Late winter and early spring are the perfect time to take stock of your mower’s maintenance needs. A little spring mower maintenance will ensure better performance throughout the season—and, a mower that runs smoother, cuts cleaner, and will be even more reliable.

Before beginning your maintenance, you should always consult the owner’s manual of your mower to determine the machine-specific tasks that are needed. We’ve also developed this checklist of basic annual spring mower maintenance, just for you.

Spring Mower Maintenance Tips

• Change the Oil (and Filter): Start the season with fresh oil and a clean filter. Oil is the lifeblood of your engine, and routine oil changes are far cheaper than major repairs down the road. If it’s been sitting all winter, it’s time to change it out.
• Sharpen or Replace the Blades: This is one of the most important spring mower maintenance steps for a clean, professional-looking cut. Few parts enhance cut quality and productivity as dramatically as sharp, balanced blades. A dull blade tears grass instead of slicing it, leaving your lawn looking ragged and stressed out—and susceptible to disease. For easier upkeep, keep an extra set of blades on hand to replace those that have lost their edge. This way, you’ll always have blades ready to go, no downtime required.
• Give the Mower a Thorough Cleaning: Starting with a clean mower will make it easier to perform other spring maintenance items. Use a strong spray of water and remove built-up grass from the underside of the deck with a putty knife or scraper. Once the deck is clean, a quick wax coating can help prevent grass and debris from sticking during the season.
• Check Tire Pressure: Check all tires and inflate them to the recommended PSI listed on the sidewall. Mowing with too low of tire pressure is, first and foremost, a safety issue. Most of the time if a mower is cutting unevenly, low air pressure in a tire is to blame—it also compromises mower efficiency, performance and handling.
• Inspect Engine Belts: Inspect all belts and replace any that appear visibly worn. Replace anything that looks even slightly questionable to avoid any mid-season breaks. Also, check all belt tensioners to ensure proper function.
• Fresh Fuel: If fuel sat in the tank all winter, drain it and refill with fresh fuel. Because gasoline degrades in quality over time, old fuel can cause inconsistent starting and running performance. Never use fuel that contains more than 10-percent ethanol, as higher percentage blends may lead to engine damage and/or performance issues.
• Replace Spark Plugs: Replace your mower’s spark plug(s) at the start of the season to ensure easy starting and consistent running performance.
• Check Deck and Pump Idler Pivots: Don’t overlook the moving parts underneath. Inspect deck and pump idler pivots and make sure everything moves freely. Checking these parts routinely is essential to making sure your mower’s hydraulics are in tip-top shape.
• Grease Caster Fork Bearings and Front Caster Pivots: Checking in on the lubrication quality of your caster fork bearings and front caster pivots helps your mower maneuver more smoothly. All you need to do is remove the plug, grease zerk, and dust cap. Then, grease the cavity until full, and replace the cap and plug until next year.

Get Ahead Now, Thank Yourself Later

A little spring mower maintenance goes a long way. Knock out these basics before the grass starts growing, and you’ll be ready for whatever cutting season throws your way. You’ll be thankful that you did!