Lawn Mower Maintenance

It takes a lot of work to keep your lawn looking green and pristine. To get the job done, you have a range of lawn equipment, the most important of which is the lawn mower. If you want to get the most out of your mower, you have to take regular care of it.

At Nova International, we want the equipment you buy to work well and last long, so we’ve compiled a list of things you can do to prolong the life of your lawn mower. If you want more information, professional parts and service or want to buy a new or used mower, head on to our dealerships in Windsor or Aylesford, Nova Scotia and Salisbury, New Brunswick.

Go Through The Manual

Your best friend, when it comes to basic maintenance, is your owner’s manual. This will tell you how often your lawn machine needs to be serviced and what you can do to keep your lawn mower in good shape. It’ll also have tips on how to handle small problems so you won’t have to waste time and money to fix minor issues.

Clean The Undercarriage

Your lawn mower’s undercarriage gets covered in grass clippings, mud and debris as it mows your lawn. If left as is, the machine will overheat and clog. You should clean the underside frequently. For push mowers, just tip them over and clean them out. For riding mowers, you’ll need a ramp or blocks to park it on. Then take a high-pressure hose and blast away any clippings or debris. If you use a hopper or bag system to collect the clippings, always clean it out. Sometimes clippings can clump together and become a hard mass that’s tough to remove.

Do An Oil Check

Just like with any other vehicle you own, you should do an oil check for your lawn mower too. The engine has an oil reservoir that keeps the crankshaft and pistons well lubricated. Use a dipstick to check the oil level and condition. Clean the dipstick and dip it into the tank. If it comes out with discoloured or sludgy oil, replace the oil before using the machine. If there is water or metal shavings in your oil tank, get your mower serviced immediately as these are signs of bigger problems.

Sharpen The Blade

Over time, hazards like rocks and branches will dull the sharpness of your mower blades. You can sharpen them again using a file, burr or grinder. Remember you don’t have to sharpen the blades to a razor’s edge. With lawn mowers, it is the speed and force of the blade that does most of the cutting. As long as your blades aren’t completely dull, you’ll be able to use your machine to your satisfaction. 

Replace The Spark Plugs

Whether its long periods of downtime or intense uptime, your lawn mower can do a real number on the spark plugs. You should replace your spark plugs every year or two depending on usage. This goes a long way in getting you the optimal engine performance. When buying the spark plugs, check to see if they are pre-gapped or not. If they aren’t, you’ll need a plug gap tool to set the spark gap to the correct width. 

Store Well

When you won’t be using your lawn mower for a long-ish amount of time, you should store it properly. Drain the gasoline or use a fuel stabilizer to make sure the tank stays fresh during unuse. Clean it thoroughly to remove all corrosive material on it. Finally, store it away from the elements in a barn or a garage. If you can’t store it indoors, get a plastic covering for it. 

These tips will help you keep your machine in good shape. However, to keep it in optimal shape, remember it needs regular servicing. For all your lawn mower needs, come to Nova International in Windsor or Aylesford, Nova Scotia or Salisbury, New Brunswick. We welcome all our friends from Halifax, Dartmouth, Bridgewater and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Moncton and Saint John, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.