If you want your lawn to have that nicely manicured look, it’s important to make it a routine to take care of the machine that can keep it that way. If you haven’t done so already, read your operator’s manual. The amount of time you spend perusing this booklet is well worth the effort in keeping your yard always looking great. Next make a checklist of the required maintenance.

Make sure that you calendar in the times you need to check on your mower and follow up with needed repairs. Service during the winter months is also imperative if you want your lawn mower to function well at other times of the year.

To keep your lawn mower in top working order, make it a habit to change the oil, fuel filter and oil filter on a regular basis. The normal recommendation is that one should change the oil every 25 hours they cut their grass. Usually if you do this task in the spring you should keep your machine in good shape. Typically SAE 30 is a good choice. However, you should check your manual for precise recommendations as to the proper oil to use for your particular machine.

When checking on the maintenance of your mower, make certain that everything is secure as well. For instance, check nuts and bolts as well as filters and belts to make sure they’re all tightened and in place.

The blade should also be sharpened on a regular basis. It pretty much defeats the purpose of using a mower to cut your grass if the blade is dull. Therefore, make sure you sharpen the blade regularly.

Also make it a habit to give your intake screens and fans a good cleaning. Gas for your mower should be put in a gas can too. Don’t store any type of fuel in any container other than one designated for this purpose.

When winterizing your lawn mower, check to see if there’s still fuel in the tank. If so, it’s a good idea to add a stabilizer to prevent the carburetor from becoming clogged. Run the engine for about five minutes in order to run the leftover fuel through the mower.

Change the sparkplug for every 100 hours of mowing. This will keep your mower operating properly and prevent hard starts.

Fresh gas should always be used in a mower before cutting the grass. If your gasoline has been sitting on the shelf for over a month, you need to purchase a new can of gas. Old gas can choke the carburetor. Pick an octane that has a rating of 87 or higher. Use a funnel. Gas cans made of plastic are the best choice as they won’t corrode or develop rust.

In addition to routine repairs and replacements, clean the mower deck too. First, disconnect the spark plug. Clean the deck using soap and water making sure all the dirt and grass are thoroughly washed away.

Leave no stone unturned or blade of grass unclipped when it comes to your mower’s maintenance.

That way you’ll always have a lawn that’s well-maintained too.