Lawn Mower Maintenance
CBS The Early Show, Exterior, Featured, Lawn Mowers, Lawn and Garden by Danny Lipford
There was a time when lawn work was looked on as strictly the guy’s job. In fact, it often took the strength of Hercules to pull the crank cord a minimum of 10-12 times just to start the darn machine! Long gone are those days, though, as the lawn mower has evolved into a tool that any gender can operate with ease. You may think, however, that maintaining your mower is still a job best left for the man of the house. This, too, is simply not the case.
It’s very easy to take care of your mower; and, with some new innovations, yard work can actually be a fun chore. I’ll share with you some tips and tricks in keeping your yard picture-perfect and look at some of the great new mowers on the market to make life outside a lot easier.
1-2-3 Maintenance
At the start of the season, usually Spring, there are three main areas to focus on when it comes to lawn mower maintenance:
- Change the oil: Even if you don’t think it needs it, do it! The oil should be changed at the beginning of every season. Over the course of the cutting season, dirt and other impurities will collect in the oil and those things will ruin an engine. Check with your mower’s owner’s manual for the proper procedure.
- Change the spark plug: That little space at the end of the plug where the metal end bends at a 90 degree angle is called the gap. Many manufacturers are now packaging new plugs with the gap pre-set, so it’s as simple as removing the old and installing the new. However, it’s still a good idea to double-check the gap with an inexpensive spark plug gap tool just in case. Many people like to change the plug every year so you’re starting every cutting season with a new spark plug.
- Clean the air filter: If the filter in your mower is an accordion-style paper type, simply remove the filter cover and blow out all the debris with a high-pressure air hose. This works well with an air filter that looks like . If the filter is made from foam, wash it in a water and detergent solution, let it dry, and apply a few drops of oil to it. In some rare cases, you may need to replace the filter, but most of the time, a simple cleaning will do.
Blades
I have separated the blade from regular maintenance, because this is more than just a standard upkeep. It takes a little extra effort to remove the blade and sharpen or replace the blade. Every year, though, this should be done prior to the first cutting. You need to have a sharp blade when cutting grass, otherwise it doesn’t cut the grass but, tears it instead, which can lead to a diseased lawn. Before removing the blade, be sure to detach the spark plug wire to prevent the mower from accidently starting. Then tilt the mower up and use a wrench
to loosen the bolt that holds the blade on by turning it counter clockwise.
Sharpening a blade can be done with a metal file, sharpening stone, or a motorized grinder. Regardless of the method used, follow the existing beveled edge on the blade by passing the file over the blade in the same direction each time. An even easier way to sharpen the blade is to use a small grinding attachment for your cordless drill. Just place the blade in a bench vice and you can hone the edge with no trouble.
Mowers
Push Mowers
For a small yard, a simple push mower is perfect. While some homeowners use push mowers to take care of a large yards, it takes several hours of work and defeats the whole purpose of making the chore easier. Don’t rush out and get the least expensive one, though. Remember, the whole point is to make yard work easier. A cheap mower won’t cut it, if you’ll pardon the pun. A larger cutting deck is a good feature. Many small mowers start at around 19”, but 21” is better. Also, think about how easy it is to crank and the type of bagging attachment (a rear bagger is easier to maneuver).
Battery powered cordless models are becoming more and more popular. Not only are they quieter and more environmentally friendly than gas powered models, but cordless electric mowers greatly reduce the maintenance needed, since they don’t need oil changes, spark plugs, or air filters.
Riding Mowers
For a large yard, riding mowers are the toy of preference. Professional services use ZTR (Zero Turn Radius) mowers, which can turn on a dime. The new ZTR’s are a work of art focusing not only on performance, but also on comfort and style. They can include shock absorbers, larger wheels for a more comfortable ride, cushy seat with armrests and even cup holders! The biggest drawback for many homeowners is trying to operate the ZTR’s with the two separate directional levers.
The cutting decks for riding mowers start at 42”. While most homeowners don’t need one that’s too big, a 48”-50” model is ideal. If you want the “cool factor” of a ZTR with the convenience of a traditional tractor, consider Cub Cadet’s iSeries Zero Turn Tractors. They have a traditional steering wheel while still giving zero turn radius.
Cutting Tips
Here are a few quick tips that will keep your lawn looking great:
- Don’t cut wet grass: Aside from having a tendency to clog the machine and leave clumps of wet grass all over the yard, wet grass won’t cut easily. It tears, just as it does with a dull blade.
- Set the cutting height to at least 1½”: Taller grass will hold moisture better and will also allow the root system to “grab hold” of the soil better, which means a healthier lawn.
- Don’t mow in the same direction every time you cut: For example, one week mow north to south. The next week, mow east to west. This prevents ruts from forming in the yard and also lets the grass grow thicker.
- Use a grass catcher for the first cut and last cut of the season: Use the mulching feature the rest of the time to reduce yard waste and add nutrients back into the yard.
Finally, if you need just a little more incentive to spend a day in the yard, remember this. According to the Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, you can burn over 350 calories every hour you spend behind a push mower! Now that’s a great workout with added benefits!
12 Comments on “Lawn Mower Maintenance”
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May 20th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
i purchased a cub cadet l8 HP LT 10-40 AND I MOW A GOOD ONE AND 3 QUARTERS YARDS AND TO ME THE MOWER AND JOB IT DOES IS PERFECT……I JUST MUST SAY TO YOU AND BUILDERS… THANK – YOU
June 25th, 2007 at 9:37 am
thanks for the insight concerning wet grass. was about to cut mine while wet until i read your article. will wait until the ground is dry.
July 4th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
I wish you had a “printer-friendly” function here. Great info and needed to take it with me to the garage to do the work.
Nicholas Roussos Says:July 5th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Barbara,
I adjusted the print style sheet so that you can just go to File->Print on any page, and it should print out really well for you.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:10 am
[...] Lawn Mower Maintenance [...]
May 11th, 2008 at 10:01 am
A vehicle passed one side of my Honda rear wheel drive, self propelled walk behind mower. The resulting damages are one wobbling rear wheel which I am unable to take it out. The bolt fastened to the wheel is loose but can’t take it out either. Is it possible to DIY? Many thanks.
jonb
May 18th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
We just bought our first house and are on the hunt for a mower! we would like to be as eco friendly as possible but still have ease getting the job done. What are our best choices for mowers under $300 as you mentioned above? Thanks! Bella.
June 24th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Just purchased a self propelled Honda and the third time using the self propelled feature, it just stopped working. Now it just grinds when you try to use it. I mow without using it and my son likes to use that feature. Is there any way I can DIY than taking it to a serviceman?
September 21st, 2008 at 7:06 am
I need to change the back wheels on my lawnmower but I can’t figure out how to get the old ones off. There is cap type lug nut that I thought I would just unscrew but I can’t get it off. The rod or axle that the wheels are turn when I turn counter clockwise. The mower moves when I turn clockwise.
November 14th, 2008 at 5:23 am
My Honda mower (model HRB 475 SME) has a starter rope (lead)that frequently needs replacing. This costs a fortune to get the service guy to replace it.
Can you tell how to replace it myself? I do not have a manual.
Many thanks for your help.
Thom
March 23rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
I have a honda lawnmower it started fine but the blade is not turning what could be the problem.
June 5th, 2009 at 11:02 am
I put diesel fuel instead of regular gas in my push mower. I mowed the whole yard before I noticed it. What should I do now and what kind of damage did I probably do to the mower? Thanks, Lori