You know how to care for your lawn, but how about your mower? Mowers need some TLC after sitting in a cold shed or garage all winter long. Before grass-growing season gets into full swing, show your mower some love by giving it a tune-up and blade sharpening. Performing some regular maintenance on your lawn mower is a pretty simple affair, and will make lawn care easier all season long.
Doing the proper maintenance on each system involved in the engine of your lawn mower is half the battle. Most small gas engines have six basic systems that work together: fuel, exhaust, ignition, combustion, cooling, and lubrication. Lawn mowers also have blades that need to be maintained and sharpened, which can be done by a professional, or at home with the right tools. To cover your bases, you'll want to check all fuel lines and filters, cleaning and replacing them when necessary. Spark plugs and wiring can get dirty and loose over a season, so make sure those are in working order before your grass has its first growth spurt in the Spring. And then feed your mower right—invest in the fuel additives that will help it run most efficiently.
The payoff for your attentiveness to lawn mower maintenance will definitely worth the effort. Treat your mower well, and it will reward you with greater efficiency, better handling, and a fresher-looking lawn. Not sure where to start? Here, we've compiled an essential guide for keeping your mower—and your grass—growing strong all season.
