Lawn Mower Maintenance
When it comes to having a lawn that looks good, our mowers are doing most of the work. Whether you have a basic push mower or a throne of a riding mower, you should be thankful to have such time-saving equipment. Mowers are generally reliable, but we all have those moments of frustration when they get bogged down by excess clippings, foul fuel, and other mechanical issues. Avoid frustration by keeping up on regular mower maintenance!
At Bayview Trucks & Equipment, we aim to help our customers keep their equipment in tip-top shape so they can get the most work and value out of their financial investments. Whether you’re a lawn care professional or a property owner with a lot of grass to take care of, you probably see a lot of mowing. Cut back on the extra worry by ensuring your mower is up to date and in working order.
Read on for more information on lawn mower maintenance or head into one of our locations in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Mower Basics
Your owner’s manual will have all the information you need to get ready for regular service and maintenance, including how often your mower should see professional service. This manual can also give you tips as to what needs doing when it comes to maintaining your mower. A small problem can likely be solved by consulting the owner’s manual, saving you the time and energy of calling a professional for a quick fix. Always check your owner’s manual first and use its information over anything you find in this article or elsewhere.
Lubrication
Lawn mower engines have an oil reservoir that keeps the crankshaft and pistons lubricated, and like other vehicle engines, ensuring this oil is at the right levels and condition are key to your mower’s health. You can check this oil just like you’d check the oil in your car or truck by using the dipstick. Simply remove it, clean it off, reinsert, and then pull it out again for a clear reading. Discolored or sludgy oil means it’s time to replace it. Otherwise top it off. Your oil should also be free of water, metal shavings, or other impurities, as these often indicate a more worrisome mechanical problem.
Keep the Undercarriage Clean
A dirty undercarriage that’s covered in grass clippings, mud, or other debris won’t remove clippings as efficiently as a clean one. While a push mower can simply be tipped up and clean it out, riding mowers will need to be driven on a small ramp or blocks so you can get access to the underside of the cutting deck. Then take a hose with a high-pressure nozzle and blast away any clippings or debris.
Make sure the chute and all gates are all clear on any bagging or mulching attachments you might have. Never leave grass clippings in your hopper between mowings. Clippings can settle and compact into a dense brick that’s extremely difficult to scrape out of the hopper.
Sharpen the Cutting Blade
While you’ve got yourself down there looking at the mower’s underside, it’s a good idea to check the mower’s cutting blades. Long grass can hide hazards like rocks or branches that will dull your mower blade. A file, burr, or grinder will help you grind off all the dull material so you’ll be left with a sharp blade ready to effectively cut grass again. The shearing force caused by the speed of the blade will do most of the work, so you’re not looking for the perfect edge. You just want to make sure get the blade to a place where it moves quickly through the air and cuts the grass without shredding it up.
Change the Spark Plugs
Make sure you replace your spark plugs once every year or two to maintain optimal engine performance. Between long periods of downtime and intense uptime, your mower can do a real number on its spark plugs. Note whether or not the spark plugs you bought are pre-gapped or not. If they aren’t, you will need a tool known as a plug gap to set your spark plug spark gap to the perfect width.
Hopefully you’re on your way to successfully performing some lawn mower maintenance with a few of these tips. Paying attention to the mechanical needs of your equipment is the best way to avoid costly repairs. If you do find yourself in need of professional lawn mower maintenance, don’t hesitate to drop by Bayview Trucks & Equipment. Our team of dedicated professionals will answer all your questions and help you find what you’re looking for. We proudly serve new Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and all of Atlantic Canada.