Share Lawn Mower Maintenance - Getting Your Mower Ready for Spring
As winter fades and the first signs of spring appear, it’s time to bring your lawnmower out of storage. Whether you've got a petrol or electric mower, it pays to make sure it's in good working order and prepared for the mowing season ahead.
Topics
- Visual Check
- Cleaning Your Lawn Mower
- Blade Maintenance
- Check Electrics
- Lawn Mower Engine
- Storage & Garden Security
Visual Check
NOTE - Before you do anything else, make absolutely sure your mower's power is disabled. That means taking the battery out of electric mowers and removing the spark plug from petrol mowers.
Ok, first job is to inspect your mower to identify any obvious issues that may have developed during storage or from wear and tear during the previous year. Here are some things to look out for.
Physical Damage
Look for obvious physical damage such as cracks or rust, especially on your mower’s blades, deck and handles. With electric mowers, check the cord is not compromised, frayed or split.
Wheels & Rollers
Ensure the wheels are secure and move freely. The same applies if your mower has rollers. Clear any dried grass or dirt and lubricate the axles with light oil if they feel stiff.
Blade Issues
Dull blades or damaged blades can tear grass instead of cutting it cleanly, which can harm your lawn. Remove the blades (if possible) and check for nicks, dings and excessive wear. If they’re dull, sharpen them. If they’re damaged, replace them.
Cleaning Your Lawn Mower
A clean mower is a happy mower. Dirt, grass and debris can cause rust, blockages or even damage to moving parts, especially if you didn’t prepare your mower for winter storage. Let’s go through what to look for when cleaning your mower.
Underside Debris
Dry grass clippings and debris can accumulate under the mower deck, in the blade casing. Clean it away thoroughly with a brush or scraper.
Throttle Cable and Handle
With petrol mowers inspect the throttle cable for fraying or damage along its complete length and replace if necessary.
For all mowers, inspect the handle for rust. Light rust can be removed using a medium-grit sandpaper, wet and dry, steel wool or a smaller wire brush – use touch-up paint or spray to finish any smoothed spots. For heavier rust, try a rust removal gel.
Double-check the handle adjustments. Ensure handle bolts are tightened securely to avoid issues when the mower is back in use. Lubricate any handles or pivot points to maintain smooth operation and to help prevent rust forming in future.
Blade Maintenance
If you didn't check your mower's blades before you stored it for winter, it's important to check them now for sharpness or any damage you may have missed last year.
Sharp blades are essential for a clean cut. Very blunt blades can tear grass, leaving it vulnerable to discolouration and giving your lawn a ragged look when cut. Check your mower’s blades to make sure they’re in tip-top condition for a well-manicured, healthy lawn. If the blades do need work you should begin by removing them from the mower.
Removing the Blades
If your mower allows it, remove the blades for maintenance, sharpening or even replacement if they’re damaged.
Use a wrench to loosen the bolt holding the blade in place. Carefully lift the blade away from the mower and place it on a work bench or sturdy table ready for attention.
Check to see if there's any twine or string snagged arounund the blade spindle. This can be quite common as the mower picks stuff up from your lawn. Cleaning and clearing this area of your mower will allow a rotary mower blade to spin freely
Rotary Blades
Once the blades are removed, check to see if there's any twine or string snagged around the blade spindle. This can be quite common as the mower picks stuff up from your lawn as it cuts. Clearing and cleaning this area will allow the blade to spin more freely.
Check the blade’s cutting edge. If it’s been dinged or chipped by hitting stones on your lawn or seems particularly blunt, you can tidy it up using an angle grinder.
When using an angle grinder to sharpen the blades, follow the original angle of the blades’ cutting edges, ensuring both sides are sharpened evenly.
Mower blades don't need to be ‘razor sharp’ to cut grass. The point is to have a straight an edge as possible at the correct angle.
NOTE – Don’t use a standard grinder disc for this job. It will grind the blade too heavily, ruining the blade’s cutting angle. Use a flap disc instead. They remove much less material so are easier on the cutting edge. And eye protection is a must when using a grinder.
You can of course use a hand file to sharpen up your blades. If they are in good condition and just need light work, then use a fine file. If there are dings in the blade, begin with a coarse file and finish with a fine file. When filing, make sure you blades are well secured using a vice or clamp.
NOTE – Always wear protective gloves when working with blades.
Blade Balancing
After sharpening, check the balance of the blades by placing a screw driver shaft or similar through the blades’ centre screw and holding horizontally. Let the blades move freely. If one side is heavier, work it down little by little until the blades balance.
Reinstall the Blades
Once the blades are sharp and balanced, reattach them to the mower. Tighten the bolt securely. It's worth noting that rotary mowers are designed to tighten the blade as it spins, so as long as it's tightly secured in place, don't worry about it working loose.
Cylinder Blades
Cleaning a cylinder blade is as straight forward as a rotary blade, clearing dried grass and debris, making sure it turns freely.
But here’s the thing with cylinder blades, they are not only more difficult to maintain than rotary blades, the blade cylinder can become warped. That means it won’t cut evenly as it turns against the bottom cutting bar.
Correcting this isn’t really a DIY job, so unless you are experienced with cylinder blades, you should seek the help of a professional lawn mower service centre.
Check Electrics
Electric mowers are generally easier to maintain than petrol mowers, but they still need attention after winter storage
Inspect the Power Cord
For corded electric mowers, check the power cord for fraying, splits or cuts. Also ensure it connects properly to the mower and that the plug isn’t damaged. If you find any issues, replace the cord before using the mower.
Check the Battery
If your mower has a battery, check the terminals are clean and debris free for a better electrical connection. Ensure the battery is fully charged. If it isn’t holding a charge or is old, consider getting a replacement.
Lawn Mower Engine
Petrol powered mowers require a bit more attention than electric mowers, especially when it comes to the engine and fuel system.
Check the Fuel
If you left petrol in the fuel tank over winter, it may have gone stale. Stale fuel can cause starting problems, so it’s best to drain old fuel and replace it with fresh petrol. If you added a fuel stabiliser before winter storage, the fuel may still be usable, but it’s worth checking.
Inspect Engine Oil
Check the oil level using the dipstick. If it’s low, top it up with the recommended oil type. If the oil looks dirty or hasn’t been changed in a while, an oil change may be needed to keep your mower running well.
Replacing the Air Filter
A clogged air filter can reduce engine performance. Remove the filter and inspect it. If it’s dirty or damaged, replace it with a new one. Foam air filters can be washed and dried, while paper filters should be replaced. Always replace like-for-like.
Check the Spark Plug
Remove the spark plug and inspect it for signs of excessive wear or corrosion. If it’s damaged, replace it with a new one. This small part can make a big difference to how easily your mower starts, or indeed if it starts at all.
Starter Cord
If your petrol mower has a starter cord, check it's in good order. Look out for cord fraying and that it's securely connected to the pull grip.
Take Your Mower for a Spin
When you have finished your mower's spring maintenance, take it out and test it on a smaller patch of your lawn. Make sure it's cutting the grass satisfactorily and that there are no unusual noises or vibrations. Address any issues before continuing. For major problems, call a lawn mower service professional.
Storage & Garden Security
It’s important to make sure your lawn mower is stored throughout the year in a secure place. This may be a garage, so will be very secure as part of your house. But if you store your mower in a garden shed or storage box, make sure you use a heavy duty padlock for maximum security.
For added home security ensure the entrance(s) to your garden are secure with sturdy, secured gates. Also consider installing motion sensor lighting.
Final Thought
Taking the time to make sure your mower is in good working order when you bring it out of winter storage will reduce the risk of problems during the coming year.
Remember, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using and maintaining your lawn mower. For a range of garden hardware and tools, visit Hiatt Hardware.