpen the blade at low or no cost. Alternatively, you can sharpen it yourself using a grinder, sharpening stone or file. A word of caution if you’re going to do it yourself: The blade must be sharpened equally on both ends, or you risk throwing it out of balance. If the blade is too far out of balance, you risk engine damage or, in the least, sheering the protective cotter pin, rendering the mower unusable until repaired. That said, our experts tell us to sharpen the blade every couple of months. Mowing with a dull blade can actually harm your grass with a ragged cut that turns grass brown.
Just like you, your mower needs to breathe. When operating, your mower takes in air to support combustion and an air filter keeps particulate from entering your engine. Over time the filter becomes clogged and prevents your mower from getting enough air. Consult your manual as to which filter your mower takes and replace it every spring.
Every time you mow bits of grass, dirt and presents from your neighbor’s dog are redistributed into a collection bag or out the side of your mower. Inevitably the mower itself becomes dirty and clogged. A dirty mower will rust more readily and may not function properly. Cleaning both the underside as well as the upper surfaces will prevent this. The underside (or deck) should only be accessed with the spark plug removed. Keeping your mower’s deck clean will also prevent the redistribution of unwanted seeds and in some cases, plant diseases.
Countless problems can be prevented by simply giving your mower a once-over visual inspection. Look for screws, nuts and bolts that are loose and tighten them with a wrench or screwdriver. Look for sticky levers and throttle linkage, often caused by grime or corrosion. Clearing debris and lubricating moving parts with will free up movement and prevent rust.
To make your spring tune-up easier, put some effort in this fall. Drain the gasoline from the engine before storage. Old, contaminated or watery gas is one of the primary reasons mowers fail to start in the spring. Using fresh gas in the new year will go a long way toward preventing frustration. Cleaning the mower and storing it in a dry, protected place will help protect against corrosion and increase the overall longevity of your mower.
Sometimes you just need a professional. When your lawn mower inevitably presents you with an issue you can’t tackle, take it to a mechanic. Service provided by licensed retailers will cover warranty issues and any recalls to your product. The downside is that they can tend to be more expensive. Another option is to consult a mechanic or small engine repair shop. Timing is everything, since mechanics can be inundated with mower repair in the opening days of lawn season. By following the steps outlined, you can reduce your dependence on professionals and increase the life of your mower. A reliable, well-maintained machine will have you spending less time on landscape duty and more time enjoying your outdoors.