The same way you care for a race car should be the way you check on the lawn mower. Therefore, routine maintenance should entail inspecting for damages or wear, thereby bettering the mower’s performance, and stretch its life. Never wait until the mower breaks down completely to visit a mechanic, instead, you should work on the minor issues if you have the necessary tools and grease.
Lawnmowers are mainly powered by gasoline, and so the internal combustion systems need frequent care to maintain the strength. An extended lifespan of the mower will be assured if the following maintenance tips are followed.
Assess the Spark Plug
A spark plug is all your lawn mower needs to function properly. If the plug is faulty, the fuel you add might not be effective. Therefore, you must evaluate the spark plug’s condition regularly or anytime you replace the oil. The plug is attached to a certain wire that can be held using a wrench or pair of pliers and turn anticlockwise. After removing, you can check the plug’s threads for oil or grease, and if you spot anything, then something might be amiss.
Therefore, you should not hesitate to visit a local repair shop that repairs small engines. You can have a new plug fixed to get a snug fit that should not be overtightened. Ensure that the plug is functioning nicely because if it is dirty, it might run choppy, waste fuel, cut the grass wrongly, or even be hard to start. If the spark plug is damaged, then it will not start, and the repair will be more expensive than the maintenance you could have done earlier.
Oil Change
Lawnmowers have motors like cars, and so frequent oil changes could help maintain them. The engine runs every motor, and so you must protect it by changing the oil severally. The mower’s manual can direct you on the frequency to ensure you do not miss out at any time or administer the wrong type of oil.
When changing the oil, you should disconnect the spark plug to avoid an accidental start. The oil should be drained into another container, reinstate the filter if it has one, then refill with a new pack of oil. However, you should not overfill because it can damage the mower, and then reconnect your spark plug cable.
Replace the Air Filter Regularly
A zero turn mower can become clogged or dirty, and the air filter is the one that experiences extra strain. The engine can also accumulate dirt, and you must keep it clean to ensure efficient operation. Instantaneous replacement of the air filter facilitates air inflow and outflow of the engine. You should first detach the plug wire, open the filter casing, clean the pre-filter, then replace the paper filter. After that, cover the filter casing and then join the plug wire.
Sharpen the Blade
The blade must be sharp enough to efficiently cut the lawn. However, you might take a long time in the backyard, and even consume a lot of fuel. Any operation on the mower should begin by unhitching the plug wire and then detach the blade using a wrench. You can take the blade to a sharpening joint in hardware because some do not charge anything. You can also sharpen the blade by yourself if you have the necessary equipment.
Clean the Deck
After a long while, the mower’s underside can accumulate a lot of debris and grass to the extent of clogging. If not cleaned on time, the mower’s functionality can be affected as well as triggering corrosion. The deck can be a vector to disseminate diseases to the plants around the property.
Always detach the plug wire then empty the fuel tank to comfortably turn the mower upside down. You should then spay the deck using a garden hose, and brush it with some soapy water to remove all the debris and dirt. After that, you can cover it with vegetable oil that prevents the harmful materials from sticking.
