Spring is here, and the grass is once again green and growing rapidly. Before you break out the lawn mower this season, check that it’s in sound, working condition. Here’s a list of handy maintenance tips to follow.

How to Prepare Your Lawn Mower for the Season

1. Clean the Air Filter

Remove the lawn mower’s air filter and scrub it clean using a soft-bristled brush and a mixture of mild detergent and water. Rinse it and let it dry completely before reinstalling. If your mower uses a paper filter, discard and replace it with a new one. Remember, air filters need to be changed once every season or after 25 hours of use.

2. Sharpen the Blades

If your mower has dull blades, it will take you more time to cut the grass. You’ll also end up with brown, damaged grass tips and uneven swatches across the lawn. Turn the mower off, tip it on its side, and inspect the blades underneath. Clear away caked-up clippings and sharpen the blades with a file or grinder. If there are severe dents and chips, replace them altogether.

3. Lubricate the Moving Parts

Get your lawn mower running smoothly by applying an all-purpose lubricant to the wheel bearings and other moving parts. If your mower has grease fittings, refer to your owners manual to find and lubricate them according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.

4. Fill With Fresh Fuel

Over time — anywhere from 30 days to six months — gasoline components oxidize and evaporate, contaminating the fuel and causing it to lose its potency. Discard the old fuel left in your lawn mower over winter and replace it with a fresh supply to ensure it runs efficiently. To prevent clogging in fuel lines and intake valves, add fuel stabilizers to the tank.

5. Address Repairs Immediately

It's cheaper and easier to fix problems with your mower as soon as they crop up. Putting them off or ignoring them may worsen matters and could potentially cause a breakdown. Look for dirty or disconnected spark plugs, bent blades, and decreased flow through the fuel filter.

Get your lawn mower up and running this spring with high-quality supplies from Fackler Kubota Tractor in Granville, OH. They sell, rent, and repair a wide variety of outdoor power equipment, including tractors, generators, and chainsaws from top brands like Exmark, Gravely, Kubota, and Stihl. Call (740) 522-3128 to make an inquiry or view their parts and services online.