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Turfgrass must be cut regularly for ensure that it grows healthy and does n’t become overgrown . Although you ca n’t really obviate mow most lawns , a lawn lawn mower that is well maintain can make the job quicker and less onerous .
While some lawn mower job are well dealt with by master , basic lawn mower fixing and maintenance is n’t complicated . Most issues can be resolve with nonaged review and repairs . Here ’s our good advice about how to take care of your lawn mower , and keep it run swimmingly for class to follow .
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Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist
You should perform a lawn mower air - up at least once a year . If you have a very big yard or use the mower oft , aim to perform quotidian lawn lawn mower serve after every 80 to 100 hr of use . you’re able to do annual lawn lawn mower upkeep before the first cut of spring , or before stowing your mower for winter .
1. Change the oil.
It ’s crucial to fill again and occasionally exchange the oil in your mower . Without this lubrication for the move parts of the mower , the engine begins to seize and can break down prematurely . Many hoi polloi think ofoilas the lifeblood of the engine .
contain the oil level with the lawn mower dipstick before each use and refill as require . interchange the oil when it becomes murky . To change the crude :
While many lawn lawn mower maintenance project can be done annually , you might find you need to change the oil more often , about once every 25 hours of use or at least twice per mowing season .
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2. Choose the right fuel (and stabilize it).
As with any gas - powered machine , the eccentric of gas that is used can impact the functioning of themowerand the length of service of the engine . gasolene is graded according to itsoctane rating . The higher the evaluation , the more stable the fuel .
For lawn mowers , apply leadless gas with an octane rating of at least 87 . Also keep an eye on ethanol content . Most of the petrol sold in the U.S. is E10 , which means that it is immingle with 10 percent ethanol . That ’s fine for lawn mowers , but void petrol with a higher ethanol content , which can damage little engines .
in the end , gas degrades surprisingly rapidly . reckon on weather and storage conditions , the flatulence in your lawn mower can depart to turn a loss its volatility in as few as 30 days . That ’s where fuel stabilizers fare in . These additives bind with gas and prevent evaporation and the constitution of sticky resin that can bankrupt a carburettor . “ Fuel stabilizer protect engine from the effects of gaseous state deterioration , ” says Shawn Carothers , elderly marketing manager at Toro . “ It ’s proficient practice to add the fuel stabilizer every metre you fulfill up . ”
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3. Clean or replace the air filter.
The air filter in the lawn mower protects the engine by trapping dust , grunge , and other rubble , but the filter can hold only so much before it becomes unsportsmanlike and choked , losing effectiveness . Some lawn mower have reclaimable aviation filters that can be removed and wash , but this is a rare feature . Generally , a lawn mower filter should be exchange about once every year to help wield a healthy engine .
symptom of a cheating or clogged air filter let in :
If you acknowledge any of these signs , stop mowing and go purchase a replacement air filter . They are cheap and comparatively wanton to replace if you follow the lawn mower maker ’s instructions .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
4. Sharpen mower blades.
Lawn mower blade should be regularly inspected for warp , rusting , and other harm , and they require to besharpenedonce or double per time of year to avail cover the life of the blades and the mower .
Sharp blade do n’t just help the lawn mower tailor the pasture better , they also make cleaner gash through the pasture , which thin the likeliness of the lawn developing a disease . Inspect the lawn mower blade for dents or nicks , and also take annotation if the grass height is uneven after cutting , the edges of the grass take care chocolate-brown , or if the grass blades are tear rather of slit fair through — all preindication of a dull blade . Here ’s how to get that sword sharp again :
5. Replace spark plugs at least annually.
Just as in a cable car or hand truck , the Muriel Spark ballyhoo in a lawn lawn mower serves as an firing source for the gasolene . sign that a lawn lawn mower ’s spark plug may be run out include hard starting line , misfortunate locomotive engine operation , unreasonable fuel uptake , and a worn , crack , or chipped physical coming into court of the electric discharge jade . If the locomotive engine is unmanageable to start up or tends to die out immediately after bug out , then the take may be the spark spark plug .
“ We recommend homeowner transfer the spark wad in their mower at least at the starting line of each mop time of year or every 25 hour of economic consumption , ” says Carothers , who suggest checking your lawn mower ’s operating manual for specifics . “ profound usage may require more frequent changes , ” he adds .
6. Clean your mower.
Clean your lawn lawn mower after each consumption . Keeping the pack of cards clean-living will reduce the chance that the lawn mower will begin to corrode or corrode from the interior . Also , as the deck of the lawn mower slow fill with grass clippings , weeds , and dirt , the accumulation creates a barrier that forestall the grass from standing up flat underneath the mower , resulting in a poorly cut lawn . This buildup can even stymy the rotation of the blades , putting stress on the engine , blades , and other components of the mower .
7. Inspect the flywheel.
A flywheel is a part within the locomotive engine of the lawn mower that stores the impulse from the combustion process to keep the crankshaft flex between the power strokes of the engine . It also helps chill the locomotive by blowing air around the engine block . Without a functional flywheel , the engine could promptly become overheated or itmight not even start . “ If your mower is refusing to start , or throws spark into the combustion bedchamber at the incorrect time , it could be because of a misaligned flywheel , ” tell Carothers .
Some signs that a flywheel is damage or failing let in an engine that wo n’t start , an locomotive that constantly stalls , and a cauterise olfactory sensation from the locomotive engine . Inspect the flywheel at the beginning and end of every lawn sustenance season to check for cracks , broken fivesome , thin burrs , shearing , and crankshaft damage . Just verify to unplug the discharge stopple lead before opening the locomotive to check the flywheel .
How to Prepare Your Mower for the Winter
“ You decidedly need to prepare your lawn lawn mower for winter storage , ” says Jeremy Yamaguchi , chief operating officer ofLawn Love , a serve that helps consumer find local lawn care . “ Cold temperature and month of no use can impact the lifespan of your lawn mower if you do n’t right take care of it . ”
Wallace Hume Carothers coincide , and says a thorough cleanup is the first step in winterization . “ moist grass clippings , folio mulch , or clay can do rust fungus or a freeze - and - thaw rhythm , potentially weakening the metal , ” she say . “ Even though thump of material will dry finally , it will be much toilsome to strip off ” down the road . Carothers recommends that householder take these cleaning steps :
Carothers also suggests occupy the gas tank before storing the mower . “ A full tankful will serve prevent condensation , and the fuel stabilizer will forestall fuel spoilage , ” she says . “ Run your lawn mower for a few minutes to distribute the fuel stabiliser equally . ”
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Before you store the lawn mower , she pronounce , correspond the tires . “ amplify them to their proper pressure to prevent hurt to the tires , as they can lose insistency over the wintertime , ” he tell . “ You should also protect your mower tyre from cold concrete by park the lawn mower on composition board or other insulating material . ”
Yamaguchi adds , “ I always just winterize my lawn mower right after the last clock time I use it before the winter so that I get the task out of the means and do n’t forget about it . ”
When to Buy a New Lawn Mower
“ It may be time for a novel lawn mower if your current one need frequentrepairs , ” according to Carothers . Other sign of the zodiac that your mower may have reached the destruction of its aliveness admit excessive vibration , index loss , or cut abasement , he add .
Each situation is different , but in ecumenical , it might be prison term to consider getting anew mowerif any of these experimental condition employ :
“ If your lawn mower is hard to start and requires too many pull to get it go , it ’s in all likelihood time to replace your lawn lawn mower , ” say Dan Bailey , president ofWikiLawn Austin Lawn Care . “ Lawn mowers are typically beneficial for 7 to 10 years , so when your lawn mower is come on that geezerhood , start window - shopping for an ascent . ”
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