Lawn Mower Maintenance Is Critical

If properly maintained, a lawn mower can provide years of service and keep a lawn looking beautiful. Compared to lawn care equipment of only a generation ago, today’s lawn mowers are easier to operate and more user friendly than ever.

Nevertheless, many home owners either forget or postpone regular preventative maintenance and, in the best case scenario, don’t get the professional looking lawn they seek. Or, in the worst case, find themselves looking at costly repairs or even replacing the mower long before its lifespan should have ended.

Whether the lawn mower is the riding variety or a walk-behind, the most important preventative maintenance chore is keeping the oil fresh and filled to the recommended level. In fact, checking the oil in a mower before each use is possibly more important than checking a car’s oil level regularly. Lawn mower engines run at a very high rpm, and since most have no auxiliary cooling system, internal temperatures can reach critical levels very quickly. And, just as it is important to make sure the oil level remains as full as recommended, it is equally important to not overfill it. Oil level is a fine balance in small internal combustion engines.

As far as getting the best grass cutting results, a sharp blade and properly inflated tires are crucial. If tires are unevenly inflated, the result will be obvious after just a few passes across the lawn. A mower with improperly inflated tires will give the lawn an uneven appearance that no homeowner would want. At the same time, a blade that has become dull from hitting dirt or rocks, such as in anthills, or simply worn down from normal use, will also result in a less than desirable look to the lawn. Blades should be checked regularly before and during the mowing season, and sharpened as needed. Blades that become bent from misuse should be replaced as soon as possible.

Power mowers have made lawn care easier, or even fun, but even the best mower will not perform up to its potential without proper upkeep.