Lawn Mower Maintenance Guide

If you like to take care of your yard, you need to make sure that you’ve got the right tools for the job. The main equipment you’ll rely on is your lawn mower, so it’s crucial to keep it in excellent shape. T&E Small Engine is here with some important tips about lawn mower maintenance. If you want to prolong the lifespan of your machine, the best thing you can do is keep up with routine maintenance. We’ve created this guide with pointers to get you started. Read on to learn more. If you’d like assistance with lawn mower service in Floyd, VA, we’d be happy to help. We’re located near Roanoke and Christiansburg, so get in touch with us today!

Lubricate Mower Parts

One of the most important maintenance tasks you’ll need to tend to is lubrication. Your mower engine has an oil reservoir, which keeps the pistons and the crankshaft well lubricated. Check the oil as you would in your passenger vehicle. Insert the dipstick, remove it, wipe it off, and reinsert it. Remove the dipstick once more and check the reading.

Depending on where the oil falls on the dipstick, it might be time for a new batch. If the oil is discolored or sludgy, you’ll also need to change it. If you find that the oil is in good condition, you can simply top off the tank and move on to the next task. You want to confirm that your oil is free of water, metal shavings, and other problematic impurities.

Clean the Undercarriage

Another thing you’ll need to take care of is the undercarriage. Your machine should be free of debris, which will prevent clogs and overheating. A dirty undercarriage that’s covered in clippings, mud, or other debris won’t perform as well as a clean one. Tip your mower upward and clean it out by hand. You should regularly check the undercarriage to see if it needs cleaning before you start your machine.

Replace the Spark Plugs

You might not think about it, but you put your lawn mower through a lot. Each time you start your engine and use your machine to tackle routine maintenance, it experiences long periods of intense uptime. There’s also a solid period of downtime during the offseason. This ends up doing a real number on your spark plugs, so you’ll need to change those every year or two to maintain good performance. Check to see if your spark plugs are pre-gapped. If not, you’ll need to use a special tool called a plug gap. This will allow you to set your spark plug’s spark gap to the proper width.

If you have questions or need assistance finding the right equipment to help you maintain your lawn, be sure to give us a call. The team at T&E Small Engine would be happy to assist you in your search. We offer a wide variety of lawn mowers for sale in Floyd, Virginia. We’re also proud to serve all those in Roanoke and Christiansburg.