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You know the mowing season is on when you feel uncomfortable with your lawn’s appearance. The mowing season calls for your A-game in lawn maintenance to have it in the best shape, and a lawn mower is the best tool for this job.
Before hitting the ground, you should ensure that your mower is in perfect form for a smooth workflow. The good news is that mower prepping is straightforward, especially if you are experienced in landscaping.
No need to worry if you are new to readying your equipment for lawn maintenance, as we will guide you on how to pull it through.
Your mower’s readiness for the task ahead depends on how you parked it after the last mowing session.
You don’t have to stress much if you have a new lawn mower, as most things are in order, though you should make minor tweaks for convenience. Oil moving parts, sharpen the blades if dull, adjust the deck, and you are good to go.
You need to put in more work for a used lawn mower. The following are the measures to abide by when prepping your used mower for fieldwork.
Some people prefer to clean the lawn mower before working on it, while others opt for washing as the last step. Both ways work fine, though working on a clean mower is easier.
Alternatively, you can eliminate minor stains, which can inconvenience your maintenance routine, and adequately clean the mower after completing the prep work.
Correct storage after previous use can save you from this step or make it easier. For instance, you won’t stress much if you use a lawn mower cover. Attend to the body, the engine, the deck, and other dirty areas.
This step helps you detect lawn mower anomalies. It is advisable to move it to an open area for hassle-free examination. Thorough probing reveals what the mower needs to get back to its best form. Additionally, you know which repair tools you need.
Running the mower’s engine is a critical part of the inspection, as you can point out issues with the battery, fuel supply, and other systems. Please take note of the ignition process, emissions, and general operation for effortless preparation.
Exercise utmost safety during this stage to prevent accidents. Have safety clothing and disconnect spark plugs when probing the engine and blades.
According to yardfloor.com, your mower’s electrical unit may need updating if you detect symptoms like a hard start. The battery is the hub of the electrical system, and it may fail to function, particularly after long periods of inactivity. Besides a troublesome ignition, you may also notice dimming lights and unresponsive accessories.
The problem may be low voltage, which you can address via jumpstarting. Old or worn-out batteries require frequent jumpstarting, which can be frustrating. Get a new battery to avoid this inconvenience.
How are the battery terminals? Clean corroded terminals, which you can tell by a whitish or bluish buildup. Replace the clamps with high-grade ones to prevent this complication’s recurrence.
The alternator, wires, fuses, or starter may need repairs or replacement depending on their state. You should unplug the battery if you won’t use the mower for a long time. Store the mower’s battery in a cool, dry, and safe place.
You should oil the moving parts of the mower for superior performance. Use high-quality lubricant for the engine to avoid problems like overheating and stalling. An oil change is necessary if the oil in the mower is old or contaminated.
Drain the bad oil and refill it with fresh one to avoid hiccups when tending to your lawn. While changing engine oil, check the state of the oil filter. Replace it if it is out of order.
Starting difficulties may point to a fuel system hitch. Sometimes, the trouble is as simple as low fuel, solvable by refilling.
Nevertheless, you may have adequate fuel, but the mower still acts up. You might experience this problem if you retire the mower with fuel in the tank. This is likely a case of fuel degradation, especially if the equipment was out of service for extended periods.
Get rid of the degraded fuel and clean the tank to eliminate contaminants. Use a fuel stabilizer the next time you park your mower to prevent a quality drop and fuel system wear.
Inspection portrays how stable the fuel system is. You might need professional help when troubleshooting components like the fuel pump. Make necessary upgrades for a smooth mowing session.
You can skip this step if you own an electric mower that’s powered by batteries.
The deck and the blades are responsible for a significant part of the lawn mower’s functionality. Remove any debris clogging the deck and test its height adjustment, ensuring it is seamless. Once done with the deck, you focus on the blades.
Sharpening mower blades improves their cutting power and balances them. Sharp and well-balanced cutters give a precise cut and won’t cause overloading or deck clogging, which may result in engine overheating.
Be careful when dealing with the cutters to prevent injuries. As mentioned, you must turn off the engine and unplug the spark plugs. Furthermore, wear protective gear like gloves and safety goggles when working on the blades.
Your grass cutter tires have low pressure after long periods of inactivity. Please do not use it in this state, as you may have a rough operating experience, an unsightly outcome, or damage to other parts.
Inflate flat tires and check for punctures. Small punctures are easy to fix, but you will need new tires if the holes are widespread.
The final step is to test the mower to see if your fixes were successful. If everything is good, then you are ready for the mowing season. However, you must return to the drawing board if you feel something is off.
A lawn mower is a handy and all-round arsenal for an unsightly yard. You must properly prep your mower after long periods away from yard work. This piece highlights measures to follow to ready your equipment for the task ahead.
Don’t forget to attend to components like spark plugs and filters, as they may affect your workflow. Also, don’t hesitate to ask for professional help if the maintenance is too much for you.
