Keeping your mower, trimmer, and other lawn equipment running properly and efficiently makes sense. After all, your power tools probably represent a sizable investment. Like your car, these devices need to be serviced regularly to keep them running in good condition, to reduce the amount of pollution they produce, and to extend their useful life.
Caring for Lawn Mowers
First, clean your mower after each use. Wash the underside of the deck, then wipe it clean with a dry rag. To prevent grass from sticking to the deck in the future, spray it with a fine coat of vegetable oil. Check the oil level on four-stroke engines each time you use the mower by removing the dipstick and inspecting it carefully. If the oil is clean but low, add more. If the oil is dirty, drain it while the engine is warm and replace it.
Monthly Mower Maintenance
Every month or so, inspect the mower's nuts and bolts, tightening those that appear loose, especially those holding the wheels in place. Lubricate moving parts that are easy to get to. Remove and clean the air filter regularly, because a dirty filter will greatly diminish the performance of the mower's engine. Most air filters are located behind a protective housing of some kind, and many consist of two parts: an outer foam element and an inner paper element. Clean the foam element in warm, soapy water; rinse it thoroughly; and allow it to dry. Add a few drops of motor oil, and squeeze out the excess. To clean the paper element, tap it several times on a hard surface to get rid of excess dust or blow compressed air through it from the inside out. Never try to brush the dirt off, because the brush will force the dirt into the filter's fibers. Replace really dirty filter paper.
Annual Mower Maintenance
Routine maintenance will extend the life of your mower and save you from dealing with aggravating breakdowns. But at least once a year, you should have your mower serviced by a professional. A typical service will provide a new spark plug, a new air filter, new engine oil, and a cleaning or inspection of various parts, including the battery, the air intake, various belts and cables, and safety switches. Have your mower blade sharpened because a sharp blade ensures healthier grass.
Storing Your Mower in Winter
Before storing your mower for the winter, run it until it is out of gas. Any gas left in the mower will get gummy and clog up the engine and fuel line. Empty the grass catcher, because grass left in it may rot the bag. On mowers equipped with battery-powered electric starters, remove the battery and store it inside before winter arrives, because if the water in the battery freezes, it won't start next spring.
Blowers, Trimmers and Chain Saws
Blowers and weed trimmers should be kept clean and serviced once a year. The same is true of chain saws, which should also have their blades carefully adjusted and tightened. By taking these steps, you'll get a lot more out of your power equipment, and you'll add fewer pollutants to the atmosphere each time you use them.
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