Keeping your lawn mower in good repair is important for both homeowner and lawn care professionals. Simple maintenance performed on a regular basis will help keep the lawn mower running properly for years to come. Making sure the mower is kept clean and sharpening blades as needed are two important steps. Proper storage when the mower will be unused for more than a month or two will also help extend the life of your mower.

Routine Lawn Mower Maintenance

Cleaning grass and dirt off the mower deck after each use will help prevent rust. It involves a little extra time after you use you mower each time, but keeping the mower clean will minimize repairs in the future and help save time and money in the long run. Checking the fuel and oil is a task that should be done every time you use the lawn mower. For  two-cycle and hybrid-type engines which run on a mixture of gas and oil, make certain that you are mixing the fuel properly when you refuel and use the correct oil. Oil and air filters should be checked regularly to make sure they are not damaged or clogged. Some sources recommend cleaning or changing the oil filter after 25 hours of use. For an air filter, whether you clean or replace it will depend on how dirty the filter is and whether it's foam or paper. Sharpening mower blades will probably be required at least once a year. Depending on how much the mower is used, the blades may need sharpened more than once. Some retailers and service departments recommend replacing blades every year, but unless the blade is badly damaged you should be able to get by with sharpening it yourself or having it professionally sharpened.

Before Storing Your Lawn Mower

Prior to storing your mower over winter or for an extended period of time, there are a few things you should do to make sure it starts up again when you're ready to use it next. The first thing that should be done is clean the mower thoroughly before storing – especially if you don't clean after each mowing. Changing the oil if your mower has a four-cycle engine can be done at this time. Draining fuel or adding a fuel stabilizer should be done if the mower will be stored for more than a month or two. If you let fuel sit in the engine, it can affect the carburetor and fuel pump so that they require more extensive maintenance when you bring your mower out of storage. Inspect the spark plug to make sure it doesn't need replaced. The spark plug can be cleaned with a spray carburetor cleaner and a stiff wire brush or replaced with a new one. If you buy a new plug, make sure it matches the old one exactly or it may not work with your equipment. Keeping up with basic lawn mower maintenance and making sure you store the mower properly will extend the life of your mower and help prevent serious problems. With proper maintenance, a lawn mower should last for many years. And if for some reason a problem does develop, you can find quality parts, service, and advice at Richardson Saw & Lawnmower.