For new homeowners, maintaining lawn equipment can be a foreign concept. Lawnmowers see a lot of wear and tear keeping your grass at a healthy length, so it’s important to keep yours in top shape. Here’s how you can help your mower run more efficiently while extending its lifetime.

How to Take Care of Your Lawnmower

1. Change the Oil

Changing your oil when necessary greatly improves the performance and lifetime of your lawnmower’s engine. If your oil is old or contaminated, drain it completely, dispose of it properly, and replace it. Read the owner’s manual to find the right type of oil and determine the correct method for an oil change.

2. Replace the Spark Plug

A bad spark plug can cause a variety of problems, from difficulty starting the engine to excessive fuel consumption. While you’re changing the oil, take the opportunity to replace the spark plug as well. This should be done once a year. Always remove the spark plug before working on your lawnmower to avoid accidentally starting it in the middle of maintenance.

3. Clear the Undercarriage

If you don’t clean regularly, the undercarriage of your mower can become caked with grass clippings and other debris, eventually clogging the discharge chute. Gently scrub away the accumulated clippings with a wire brush. Once clear, give the undercarriage a quick run-down with the hose.

4. Sharpen the Blades

Rocks, branches, and time can wear down your blades considerably. Dull blades tear rather than cut your grass, which leaves it more vulnerable to disease. Ensure clean and even cuts by sharpening your blades regularly. Most homeowners don’t have the experience or tools to sharpen blades safely, so leave it to the professionals.

5. Check Your Fuel

Old gasoline can prevent your mower from starting. To keep it fresh, add a fuel stabilizer and treatment. At the end of each mowing season, drain or run the gas out of your engine. You should start with new gasoline every spring.

If you need help fixing or maintaining your lawnmower, come to Beisswenger’s Hardware & Power Equipment in New Brighton, MN. Family-owned and -operated since 1919, this hardware store carries a massive selection of power equipment and parts from trusted, industry-leading brands. Their highly skilled team also offers equipment repair and maintenance services to extend the lifetime of your tools. For more information about their services, call (651) 633-1271 or visit them online.