Get Your Mower Ready

Published April 9, 2004

The arrival of spring begins the lawn mowing season and often times we neglect the most crucial tool in a good lawn maintenance program: the lawn mower. Here are a few tips for preparing your lawn mower for the up coming season.

• Change the oil. Changing the oil will prolong the life of your mower and help prevent gum deposits that cause premature wear.
• Keep a sharp blade. Sharpening the blade will improve the overall visual quality of your lawn. Dull blades on your mower will cause the grass blades to be torn rather than cut and will give you lawn a brownish appearance. Torn leaf blades are ideal places for diseases to enter the plant.
• Change the spark plug. Changing the spark plug is also a good idea to help in the ease of starting.
• Keep your mower clean. Spraying a non-stick additive like Pam under the mower deck will help keep the clippings from accumulating under the deck and will make it easier to wash off the debris.
• Clean the filter. Replace the air filter at least once a year. If the air cleaner gets dirty it will adversely affect your mowers performance.
When Mowing... Remember never cut off then 1/3 of the leaf at any time when mowing.
• Practice safety. Always read and follow your safety instructions when servicing your lawn mower.

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