Wednesday 22 May 2013

How To Look After Your Lawn Mower


Every time your cut your grass there will be regular things to check for as well as annual things which MUST be done to make sure your lawn mower is in top condition.

Most lawn mowers come with a manual which will guide you on how you should look after your mower correctly, we advise you familiarise yourself with your manual so you know what precautions you should take when undertaking any cleaning or maintenance.

Regular Maintenance

After mowing your lawn you will need to clean the underside, blade, chute and the wheels/rollers of your lawn mower this will stop an excess build of grass and dirt getting trapped. You can clean these compartments using either a hose or a stiff hand brush, just keep in mind to stay clear of the engine if you use a hose! If you do use water to clean the blades make sure you wipe any excess water off to avoid the risk of rusting.

You will need to thoroughly check all the nuts and bolts of your machine to make sure they are securely attached, you don’t want anything coming loose.

After every use check the blades for sharpness and dents, if your blade has more than a few dents then you should replace it in order to get the best performance out of your mower.

Annual  Maintenance

If you own an electric mower then a low level of maintenance is required, just make sure that your mower is thoroughly clean and that all the moving parts are well oiled.

However, if you own a petrol mower you will need to do several things: clean the filter, change the spark plug and replace the engine oil. You will also need to check any cables, chains and the wheels for any damage.

Finally, let’s discuss blades. If you own a rotary mower then you can sharpen the blade at home, sharpening a blade can be a tricky job and there are tool kits available to help you with the process. If you own a cylinder mower then sharpening the blade is a lot more difficult as you need to align the removable blade with the stationary one. We suggest you visit your local lawn mower specialist to assist you in sharpening or replacing your blade for a cylinder mower.