As any lawn-and-garden enthusiast knows, an amazing backyard life begins with an even more amazing mower. So, how do you help your mower run like new, season after season? This spring lawn mower maintenance checklist has everything you need to help both your mower—and your lawn—thrive.
Click here to download your own lawn mower maintenance checklist:
Check Tire Pressure
While it’s true that the backyard life runs on a well-maintained mower, that mower has to run on well-maintained tires first! And it all starts by ensuring your tires are properly inflated according to the specifications in your owner’s manual.
Tires with the correct PSI provide better handling and traction, even weight distribution, and smoother maneuverability. But the impact isn’t just felt on your lawn—it’s also felt in your mower. Proper pressurization optimizes your mower’s fuel economy by reducing resistance when cutting. And, it allows you to get even more acres out of your current set of tires.
Inspect Belts for Wear
There’s nothing worse than having one of your cutting sessions sidelined by a worn-down or broken belt. Not only is it an inconvenience—but it takes up time that would be better spent enjoying the backyard life. That’s where a quick belt inspection comes into play.
Switching out worn-down, cracked belts for new ones maximizes the reliability and performance of your mower. And, purchasing Exmark OEM belts ensures that you get just what you need—and avoid the hassle of trying to find the right aftermarket belts for your machine.
Check the Oil
Oil is the lifeblood of your mower, and fresh oil goes a long way in optimizing your machine’s performance. So, check to make sure that the hydro and engine oil in your mower are good to go for the season ahead. If it’s starting to look a little dark, it’s time for a change! This prevents wear on your machine by removing potential contaminants and debris, and helps you avoid time and money-consuming maintenance down the line.
If you missed this step while winterizing your mower at the end of last season, now’s the time to do it.
Sharpen or Replace Blades
The foundation of any pristine lawn is an immaculate cut. But in order to perfect your grass blades, you have to show your mower blades some love first! Dull blades not only leave a ragged cut, inviting pests and disease, but they reduce fuel efficiency by making your mower work even harder. Sharp blades leave a clean cut, promoting healthier growth and improved fuel efficiency.
Spring’s the time to grab your angle grinder and get to work. Or, if your blades are on their last leg, it’s time to swap them out for some new ones. You’ll be thankful you did.
Inspect Deck and Pump Idler Pivots
A well-greased idler pivot keeps your machine runs smoothly throughout the season. So, maintenance of these parts is a must to ensure that your mower’s deck and pump systems stay in shape. An in-depth look for any potential wear, alongside a deep clean and yearly greasing, is all it takes to keep these parts running like new.
Clean the Deck
A clean mower always looks great and performs even better. Removing any built-up grass, grime, or debris from under your deck improves airflow—fully optimizing grass discharge and reducing strain on the blades.
And, it increases the lifespan of your machine. Caked-on grass can hold moisture, causing rust and corrosion that presents both a performance and safety issue. All it takes is a putty knife—and a little elbow grease—to get it nice and clean.
Change Spark Plugs and Filters
So you’ve cleaned the deck, sharpened your blades, and inspected the belts—but this all goes to waste if your machine can’t start! A new set of spark plugs ensures easier starts and smoother operation—helping you perfect your backyard life, all year-long.
And it’s always best practice to switch out air and oil filters on your machine at least once a cutting season. New filters help avoid engine damage by keeping contaminants out, preventing your mower from choking while out on the lawn.
Change or Replace Fuel
If you didn’t drain out the fuel before putting your mower to bed for the winter, now’s the time. Old fuel can potentially become gummy, clogging up the insides of your machine and leading to inconsistent starting, rough running, and possible engine failure.
Conversely, fresh fuel improves engine performance and fuel efficiency, saving you the need to spend on costly repairs down the line.
Click here to download your own lawn mower maintenance checklist: [LINK HERE]
That’s it! Now that you have your full spring lawn mower maintenance checklist, all there’s left to do is get to work. Your mower—and lawn—will thank you for it.
Click here to download your own lawn mower maintenance checklist:
