Time to Get Your Mower in Gear

By Rick Rosen Print Article
RISMEDIA, April 13, 2009-(MCT)-With the arrival of Spring and April showers, homeowners find themselves with a list of new chores that need to be accomplished now that the weather is nice. Along with the showers comes the task of mowing the lawn while the grass seems to grow faster than you can tend to. Taking the time to maintain your lawn mower is one quick and easy way to help maintain the health of your grass.

A sharp mower blade, part of routine maintenance, is essential to maintaining a healthy lawn, say the turf experts at Texas A&M University. Dull blades leave a ragged top, which turns brown and makes the lawn look tired. More important, “ragged tops are prime points of entry for many fungal pathogens and small turf insects,” A&M says.
Shops that sell mowers also service them. If you’re not handy, getting them to do it could be a big relief.

With the proper tools and the time, you can do routine maintenance yourself. Here are some tips from DIY Network, Texas A&M and About.com:

1. Drain the gas tank, and run the engine until it stops.
2. Disconnect the sparkplug wire so there is no chance of the mower starting.
3. Remove the oil drain plug, and drain the oil into a drip pan.
4. Replace the plug securely.
5. With the mower on its side and using a putty knife, scrape matted grass from the underside of the mower’s deck, which is the housing for the blade. Use a hose sprayer to blast off remaining grass and dirt. If that doesn’t get it all, use a brush and soap and water.
6. Hold the mower blade with a rag or towel and, using a socket wrench, unscrew the mounting knob of the blade.
7. Sharpen the blade or have a lawn mower shop do it.
8. Turn the mower upright.
9. Clean or replace the air filter.
10. Find the spark plug, which will probably need to be removed with the barrel of your socket wrench.
11. With a wire brush, clean off carbon deposits. Or, replace with a new plug.
12. Screw in and tighten the sparkplug.
13. Fill the oil compartment with 30-weight oil (unless your owner’s manual recommends another kind).
14. Reconnect the sparkplug wire.
15. Lubricate all moving parts, including wheels. Tighten engine mounting bolts and any other nuts or screws.
16. Fill the mower with gas and you are ready to go.

Other words of advice:
-When you turn the mower on its side, turn it so that the air-filter side of the machine is up. Otherwise, oil drains out of the filter and the mower won’t start.
-If your machine’s engine runs roughly, you may need an expert to adjust it.
-Dispose of the used oil and filter properly.

Sharpening a mower blade:
-A grinding wheel is handy, but you can also use a file, and be sure to wear safety glasses.
-Use smooth, quick swipes across the grinding wheel or with the file. Try to keep the original angle of the blade.
-Dip the blade in cold water every few swipes so the steel doesn’t get too soft.
-After grinding, test for balance. Place the center hole of the blade on your fingertip or on a screwdriver. If it balances, great; if not, the heavier side needs more work. If you’re satisfied with the sharpness, leave the angle alone. It’s best to grind a little steel off the back or a corner of the blade to balance it.
-Carefully file off any burrs left by the grinder.
-Oil the bolt hole on the blade and reattach.

© 2009, The Dallas Morning News.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.