Lawn mower maintenance .

The lawn mower plays one of the most important roles in keeping your lawn nice and healthy. It has a vital part in lawn care and is also probably the biggest investment you will make regarding your lawn. A lawn mower, like a small car, should be maintained with respect and given close care on a steady basis. A well maintained mower will guarantee your safety and serve you well for many years of use.

Mowers can be classified as ‘low-tech’ mechanical instruments; the machines general architecture and mechanisms are usually simple and practical. The plastics covering a typical lawn mower are usually free from decoration and are designed to be easily removed and quickly cleaned.

1) We recommend washing your mower at least once a month on a scheduled basis and once a week in the beginning of the season when the grass is moist. For example, neglecting to clean the mower may result in a clogged collecting rotary, which will no doubt decrease your mowers total efficiency.

2) Before tipping the mower on its side in order to clean it, remove the spark plug for your safety, we also advise to keep children and animals away from the area. Make sure that the air filter stays on top to prevent oil from dripping inside and clogging it.

3) Detach the rotary’s collecting bag (if your mower has one) and wash it using a garden hose. If the dry grass remains, try soaking it in a tub of water for a few hours and then scrub the grass off using an old rag. Make sure the collecting bag is dry before attaching it back to your mower.

4) Once a year change or refill the motors oil (using the oil type recommended by the manufacturer). The frequency of changing oil will depend on how often you use your mower.

5) Lawn mowers like any machine which has moveable parts needs to be oiled on a regular basis. Look for and oil: cylinders, cables, pivots, wheels, bolts, etc.

6) Make sure every once in a while to clean the spark plugs, to adjust your carburetor (we recommend using a professional mechanic for the task) and clean out the dirt trapped inside the motors air filters.

7) Keeping a sharp cutting blade is important for efficient mowing. Using a blunt blade will tear your grass instead of cutting it nice and even and therefore weaken its ability to resist pests. A dull blade will also cause the engine to work twice as hard in cutting your lawn; this will decrease the motor’s life-time and increase the fuel usage per mow. Carefully check the blades cutting edge with the tip of your finger, if it is not sharp remove the blade and replace it with a new one or hone it with an angle grinder. It is critical to keep the blade even and balanced, a slight disturbance in the blades balance can damage your mower. To make sure that your blade is well-balanced place its center on a screwdriver. In a balanced blade, the rotors will remain at an even height. If one side is heavier it will be slightly lower than the other side, repeat the honing and testing until you get the sides even.

8) Pay close attention to the mowers wheels or tires. Make sure that they are well balanced, differences in the tires air pressure may cause damage, not only to your lawn (being cut unevenly), but also to your mower. The desired air pressure level for your mowers tires should appear in the manufacturers manual.

Remember, keeping your mower well maintained is essential not only for the health and well being of your lawn but also for your own safety.