Lawn Mower Maintenance
A lot of work can go into making a lawn look good, and some of the best work you can do is taking proper care of your mower with regular maintenance. A lawn mower clogged with clippings, using a dull blade, or otherwise unable to function properly won’t be able to provide a quality cut for your lawn. Lawn mowers aren’t the most complicated pieces of equipment, so it should be possible to keep one in good repair even without a lot of mechanical predisposition.
At Mike Cooper Tractors, we know the difference regular lawn mower maintenance can make, both for lawns and the life of the equipment we have for sale. We’ve put together this short guide to help our customers get started on maintaining their lawn mowers. If you need more information, professional service, or are just interested in checking out some great new and used mowers for sale, head into our location in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, where we proudly serve Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Muskogee, and Tahlequah.
Mower Basics
The best way to find out any specific maintenance schedules and tips is to read your owner’s manual. This manual can also give you tips as to what needs doing when it comes to servicing 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.
Lubrication
Lawn mower engines have an oil reservoir that keeps the crankshaft and pistons lubricated. 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 you can 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. A push mower can simply be tipped up and clean it out. But 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.
If you’re using a hopper or bag system to collect clippings, make sure the chute and all gates are all clear. 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.
Change the Spark Plugs
Your mower can do a real number on its spark plugs. Make sure you replace your spark plugs once every year or two to maintain optimal engine performance. 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.
Sharpen the Cutting Blade
Hazards like rocks, sticks, and other debris can hide beneath taller grass and ding up your mower’s cutting blades. 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 a razor’s 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.
Proper Storage
Depending on where you live, you could have a long off season. Winterize your lawn mower before storage to avoid deterioration from lack of use. Start by draining out all the gasoline. Gasoline can begin to separate and break down over the winter, leaving a corrosive sludge at the bottom of your tank (or else use a fuel stabilizer to keep the tank fresh). You’ll want to give the mower a extra-good cleaning to get any corrosive material out of it. Finally, pick a location to store your mower where it won’t be exposed to the elements, like a barn or garage. If you don’t have anywhere that secure, consider using a non-plastic cover to keep your mower protected.
If you’re after more information about maintenance and service, or you’re just interested in taking a look at some new and used mowers, stop by Mike Cooper Tractors in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, where we proudly serve Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Muskogee, and Tahlequah. Head in today and let our team of courteous professionals answer all your questions and help you find what you’re looking for.