The lawn mower is a fairly expensive piece of equipment and it warrants some care so that its lifetime can be extended. A properly maintained lawn mower will last for years, and will provide optimum performance when used. On the other hand, a poorly maintained machine will be troublesome to operate and won’t last very long.

In order to keep your lawn mower running in perfect condition, the following maintenance tips should be kept in mind.

Maintenance After Each Use

It is a good idea to clean the lawn mower to prevent accumulation of dirt, which may result in clogging while bagging. Allow the engine to cool down and spray the underside of the deck with water. Removal of accumulated grass around the wheels and blades is also very important. Rotting grass produces acid and favors corrosion. If your machine uses water to cool itself, check the level of the coolant and top off if necessary. Clean the radiator fins with water. If you have a four stroke mower, check the level of the oil and top off if necessary as insufficient oil will lead to engine seizure.

Lawn Mower Care before winter

In most climates you won’t need to cut your grass all winter so you will want to prepare the mower for storage over the winter months. Make sure to drain all the fuel out of the lawn mower before storing for the winter. Gas will evaporate, but because it’s sealed in the gas tank, it will cause issues with the carburetor. Once you have drained all the fuel out, start the mower and ensure that all fuel is out of the fuel line.

Lubrication & Oil Information

Oil and lubrication Most mowers require an oil change every year. It is also a good idea to lubricate the choke and throttle linkages and apply grease to all fittings.

Blade Replacement

If your mower has dull blades, you will want to replace them. A dull blade can cause damage to the grass and also causes poor, uneven cuts. Make sure to check the blades fairly regularly and if they are dull, replace them. Replacement should be done one time each year.