Give Your Mower its Annual Physical
It’s not just us that need a good ol’ grease and oil change every now and then, our trusty machines also need some TLC and there’s no better time than leading into the summer season. Take a look at this checklist, and make sure you’re prepared.
A quality mower is a significant investment and you should take good care of it, and proper maintenance can make all the difference down the road.
We highly recommend getting your mower serviced regularly by your local dealer but if you have the skills to do it yourself then the following checklist will help you cover the general servicing.
Check out when your machines service needs to take place, by whom and for what.
We always recommend using genuine replacement parts. You can be sure of their quality and compatibility with your mower, and your dealer will be familiar with them. Your dealer will be able to help you find the right parts for your machine and even organise an order for these.
Check the spark plugs and replace if needed.
Worn spark plugs make starting difficult, increases fuel usage, and can even cause engine damage.
Check and clean or replace the air filter.
Airflow is key to efficient mower operation, especially in the heat of the summer. Check more often in dusty conditions. A poorly serviced air filter can allow dirt to enter the engine and cause a major failure.
Check the fuel filter and replace if needed.
A dirty fuel filter causes hard starting and can make the engine run erratically.
Change engine oil and filter.
See your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended oil and filter. Make sure you always have your mower topped up to the optimum level and be sure to look into when you should replace the oil to help your mower run smoother and with less chance of problems. This will also help your mower last a lot longer too.
Inspect the mower blades for wear or damage.
Dull blades will tear the grass, causing grass blade tips to dry out, also increases the chance of any nasty funguses and diseases jumping on board and doing fatal damage to your lawn. Dull blades also make the mower engine and belts work harder than necessary.
When you carefully remove the blade to check for dullness, this is also a good time to clean the underside of the deck. Use a wire brush or paint scraper to remove any caked-on grass.
Grease the fittings.
See the owner’s manual for the location of the fittings, the recommended type of grease and service intervals.
Inspect the tyres.
Check the tyres for excessive wear or damage. You should also inflate the tyres according to your owner’s manual. If needed, see your dealer for replacement tyres.
Clean the mower.
A bucket of soap and a rag or brush is usually all that’s needed to clean any debris from the mower’s body and deck. Avoid using high-pressure water spray as it could force water into fittings, seals, and other components and you’ll have a hard time drying those fiddly bits out. Get in underneath, as explained above, and clear out any built-up grass and dirt.
Fill the fuel tank with fresh petrol.
Like most things, petrol has an expiration date. So, if it’s been a while since you last purchased mower fuel, best to get some fresh stuff for your mower. If you’ve had your mower in the shed for a few months it’s recommended to drain it of any left-over fuel, otherwise, it could make the mower run poorly.
If you have any questions or concerns with the maintenance of your mower, don’t hesitate to contact your local dealer, they’d be happy to help you order parts, give you advice, and help get the most out of your mower’s performance. The cost of servicing is a small price to pay compared to replacing an engine or complete mower.
Be proactive. Don’t regret not taking action while you had the opportunity!
Arrange your onsite demo today! Or simply call us on 1800 088 567 and ask to speak to a Razorback Product Specialist!