It Is Almost Showtime For Your Lawn Mower

It"s the beginning of March, and lawn mower repair shops are gearing up for an influx of business. For many homeowners, the first hint of warm air evokes questions as to whether their lawn mowers will pull through this season after sitting indoors for nearly six months.

Will the mower start up within the first few pulls?

Will it need a new spark plug?

Does the oil need changing?

More often than not, homeowners procrastinate all winter long with regard to lawn equipment maintenance. But now is the time to get these questions answered.

Do-It-Yourself Mower Maintenance

If you can carve out about an hour or so in the days leading up to lawn cutting season, there are some measures you can take to prepare your machine for duty. Addressing the above mentioned maintenance concerns is less about skill and more about having the workspace, tools and replacement parts necessary for the job; the latter of which only requires a quick detour to the hardware store for some lawn mower engine oil or sparkplugs.

So roll your lawn mower over a tarp or some newspapers, and you"re ready to get started!

Draining the Fuel and Oil

Turning a lawn mower on its side is likely to cause the fluids to spill out. With that said, it"s best to drain a mower's fuel tank before putting it away for the year. This can be done multiple ways.

Finding a gas tank with a drain plug or release valve is rare. Therefore, it is best to use a rubber hose or even a gravy baster to siphon the gasoline out of the tank into a serviceable container. Look to see whether your mower has a detachable tank, which will make the draining process a lot easier.

Starting your mower up in a safe location outside and letting it run out of gas is another option. But it's the least advisable, considering engine wear and tear, noise factor and the length of time it will take for the mower to run out of gas.

Draining the oil should be a relatively easier process. Lawn mower oil tanks usually feature a draining hole. Simply place an oil pan underneath the mower, unscrew the oil plug covering the drain hole underneath the mower, and let it drain.

After all fluids are drained, the mower can be turned on its side for cleaning and to perform any necessary maintenance including replacing the spark plug or removing the blade for replacement or sharpening.

After these tasks are complete, return the mower to the upright position, fill the oil tank with fresh oil and check all the electrical connections. Put off filling the fuel tank until mowing season arrives.

If cleaning and servicing your mower doesn't resolve any previous performance problems or if new issues arise, it's recommended to take it to a repair shop. Unless you have some experience performing lawn mower engine repair, it's best to have it looked at by those who get paid to do so.