A lawn mower is one of the more expensive pieces of equipment that every homeowner needs, so it’s important to main it properly. When maintained as they should be, a lawn mower can last for many years and will operate well during this time. Unfortunately though, not maintaining your lawn mower can eventually lead to the mower not working properly and in turn, it won’t last as long.

There are certain key aspects of lawn mower maintenance that need to be borne 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

While you may not be using your lawn mower over the winter its important that you do some important maintenance before putting it away for the season. Make sure to drain the fuel out of the gas tank and then start the engine. This will ensure that all fuel has been cleaned out of the gas line. If gas is left in over the winter, it will cause carburetor issues.

Lubrication & Oil Information

The general rule is that oil in a lawn mower should be changed at least one time per year. While you are doing this, make sure to lubricate the throttle components as well as the choke to all the parts to move properly. If you see grease fittings, make sure to grease these one time each year as well.

Replace Blades

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.