We have compiled a list of the 3 most important service tasks you must do to keep your ride on mower running smoothly.
You are able to complete 3 key servicing tasks for your ride on mower by yourself, but if left poorly maintained then you will have to pay for a professional service.
To save yourself money both immediately and in the long run, here are a few things you can do to prevent having to pay out for a whole new lawnmower every season.
Regularly changing your lawnmower’s oil is a crucial part of mower maintenance, but especially so if you have not used your mower for an extended amount of time.
You may find that if you try to start up your mower after a long winter without changing the oil then it might not start up at all.
Likewise, if you are using your lawnmower every other day or so then you will need to change your oil more regularly. (Manufactures recommend every 50 hours or use or so).
Remember, simply topping up your oil is not the same as changing it.
A lawnmower’s oil plays an essential part in keeping your mower moving and from overheating.
As such, the oil starts to collect dirt and worn out motor parts after a lot of use and will become useless if left unchanged for so long.
When you go to drain the oil, keep a pan under where the oil will come out to catch it when it comes out.
Turn your lawnmower on to get the oil moving about and then turn off the engine, leaving the mower to cool down for a few minutes. This way, if any oil splashed onto you, you will not get burnt.
Ensure that your mower is completely off and then remove the cap.
Once all of the oil has been drained, you can start to refill your mower. Just make sure you have replaced the oil cap so that your new oil does not spill out straight away.
To refill your mower with fresh oil, simply pour the correct type of oil into the right compartment.
You will want to check how much oil your mower is supposed to take as too little could cause it to overheat but too much could ruin the spark plug.
Once done, turn the engine on for a few minutes to allow the oil to properly spread throughout the engine and then you are good to get back to cutting the grass once more.
All of the old oil you have drained should not just be dumped in a drain and never on the ground.
Special oil recycling plants are available to take your old oil and properly dispose of it. Likewise, a quick search could direct you to some other companies that are willing to take your old lawnmower oil.
You should change your lawnmower’s oil filter at the same time you change the oil just to ensure that it is kept on top of.
The oil filter’s job is to make sure the oil does not become contaminated with large pieces of dirt or any grass cuttings.
Replacing the filter is simple. Locate where the filter is and twist it either with your hands or with a wrench if needed until you can remove it.
It is best at this stage to clean the rubber in and around where the oil filter fits to reduce the amount of dirt the filter has to repel once the new one is installed.
You can simply use your lawnmower’s oil and an old rag to wipe the rubber clean.
Now take your new oil filter and fit it securely with your hand or a wrench to ensure that the filter can do its job properly.
Do not forget to repeat these step with the fuel filter as its job is just as important as the oil filters.
You will also need to either clean or replace your ride-on mower’s air filter regularly to ensure that it can run at top capacity.
Arguably the most important part of any lawnmower is its blade. A dull blade will result in a terrible grass cutting performance.
As such, it is vital to sharpen your ride on mower’s blade during its service.
Ensure that the spark plug is unplugged before you carry on with this process otherwise there could be terrible consequences.
Remove the blade by flipping your mower onto its side and marking the side of the blade facing the ground. This way when you go to re-attach the blade, you will know which way it goes.
Loosen the bolt with a wrench and carefully remove the blade. While it may not be sharp enough to cut grass properly it will still be sharp enough to do harm if not carefully handled.
Securely clamp your blade in a wise and use a file to sharpen the blade until it is as sharp as a butter knife.
You do not need to use a whole mechanical grinder to sharpen the blade. Most manufacturers use soft steel that can easily be re-sharpened using a hand file.
Make sure that you are filing so that the sharp edge is on the same side and going in the same direction it was before otherwise, you will have to replace the blade completely.
Before you re-attach the blade, making sure that it is evenly balanced by placing it on a hanging nail. If one side starts to fall then you know your blade is unbalanced.
If this is the case then you will need to carry on sharpening and filing until it is balanced. Otherwise, it will cause unnecessary vibrations that could destroy the bearings which are harder to replace.
When you go to reinstall the blade, ensure that you have tightened the screw enough so that the blade will not come loose during use.
In some cases, you may not need to entirely remove your lawnmower’s blades in order to sharpen them. Read more about how to do that here.
While the tips above are key important when servicing your ride-on lawnmower, there are some steps to follow to ensure that your mower is properly maintained.
One mistake that many people make is forgetting that their mower is not waterproof and neither is its engine.
Unlike cars that are able to be kept outside regardless of the weather, lawnmowers do not mix well with rain.
Therefore, no matter how long between use, keep your ride on lawnmower stored way somewhere watertight and safe to avoid having to have a professional come out and repair a water clogged engine.
Likewise, if your ride on mower operates using a grass collector, then make sure to empty it regularly during use to prevent any unnecessarily clogging.
Also, ensure that you replace the grass collector securely to avoid damaging yourself or the mower.
