Keeping your lawn mower in good maintenance year-to-year is pretty easy, and only requires a few basic steps. There are some basic supplies you'll need to purchase, which are as follows:
- New air filter
- New spark plug
- Engine oil
- Spark Plug Socket
- Socket Wrench
- Screwdriver
- Block Of Wood
- Putty Knife
- Wire Brush
Remove the air filter and spark plug as outlined in the following steps and taking them with you to the store when you buy news ones. This way you'll be sure to return home with the correct replacements.
Step 1: Replace Air Filter
The air filter is important to replace at least yearly, as it ensures that clean air enters the engine for smooth performance. Look for a panel on the side of the mower engine that will most likely be held on by one or two screws. Remove the screws and pull the panel out to reveal the air filter. Remove the old filter and replace with the new one.
Step 3: Remove Spark Plug
The spark plug may be located in different places depending on your lawn mower model. However it will always be accessible and is easy to spot. Look for a rubber cable capped on the end of a white tube with a nut on the inside where it meets the mower engine. Gently pull the cap of the plastic cable straight off of the spark plug. Use a spark plug socket to unscrew the spark plug and remove it from the engine.
Step 4: Drain the Oil
Remove the oil cap (which will be marked "OIL") and tip the mower onto its side so the oil drains out into a catch pan of some kind. Leave the mower on its side to continue draining and move onto the next step. Most mowers do in fact have a drain plug. You can use it to drain the oil rather than tipping the mower.
Step 5: Remove Blade
Sharpening your blade at least once a season will help the mower run smoothly, and lead to healthier grass. Never attempt to remove the blade unless the spark plug is removed. To remove the blade, you may need to place a block of wood or similar on the opposite of the blade in the direction you loosen the main bolt to hold the blade in place. Use a large socket wrench with the correct size socket loosen the nut.
Step 6: Sharpen the Blade
You can sharpen your blade with a flat file, an angle grinder, bench grinder, rotary tool like a Dremel, or even 150 grit sandpaper. The goal is simply to remove any nicks or dents, and end up with a straight edge that's about as sharp as a butter knife. It's important to have a balanced blade. To see if your blade is balanced, simply hang it on a nail through the center hole and see how it hangs. If it doesn't hang balanced, grind off some additional material from the heavier side until it does. If you do not have the ability to sharpen your blade at home you can bring it to your local Great Lakes Ace and take advantage of our Blade Sharpening Service.
Step 7: Clean Mower Deck
With the blade off, quickly clean out any gunk from the underside of the mower deck with a putty knife and a wire brush.
Step 8: Re-Install Blade
The blade is then re-installed in the mower. Use a large wrench, and tighten the nut back in place.
Step 9: Install New Spark Plug
Install the new spark plug by threading it in by hand until it can thread in no further. Use a wrench and the spark plug socket to tighten the plug an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn. Then fit the cable cap back over the end of the spark plug.
Step 10: Fill With Fresh Oil
Poured 3/4 of an 18 ounce bottle of oil into the reservoir, wait about a minute for the oil to run down from the sides of fill pipe into the tank. Check the level with a dipstick if it is low add more an ounce at a time until full.
