Your lawn equipment has been working hard for you all summer long, so come the fall, it is a good idea to give it a tune up. You wouldn't let your car be used for an extended period of time, without checking its basics, so your lawn mower shouldn't be any different. Lawn mowers have many moving parts that need to be maintained for a long working life and effective performance.
Before you get started on performing your lawn mower's fall tune up, ensure you are familiar with the manufacturer's recommendations, and follow those guidelines accordingly. Doing that ensures your safety and the lawn mower's useful life.
Step #1
Check the spark plug. With frequent use, your mower's sparkplug may become dirty or wet. If the spark plug is dirty, you may be able to clean it. If it's wet, it will need to be replaced. In addition, keep the spark plug out as you are checking all the other parts, so that the engine doesn't fire accidentally.
Step #2
With the spark plug out, give your mower a good clean with a scraper and an air gun. Lawn mowers are great at accumulating dirt and debris both on their underside and in any holes or ducts.
Step #3
Remove the mower blade, and sharpen it. This will go a long way to improving your lawn mower's performance. Use either a bench mounted grinder or an angle grinder or file. Make sure you only sharpen the engine side of the blade, the side that is beveled.
Step #4
Apply WD-40 to your mower's various moving parts to keep them from sticking.
Step #5
If you're going to be putting your mower away for the season and you still have a half a tank of gas remaining, added fuel stabilizer to it. That will allow you to still use the gas next season. If you don't do this, the gas will need to be replaced.
Step #6
Change your lawn equipment's engine oil. The oil is there to lubricate the engine, to prevent damage and to ensure efficiency in its performance. Therefore you want to make sure the oil is clean.
Step #7
Inspect your mower's engine belts. Any belts that appear frayed or loose should be replaced.
Step #8
The end of the lawn mowing season is a good time to replace your air filter. Throughout the season, it is okay to just shake your air filter out, removing dirt and debris. However, after a period of heavy use, it is more beneficial to replace a dirty air filter.
These steps should be followed after every lawn mowing season. Doing so will keep your lawn mower functioning at peak efficiency, and will prevent damage and costly repairs down the road. As always, you should ensure your lawn mower is kept in a dry, covered place. Following these steps, along with the recommendations from your owner's manual, will ensure a good fall tune up, and have your lawn mower ready in great working condition for the next season.
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