Lawn Mower Maintenance
Keeping your push mower in top shape isn't hard, and the next time you use it, it'll start right up and cut clean. Before you begin, check the manual for your particular mower.
Here are a few general rules. Work on your equipment in a well-ventilated area on a hard flat surface. Sometimes you'll have to tilt the mower on its side. Different types lawn mower have different methods for preventing spills, such as running the mower until the tank is dry or placing a piece of heavy plastic under the fuel cap to cover the fuel inlet.
Follow the instructions for your mower. Before you mow, always do a quick once-over. Check for loose fasteners, make sure the wheels turn freely and that the tires aren’t damaged. Be sure that the grass catcher is clean, and always check the oil level with the dipstick.
Once you're finished cutting, prevent rust by brushing off the deck and engine, and cleaning the grass catcher. Pull the spark plug wire aside and turn the mower with the air filter up. Scrape the grass from the underside. It’s typically not recommended to spray water under the mower; however, some mowers like this one have a hose fitting to clean underneath.
If you have a self-propelled mower, several times a season clean under the drive cover, and check the belt and pulleys at the same time. Now for some things to do at the end of the cutting season. First, disconnect the spark plug, turn the mower on its side and check the blade.
If it’s dull, damaged or bent, replace it. Block the edge from turning and loosen the bolt. Take off the advantage, flash, and washers. Position the new blade aligned with the star on the blade adapter with the side marked Grass toward the ground. Then with the edge blocked, replace the bolt and washers, and tighten. And replace the spark plug wire.
English lawn or playing field? This is first and foremost a matter of personal taste. While one loves the perfect green carpet, the other is mainly the durability in the foreground. Whatever type of lawn you prefer, its appearance depends not least on the care you give it.
Changing Lawn Mower Oil
Run the mower for a minute to make it easier to drain. Turn it off, disconnect the spark plug and remove the oil cap. Tip the mower--air filter up--and drain the oil into a container. You can rock the mower to remove any trapped oil. Once empty, set the mower down and wipe up any spills. Slowly pour oil in the fill spout, checking the level frequently with the dipstick. When full, let the oil settle for a few minutes and check again.
DO NOT OVERFILL.
Reconnect the spark plug. Then dispose of the old oil properly. Clean the air filter by removing the cover, and gently clean the cartridge with a soft brush. If it’s filthy, replace it. To prepare the fuel system on a gasoline-powered mower for storage follow the instructions for your mower and engine. Manufacturers may instruct you to run the fuel system dry or to store the mower with the full tank mixed with a fuel stabilizer. It's a good idea to replace the spark plug once a season. If you're storing your mower for the winter, to keep the cylinder lubricated, squirt an ounce of oil into the spark plug hole before replacing the plug.
Finally, take a look at the muffler to make sure it’s not severely rusted or loose. Then use some spray lubricant on other moving parts like handle mounting pins. Okay, now your mower is ready to store in a dry, clean place. And that's it. With a little care, your mower can give you years of reliable service.
Adjust The Optimum Cutting Height
Four centimeters of cutting height are optimal for an average use lawn. The value can be exceeded or exceeded by five millimeters depending on the taste, without any negative consequences for the park. For some lawn mower models, the cutting height is not represented in centimeters, but in steps of, for example, "one " to "five." Either check the operating instructions for the cutting heights of the steps or mow a small area to the sample and then measure it with the stock.
Never cut too much at once. When mowing the lawn, if you remove the vegetation point at about half the height of the blade, it takes a relatively long time for the drive to recover and recycle. As a result, the lawn is burns more easily in dry weather. The one-third rule provides a good help. It says that one should never mow more than one-third of the leaf mass. If you have adjusted your lawn mower to 40 millimeters of cutting height, you should harvest again at the latest at a lawn height of 60 millimeters.
In the shadows, you should leave the lawn about an inch longer because otherwise, the grasses will not be able to absorb enough sunlight. Also in autumn, five centimeters are recommended due to the declining light intensity. Also, do not shorten your lawn too much during summer heat and dry periods. More extended grass shade the soil better and do not allow it to dry out so quickly.