The old saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, is too true when it comes to having a well-manicured lawn. Making the effort to maintain your lawn mower before each use and prior to storage during the winter months will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

After the long winter

Spring means a green lawn begging to be mowed. You’ll want to make sure your mower is up for the job by taking the time to prepare for that first mowing session.

• Change parts. The spark plug, air filter, gas filter and oil filter all should be changed after a long break. Some people recommend changing these parts before storage, but it’s actually smarter to wait. During the winter the filters may have become wet, dirty or infested with mice. Waiting to change the filters until spring will keep your mower running well.

• Fresh gas and oil. After a long break, it’s important to change the oil and gas. Even if you add gas additive to your fuel, it can still break down and accumulate moisture. Fresh oil moves more fluidly through the engine parts, keeping the working parts better lubricated. When adding fresh gas and oil make sure you put back in the recommended octane of fuel or weight of oil. Substituting a different kind can result in engine damage.

• Lubricate. The long winter may have stiffened up working parts, preventing your mower from performing properly. Grease and lube any fittings or moving parts to keep your mower rolling freely all summer long.

Before each use

There are a few things you can do before each use to keep your lawn mower running and clipping efficiently. It only takes a few seconds to check these few things, yet overlooking them can add up to costly repairs.

• Check the oil. Oil is the blood of your lawnmower, keeping the engine parts lubricated and moving smoothly. Checking the oil before each use of the mower is easily the most important thing you can do to prolong the life of your mower. Maintaining the correct oil level will keep the engine working properly, so if it’s looking low be sure to add some fresh oil. If the oil looks dirty you’ll want to change it.

• Gasoline. Use only fresh, quality gas for your lawn mower. If your mower has starting or performance problems after purchasing gasoline, immediately change the fuel to a different kind from a different station. Also, it's important to use only fuel recommended by the manufacturer for your mower. Using a different kind of fuel, such as leaded when the mower engine calls for unleaded can result in engine damage.

• Check the blades. If you were a good lawn mower owner, you would have checked and cleaned the blades off after the last use. However, not everyone is perfect, so doing this before the next use is sufficient. This is a very important step, don’t miss it! Sharp, straight blades will give your lawn the best cut. Dull mower blades rip the grass, which can expose it to diseases.  Crooked blades result in an uneven cut.

Weekly/monthly maintenance  

A few minutes of work at the end of mowing can help to prolong your mower’s life as well as keep your lawn looking great throughout the mowing season. If you can’t get to these things each time you mow then set aside time to check your mower once a month. These tips will help ensure that your mower will remain rust-free and ready to mow at a moment’s notice.

• Keep your mower clean. Lawn clippings and debris can build up along the underside of your mower, keeping parts from moving freely and enabling the build up of rust. It's important to wash the underside of your mower after each use to remove any clippings.

• Filters and lube.  Clean filters and free-moving parts help to ensure your mower engine produces ample power and is fuel efficient. You’ll want to check the spark plug to make sure it’s clean and gapped correctly. The air filter and fuel filter need to be changed or cleaned regularly as well—plan on changing your air filter at the beginning of the mowing season and at least once during the middle of the season. You'll also want to lube the appropriate joints and wheel bearings, as well as the choke and throttle linkages to keep things moving well.

• Maintain the blade. Your lawnmower’s efficiency, and the beauty and health of your lawn, depend on a sharp blade that is free of nicks and dents. Check the blade to make sure it’s straight, balanced and sharp. If it’s dull you can remove the blade and sharpen it with a file (put the blade in a vise grip for safety). You can also take it to a service station specializing in that sort of repair for sharpening or replacement. Plan on sharpening your blade at least once a year—more if you mow a lot.

Winter storage

Proper storage during winter (or any period of time longer than a month) can also make a big difference on your lawn mower’s working condition. A mower that is left with a half a tank of gas and left out in the elements will probably need repair or replacing in the spring. Follow the steps below to ensure a mower ready to tackle fresh growth when spring rolls around.

• Remove lawn clippings and other debris from your lawnmower with a garden hose. Allow to dry in the sun to avoid rusting. Make sure you clean the underside thoroughly as well, using a putty knife to scrape out thick accumulations. Make sure you check the blade housing for needed repairs, tightening, etc.

• Top off the gas/fuel in the tank before storing your mower. Fill it as full as possible to keep water from building up in the gas tank. You’ll also want to add a gas additive to help keep the environmental additives in the gasoline from breaking down and harming the engine parts. 

• Spray fogging oil (available at your automotive parts store) into the carburetor to remove gas from the lines for the winter. You’ll want to start your mower and run it until it stalls while you’re spraying. Afterwards, remove the spark plug and spray into the plug opening to keep the parts lubricated inside the engine.  While most people recommend lubricating oil for this step, fogging oil will break down less over the winter months and accumulate on the engine parts.  Afterwards, replace the spark plug but do not connect it.

• Cover the mower with plastic and store in a dry place, such as the garage or basement.

 

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