A lawn mower, whether electric or petrol, requires periodic inspections just like any mechanical device. It is a fundamental piece of gardening equipment, so proper lawn mower maintenance should become a routine for every lawn owner. The end of the season is a good time to carry out these tasks. An inspection ensures that the device will be functional and ready for safe operation after the winter break.
When carrying out inspection activities, follow the manufacturer’s detailed recommendations contained in the user manual. Remember to also observe hourly or seasonal maintenance periods. Working in unfavourable conditions requires more frequent maintenance than stated below. Only correct protection and lawn mower maintenance for winter guarantees trouble-free starting of the equipment during the first mow of the season. Before proceeding with maintenance, be sure to disconnect the high-voltage lead from the spark plug or unplug the power cord from the socket if you are using an electric mower.
Housing maintenance
The first step should be a thorough cleaning of the equipment – both from the top and the bottom. The device should be thoroughly cleaned of remaining grass and soil. Pay particular attention to the internal part of the mower, where the most debris usually collects. You can use a compressor, a garden hose, or a simple brush for this purpose. However, avoid using a pressure washer, as the strong water jet could damage delicate mower components.
Remember to protect the underside of the mower against corrosion after cleaning. Furthermore, the throttle and engine start cables should be thoroughly cleaned and lubricated. This ensures their smooth operation without noticeable sticking.
Sharpening and balancing the cutting blade
Nothing harms grass as much as cutting with a blunt blade. Its tips become ragged and yellowed, which encourages water loss and the development of diseases. Furthermore, a blunt blade can easily pull grass out of the ground. After mowing, the lawn looks felted and faded. What’s more, mowing with unbalanced blades can cause damage to the mower engine and also causes vibrations throughout the device, thus greatly reducing working comfort.
While you can check the condition of the blades yourself (obviously wearing protective gloves and with the spark plug lead removed), sharpening and balancing the blades requires special equipment. If you do not have it, the help of specialists at a service centre will be necessary.
Spark plug replacement
The role of a spark plug is to generate an electrical spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture. A malfunctioning spark plug causes rough engine operation and difficulty starting the lawnmower. It can also lead to engine damage and, consequently, expensive repairs.
First, the spark plug should be removed and cleaned of all debris. A standard wire brush is suitable for this. However, to ensure proper operation of the mower engine, the spark plug should be replaced at least once a year. It is best to perform this task along with other maintenance activities.
Air filter cleaning
Did you know that a dirty, sandy, or wet air filter contributes to financial losses? It is responsible for efficient combustion, so when it remains contaminated, the engine consumes excessive amounts of fuel. In extreme situations, disruptions in the smooth operation of the power unit may also occur due to increased air intake resistance. This can lead to the mower stalling. Filters remain effective for many years, but you must remember to clean them annually.
If the mower has a paper air filter, it should be cleaned by tapping it against a hard surface. A foam air filter should be removed, washed in soapy water, and after drying, soaked in oil and reinstalled.
Fuel system maintenance
A petrol mower stored without use for more than 30 days should be protected and drained of fuel before restarting. In this way, you will protect it from gumming up the fuel system or essential carburettor parts.
If a small amount remains in the fuel tank, it is enough to burn it off by letting the mower run until the fuel is completely consumed. If there is more, it should be poured into a canister, and then the remaining residues should be burned off. Sometimes simply draining the fuel is not enough and the entire fuel system needs to be thoroughly inspected and cleaned.
Engine oil change
The main function of engine oil is to protect the engine from mechanical wear associated with the phenomenon of friction. Friction generates heat, and heat leads to even greater wear of metal parts and disrupts the operation of moving parts. Engine operation and the combustion process cause the oil to lose its properties, making it unable to effectively lubricate and cool engine components. The two basic reasons for this state of affairs are the accumulation of contaminants and the loss of additive properties.
Engine oil should be replaced before the additives completely lose their properties and before the level of contamination causes engine damage. It is best to deal with this immediately after burning off the fuel, while the engine is still warm. Some mowers have oil drain plugs. However, if your model does not have this feature, old oil can be sucked out through the filler cap.
Lawn mower maintenance plan
The lawn mower maintenance described above should be performed at least once a season. However, to properly care for the equipment, you should remember a few more rules and maintenance activities. We will present them in a few simple points:
- Before each engine start, check the oil level and top up to the maximum if necessary.
- Change the oil after the first 8 hours of operation.
- Every 8 hours of operation or daily, check the oil level and clean the area around the silencer, linkages, and springs.
- Every 25 hours of operation or every season, change the oil, clean the air filter pre-cleaner, and sharpen and balance the cutting blade.
- Every season or after 50 hours of operation, change the oil and check and clean the spark arrester, if equipped.
- Every 100 hours of operation or every season, clean the cardboard air filter and clean the engine cooling system.
- Every season, replace the spark plugs and fuel filter and check the valve clearance.
Now you know how proper lawn mower maintenance should proceed! If you are looking for advice on correct grass mowing, click here.