The lawn mower is a fairly expensive piece of equipment and it warrants some care so that its lifetime can be extended. A properly maintained lawn mower will last for years, and will provide optimum performance when used. On the other hand, a poorly maintained machine will be troublesome to operate and won’t last very long.

In order to keep your lawn mower running in perfect condition, the following maintenance tips should be kept in mind.

Care After Mowing the Lawn

After every use, you should clean the top and also the underside of the lawnmower so it stays free of dirt and help it to stay free of debris that can clog the underside and cause issues for bagging. Another good idea is to clean the grass out from under the wheels each time you cut the grass and also clean the grass that may be trapped under the blade. If you were to leave the grass there, after time the lawn mower will rust and you will need to purchase a new mower. If you own a water cooled mower, make sure to check the coolant level after use and also clean the radiator. For 4 stroke mowers, make sure to check the oil and add oil if it’s low as low oil level will cause the engine to fail.

Lawn Mower Care before winter

In most climates you won’t need to cut your grass all winter so you will want to prepare the mower for storage over the winter months. Make sure to drain all the fuel out of the lawn mower before storing for the winter. Gas will evaporate, but because it’s sealed in the gas tank, it will cause issues with the carburetor. Once you have drained all the fuel out, start the mower and ensure that all fuel is out of the fuel line.

Oiling Your Lawn Mower

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.

Mower Blade Replacement

For blades that are dull, make sure to replace them. The general rule is the replace them once per year as a dull blade can damage your lawn and also cause an uneven cut. Check the blades regularly for damage and to make sure they are sharp and replace when necessary.