Introduction to Lawn Mower Maintenance
Just like any piece of equipment, your lawn mower needs regular upkeep to stay in good working order. Not sure where to get started? You came to the right place! This quick primer from New South Tractor covers all the basics of lawn mower maintenance. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. New South Tractor proudly serves Newton, NC.
Routine Maintenance Tasks
Most lawn mowers require the following tasks to be performed on a regular basis throughout mowing season.
- Changing the oil
- Cleaning or replacing the spark plugs
- Fogging the engine
- Removing debris from the cooling fins and the undercarriage
- Cleaning the exterior of the mower
Maintenance intervals will depend on the make and model, and how much your lawn mower is used. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for more specifics.
End of Season Maintenance
Mowing is a seasonal task here in North Carolina. In most regions, you can expect to begin mowing in April, and put your mower in storage sometime in November. Keep in mind that this might vary depending on the species of grass in your lawn! Some grass types can continue thriving well into autumn, so keep a close eye on its rate of growth.
Whenever it comes time to retire your mower for the season, you should take steps to prepare your mower for storage. First, you should either drain the fuel system or add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. This keeps degraded gasoline from harming the engine. Next, perform a thorough inspection to rule out any problems that could get worse in long-term storage. Even a minor issue should be addressed right away to prevent a more costly repair down the road.
When your mower has been suitably primed for winter storage, you will have no trouble getting it started again when spring comes back around.
Some Additional Tips
Remember to keep your owner’s manual close at hand when operating and working on your mower. The manual will provide you with model-specific maintenance instructions, and specify which replacement parts are compatible with your mower. You can use any blank pages in the manual to keep a service log.
At the end of each mowing session, remove grass clippings and other debris caught in the undercarriage and the cooling fins. This will boost airflow and keep the engine from overheating. The mower should also be cleaned from top to bottom on a regular basis to prevent corrosion.
Of course, even the most well-maintained mower may needs the occasional repair. When your mower is not working properly, you should address the problem before you continue mowing. A defective lawn mower can be a serious safety hazard!
We hope you found these tips helpful. If you need a new lawn mower, come check out our selection here at New South Tractor! You can find us in Newton, NC.