Lawnmower Fundamentals

Buying a Lawnmower is Exciting

But it requires daily care

As a technical engineer, I’ve seen my fair share of lawnmower breakdowns that could have easily been prevented with proper maintenance. That’s why I want to share some tips on how to maintain your lawnmower so you can avoid costly repairs and keep your machine running smoothly.

We’ve witnessed everything that can go wrong with a lawnmower, from clogged carburetors to dull cutting blades. We even saw a punctured air filter – sabotaged purposefully to avoid changing the air filter. Understanding the inner workings of a diesel machine goes a long way in keeping your mower in tip-top condition. The second best solution is to read this blog to understand what tasks can keep your equipment running well over its expiry date.

If you plan to store the mower away for a long period of time, ensure that the fuel tank and carburetor is empty by running the machine till it burns all the petrol or draining it. Otherwise, the petrol will sediment into a gum-like substance. Old petrol will go bad in as little as 2-4 weeks.

First and foremost, if your lawnmower isn’t starting, check the fuel. Many machines are sidelined simply because people try to start them without fuel. It’s also important to use clean fuel and avoid using dusty cans that can introduce impurities into the tank.

The air filter is another crucial component that can affect the performance of your lawnmower. A clogged air filter can cause the engine to overheat and potentially cause permanent damage. Make sure to clean or replace the air filter as recommended in the manual.

Regular oil changes and filter replacements are also important to keep your lawnmower running smoothly. It’s recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for when to change the oil and filter.

Other maintenance tasks to keep in mind include checking the tire pressure on ride-on mowers and greasing the bearings as specified in the manual. These machines run as high as 3500 RPM while operating, so replace belts, bearings, and filters with genuine parts as recommended by the manufacturer.

When using your lawnmower, remember to adopt a 1/3rd policy while cutting the grass to avoid overworking the machine (Don’t go lower than 1/3rd length of the grass at a time). Make sure the bed knife and reel are properly sharpened and adjusted before cutting and wash and clean the machine after each use. Blunt blades or improperly adjusted settings can ruin your turf by exposing the lawn to disease.

It’s also important to address any issues as soon as they arise. Neglecting daily maintenance, preventative maintenance, and improperly storing the machine can significantly reduce its lifespan.

If you have any further questions or concerns about purchasing and maintaining a lawnmower, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Surge Systems Team!