A freshly cut lawn can make your yard look pristine, but only if your lawn mower is in top condition. Poorly maintained mowers can yield unreliable, unattractive results. The following tips will keep your equipment working efficiently for many years. 

3 Tips for Maintaining Your Lawn Mower

1. Clean Your Mower Regularly

Over time, grass blade fragments lodge themselves in the undercarriage of your mower, interrupting blade motion and clogging the outlet chambers. A few times a year, use a broom to brush the surface and undercarriage of your mower, then spray the entire surface with water to rinse away debris. 

2. Sharpen Your Blades

Sharp blades slice through grass cleanly and efficiently, which is better for the health of your lawn. Dull edges cause the mower to tear rather than cut, which leaves your turf looking patchy and brown. Rather than waiting until this happens, have a professional sharpen the blades after every 25 hours of cutting time. If it takes you half an hour to cut your lawn and you mow once a week, you would need to sharpen your blade about once a year. People with larger yards or faster-growing turf may need to have their blades serviced more frequently. 

3. Prepare the Gas Tank for Winter

Gasoline only has a shelf life of about three months, which means leaving your lawn mower tank full at the end of the season could result in gummed-up valves. To protect the motor, use a fuel stabilizer when your mower isn’t in use, or empty the gas from the tank using a siphon. With the mower turned off and completely cooled, place it on a plastic tarp and carefully siphon out the gas. After removing as much fuel as possible, replace the gas cap, move the mower away from the cleaning area, and start it up, running the motor until the fuel lines run dry. 

Whether you need parts for your lawnmower or want to upgrade to a newer model, the team at Bryant's Outdoor Equipment can help. With a wide variety of equipment from all the best brands, this trusted retailer can help with all your yard care needs. If you are interested in outdoor recreational equipment, Bryant’s also offers a range of ATV and Go-Kart models. To learn more about their shop in Dothan, AL, visit them online or call (334) 794-4419.