Now that summer is here and the fact that green grass in your garden has started growing at a fast pace, it’s high time to get your lawn mower out of the storage space and give it the required servicing or repair before you start mowing. Following are some essential tips to get your small engine equipment summer-ready.
- Summer Lawn Mower Maintenance Guide
It’s time to check the user manual of your small engine equipment and learn about the maintenance schedule of your particular model. Or there is always an option to call out a small engine repair shop Hudson and let the experts handle the rest.
Gear up with the right tools
If you are a DIY enthusiast, you will need some tools handy before you begin the maintenance routine. You will need plastic gloves, grease gun, hammer, socket, clamps, spark plug socket wrench, flat tip screwdriver, shop vacuum and pliers. If you don’t have these tools already, you can get them at a local hardware store or a garage.
Tune up the small engine
Disconnect the spark plug before you proceed with maintenance routine. This is crucial to ensure your safety while working on the equipment. If your lawn mower has foam based air filter, clean it. And if it’s a paper filter, you will need to replace it.
Cleaning the equipment from top to bottom
Use your shop vacuum to swallow all the debris, clippings and dust from the exterior body of your lawn mower; chances are you may not have cleaned your mower for many months as we usually don’t find need to use it during the winter months.
For grass and debris that are so stubborn to remove with a vacuum, use a strong spray of water, like a water hose in your garden, to wash the mower body including its deck from upside down. Don’t let wheels of your lawn mower go out of your sight.
Check if the build-up of debris and grass clippings hasn’t caused any damage to the belts and pulleys. You can use a brush or a rag to scrape away debris. Once your mower is fully cleaned, apply a coat of wax underneath the mower deck to prevent debris, leaves and grass clippings sticking to it.
Checking the spark plug
You may find difficulty starting your lawn mower if its spark plug is worn out. A time-worn or faulty spark plug results in bad fuel economy and cause extensive damage to your small engine. You should be able to start the mower effortlessly. If you are facing difficulties, it is mostly because of a worn spark plug, clogged air filter. In such case, you should change your mower’s spark plug immediately.
Consider manufacturer’s recommendation from your owner manual while changing the spark plug in your lawn mower. If you are finding it hard to remove the existing plug, use a plug wrench and a spray to loosen it. Adjust the gap right on the new plug while fitting it in the engine. Visit your nearby small engine repair shop in Hudson for any technical assistance with your lawn mower, leaf blower, chainsaw or any other outdoor power equipment.
Replacing Fuel Filter
Worn out fuel filter causes high fuel consumption and lead to clogged carburetor. You need to change fuel filter as per manufacturer recommendation. If you don’t have essential skills and right tools, take your lawn mower to a reliable small engine repair shop in Hudson. Lack of knowledge could make you do more harm than good to your outdoor power equipment.
Do oil check
This is the most basic thing every mower owner needs to do at a regular interval. However, not many homeowners are much attentive about it. Check the owner’s manual of your equipment and learn when the right time to change the oil is. Whenever the oil seems to contain high amount of debris, drain it from the engine.
When you refill or top up the fresh oil, make sure it has the correct viscosity as recommended in the owner manual (usually 10W-30). It is important that your lawn mower has the minimal required oil level while in use. Don’t overfill it though. Change the oil filter and oil cap simultaneously, if found worn. Keep the oil cap tight so your lawn doesn’t get oil spills.
Preventive maintenance pays for itself
Given regular maintenance, your outdoor power equipment can ensure consistent performance for many years. It will also help you get perfect-looking lawn. What’s more, you are always assured the equipment is ready for the job whenever you need it. You will save big on annual repair bills. Needless to say, you will also save a good amount of time that would have been spent at a small engine repair shop Hudson.
There are many small engine repair and maintenance shops in Hudson that provide their customers with annual maintenance packages at the most reasonable prices. Get one and make the most of your investment in small engine equipment!
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