Around 83% of Americans feel having a yard is important, and 90% of those that have one say it’s important to keep it well maintained. If you have a large yard, chances are you’ll probably spend a lot of time mowing it this summer. But while your Husqvarna dealers will make certain your front lawn is well-maintained using the highest-quality products, you’ll need to do your part to make certain your mower itself is neat and tidy. Below, you’ll find some of our favorite maintenance tips for Husqvarna mowers.

1. Drain the tank
   You should never leave fuel in your mower’s fuel tank from season to season. In fact, you shouldn’t operate a mower using fuel that’s been in the tank for longer than a month. If you find leftover fuel from last summer, you should completely drain and refill your mower before using it again.
2. Stay sharp
   When customers first get their equipment from Husqvarna dealers, they may not need to worry about sharpening the blades. But months of use can take their toll on the blades. You should sharpen them before you start mowing this season. You’ll need to take off the blades with a socket wrench and sharpen with a flat file or grinder. Alternatively, you can take your mower to the service centers many Husqvarna dealers offer. This will allow you to get a truly clean cut and will make your task much easier.
3. Change the oil
   Before you start mowing this season, you’ll want to check and possibly change the oil. Place a bucket underneath your mower before emptying and refilling the oil to prevent a mess. Your instruction manual should make recommendations on the type of oil to use, and you should make sure to check the levels when finished.
4. Clean the filter
   A dirty air filter can cause issues, however many users don’t know to check or change it. You do need to use caution when cleaning air filters, as they are typically made from foam or paper. Subsequently, using water or any other kind of liquid to clean it will result in deterioration. You’ll need to use an air compressor and soft brush instead. If your filter has never been changed, it might be a good idea to replace it.
5. Get professional service
   These basic maintenance tips can prevent some common issues, but the best way to make sure your mower stays in tip-top shape is by taking it to a servicing center. Most Husqvarna dealers have service departments that can help with more complex issues like spark plug service or part replacement. They can also perform a diagnostic test to determine the source of the problem. You may not always need professional service every single summer, but it’s often a good idea just for peace of mind.

The key to a healthy, lush lawn is regular mowing with top-notch equipment. With these tips you’ll be able to keep both your mower and your lawn at their very best.

When it comes to lawn beautification, mowers are one of the most important tools to keep your front lawn looking fresh. Waiting too long to cut your grass creates more wear and tear on the mowers, so if you notice a problem with your lawn mower, it’s important to start the troubleshooting process as early as possible. Here are just a few common issues you could be experiencing with your lawn mower.

1. Problem: Mower suddenly stopped working and turned off
   If your lawn mower shuts off in the middle of mowing, there’s no need for immediate panic; the source of the issue could be one of a number of things. First, check the air filters and clean or replace them if necessary. You may also need to adjust the cutting height on your mower so that there aren’t as many excess clippings and the mower doesn’t have to work as hard. If you’re still having issues, you may need to clean or replace the spark plug and clean the underside of clippings.
2. Problem: Starter rope is stuck
   This is another fairly common issue with various no-name and name brand lawn mowers. Usually, it’s caused by engagement of the engine flywheel brake, which is the bar on the handle that stops the engine when it’s released. Make sure the bar is down to the handle before pulling on the starter rope. Another common cause is that the mower blade is full of clippings and can’t start properly. To combat this, make sure the mower is off and the spark plug has been inactivated. Move the mower to a driveway or another hard surface away from the lawn and clear out any excess clippings under its body. After returning the mower to an upright position and re-engaging the spark plug, the problem should be solved.
3. Problem: Mower is smoking
   This may seem pretty serious, but there’s no need to get alarmed. If your mower is smoking, the first thing you should check is the buildup of clippings in the underside of the mower. Make sure the side discharge shoot is unobstructed as well. The other possible cause is a mower blade that has become loosened, dulled, or bent. If this is the case, they need to be sharpened or replaced.

Ultimately, it’s important to be aware of the causes of these common lawn mower issues. The average American spends four hours per week taking care of their lawn. That adds up to an average of 208 hours per year, or over eight days, and keeping your lawn mower in top condition is the best way to get the most out of its lifespan.

Any homeowner will tell you, heating your home during the winter months is essential. However, because there are various types of heating options for a home it can be a difficult to determine which type of heating system may be the best option for you.

Furnaces are a common heating system for those homeowners who are not partial to boilers. These residential furnaces come in a variety and the type you choose depends on your own personal style.

Floor Furnace
A floor furnace is installed just below the floor of your home. It delivers heat directly to the room above it or to the room on each side of a partition in the event that it’s beneath a partitioned room. A floor furnace uses space-heating equipment to heat the rooms of your house by burning the fuel in an enclosed space.

Wall Furnace
A wall furnace is an outdoor furnace that is installed on the outside of or in the partition of a wall of the house. It then proceeds to radiate heat into the room or rooms on either side of the partition.

Pipeless Furnace
A pipeless furnace is installed in the basement. Like a floor furnace, a pipeless furnace radiates heated air into the room directly above it.

Central Furnace
Unlike the wall, floor, and pipeless furnaces which utilize space-heating technology to warm a specific room, central furnaces circulate warm air through the air ducts of the rooms with the use of fans. This guarantees warm air throughout all of the rooms in your household rather than one room in particular.

Outdoor furnace
There are different types of outdoor furnace, but one of the most popular types of outdoor furnace that can be found in a home’s backyard is the outdoor wood furnace. Wood is burned inside of a chamber, which heats water before pumping it into your home via pipes located two-feet below your house’s foundation. As the water is pumped through these insulated pipes, heat is provided in the rooms of your home. Outdoor furnace owners have reported having more efficient heating than other heating sources with an additional usage of 25% to 70% less wood.

Regardless of the type of furnace you use, wall furnace or outdoor furnace, it is important to perform routine maintenance on your furnaces. Routine repairs will keep your furnace working for years and will keep you and your family safe and warm.

When it comes to lawn beautification, traditional lawn mowers are generally the go-to for most people. However, zero turn mowers are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. Zero turn mowers are more efficient and easier to use than traditional mowers, having the ability to navigate around small corners and obstacles in your yard and reaching areas that regular mowers just can’t. One of the most popular brands of zero turn mowers is Grasshopper. Grasshopper mowers are multi-functional and have different sets of blades for different types of jobs. Here are some types of blades you can buy from your Grasshopper dealer.

1. Medium-Lift Blade:
   Medium-lift blades are ideal for mowing grass in dry conditions. These blades are perfect for your Grasshopper because it has the ability to discharge clippings from its side. These blades also make a good replacement for mulching systems that had medium lift blades when they were new. Consult your owner’s manual or Grasshopper dealer for more information about medium-lift blades.
2. Extreme High-Lift Notched Blade:
   If your Grasshopper mower has more than 23 horsepower and is liquid-cooled or air-cooled, this is the perfect blade to complement its features. These blades are designed to work with mowers that throw glass clipping to the side. If your lawn has grass that’s denser than most, then these blades will be ideal for your Grasshopper. However, it’s not recommended to use the blade when mulching vacuums or vacuums that use vacuum collection.
3. Contour Blade:
   Contour blades are ideal for cutting only about a third of each blade of grass’ height. It is highly detailed and perfect for cutting grass in soil that is sandy or dry. However, it doesn’t work quite as well with wet soil. But, if you use a contour blade in areas that are mowed regularly, you’ll likely be satisfied with the results.
4. High-Lift Notched Blade:
   This type of blade is probably the most versatile on this list. High-lift notched blades are considered to be good, all-purpose blades that can be used for most of the year. They can even be used in early spring when the soil is still wet. But, if your yard is significantly full or soaked, using the extreme version of this blade mentioned above is ideal because it’s a bit more advanced.

About 97% of real estate agents recommended landscaping as a top five home improvement recommendation responding that a homeowner can expect a 215% return on investment. But ultimately, there are many different types of blades you can use in your Grasshopper mower. If you have questions about blade types, consult your Grasshopper dealer. For more information about lawn beautification tools, contact Outback Heating of Virginia Inc.