Posts Tagged ‘mower maintenance’

Getting Lawn Care Equipment Ready for the Mowing Season

Tuesday, March 13th, 2018

As you gear up for the start of spring mowing, it’s important to check all of your equipment to ensure everything is running properly after sitting idle over the winter. If you or your staff do the maintenance on your operation’s fleet in house, here are the most common tune-up steps to make before heading out to mow.

Check the Tires

Make sure that sitting all winter didn’t make your tires uneven, especially if machines were sitting on cold cement in an unheated garage. After inflating to the proper tire pressure, visually check tires to make sure you don’t have flat areas or other spots that don’t look right. Also check the deck to make sure it’s level, as warped tires may cause an uneven deck. Replace any badly worn or warped tires.

Tune-up the Engine

Maintenance now can help prevent downtime during the busy part of the season, so give the engine a thorough tune-up. If you didn’t replace your spark plugs and batteries before storing the machines for the winter, do so now. Replace engine oil, change air and oil filters, check the contact points, and lubricate wheel bearings and other moving parts. Tighten fasteners and make sure that belts are in good condition, without cracks or other visible signs of wear.

It’s important to start the year with fresh oil and fuel, as gasoline and other petroleum products can cause problems if they’ve been stored for more than a month. Dispose of any hazardous waste in accordance with local regulations, and wear appropriate gloves and gear.

Clean the Machine

You cleaned the machine in the fall before storing it, but take the time to blow away dust and any other debris from your equipment. Dust and dirt can build up over the months your equipment sat idle, and if rodents or birds sheltered for the winter in your storage area, you may have other messes to clean up.

Blade Maintenance

Make sure blades are sharp and in good repair. Look for nicks or uneven wear, as this can reduce cut quality. After sharpening or replacing worn blades, be sure your blades are balanced. Vibration from an unbalanced blade moving at high speeds can put undue stress on the deck, leading to cracking.

Be sure to check your mower manuals for any model specific maintenance tasks, and review your maintenance logs from last year to make sure all tasks were completed.  If you’re not sure, check out the maintenance schedules for all Exmark mowers.

Finally, before loading up the trailers and sending your equipment out with a crew, it’s a good idea to test each mower. A quick pass will help you ensure that everything is running as it should.

Keeping Up with Mower Maintenance

Wednesday, June 28th, 2017

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.

Maintaining and Replacing Exmark Mower Blades

Wednesday, May 17th, 2017

Just about every lawn mower maintenance guide in existence outlines the importance of regular care for your mower blades. Not only will a freshly sharpened blade cut the grass faster (and with less damage to the leaf), but good blade care means your machine will operate smoothly and more safely.

But what, exactly, does good blade maintenance mean? When it comes to purchasing replacements and sharpening the blades, how should you begin?

Balancing and Sharpening Mower Blades

Balancing your mower blades is a must when you want a level cut regardless of how sloped or challenging the terrain you’re driving over. Just as a car’s tires can become unbalanced over time, so can mower blades. You can usually tell when this is happening by a heavy buildup of grass on one side of the blade but not the other. Excessive vibration as you mow can also indicate your blades need to be balanced.

Exmark mower blades

Only Original Exmark blades deliver the Exmark’s signature cut quality.

Sharpening your mower blades should be done anywhere between 8 and 25 hours of mower use. Personal mowers need sharpening only once or twice a season, but professional mowing companies will need to work this in much more often (weekly or bi-weekly). A mower’s blades need to be sharpened when you get a rough cut that leaves the edges of the grass uneven and jagged.

Cleaning the blades after each use provides you with an opportunity to examine blade edges for nicks, dents, dings, and other signs of damage.

The Right Mower Blades

We recommend OEM replacement blades for a number of reasons. By relying on the parts we manufacture, you can be sure that you’re getting a blade that fits your Exmark mower exactly. Exmark prides itself on a high level of craftsmanship using top-quality materials, which is something you aren’t always guaranteed when buying generic.

Other reasons for choosing OEM blades include Exmark Support Services. Our team is available to help with troubleshooting, installation questions, and other issues related to mower maintenance. If you’re working with a blade we aren’t familiar with, we may not be able to help you keep things running smoothly. Additionally, any damage to your mower caused by generic blades may no longer fall under warranty. For peace of mind, always replace manufacturer parts with OEM options.

Lawn Mower Mistakes to Avoid

Wednesday, July 13th, 2016

Exmark lawn care

When you make the investment in a quality mower, regular maintenance and upkeep is a must. Therefore, it is important to avoid situations that can damage your equipment, cause wear and tear, or even increase your chances of an injury. Take better care of your lawn—and your equipment—by staying away from these common lawn mower mistakes.

 

Buying More/Less Mower Than You Need: If your yard is smaller in size or covered with many things to mow around, chances are a larger zero-turn mower might not be the right machine for the job. At the same time, a yard that’s half an acre or more could take you hours to trim with a push mower. Always match the lawn mower you use to your specific needs. Considerations like the size of your lawn, the grade of any slopes, the type of terrain and obstacles, like trees, will all play a role.

Low Oil Levels: Just like a car, low oil levels can damage your lawn mower’s engine. To avoid overheating and keep everything lubricated properly, check your mower’s oil level each time you go out.

Low Tire Pressure: If you’re noticing an uneven deck, your problem might be as simple as low tire pressure on one or all of your tires. Low pressure can cause an uneven cut and affect your ability to steer or have proper traction, so always make sure the pressure matches mower guidelines before heading out.

Clogged Decks: The common mower advice to clean out your equipment after every use exists for a reason. Mowers work best and are safest when their blades and undercarriage are clean. After you mow, and once the mower is turned off, remove any dirt, grass, weeds, or other debris, and be sure to give the equipment plenty of time to dry before you put it away.

Dull Blades: Lawn mower blades aren’t meant to last forever. Over time and with excessive use, they will grow dull and less effective overall, which can cause tearing of the grass and make the turf more susceptible to disease. If you aren’t equipped to sharpen mower blades yourself, take them to your authorized dealer for sharpening or replacement.

Not Checking for Rocks and Other Debris: Even fairly small rocks and other debris in the yard can bend or chip your mower blades, leading to dull blades and uneven cutting. More importantly, not removing these items from the lawn before mowing can cause serious injury to others or property damage. Be careful with known rocky areas in your lawn, and trim around rocks that are too big to move before mowing.

Ignoring the Air Filter: When you’re performing regular lawn mower maintenance, make sure you check the air filter. To avoid clogs, wash the filter after each use and replace it once or twice a year.

Cutting a Wet Lawn: Clumps caused by wet clippings can clog the machine, and the water-soaked grass might be more slippery than you think. Even if you’re on a tight mowing schedule, it’s safer to wait until conditions improve.

Bad Storage: A lawn mower isn’t like a car, in that it’s not ideal to leave it parked outside and exposed to the elements. Covered storage is a must when the mower isn’t in use, even if it’s just for a few days at a time; however, you will want to make sure the mower is cooled down before putting it away. You should also consider storage where rodents and other pests can get in.

You should also keep up with mower maintenance schedules and follow the safety instructions for your mower. Most accidents occur because of shortcuts or a failure to properly secure the equipment before you use it. It might take a few extra minutes to get everything running in tip-top shape, but the quality of your lawn and your safety will be well worth it.

What to Know When Repairing Your Lawn Mower

Wednesday, April 6th, 2016

(StatePoint) Every lawn mower requires routine maintenance to keep it running with efficiency and maximum performance. If a breakdown occurs or parts wear out, it’s much more cost-efficient to simply replace the worn parts than it is to buy a whole new mower.

EX16_Pioneer_S-Series_InUse_6_web72To keep your mower functioning optimally, consider the following:

Regular Maintenance

Follow your manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule. Check your owner’s manual or your mower brand’s website for information on when and how to maintain your  machine, including checking and changing engine oil and filters, hydraulic filters, belts, air cleaners, spark plugs and more. This upkeep on your mower can prevent unscheduled downtime and costly repairs.

Replace Parts Wisely

“Modern mowers are designed to function as a system; they aren’t just a collection of parts,” says David Martin, customer service manager at Exmark, a leading mower manufacturer.

While virtually any company can sell parts that are almost right for your machine, Martin advises using original parts from the mower manufacturer. Brands such as Exmark, for example, extensively test every part and accessory for hundreds of hours to ensure they won’t compromise the safety, productivity or durability of the mower, or the quality of cut it provides.

“There is great value in using genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, as opposed to cheaper “will fit” alternatives, when replacing belts, blades, filters, lubricants and other mower parts,” says Martin.

To learn more about the differences between using generic replacements from an aftermarket company and OEM parts, visit www.exmark.com/OriginalParts.

Whether you mow your lawn often or just a few times a season, be sure to take good care of your mower, paying attention to the suggested maintenance routine. It’s always better to prevent a problem before it becomes an issue. And doing so will improve the quality of each cut and extend the life of the machine.

Spring is Coming… Is Your Mower Ready?

Wednesday, February 17th, 2016

Late-winter is a great time to take stock of your mower’s maintenance needs and get them taken care of before the spring growing season. That way, you’ll be ready to roll when the growth of your lawn hits full stride. Not only does a properly maintained mower perform better, but it will also last longer and be more reliable over the course of its life.

Exmark blades

Nothing affects your mower’s quality of cut more than blade sharpness. It pays to keep ’em sharp.

Always consult your owner’s manual to determine what specific maintenance is necessary for your machine, but some common examples of spring mower maintenance items include:

  • Cleaning — The most basic maintenance you can perform is giving your mower a thorough cleaning. Starting with a clean mower will make it easier to perform other spring maintenance items, and built-up dirt and grass clippings can reduce the performance of your machine.
  • Blades — Your mower will cut faster and deliver a better quality of cut with sharp blades. Few parts affect cut quality and productivity as dramatically as sharp, balanced blades, and with practice, you can change a set of blades in less than ten minutes. It’s well worth the time and effort. One pro tip is to get an extra set of blades for your mower to swap in when your blades lose their edge. You’ll always have sharp, balanced blades ready to go, with no downtime required for sharpening.
  • Belts — Inspect all belts and replace any that appear visibly worn. Also check all belt tensioners to ensure proper function.
  • Engine oil — Start off the season with a fresh oil and filters for each of your mowers. Oil is the life blood of your engine, and changing it out is much less expensive than an oil breakdown-related engine issue.
  • Spark plugs — Replace your mower’s spark plug(s) at the start of the season to ensure easy starting and consistent running performance.
  • Exmark tire inflation

    Proper tire pressure affects the safety, handling and reliability of your mower.

    Fuel — Fuel that’s been sitting in the tank for an extended period should be drained and replaced with fresh fuel. Gasoline degrades in quality and can cause inconsistent starting and running performance. A fuel treatment or stabilizer can help the fuel stay fresh longer, and prevent the absorption of moisture by the fuel. Never use fuel that contains more than 10-percent ethanol in mowers, as higher percentage ethanol blends may lead to engine damage and/or performance issues.

  • Tire pressure — Check the pressure on all pneumatic mower tires and fill them to the recommended pressure marked on the tire sidewall. Operation with too-low tire pressure is a safety issue, first and foremost, and it also compromises mower efficiency, performance and handling.

Spend some time with your mower in the shop now to ensure your mower is good to go when the grass is growing strong later this season. You’ll be thankful you did.

Service resources at Exmark.com:

 

Mid-Season Mower Maintenance

Thursday, July 16th, 2015

By David Martin, Exmark customer service manager

Maintenance: mower cleaning

Minimize the use of water when cleaning your mower. Instead, use compressed air whenever possible.

Now that mowing season is well under way, the last thing you want to happen is for your mower to experience downtime. The following maintenance tips will help you keep your mower running in tip-top shape.

Maintenance: mower blades

Sharp, balanced blades are critical to the performance of the cutting system. Check and sharpen blades if necessary.

  • Check the operator’s manual to see what might need to be greased. Keeping the right parts greased is an important step in extending the life of a mower.
  • Check the air filter (inner and outer) and change it if necessary. Never use compressed air to clean a filter. The powerful air stream can compromise the filter’s ability to effectively filter the air coming into the engine.
  • Depending on how many hours the mower has been running, consider changing the fuel filter. Consult your owner’s manual or http://www.exmark.com/Service-And-Support/Maintenance/Schedules/ for the recommended replacement interval.
  • Check and, if necessary, change the spark plugs.
  • Blow the debris off the unit:
    • Remove the belt deck belt shields and blow off all foreign material.
    • Blow the grass off the areas around the pumps and wheel motors (overheated oil leads to shorter component life).
    • Blow through the openings in and around the console or remove the console mounting screws to get debris out of this area.
  • Check for loose hardware.
  • Verify torque on wheel motor castle nut and tire mounting lug nuts.
  • Verify oil changes are being performed at the proper intervals, and perform the service if necessary. NEVER, under any circumstances, exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations by more than 100 hours. Significant damage will result that will reduce the machine’s lifespan and compromise productivity.

Learn more about how to effectively service and maintain your mowers and lawn care equipment at http://www.exmark.com/Service-And-Support/Maintenance/Service-Tips/.

How Do You Know When It’s Time to Tune Your Lawn Mower?

Wednesday, March 18th, 2015

Believe it or not, this Friday is the first day of spring. Along with the blossoming trees and pretty flowers comes the growing grass. If you own a landscaping or lawn care company, your busy season is fast approaching. One of the most important things you can do to prepare for a successful season of cutting grass is to service your mowers.

Exmark Engine Oil

Oil is the life blood of your engine, so it makes sense to start the season off with a fresh oil change.

Here’s a quick list of ways to know when it’s time to tune your mower:

Service Tip 1: A New Season
Before every new mowing season, you should take your mower in for a tune-up. This doesn’t just apply to lawn-care companies. Whether you mow hundreds of acres a day or do your own yard once a week, every mower needs a tune-up before a new season of mowing. Lawn mowers are the workhorses of any landscaping company and need to be in perfect condition if you want to stay profitable. Using old, worn-out, faulty, or damaged equipment will cost your company time and money; two things you can’t afford to waste.

Even if your mower has only been idle for 1 or 2 months, that’s enough time for fuel to go bad, oil to become contaminated, blades to rust, or other problems to crop up. Consult your owners’ manual for a list of seasonal maintenance items for your specific machine.

Service Tip 2: A Poor Cut
If you or your employees have been using the same mower for more than a couple of months, you are probably well aware of how it cuts as well as its overall capabilities. If you notice a sudden decrease in cutting performance — areas of the grass no longer looking uniform and smooth but appearing uneven or chopped — your blade could stand to be sharpened.

As long as the decrease in performance is not accompanied by a sluggish engine or poor power, taking your blade to be sharpened will return your mower to mint condition. Look for a more detailed story on sharpening and balancing mower blades here next week.

Service Tip 3: Engine Trouble
Your mower should have its engine serviced at least once a year. And while annual tune-ups are great, how do you know if something is wrong in-between recommended maintenance?

Pay attention to the way your mower’s engine sounds. A sputtering or uneven idle can mean the fuel-to-air mixture is not balanced properly. A decrease in power can mean filters are clogged. Excess exhaust smoke or strange smells might mean oil is mixing with the fuel, and could be a sign of larger issues inside the engine. Unless you know engines inside and out (literally), these problems are best left to the professionals.

Service Tip 4: Dirt and Debris
Is your fleet of mowers dirty? Are your mowers covered in mud, grass, branches, and other messes? If so, it’s time to tune and clean your fleet. When you run a landscaping business, maximizing efficiency and cutting extra costs are both musts. Excess dirt and debris, though seemingly insignificant, reduce mower efficiency. A bit of mud near the axles, grass stuck to the blade, and branches jammed in the bodywork will each have a small impact on how much fuel you use and how long it takes to mow a given lawn. Add up all of those small issues and you will see a significant increase in not just running costs, but also machine wear over the course of a season.

DIY or Send It In?
Depending on how familiar you are with your mower, you may be able to do much of the maintenance on your own. Here are just a few of the things you should be able to do at home or in your shop:

  • Changing your mower’s oil is a relatively straightforward process. Most mowers have an oil tank that can be emptied by removing a cap (in a process very similar to changing a car or truck’s oil). Just make sure to do this outside or over a cloth and bucket.
  • Changing an air filter is simple enough for anyone to do. Most mowers, whether commercial or walk-behind, have easy-to-access filters mounted near the engine. All you typically need to do is remove the cap, pull out the old filter, and insert a new one. Just make sure you insert it in the proper direction, and consult your engine owner?s manual with any questions.
  • Replacing a spark plug is easy, assuming you have a spark plug socket wrench. Just make sure plugs you install are properly gapped for your specific mower.
Scan the QR code on the model plate on your Exmark to be taken to maintenance schedules for your machine on MyExmark.com.

Scan the QR code on the model plate on your Exmark to be taken to maintenance schedules for your machine on MyExmark.com.

More involved maintenance is often better left to a qualified service professional. If you don’t feel comfortable tackling something on your own, don’t do it. You will lose more money fixing a mistake than sending it to the dealer to begin with.

Saving Money with Regular Maintenance
Here at Exmark, we make a wide range of modern mowers and lawn care tools that dramatically increase efficiency to help you get more work done using fewer resources. Whether you have a top of the line Exmark mower, or an older machine, maintaining what you have is one of the best ways to save money. Make sure you tune your mower this spring and repeat as often as necessary. Doing so will not only save you time and money, but will prevent more costly problems in the future.

It’s Time For Fall Mower Maintenance

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

As the calendar moves from summer to fall, it makes sense to turn your attention to maintaining your mower. Proper maintenance is essential to the longevity and performance of any mower, and proper service ahead of extended storage ensures the performance you enjoyed this season will carry forward to the next.

A focus on fall maintenance helps you get a quick, trouble-free start next spring.

A focus on fall maintenance helps you get a quick, trouble-free start next spring.

Start clean

It’s important to start a period of storage with a clean mower, as any debris left on the mower will either trap moisture or become fodder for a rodent nest. It’s also easier to inspect and perform necessary service prior to storage when you’re not working through a thick layer of dust and debris.

Never use solvents to clean your mower, and minimize the use of water as well. Instead, use compressed air or a leaf blower, and finish by wiping the exterior surfaces with a damp cloth. Take your time and clean the mower completely, including under the seat, under the deck, behind the wheels and around the engine and drivetrain.

Examine Your Machine

Refer to your owners manual or to Exmark.com for information about specific service schedules, but once your mower is clean, inspect it for clear signs of wear and tear and replace any parts that are at the end of their life cycle. Checking and servicing or replacing normal wear items such as belts, tires, blades and other parts restores mower performance and ensures safety and long life. Plus, replacing worn parts prior to storage gives you the opportunity to get a quick start on the next season, as your focus won’t be distracted by service related issues.

Pay particular attention to normal wear items during your mower inspection, such as the condition of blades and deck drive belts.

Pay particular attention to normal wear items during your mower inspection, such as the condition of blades and deck drive belts.

Sharpen Blades

The efficiency and quality of cut your mower delivers is highly dependent on sharp blades for top performance. After a hard season of mowing, it makes sense to sharpen your blades. In doing so, you can be confident your mower will hit the ground running when it comes out of storage in the spring.

Focus on Fuel

Extended storage can wreak havoc on an unprotected fuel system, so prior to storage it’s important to either drain the fuel tank (and system) completely, or add stabilizer to the fuel. If you go the fuel stabilizer route, be sure to run the engine for a few minutes after the stabilizer is added. This will distribute the treated fuel throughout the fuel system to keep it clean and deposit free during storage.

Remove the Battery

When storing a mower for extended periods, it’s a good idea to remove the battery from the machine and store it in a climate controlled area (preferably at 50-70 degrees F). Not only will this preserve battery condition, it will ensure that a leaking battery doesn’t cause corrosion to the mower frame during storage. Learn more about caring for batteries in this post from Exmark’s David Martin.

Fresh Lube is Good

Lubrication is the life blood of your mower, and it’s important to refresh all lubricants prior to extended storage. This includes changing the engine oil and filter as well as the hydro (drive) fluid and filter, and greasing all zerk-equipped bearings on the machine.

Replace both engine and hydro oil and filter(s) prior to extended storage.

Replace both engine and hydro oil and filter(s) prior to extended storage.

Take your time when lubricating your mower, as it’s important to remove any load or binding from bearings being greased. This ensures lubrication reaches the entire bearing instead of just a portion of it. Also, inspect bearings for wear and/or play, and replace any bearings that have been compromised in any way.

Storage Considerations

Regardless of where you store your mower — in a barn, under a waterproof tarp, or in an inclosed trailer — it’s just as important to keep rodents at bay as it is to keep the elements out. There are a variety of traps and chemicals to choose from, and natural solutions such as oil of peppermint or Osage oranges can also be effective at keeping your machine free of vermin. It’s important to avoid the use of harsh chemicals on your machine, as many can cause damage to its finish, or to specific components. Your local Exmark dealer can be a good resource for suggestions to control rodents specific to your area.

Keeping moisture at bay is equally important. Store your mower in a place where snow, rain and ice can not reach it. Rust can appear quickly on stored machines left out in the elements, so keeping your mower in a well-protected place preserves not just its longevity, but also its performance.

Learn more mower service tips at http://www.exmark.com/ServiceTips.aspx. Locate the service schedule for your Exmark machine at http://www.exmark.com/MaintenanceSchedules/.

Fuel Safety Tips

Tuesday, August 5th, 2014

Fuel safety is critical to the safe operation of any mower, and understanding how and when to inspect fuel system components doesn’t just increase safety, it also increases mower efficiency and longevity.

Keeping the mower clean from accumulated debris makes it easier to spot fuel system problems and reduces the risk of fire.

Keeping your mower clean from accumulated debris makes it easier to spot fuel system problems and reduces the risk of fire.

Tips that can increase the safety of you and your workers when working with fuel include:

  • Prior to fueling, always shut the mower down completely and allow it to cool.
  • When refueling, verify the correct type of fuel is being used — Filling the tank of a diesel-powered mower with gasoline (or vice versa) can cause significant engine damage, so double-check your fuel before you fill.
  • DO NOT operate the mower if any of the following fuel system conditions exist:
    • Fuel is leaking around hoses and/or clamps.
    • The fuel tank makes a hissing sound when the cap is loosened.
    • The fuel tank is bulging or collapsing.
  • Keep the mower clean and free of debris — Accumulation of grass, leaves, excessive grease or oil, or other debris can become combustible and could result in fire. After each mower use, remove debris from:
    • Fuel tank
    • Engine and muffler area
    • Oil filter area
    • Under belt shields
  • Frequently check all fuel hoses, clamps and connections — Some fuel system components are under pressure. Fuel hoses can be pulled, damaged or disconnected from contact with bushes, tree branches or other landscape features.
    • Check that all hoses are in good working condition and verify the secure fastening of clamps and connection points.
    • When replacing hoses and filters, use original factory routing and clamping.
  • Use only Original Equipment Manufacturer’s (OEM) replacement parts — Using improper components can result in gasoline leakage, fuel system failure and/or an increased potential for fire. Saving a buck just isn’t worth the risk!
  • Keep all guards, shields and safety devices in place and in safe working condition.
  • Before each use, check the condition of all electrical wires — Damaged wires increase the potential for a fire. Never operate a mower with damaged wiring. Replace or repair the damaged wire(s) and secure properly prior to mower operation.

Consult your operators manual for specific fuel system information for your mower. Visit http://www.exmark.com/Safety/ to view the online safety resources Exmark offers, or visit your Authorized Exmark dealer or distributor for prompt, efficient service with any fuel- or fuel system-related need.