How to Maintain a Power Mower

Keeping you mower sharp, lubricated and well maintained will prolong its life and give you a better-looking lawn.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Motor Oil
• Motor Oil
• 3-in-1 Oil
• Metal Files
• Wrenches

1. Read the owner's manual to check for specific maintenance procedures.

2. Remove and sharpen lawn mower blades, or have them sharpened at a mower repair shop, at least once a year.

3. Change the oil and oil filter according to manufacturer's instructions.

4. Lubricate moving parts as needed.

5. Tighten bolts and connections when necessary.

6. Keep the mower clean, removing built-up grass below the rotary blade deck.

7. Drain gasoline before storing the mower for winter in cold climates.

Tips & Warnings

• Your lawn will tell you when your mower needs to be sharpened. Blades of grass will have ragged, torn edges after cutting, and the lawn will pick up a brownish straw cast shortly after mowing.
• Reel mowers should be sharpened at a lawn mower repair shop.
• Failing to follow manufacturer's maintenance instructions can shorten the life of the mower or cause costly damage.

[groundchuck]

on 6/16/2007 Lawn mower info - If your looking for parts or information for your lawn mower http:www.johnfvining.com has lots of useful info: v-belts sizes, engine specs, links to parts diagrams, etc.

on 11/22/2005 not all spark plugs are pre-gapped for lawn mowers and such, make sure you check and adjust the gap to manufacturers specs when doing your own service. (often spark plugs are gapped to suit automotive needs.

on 11/22/2005 Prior to winter storage, wash off all debris and dust, empty gas tank & then crank the motor to burn the excess gas, drain the oil and replace it with new oil, clean the old spark plug or buy a new one for $1.20.