Time to Tune up Your Lawn Mower
You knew it was going to happen. Warm weather, sunshine, and rain are working their magic on your lawn and the grass is growing like crazy. Whether you like it or not, you are going to have to start mowing soon.
Before you fill your lawn mower with gas and begin pulling on that handle, you should probably give the mower a tune up. It’s not that difficult, even for first timers.
- Safety First: Before you start to work on your lawn mower, disconnect and remove the spark plug. You won’t be able to accidentally start the mower and you will probably want to replace the spark plug anyways.
- Change the Oil: Tip the mower over and drain the oil into a container for later disposal. Refill the mower with the oil specified in your owner’s manual.
- Air Filter: Clean or replace the mower’s air filter.
- Sharpen the Blade: If the blade has nicks, replace the blade. A dull blade can tear the grass instead of cutting it; leading to browning of the grass.
- Eliminate Squeaks: Be sure to lubricate the mower’s moving parts like the wheel bearings. Your owner’s manual will show you which parts need to be lubricated.
- Reinstall the Spark Plug: When you are finished, replace or re-install the spark plug.
Regular maintenance of your lawn mower will ensure that the mower operates at peak performance and will last for years to come. Happy mowing!