Lawn Mower Maintenace
Basic, DIY Lawn Mower Maintenance for a Plush Lawn
Basic Lawn Mower Tune Up and Maintenance Tips to Help Keep Your Lawn Plush
There are two big reasons lawn mower maintenance is important. First, a lawn mower you can’t depend on, that won’t start, or that starts but then stops and is generally unreliable, is a pain in the derriere. Life’s short. Who needs that? The second reason is that a poorly running lawn mower, one that’s running ragged and rips out the grass rather than cutting it cleanly, makes your lawn look unkempt, like whoever is lawn mowing is inept. You don’t want that either. Your lawn mower is the most important tool you have for turning your lawn into a lush, plush showpiece that’s the star of the neighborhood, so it makes sense that knowing a little bit about lawn mower maintenance will be helpful for you in your mission of having a yard that makes you proud. Sure, you can take it to a professional to provide a lawn mower tune up, and that’s all well and good if it’s a better fit for your schedule and lifestyle. But be prepared for the possibility of a long wait when you are told “Sure, we can do that, and there are only 28 people ahead of you.” And of course, there’s the cost which will likely approach – or exceed - $100 bucks.
When Is the Best Time to Provide Maintenance for Your Lawn Mower?
You can carry out lawn mower maintenance any time, but two of the best times are at the beginning of the mowing season before your first time cutting the grass, or after your last mowing of the season, when you’re storing your mower until spring – depending of course on where you live and whether or not you have a no-mow season.
What About Lawn Mower Spark Plugs?
Even though a rule of thumb is to replace your lawn mower spark plug after every 100 hours of use, they are known to degrade rapidly, and many recommend replacing the spark plug each year. Fortunately, they’re relatively easy to change. Just disconnect the spark plug wire and remove the spark plug with a wrench or pliers. You can determine the right replacement plug by checking the mower owner’s manual, or just write down the code on the plug you take out and match it. Once you’ve installed the new plug, just reconnect the spark plug wire.
Check Your Lawn Mower Tires
Mower tires that are in good shape are a crucial component of a well-maintained lawn mower. Damaged tires can impair the performance of your mower and also cause lawn damage. Make sure your tires are properly and evenly inflated. If the tire pressure is low on one or more tires, it will result in unevenly cut grass. Plus, worn-out tire treads, or treads that are wrong for the terrain you’re mowing, can cause the wheels to slip, further damaging your grass.
Check Your Lawn Mower Air Filter
Air filters are crucial to the efficiency and performance of your lawn mower. A clean lawn mower filter allows the engine to receive the proper amount of air it needs for optimal fuel to air ratio to facilitate successful combustion within the lawn mower engine. Your lawn mower maintenance regimen should include replacing the air filter if it’s paper and removable, and cleaning it if it’s foam and permanent by squeezing mild detergent water through it to get rid of grit and debris.
Check Your Lawn Mower Tires
Mower tires that are in good shape are a crucial component of a well-maintained lawn mower. Damaged tires can impair the performance of your mower and also cause lawn damage. Make sure your tires are properly and evenly inflated. If the tire pressure is low on one or more tires, it will result in unevenly cut grass. Plus, worn-out tire treads, or treads that are wrong for the terrain you’re mowing, can cause the wheels to slip, further damaging your grass.
Change Lawn Mower Oil
Your best bet for keeping your lawn mower operating hassle-free is to change the oil at regular intervals. As oil ages, it can pick up debris, while also getting less viscous and thus less efficient in effectively lubricating the parts of the lawn mower engine. How often you need to perform a lawn mower oil change varies, but a rule of thumb is every 50 hours of use. Before your lawn mower oil change, disconnect the spark plug. Also, if your mower doesn’t have a drain plug, and you have gas in the gas tank, take a piece of plastic wrap and put it over the open gas tank, then put the cap back on to eliminate gas leakage. Open the drain plug, if there is one, or turn the mower on its side with the gas tank and air filter up and drain the oil. Many repair shops will help you responsibly dispose of the oil. Add fresh oil and you’re on to the next step. If your lawn mower has a fuel filter, take this opportunity to clean it or replace it.
Why Do I Need to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades?
A dull lawn mower blade tends to rip out rather than cut the grass, cutting unevenly and shredding the tips of grass blades which can lead to an ugly, brown lawn, while also making it more susceptible to disease. Lawn mower blades endure a lot of stress and tend to wear down and get blunt, and they can be incrementally damaged by nicks resulting from unseen branches and rocks. If you want to sharpen your own lawn mower blades, start by removing the spark plug because there’s nothing good that can come from leaving it in place. Then turn your mower on its side – air filter and carburetor side up – while taking special note of how the blade comes off, so you won’t re-install it incorrectly. Evaluate the blades for nicks and determine whether you just need to get a new blade at the hardware store. If not, put the blade in a vise, then use a hand file to make around 50 strokes in the direction of the original cutting angle – until the blade is about as sharp as a butter knife.
What You Should Know About Lawn Mower Fuel
Your best bet is to store your lawn mower during the off-season with an empty fuel tank because gas can go stale and there are few things in life that are more annoying than going out for that first mow of the season and discovering your lawn mower won’t start. Then, when you discover the culprit is stale gas, something you could have taken care of, you might feel a whole host of emotions. Avoid all that. Store your mower with an empty fuel tank, or drain it and put in fresh gas for the new season. One additional note, gas left in the tank unused for months will eventually corrode the lawn mower fuel tank. Before your lawn mower oil change, disconnect the spark plug. Also, if your mower doesn’t have a drain plug, and you have gas in the gas tank, take a piece of plastic wrap and put it over the open gas tank, then put the cap back on to eliminate gas leakage. Open the drain plug, if there is one, or turn the mower on its side with the gas tank and air filter up and drain the oil. Many repair shops will help you responsibly dispose of the oil. Add fresh oil and you’re on to the next step. If your lawn mower has a fuel filter, take this opportunity to clean it or replace it.
Here at Treadworld, We’ve Got the Replacement Lawn Mower Tires You Need!
The right tires, sharp blades and a well-cared-for engine will help keep your mower humming along for years. When you need new lawn mower tires, or any lawn and garden tires, you can count on us here at Treadworld to provide you with the dependable, high performance RubberMaster Lawn Care Tires you want –and get them to you FAST. Mower tires, lawn tractor tires, riding lawn mower tires, lawn tractor tires, lawn and garden tires—you’ll find them all right here. We’ve got all the lawn care tire styles you want, including lug tires, turf tires, smooth tires and rib tires. All of our tires offer the finest in top quality, long-lasting, never-let-you-down reliability, manufactured with strict tolerances from top rubber compounds, triple-tested for quality before being X-rayed to be sure they’re perfect, then covered by our Ultimate Advantage Lifetime Warranty. Don’t hesitate to contact our tire experts via live chat or email with any questions or for help finding the perfect lawn and garden tires—or the perfect ATV tires, UTV tires, trailer tires, and many others—from our large selection.
