Your lawnmower will no doubt take pride in a place in your garage/shed/toolbox, and after a hard day’s work, you’ll want it looked after. After all, without your mower, you won’t be able to give your lawn the attention it deserves. However, if you do, we don’t need no stinking lawnmowers!”- said no one ever.
That’s because these underrated tools help us create a perfectly manicured yard, and if we want them to do their job correctly, we should take good care of them. Most importantly, it is essential to keep your mower well-maintained. Lawnmower maintenance does not take a lot of time, but it will ensure that you are getting the most out of your machine and prolong the mower’s life. Here are three common mistakes people often make with their lawnmowers:
- Not using the correct gas: We are not talking about filling up your tank with diesel or unleaded petrol here, but rather whether or not you are using ethanol-free gasoline. Ethanol is a fuel additive that can cause damage to engines over time, significantly smaller engine equipment like lawnmowers and weed whackers. As it absorbs water, it can break down the internal parts of your mower. Yes, ethanol-free gasoline is pricier than its counterpart (10 cents more per gallon), but that’s not much to pay for protecting your mower. Also, try to use fresh fuel with an octane rating of 87 or higher, as this will prevent fouling and keep your engine running at peak performance.
- Overloading the mower: Lawnmowers are designed to cut grass and mulch leaves, pick up debris, and bag clippings. If you neglect these functions, you will constantly be emptying the bag or raking up all those leaves that were never mulched. If you have a lot of leaves to clear up on your lawn, then you may want to pick up a leaf blower. We would recommend using an electric model if possible to avoid bringing harmful fumes into the air. A leaf blower will not only save you time but will also give an instant boost to the appearance of your lawn.
- Not changing the oil: Mowers are not just machines that cut the grass but instead contain complex systems that include gears, timing belts, and pistons. All of these components need to be lubricated for maximum performance, and this is where the oil comes into play. You should always check your owner’s manual on when to change the oil; however, if you follow reasonable lawnmower maintenance procedures, you should change it every 50 hours of use (approximately one season). If your engine seizes up because you haven’t changed the oil, then that’s just money down the drain. Lawnmower maintenance is not complex, nor does it have to be expensive. With a little bit of effort, you can keep your lawnmower well taken care of so you can enjoy your yard to its fullest potential.
