Some Quick Tips for Ensuring Your Lawn Mower is Always in Good Repair

A heavy-duty, quality lawnmower should run for years without needing major repairs, but of course you want to ensure you're doing everything possible to keep it in good condition. How you maintain your lawnmower every year will probably go a long way toward avoiding otherwise unnecessary repairs and replacement of parts, and also ensure that the mower can do its best to cut your grass quickly and successfully. Note a few simple but very important tips for ensuring your lawnmower is in good repair and always working optimally.

Clean the battery and terminal

If your mower's battery and battery terminal get acid on them, this can lead to corrosion and a loss of starting power. A buildup of debris such as grass clipping and leaves on the terminals can also mean misfiring, and this puts added wear and tear on the parts as you try to get the mower started. Clean the battery and battery terminal or terminals as needed, and especially after the mower has been sitting for any length of time in storage as this can allow debris to settle into the areas around the terminal.

Drain the fuel tank

Allowing fuel to sit in the tank for the winter season or for several weeks can mean allowing sediment to build up in the fuel. In turn, when you do start the mower, this sediment gets circulated in the fuel lines and in the engine itself. The fuel can also thicken over time and this too puts added wear and tear on the engine, carburetor, and other such parts. It's important that you drain the fuel tank as often as recommended by the manufacturer and before you store a mower for the winter, and start with a fresh tank of fuel as needed.

Clean the mower before and after the mowing season

Before you store the mower, clean it of grass clippings and other sediment on the underside. This will keep them from holding moisture on the blades and encouraging rust to form. Before the mowing season, note if rust has formed and be sure to sand it down. You always want to remove the cover to the housing for the engine and note if anything is nesting inside, including mice and other such pests. Remove any debris that may have collected while the mower was stored, oil the moving parts and recommended by the manufacturer, and ensure the blades are sharp before you begin using the mower.


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