Updated in this article: https://www.richardsonsaw.com/rslm/routine-lawn-mower-maintenance/
Performing simple maintenance on a regular basis helps extend the life of your lawn mower and prevent more serious repairs in the future. Mowers benefit from some maintenance tasks, like cleaning the deck, being performed after each mowing. Timing of other maintenance, like the oil change and blade sharpening, will be dictated by how often the mower is used. Richardson Saw & Lawnmower’s service department will be able to help answer questions, locate replacement parts, and perform maintenance that can’t be done at home.
Cleaning Mowers
Cleaning the mower deck on a regular basis, preferably after each use, helps keeps the mower running smoothly. Letting clippings build-up blocks air-flow and holds moisture and fertilizers against the mower deck, which can cause rust. Clippings can be cleaned off with a garden hose while they are still fresh, or scraped off with a hard plastic scraper. Fans and intake screens should also be cleaned to prevent over heating that could damage the engine.
Certain mowers have wash-out ports to make removing clippings easier. These allow a garden hose to attach directly to the mower deck and directs the water in a way that efficiently cleans the deck. Toro’s walk-behind Recycler and Super Recycler mowers have wash-out ports, as do riding mowers in the eXmark Quest S-Series.
Fueling Tips
If you’re using fuel purchased from a gas station rather than fuel sold specifically for power equipment, it is likely mixed with ethanol. Since ethanol attracts moisture from the air, this fuel can damage power equipment engines if improperly handled. Never use fuel containing more than 10% ethanol, be sure to store fuel in containers with self-sealing spouts, and only purchase enough fuel to use up within 30 days.
Another tip for using ethanol fuel is to add a fuel stabilizer at the pump. This will extend the life of ethanol-containing fuel by slowing down the process of going stale. It will not reverse this process, however, and should be added immediately after pumping. Fuel that has not been stabilized should be drained from mowers if they will be stored for more than 30 days to prevent build-up in the engine and damage to the carburetor.
Replacing Parts
Air filters and spark plugs should be checked on a regular basis. Foam air filters can be cleaned if they are dirty, and replaced if they are misshapen or torn. Paper filters should be replaced. For spark plugs, carbon build-up can be removed by cleaning with a wire brush. If the spark plug is damaged, it will need replaced with an identical plug. Cutting blades should also be checked regularly to make sure they have not dulled, and sharpened or replaced if necessary. Sharp blades cut grass cleanly, and result in neater cuttings as well as healthier grass.
Change the oil in lawn mowers every 25 to 50 operating hours, depending on the work load. Infrequently used mowers can have the oil changed once a year, but mowers that are used more often should have the oil changed every 25 hours. Using mowers in high temperatures or to pull heavy loads, if they have an attachment for a wagon or cargo carrier, will also result in oil that needs changed more frequently.
