Even though winter is still in full swing, it won’t be long before all the snow melts and homeowners prepare to exchange their snowblowers for lawn mowers. However, proper pre-season lawn mower maintenance is essential to ensuring that your mower runs properly all season long. Here are just a few quick tips to keep in mind when preparing your lawn mower for spring.
Remove Debris
First, remove the belt guards on your mower and thoroughly clean out any dirt, grass clippings, or other debris. This buildup can significantly hinder the lifespan of your mower and make it work harder than it has to in order to achieve the same result. Instead of leaving it to damage pulleys and other necessary components of your mower, use an air compressor or even a leaf blower to eliminate any and all debris before it becomes a major problem. Experts say this step should be completed at least once every third mowing, but if your yard is bigger, your mower may need to be cleaned more often.
Check Fuel Filters
If your mower’s fuel filters are too worn down, you’re already losing out on fuel economy. They can also make the mower more difficult to start. Refer to your mower’s manufacturer instructions to know how often you should be replacing the fuel filters.
Fill With New Gas
Having fresh gas helps your mower run as smoothly as possible. Experts say that any gas stored for more than 30 days may cause starting problems with your mower. To avoid this, it’s best to empty any remaining gas prior to storing your mower for the winter and refill with fresh fuel when preparing it for spring.
Sharpen Blades
Finally, in order to maximize your mower’s efficiency, sharpening the blades is always a good idea. Inspect them to check for dullness; you’ll also be able to tell by how the mower is cutting grass. Dull blades will tear grass instead of slicing it cleanly. You can also refer to a professional to assist with mower blade sharpening.
Ultimately, the average American spends, on average, four hours per week taking care of their lawn. That adds up to an average of 208 hours per year, or over eight days. Keeping these tips in mind can help you maintain your lawn with a lawn mower that does the job right.