The lawn mower is a summer seasonal tool that facilitates year-round lawn care for busy homeowners and landscapers. When they are stored all winter long, they must be maintained and serviced regularly in preparation for summer lawn care. If you’re tired of buying new lawnmowers every two years, it’s time to check these tips and start maintaining your lawnmower to last longer.
Watch the Gas You Put in Your Mower
Over time, gas can get stale and cause problems with your mower’s carburetor. If you’re unsure how old the gas is in your tank, dump it and replace it with fresh gasoline to avoid damage.
As with many other things, putting in cheap gas can lead to problems down the road. While getting a higher quality brand may be more expensive in the short term, it will save you money in the long run by preventing engine damage or failure due to dirty or stale fuel.
Change the Oil Regularly
You should change your mower’s engine oil at least once per season, preferably every two to three months. This will help protect the engine from wear and tear and prevent it from overheating. If your lawn mower is getting harder to start or has reduced power, it may be time to change the oil to protect the engine further.
Change the Spark Plug Every Year
Spark plugs wear out over time and need to be replaced. Changing them at least once a year is essential because an old spark plug can cause hard starting and poor performance. Replacing the spark plug is an excellent place to start if you have trouble starting your mower.
Check for Dings in the Blades
When you’re mowing, look at the blades of your lawn mower. If dinged or bent, they may need to be sharpened better. If this happens, it’s time to replace them with new ones. You can buy replacement blades at many hardware stores or home improvement centers.
Keep Your Mower Clean
This can be as simple as removing loose grass or leaves accumulated in the deck after each use. If you notice wet spots on the ground under your mower, these could indicate that water has gotten into the engine and caused corrosion. You may need to pull your mower out of service until a professional can fix the problem.
Be Mindful of Wet Grass
Only use your lawn mower on wet grass, or anything other than dry grass, once you’ve checked it over and adjusted the blades and belts. Blades that are dull or out of alignment will tear at the grass rather than shear cleanly through it, creating bald patches and leaving dirt behind when you’re finished mowing.
Read the User Manual and Follow It
The manufacturer has spent hundreds of dollars developing a product that will last for years if cared for properly. You might only sometimes agree with what they say, but follow the instructions and use common sense when deciding how to care for your machine.
Conclusion
Remember that the mower is the other half of your lawn care duo. Without a well-maintained mower, your job will be more complex, and you may have to spend more money on it than you need to. By researching before buying a new mower and following these tips for extending its life, you can get many years out of your mowers without spending unnecessary money every year.
