Its Almost Time to Get the Lawn Mower Out Again!

With spring just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about your favorite warm-weather activity: Cutting the grass!

While calling it your favorite may (or may not) be an exaggeration, nothing beats the sight and feeling of having a nice, well-cut lawn. Here’s a quick mower tuneup guide to what you can do to get your lawnmower prepared for the warm weather ahead. If you need any local and professional lawn care services in Lawrence, KS, Kansas City, Tulsa, Springfield, Wichita, KS or St. Louis, MO, give Ryan Lawn a call!

Check the Spark Plug 

Any time that you work on your mower, you’re first supposed to remove the spark plug. When you’re done working on the mower, consult the owner’s manual for recommendations on how often you need to replace the spark plug. You may need to install a new one to make sure that it starts promptly like it’s supposed to.

Clean the Air Filter

With all the dust that gets kicked up, it’s easy for air filters to become clogged. That’s why it’s important to make sure it’s clean when for when the season starts. If you have a foam air filter, just clean it out. But if your mower has a paper filter, you’ll want to replace it.

Change the Oil

The oil drain plug is usually on the bottom of the engine. Remove it, then drain the dirty oil into a container. After it’s been drained, put the plug back in and fill the crankcase with new oil. If you’re unsure of which oil your mower takes, consult the manual. You can do a quick online search to find .pdf’s of most manuals.

Sharpen the Blades

Remove the blades (consult the instruction manual) and sharpen them with a metal file. Most hardware stores will be happy to sharpen them for you, as well. Watch out for numerous large chips in the blade, as they signal the need for a replacement.

Remove Caked-Up Grass 

As you cut grass, the moisture in the grass causes it to stick to the underside of the mower. If it builds up enough, it can cause the blade to stop, which makes the engine stall. Use your hand or a putty knife to remove this caked-up grass and ensure a nice, smooth cutting experience. Doing this while the blades are removed makes for an easier time.

Lubricate

Any time there is friction (movement) in a machine, it is wear-and-tear. You can minimize the amount done to your lawnmower by lubricating its moving parts. Be sure to wipe up excess oil.

Add New Gas

When it comes time to cut the grass, don’t forget that gas that has been sitting for 30 days or more should be replaced, as it can cause problems in the engine.

Check Your Blade Height

You may think “shorter is better” when it comes to the lawn. But grass that is cut too short becomes weak and can die or be torn out over time. We recommend a blade height of about 1 inch for lawns.

Get Mowing!

Well, soon at least. Though we’re still a little ways out from that warm weather we’re all craving, if you’ve taken these steps, you can rest assured that your lawnmower will be ready to perform when that grass starts getting tall.