Like many maintenance tasks, keeping your lawn mower in good repair is all about preventative maintenance. Tackling concerns and issues as they arise can work for a short period of time, but if you want to get the most out of your equipment—and save time doing it—it’s best to start a regular mower maintenance routine.
And now is the time to start. As spring turns to summer, you should build maintenance time into your schedule. By stopping mechanical issues before they arise and staying on top of your checklist, you can put your focus where it belongs: on creating that perfect green lawn.
Mower Maintenance Tasks
Every lawn mower is a little different and will have different needs, which is why you should always start by checking your owner’s manual. This guide will give you general guidelines about when to perform tasks and how to safely access your mower’s engine and blades.
From there, you can follow a steadier schedule that includes:
- Checking the oil level (recommended every 5 hours of operation)
- Cleaning the battery terminals (recommended every 10 hours of operation)
- Replacing/Cleaning the air filter (recommended every 25 hours of operation or seasonally)
- Lubricating axles, rims, and other connectivity points (recommended every 25 hours and prior to storing)
- Sharpening/Replacing mower blades (recommended every 25 hours or seasonally)
- Changing the oil (recommended every 50 hours of operation or seasonally)
- Changing the oil filter (recommended every 100 hours of operation or seasonally)
- Replacing the spark plug (recommended every 100 hours of operation or seasonally)
This list covers basic engine and mower maintenance. You’ll also want to include tasks like:
- Clearing the undercarriage
- Checking brake safety
- Checking cooling/brake/hydraulic fluids
- Adjusting blade height
- Checking tire pressure
- Lubricating grease fittings
Mower Maintenance for Businesses or Homeowners
If you run a mowing or landscaping business, it’s a good idea to build a daily/weekly checklist for each machine. Require employees to update it as each task is completed and before they head out. This way, you can ensure that the maintenance tasks are being performed in accordance with the mower guidelines.
Homeowners won’t need a daily checklist, but it’s a good idea to track mower hours so you’ll know when maintenance tasks should be performed. You can opt to keep a log of how many hours your mower has been in use, or you can perform these tasks in much the same way you maintain your car or other small engines.
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