Lawn Mowing Service

Lawn mowing service is one of our more popular services, but we have some landscaping clients that prefer to handle the lawn mowing themselves. For that reason, we wanted to share 5 steps to get your mower ready for spring.

Your lawn mower works hard during the spring. It's imperative to make sure that the mower is ready to handle the season and last all spring, summer, and fall.

Before it’s time to start mowing, have your mower serviced professional, or if you’re handy, you can DIY prep your mower for spring.

1. Check The Spark Plug

   Remove the oil drain plug at the bottom of the engine and let the dirty oil run out into a container. When it's completely drained, replace the plug and refill the crankcase with the type and quantity of oil recommended in your owner's manual.

   Here are a few other tips for your spark plug:

   -Make sure nothing falls into the spark plug cylinder by cleaning around the plug before you remove it.

   -If the old plug is difficult to remove, use a spray to help loosen it (rather than brute force, which can damage the engine).

   -Set the gap on the new plug before installation.

   -Finger-tighten the new plug first, then use a plug wrench to gently tighten it down.

2. Check The Fuel Filter and Air Filter
   

   Worn fuel filters can cause poor fuel economy, hard starts, or a carburetor rebuild. Replace old fuel filters per manufacturer instructions.

   -Reduce gas spillage by clamping off the fuel line, releasing the clamps that hold the filter in place and plugging the filter inlet with the thumb of your gloved hand.

   -Pull the filter out of the outlet hose and install the new filter, pointing the fuel flow direction arrows toward the engine. Put the fuel line clamps back into place and un-pinch the fuel line.

    

3. Change The Oil

   Ensure that the oil is new and changed regularly each season.Remove the oil drain plug at the bottom of the engine and let the dirty oil run out into a container. When it's completely drained, replace the plug and refill the crankcase with the type and quantity of oil recommended in your owner's manual.

4. Clean The Mower Deck

   Remove the belt guards on the mower deck and clean out any grass clippings, dirt and debris. This buildup can damage belts and pulleys as it gets sucked up into the mower. Use an air compressor or leaf blower and a screwdriver to blow out and scrape away debris.

   Use a strong spray of water and, if necessary, a putty knife to remove any grass caked on the underside of the mower deck. Clean the top of the mower as well, using a rag or brush to get grass clippings, leaves, and other debris off the deck and out of crevices around the engine and wheels. Once it's clean, you can wax the deck to keep grass and dirt from sticking to it.

   Do this after every third mowing.

5. Sharpen The Blades

   A dull mower blade can shred the tips of your grass, causing your lawn to turn brown, so sharpen the blade at least once a year.

   Always remove it from the mower for sharpening. If the blade has large nicks in the cutting edge from hitting rocks or other debris, you should replace it. While the blade is off, it's a good time to clean the underside of the mower.

   Consider keeping a spare set of blades handy for easy replacement.

With proper maintenance, your lawnmower can last for many years. Regular mower maintenance will also give you a better-looking lawn and assure that the machine is ready for duty when you need it.

Now that your lawn mower is prepared, rake your lawn to remove any leaves or twigs to prevent any damage to your mower. And as always, if you need professional lawn mowing service, please contact us for a free quote!