Caring For Your Mower

It doesn't matter that you've neglected your lawn mower well into the season. Start caring for it now! First, install fresh spark plugs. They're inexpensive enough to replace rather than clean or gap.
If your mower has a paper air filter, give that a complete replacement, too. For foam air filters, buy new mower replacement foam and soak it oil before installing.

Dull blades harm lawns. Ripped out chunks of grass are highly vulnerable to a myriad of lawn diseases. Either remove the blade with a socket wrench, hone it with a file (following the existing cutting angle), or take it to a lawn-care shop for professional sharpening.

It's just good sense before doing any of this work to run the mower until it runs completely out of gas. Turn the mower filter-side up (to prevent clogging) and drain the oil. Be sure to remove the plug or plug wire to keep the mower from firing up while you're up to your elbows in machinery.
Be sure the tires are fully inflated – especially with riding mowers. Under-inflated tires on a riding mower can cause what we, in our family, usually refer to as crop circles – unevenly mowed patches that resemble that otherworld phenomenon that some people think exist.
Tuning Up Your Mower
At the beginning of the mowing season, you should ideally perform a tune-up on your machine. What does that entail? Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1.Warm up the engine. Put just enough gas in the gas tank to get your lawn mower running. Start your engine and let it run until it runs out of gas.

2.Disconnect the spark plug wire so that the engine can’t start accidentally.

3.Change the oil using the following procedure:

a.Make sure you purchase the right type of oil for your replacement oil.

b.Clean off any dirt around the upper part of the oil tank (where you fill your machine with oil). An old toothbrush comes in handy for this task. Unscrew and remove the dipstick, if your oil tank has one.

c.Now locate the lower side of your oil tank – a plug found on the underside of your machine. You need to drain out the old oil, and unscrewing this plug will do just that.

Prop up your machine accordingly with blocks, providing a tilt that will give you access to the plug. Stick an oil pan or like container under the plug to catch the oil. Ready?

Okay, unscrew the plug (you may need a socket wrench) by turning counter-clockwise and let that dirty oil pour out. And I do mean dirty: obviously, you don’t want to have your “Sunday best” on when performing a lawn mower tune-up!

d.Screw the drain plug back on using a clockwise motion. Don’t over-tighten; so that you’ll be able to get it off easily next time you need a lawn mower tune-up.

Rather than over-tightening when you work on your machine, it’s better to tighten moderately, and then periodically check during the mowing season to ensure that it hasn’t loosened through vibrations.

e.If your machine has an oil filter, replace it as part of the lawn mower tune-up and clean the gasket with which it comes into contact.

f.Remove the blocks so that your machine is level again.

g.Fill the oil tank with new oil to the correct level, replacing cap and dipstick.

h.Refill lawn mower with gas and reconnect spark plug wire.

i.At this point in the lawn mower tune-up, it's time to start the machine. Let the engine idle and ensure that there are no oil leaks.

4.Change the spark plugs as follows:

a.Clean the housing around the old spark plug.

b.Remove the old spark plug with socket wrench.

c.Unfortunately, at this point you’ll have to check the blasted manual again (don’t you just hate that?) What you need to do is ensure that the new spark plug is gapped the way it’s supposed to be for your machine.

Just measure the gap and see if the measurement matches the manufacturer's specifications for your machine. If it doesn’t match (or if there’s no gap at all), you’ll have to create/alter the gap.

d.Screw on the new spark plug (not too tight!).

5.Figure out what type of air filter you have: paper or foam. Paper will be replaced, foam will be cleaned
Changing a Paper Filter:
a.Unscrew the cover and remove the paper air filter.

b.Insert a new filter with the pleat facing out

c.Screw the cover back on.
Cleaning a Foam Filter:
a.Unscrew the cover

b.Remove the air filter unit and discard the old foam.

c.Clean the air filter unit with kerosene.

d.Soak the new piece of foam in clean engine oil. Squeeze out excess oil using a clean rag.

e.Insert new foam in air filter. Ensure the lip protrudes over the edge of the unit.

f.Screw the cover back on.
6.Connect the new spark plug and VOILA! You’re done!

Winterizing Your Mower
You should also take precautions at the end of the season to properly winterize your mower if you live in an area where cold weather is a problem.
Preparing a lawn mower for winter storage is easy to do with 7 simple steps. Not only will proper winterizing save you money and frustration, winter maintenance will also reduce emissions next spring. A lawn mower in good working condition is both safer and better for your lawn.
Winterizing mowers takes several steps, including draining the gas, cleaning the mower, replacing air filters, and changing the oil. When not properly maintained, lawn mowers can not only be frustrating and costly but also damaging to the environment and unsafe. Older mowers, especially those that haven’t been properly maintained, do not perform as well and may be dangerous.
Following these easy maintenance steps for your lawn mower this winter will save you time and frustration with lawn mower repairs next spring:
Drain the gas out of the tank

Clean the undercarriage with a brush and hot soapy water, making sure to rinse well

Sharpen the blade and spray it with a light coating of WD40

Replace the air filter

Change the oil

With the spark plug removed, apply a drop of oil into the sparkplug hole

Lube the cables and throttle control

Store your mower in a sheltered area
Next year, always check the undercarriage and in the discharge chute and bag for critters that may have decided to use your lawn mower as a winter get-away. It’ll save both you and the critters from a lot of discomfort.
This book is about lawn care, but part of having a beautiful lawn is having an aesthetically pleasing look in front of your house. In the next section, we’ll give you some tips on landscaping to enhance your lawn.

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