Spring Prep Your Lawn Mower

By Midwest Traction on February 14, 2018 in Tips & Advice

Spring is (hopefully) not far off for the colder parts of the US… so we’ve put together a little guide to help you get your lawn mower ready for when the grass starts growing.

Always observe safety measures and take extra precautions when working with power tools and sharp edges.

Spring Cleaning

If you didn’t keep your mower tucked in during the cold season, there’s likely dirt and debris to clear off. Check for lodged sticks, leaves or grass clumps if you didn’t remove these before storage. Use work gloves to protect your hands, and ensure the motor cannot be started while working near blades.

Keep it Sharp

While you’re down there, take a look at those blades. If your mower is older, they’ve likely become dull. Have a professional sharpen them so you’re ready to slice through the grass all season long.

Tire Check!

Bald tires aren’t just bad - they can cause damage. Tires below the recommended depth may make the job harder for professional groundskeepers, landscapers, or the at-home mower who takes pride in their yard work. As tread wears, so do tire features, meaning tires designed to protect turf may become ones that tear it up.

If you deal with varying terrain and lots of hills, you’ll want tires with great grip. And consider a self-propelled mower if you don’t have one. It’ll help pull you along on those inclines.

If you’ve got large property to maintain, lawn tractors and riding mowers are best, and we have tires for both.

The Spark Is Important

Check your spark plugs to make sure that engine will start up when it’s time! Check for dirt or light rust. These can be cleaned off and re-used. If your plugs are old or swallowed by rust, you’ll need to replace them. Check your manufacturer’s manual for details.

Gas and Oil

Change your oil, especially if you have a push mower. If the oil isn’t registering on the dipstick, it’s definitely time for new. Refer to your manual for recommended type and amount.

You’ll likely want to change your gas, too, even if you added some before the off-season. Harsh temperature changes and long rest periods can cause issues when starting, even if the gas seems good. Unless you added fuel stabilizer beforehand, there’s a good chance the old fuel thickened in the carburetor and clogged the fuel ports. Empty and refill the tank in a well-ventilated area.

While You’re At It…

Take a look at your lawn (if you can see it) and consider picking up a landscaping project or purchasing fertilizer/lawn treatments to produce your best grass this year. Always wanted to try gardening? Now is the time! We've got a few quick tips for lawn care: 

• Consider aerating your lawn and spreading compost after so it can penetrate deep in the soil where it’s most needed for a lush, green lawn during the summer season.
• Don’t mow when lawn is wet. Uneven cut and ruts.  If you have them, loosen the soil with a fork at 45* angle if ruts are no more than a few inches deep. Deeper ruts will need more attention.
• Water in the am, night and afternoon watering can lead to fungus.

Visit Scott's Lawn Care for more lawn care tips.