The best companies build lawn mowers to last. Mowers that can handle the demands of your lawn mowing needs. But even with a quality mower, peak lawn mowing season can still take a toll. This is true if you’re a homeowner mowing the lawn once a week or more when grass is growing quickly. And it’s especially true for lawn care professionals who use their mowers every day.
Knowing how to care for your mower during peak mowing season will help ensure the mower keeps running for many seasons in the future. It’ll also keep the lawns that you’re mowing healthier.
Change The Oil
For mowers with 4-cycle engines, you’ll want to make sure you keep up with changing the oil. Your owner’s manual will tell you exactly when the oil needs changed. Usually, it’s about every 50 hours of operation. For homeowners, it’s a good idea to change the oil at least once a year in the spring or summer even if you didn’t reach the 50 hours of use last season.
Clean/Replace Filters
When you change the oil, make sure you also check the oil filter. Clean the filter before putting it back if it’s in good shape. If the filter is damaged, replace it.
It’s also very important that you keep the air filter clean. A clogged air filter means the mower can’t bring air in to cool the engine. This makes the mower burn more gasoline and can lead to the engine overheating. If this filter gets too clogged it can even prevent the mower from starting. Clean or replace the air filter at the beginning of the mowing season and continue checking it regularly.
Sharpen Blades
Sharp mower blades help keep the grass healthy. Grass plants grow much better when they’re cut cleanly rather than torn by a dull blade. This also helps prevent disease. And if you have a mulching mower, sharp blades ensure the grass cuttings are finely chopped so they can fall back onto the lawn and return nutrients to the soil.
It’s a good idea to sharpen the blade at the beginning of mowing season and in the middle of the season. For commercial mowers that see more frequent use, you’ll need to sharpen more often. Click here to read the article “How To Sharpen A Lawn Mower Blade.”
Clean The Deck
Keeping the lawnmower deck clean is very important during peak mowing season. The more you mow, the faster grass is going to build-up under the deck. If you let grass build up it can lead to rust and also keep the mower from cutting at peak efficiency. Scrape the caked-on layers of clipping off the deck, then use a towel to wipe off residual clippings.
Once you’re done cleaning the deck, set it about 1/2 inch higher than the recommended cutting height for the type of grass you’re mowing. Cutting the grass a little higher during peak mowing season reduces stress and helps the lawn survive low-water conditions.
Following these tips will help you keep your lawnmower working at peak efficiency throughout the mowing season. It’ll also help keep your lawn healthy. And if you need any assistance with your lawnmower maintenance just stop by our service center. We have the largest parts inventory in North Texas and can help you find exactly what you need, or if you’re having a more serious problem with your mower our service technicians can take a look at it for you.
