If your car doesn’t start immediately after turning the key, it indicates that something is not functioning correctly. There could be various reasons for this, such as a faulty spark plug, low fuel, or a dead battery. However, you don’t ignore the problem without finding out the cause and fixing it.
However, when it comes to our lawn mowers, we tend to neglect regular maintenance and keep trying to start them even if they don’t start on the first few pulls.
We tell ourselves that it’s normal for lawn mowers to be difficult to start. But if your mower doesn’t start easily, it’s a sign that something is not right. Just like a car, small engines like lawn mowers need regular maintenance to ensure they run efficiently for many years.
Regularly maintaining your lawn mower is crucial for both the health of your lawn and the longevity of the mower. By taking care of its engine and other parts, you can ensure that it will continue to function well for 10-15 years. This will also help keep your lawn looking its best throughout the mowing season.
The consequences of ignoring your lawn mower are serious and can lead to damaging your lawn and incurring additional expenses. You may need to replace your lawn mower prematurely or frequently pay for expensive repairs.
To avoid this, it’s important to perform regular maintenance on your lawn mower, especially its engine, to prolong its life and keep it operating at its best throughout the season. In the following section, we will guide you through the steps to maintain your lawn mower, providing you with a better understanding of how it works, which is both informative and fascinating.
Annual Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist
Here is a list of tasks to ensure that you are taking all necessary steps to maintain your lawn mower’s peak performance:
- Change the engine oil
- If you plan to stop using your mower for more than 30 days, either add fuel stabilizer to the fuel system or completely empty the fuel tank to prevent any damage to the mower.
- Replace the spark plug
- Replace and clean the air filter
- Sharpen the lawn mower blades
- Balance the lawn mower blades
- Keep the mower clean
- Fog the engine
Tools and Materials
Tools
- Dust pan brush
- Lawn mower
- Paint brush
- Safety gloves
- Socket set
- Wire brush
Materials
- Oil
- Petrol
- Rags
- Spark plug
- WD40
Anatomy of a Lawn Mower
To properly care for your lawn mower, it’s important to have a basic knowledge of its structure. The machine is relatively simple and can be considered a smaller and less complex version of a car. The mower’s center consists of the engine, gas tank, oil reservoir (excluding 2-stroke mowers), and air filter.
The spark plug, which ignites the fuel/air mixture, is located at the front or side of the engine, while the blade is housed in a metal frame called the “deck.” The handlebar extends back, along with the starter cord and safety shut-off lever.
Although this is all you need to know for basic maintenance, it’s a good idea to review the owner’s manual for a more thorough understanding of the machine’s operation and parts.
Tips for Lawn Mower Maintenance
Some people choose to have their lawn mowers serviced by a professional at the start or end of the mowing season, while others prefer to do it themselves. Performing maintenance on a lawn mower can be a dirty and time-consuming task, but it is important nonetheless.
If you prefer to take the DIY route, the following tips can help you take care of your lawn mower effectively. Alternatively, you can also look online for lawn mower maintenance services in your region.
Fill With Fresh Gas and Oil
It is important to recognize that blended gasoline used in lawnmowers can go bad and become gummy and watery within a few weeks, especially during winter. The primary reason behind this is the ethanol additives that can partially convert into water and separate if left in a gas can or mower engine.
If you don’t empty the tank and run the mower dry in the fall, it can cause blockages in your mower’s carburetor and damage the rubber gas lines and gaskets, leading to frequent visits to lawn mower repairmen in the spring. To avoid this, make sure to empty the gas tank and run the mower dry in the fall, use fresh ethanol-free gas that is less than a month old, or consider using any commercial additives that prevent ethanol from causing issues.
Since the engine oil can begin to deteriorate after a few dozen hours of use, it’s recommended that you replace it before the start of the long mowing season.
- To drain the oil from the lawn mower without causing any gas leak, you can follow this method: first, remove the gas cap and place a small sheet of flexible plastic over the opening. Then, screw the cap back on.
- To quickly drain the old oil from the lawn mower, tilt the machine to one side with the gas tank and air filter facing up to avoid any leaks or damage to the air filter. It’s recommended to do this when the oil is slightly warm, as it will flow out more quickly.
- Proper disposal of used oil is essential to protect the environment. You can check with your local waste management facility or auto parts store to see if they accept used oil for recycling. Some mower repair shops may also offer this service. Do not pour used oil down the drain or dispose of it with regular household waste.
- It is important to add the type and amount of engine oil recommended for your mower’s engine. This information can typically be found in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
Get Familiar With the Owner’s Manual
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when caring for your lawn mower to avoid causing any damage to it. These instructions are given to ensure that the mower operates for the longest time possible.
Check the Tires
To ensure your mower operates effectively, it’s recommended to inspect the tires before and after each use. This applies to both ride-on mowers with inflatable tires and self-propelled mowers with hard tires. Even if your mower has molded wheels, it’s still important to check for chips or significant damage that can affect the mower’s balance and performance.
Check the Spark Plug
If you notice that your lawn mower is not working efficiently, it may be due to a fouled spark plug. You can check this by pulling the spark plug wire and unscrewing the plug to see if there is any dirt or rust on the firing end. Instead of trying to clean it and possibly messing up the gap, it’s recommended to take it to an engine shop and replace it with a new one just like the old one. This is an inexpensive fix that can greatly improve your mower’s performance. After replacing the plug, screw it back in, hand tighten it, and reattach the wire.
If you find that the muffler/spark retardant is rusted out, you can unscrew and replace it.
Drain the Gasoline Out if It’s the End of the Season
To ensure your mower starts properly in the spring, it is recommended to either use up all the gas in the tank or drain it completely before storing the mower for the winter. Old gas can prevent the mower from starting.
Inspect Air Filter
Regularly inspecting and replacing your mower’s air filter is crucial since these small engines require much more air than fuel. Grit and debris can quickly clog the filter, causing strain and damage to the engine.
To maintain the filter, replace a pleated paper filter with a new one or clean a foam filter by washing it with soapy water and letting it dry. Squeeze some motor oil through it to capture more debris for a cleaner engine.
Clean the Lawn Mower
To improve your mower’s performance, it’s important to remove all the grass and debris that may have accumulated on the undercarriage during the mowing season.
Replace or Top up the Oil
It is advisable to refer to the owner’s manual to learn the correct method for changing the oil and the appropriate oil type for your lawn mower. Replace the oil in your mower with fresh oil if it is contaminated or old. Ensure that you dispose of the old oil properly by utilizing oil recycling centers available for free in most towns.
Clean and Check Underneath the Mower
It is not recommended to turn the lawn mower completely upside down, but instead tilt it back so that you can clean and inspect the underside. Utilize brushes to remove grass build-up, which can cause rust on steel mowers.
Make sure to inspect the blades and replace them if they are too damaged. Blades that are sharp cut grass more efficiently and keep it healthy. Wear safety gloves when working with the blades.
At the end of the growing season, it is important to perform a thorough cleaning of the mowing deck. Start by removing the spark plug and tilting the mower onto its side with the carburetor facing up.
Clear any accumulated debris from the deck, then clean the deck thoroughly with a stiff brush and hot soapy water. Allow the deck to dry and then apply a lubricating coating to the blades and deck to prevent rust. This should be done before storing the mower away for the winter.
Fog the Engine
Fogging a lawn mower engine is the process of applying a protective coating to limit the risk of moisture causing damage inside the engine. This involves removing the outer plastic shell or engine housing and spraying fogging oil into the carburetor and inside the spark plug. The oil forms a waxy layer to prevent moisture from getting inside and causing problems.
Is Your Mower Blade Sharp?
While your lawn mower is tipped over, it’s a good idea to remove any clumps of grass clippings that have accumulated. These clumps can impede the blade’s ability to cut effectively and also interfere with the mower’s cooling system. Clearing out the clippings can also help distribute them more evenly while mowing.
To achieve a perfectly manicured lawn and make your neighbors envious, consider sharpening the mower blade. A dull blade creates uneven cuts, leaving a brownish tint on the grass, while a sharp blade creates a clean cut.
Studies have shown that a sharp blade can increase fuel efficiency by over 20%. To remove the blade, hold it in place with a piece of wood and unscrew it. Mark the blade to ensure you know which way to reattach it.
How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades
Keeping your lawn mower blade sharp is an essential part of maintaining a healthy lawn. To save time, it’s a good idea to keep a spare blade on hand, so one blade can be sharpened while the other is being used.
Alternatively, you may want to consider replacing your regular blade with a “mulching” blade kit. This kit leaves a much finer layer of clippings that break down quickly and recycle nutrients back into your lawn. By doing so, you can save time and help keep your lawn looking fresh and healthy.
Sharpen and Balance the Blades
While it’s possible to sharpen lawn mower blades yourself, it’s generally recommended to leave this task to the professionals unless you’re confident in your ability to do it properly. Even if your lawn doesn’t have any foreign objects that can damage the blades, they will still wear down over time and need sharpening.
Why Do I Need to Perform Lawn Mower Maintenance?
Regular maintenance of your lawn mower is crucial to ensure it operates at its best. A properly maintained mower provides a better cut to your lawn and reduces the risk of disease. Furthermore, it extends the life of your mower, reducing the need for costly repairs and saving you money in the long run.
When to Perform Lawn Maintenance
Making a habit of performing yearly lawn mower maintenance is essential for keeping your machine in top-notch condition. In addition, you should also incorporate regular maintenance tasks throughout the growing season.
- Winter maintenance: Preparing your lawn mower for winter storage involves several important steps, including changing the oil, draining the fuel, replacing the spark plug and air filter, sharpening and balancing the mower blades, and potentially applying fogging oil to the engine.
- Maintenance best practices: Checking the tires of your lawn mower should be done every time you use it, and it’s recommended to clean the mower deck after each use.
Conclusion
The most important details in this text are the steps to maintain a lawn mower. These steps include changing the engine oil, replacing the spark plug, replacing and cleaning the air filter, sharpening the lawn mower blades, balancing the blades, keeping the mower clean, fogging the engine, using tools and materials, oil, petrol rags, spark plugs, and WD40.
Regular maintenance is essential for both the health of the lawn and the longevity of the mower, and can help keep it looking its best throughout the mowing season.
The anatomy of a lawn mower is relatively simple and can be considered a smaller and less complex version of a car. It consists of the engine, gas tank, oil reservoir, and air filter.
The spark plug is located at the front or side of the engine, while the blade is housed in a metal frame called the “deck”. The handlebar extends back, along with the starter cord and safety shut-off lever.
It is important to empty the gas tank and run the mower dry in the fall, use fresh ethanol-free gas, or consider using commercial additives to prevent ethanol from causing issues. Engine oil should be replaced before the start of the long mowing season.
The most important details in this text are the steps to drain the oil from a lawn mower.
To do this, remove the gas cap and place a sheet of flexible plastic over the opening. To quickly drain the old oil, tilt the machine to one side with the gas tank and air filter facing up. Proper disposal of used oil is essential to protect the environment.
It is important to add the type and amount of engine oil recommended for your mower’s engine. To ensure the mower operates effectively, it is recommended to inspect the tires before and after each use.
If the spark plug is fouled, it is recommended to replace it with a new one. The most important details are to unscrew and replace the muffler/spark retardant, drain the gasoline out, inspect the air filter, clean the lawn mower, replace or top up the oil, clean and inspect the underside of the mower, use brushes to remove grass build-up, and wear safety gloves when working with the blades.
These steps will help ensure the mower starts properly in the spring. At the end of the growing season, it is important to perform a thorough cleaning of the mowing deck. Fogging a lawn mower engine involves removing the outer plastic shell or engine housing and spraying fogging oil into the carburetor and inside the spark plug.
To achieve a perfectly manicured lawn, consider sharpening the mower blade.
To save time, it is a good idea to keep a spare blade on hand or replace it with a “mulching” blade kit. This kit leaves a finer layer of clippings that break down quickly and recycle nutrients back into the lawn.
Regular lawn mower maintenance is essential to ensure it operates at its best and extends the life of the machine. It involves changing the oil, draining the fuel, replacing the spark plug and air filter, sharpening and balancing the blades, and applying fogging oil to the engine. Maintenance best practices include checking the tires and cleaning the mower deck after each use.
Content Summary
- Regular maintenance of lawn mower is crucial for both the health of your lawn and the longevity of the mower.
- Lawn mowers need regular maintenance to ensure they run efficiently for many years.
- Regular maintenance helps in avoiding damages to the lawn and expensive repairs or premature replacement of the mower.
- Maintaining the lawn mower’s engine is crucial to prolong its life and keep it operating efficiently throughout the season.
- It is essential to understand the anatomy of a lawn mower for proper care and maintenance.
- The machine is relatively simple and can be considered a smaller and less complex version of a car.
- The mower’s center consists of the engine, gas tank, oil reservoir (excluding 2-stroke mowers), and air filter.
- The spark plug ignites the fuel/air mixture, and the blade is housed in a metal frame called the “deck.”
- Performing maintenance on a lawn mower can be a dirty and time-consuming task, but it is important nonetheless.
- It is recommended to fill the lawn mower with fresh gas and oil to avoid blockages in the carburetor and damage to the rubber gas lines and gaskets.
- Ethanol additives in gasoline used in lawn mowers can go bad and become gummy and watery within a few weeks, especially during winter.
- Using fresh ethanol-free gas that is less than a month old or commercial additives that prevent ethanol from causing issues is recommended.
- Engine oil can begin to deteriorate after a few dozen hours of use, and it’s recommended to replace it before the start of the long mowing season.
- It’s important to add the type and amount of engine oil recommended for your mower’s engine.
- Tilt the lawn mower to one side with the gas tank and air filter facing up to avoid leaks or damage to the air filter when draining the old oil.
- Proper disposal of used oil is essential to protect the environment, and you can check with your local waste management facility or auto parts store for recycling options.
- It is essential to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for maintaining the lawn mower.
- Here is an annual lawn mower maintenance checklist that includes tasks such as changing the engine oil, replacing the spark plug, and cleaning the air filter.
- If you plan to stop using your mower for more than 30 days, add fuel stabilizer to the fuel system or empty the fuel tank.
- Sharpening and balancing the lawn mower blades regularly is crucial for efficient and safe mowing.
- Keeping the lawn mower clean is essential to prevent debris and dirt from accumulating and interfering with its functioning.
- A basic toolkit and materials such as oil, petrol, rags, spark plug, and WD40 are necessary for lawn mower maintenance.
- Lawn mowers can be serviced by a professional at the start or end of the mowing season, or you can choose to do it yourself.
- Lawn mower maintenance can help keep your lawn looking its best throughout the mowing season.
- Regular maintenance of the lawn mower helps in prolonging its life and avoiding additional expenses.
- Lawn mowers are like small engines that need regular maintenance to run efficiently for many years.
- Regular maintenance of lawn mower is crucial for both the health of your lawn and the longevity of the mower.
- Neglecting regular maintenance of the lawn mower can cause serious consequences, including damaging your lawn and incurring additional expenses.
- Lawn mower maintenance can be time-consuming, but it is important nonetheless.
- Understanding how lawn mowers work and how to maintain them is informative and fascinating.
FAQs About Lawn Mowing
What Maintenance Procedure Should Be Performed on a Mower After Each Use?
Regularly brushing off the debris from the mower after use can prevent it from collecting on the blades. Sharpening the blade periodically is also recommended. To do this, remove the spark plug and then take out the blade from the lawn mower. You can then sharpen the blade manually using a file or grindstone while keeping it at a 45-degree angle.
How Often Do You Need to Clean Your Lawn Mower?
It is advisable to clean your lawnmower monthly during the peak mowing season. However, it is recommended to give your lawnmower a complete cleaning before storing it for the winter season.
How Many Hours Should a Lawn Mower Last?
With proper care and maintenance, riding mowers can typically last between 500-700 hours of operation, and in some cases, they can last up to 1,000 hours.
How Often Should You Put Oil in Your Mower?
Every 50 hours
It is recommended to change the oil at least once per season or every 50 hours of use, while for riding mowers, it is recommended to change the oil at least once per season or every 100 hours of use.
Can You Leave a Lawn Mower Outside Overnight?
Leaving your lawnmower outside for a short period of time, such as a couple of days, is generally okay as long as the weather is not cold or wet. Even if it is exposed to rain or snow for a few days, the mower can be fixed. However, if you plan to leave your mower outside for an extended period of time, it is not recommended as it may result in damage to the mower.
