11 Tips to Keep Your Lawnmower Running Correctly

When it comes to lawn care, you might dream of the day that you first brought your brand new lawnmower home. It used to start on the first pull and cut your entire yard evenly. After some wear and tear, your mower might not be as youthful as it once was, but that doesn’t mean it won’t do its job well. With some regular maintenance, you can get the most out of your mower for years to come. Follow these lawnmower maintenance tips to keep your mower and your grass in tip-top shape.

1. Use Fresh Gas

When a mower doesn’t start, old gas is one of the usual suspects. Gasoline is only fresh for about 30 days. Old fuel will cause moisture build up, loss of octane and gum deposits. After a mowing session, drain your gas tank, especially if you don’t plan to use the mower again for more than a month. When you refill the mower with fuel again, be sure to use only fresh gas instead of what is already in your garage.

2. Replace the Engine Oil

Like a car, you need to check the oil regularly. Monitor your mower’s oil level and check for debris. If the oil is dirty or a dark black color, drain it using the drain plug underneath your mower. If you can’t find a drain plug, carefully tilt the machine on its side to drain. You should get approximately 50 hours of operation from each oil change. Be sure to use clean SAE 30 engine oil.

4. Change the Air Filter Regularly

For most mowers, there will be a paper or foam air filter that will be easily accessible. These are fairly inexpensive and should be replaced annually. Clogged or dirty filters cause the gas to burn less efficiently and put more operating stress on the machine.

It might make the motor lose power in the middle of use or not start in the first place. Either change the filter at the beginning of every operating season or after 25 hours of operation–whichever is first.

3. Keep an Eye on the Spark Plug

Dirty or old spark plugs can cause a multitude of problems with your machine. In particular, your mower might lose power during use, which can be a dangerous situation. Spark plugs are easy to replace and inexpensive to purchase. Replace yours either once a year or after 100 hours of mower use. When installing the new plug, do not over tighten it as this can prevent the mower from starting.

5. Clean the Mower Deck

The mower deck and its undercarriage often get clogged with grass and other debris. To a certain extent, this is normal and expected, but too much build up might cause uneven cuts or engine problems. For cleaning, disconnect the spark plug and use soap and water to remove grease, dirt and grass. If you have heavy build up on the undercarriage, use a tool to scrape it away.

6. Clean the Engine

The engine’s air screen and cylinder fins need to be free of dirt and debris to operate at full capacity. This might sound a little bit more difficult if you do not have mechanical experience, but consult your owner’s manual to familiarize yourself with your engine’s anatomy. Be careful to wear gloves if you do not want to get gasoline residue on your hands and make sure the machine is cool to the touch before you begin.

7. Keep the Mower Blade Sharp

A dull mower blade might be the reason you’ve noticed an uneven cut in your lawn. You can sharpen blades with a grinder wheel or file. Do not complete this task while the blade is still on the mower. Take special care to keep the blade’s balance.

An unbalanced blade will cut unevenly and eventually damage the mower or engine. Once you believe you are finished sharpening your blade, you can test the balance by placing the blade’s center hold on a stationary nail. If the blade remains balanced on the nail, you are ready to go.

8. Use the Right Gasoline

Do not use weed-whacker fuel. It can be either too lean or too rich depending on the type of mower you have. If you have a four-cycle or two-cycle engine, take care to use the recommended type of fuel. Even if you use the wrong gas, your mower will probably run for a while, but eventually the engine won’t restart. If you make this mistake, just drain the fuel tank and see if the spark plug needs a change. Then, refill your mower with the right gas.

9. Look for Worn or Damaged Belts

If you have a power propelled mower, you will have to keep an eye on the machine’s belts. Once you notice any major wear and tear, replace the worn or damaged belts with new ones. To maintain the driver system, check the gear case and surrounding area. Make sure this region stays clean of dirt and grass build up. During your cutting season, clean the drive cover at least twice.

10. Read the Owner’s Manual

Just like with a car or any fancy new electronic, you should consult with the owner’s manual before you use it. This is true for lawnmowers as well. Each mower is different, so maintenance requirements might vary slightly between machines. Some machines might need more frequent filter changes or have an unusual tank placement.

The best way to keep your machine in good shape is to know all about it. Thus, take some time to understand your mower and pay close attention to the location of the air filter, fuel tank and spark plug.

11. Get a Professional Tune Up

You don’t need to take your mower into the shop often, but an annual check up can be helpful, especially if you don’t often work with mechanical equipment. A professional will check your filters, plugs and engine as well as perform diagnostic tests. Plus, they’ll even clean the mower for you.

As long as you stay in tune with how your machine is running, you will be able to catch issues early before they become large problems. If you follow these lawnmower maintenance tips, you will get the most out of your machine for many seasons to come.