It’s the most wonderful time of the year — mowing season. With spring starting to shine through, it’s finally time to dust off your mower and continue your quest for the best-looking lawn in the neighborhood. Here are four easy tips on how to get your mower prepared for the long season ahead.
Cleaning – The first step to a sharp-looking cut? A sharp-looking mower. Grab a shop towel or some low-pressure air and get to work removing any dried grass or dirt from the exterior of your mower. Scrape the underside of your deck – a plastic ice scraper is perfect - and, if you don’t want your hard work to go to waste, throw a thin coat of wax over your freshly clean mower when you’re done.
Fuel – A new mowing season means its time replace your fuel filter and drain any of that nasty leftover fuel from your machine. Use a fuel stabilizer like STA-BIL® throughout the year to help preserve fuel freshness and prevent your carburetor from gumming.
Belts and Blades – Next, check the belts. Go ahead and take a look at your drive, mule, and deck belts, checking if any appear to be too worn or torn. If so, don’t hesitate to replace them. Kevlar®-type cord belts will work as the perfect replacement and are designed to perform through multiple seasons. Also, don’t forget to check out your blades. The start of a new season is the perfect time to make sure you are getting the most out of your mower with blades that are nice and sharp.
Tires – Finally, over- or under-inflated tires can be a major factor on the quality of your cut. Before you head out for your first mow, give your tires a good kick and make sure they’re inflated to the recommended pressure.
Start mowing season off right with these four quick tips. Of course, always consult your mower’s operation manual for full maintenance schedules and procedures, and always use OEM-specified replacements parts.
