Lawn Mower Maintenance

There was a time when lawn work was looked on as strictly the guy’s job. In fact, it often took the strength of Hercules to pull the crank cord a minimum of 10-12 times just to start the darn machine! Long gone are those days, though, as the lawn mower has evolved into a tool that any gender can operate with ease. You may think, however, that maintaining your mower is still a job best left for the man of the house. This, too, is simply not the case.


It’s very easy to take care of your mower; and, with some new innovations, yard work can actually be a fun chore. Here are some tips and tricks in keeping your yard picture-perfect and a look at some of the great new mowers on the market to make life outside a lot easier.


Maintaining a Lawn Mower
At the start of the season, usually spring, there are three main areas to focus on when it comes to lawn mower maintenance:


Change Oil:
 Even if you don’t think it needs it, do it! The oil should be changed at the beginning of every season. Over the course of the cutting season, dirt and other impurities will collect in the oil and those things will ruin an engine. Check with your mower’s owner’s manual for the proper procedure. Or bring it in to Imperial Services.


Clean Air Filter: 
If the filter in your mower is an accordion-style paper type, simply remove the filter cover and blow out all the debris with a high-pressure air hose. If the filter is made from foam, wash it in a water and detergent solution, let it dry, and apply a few drops of oil to it. Or bring it into Imperial Services. You should replace the filter at least once a year. 


Change Spark Plug: 
That little space at the end of the plug where the metal end bends at a 90 degree angle is called the gap. Many manufacturers are now packaging new plugs with the gap pre-set, so it’s as simple as removing the old and installing the new. However, it’s still a good idea to double-check the gap with an inexpensive spark plug gap tool just in case. You should change out the spark plug every year so you’re starting every cutting season with a new spark plug. We can do that for you here at Imperial Services.


Lawn Mower Blades


Sharpening blades is more than just a standard upkeep. It takes a little extra effort to remove the blade and sharpen or replace the blade. Every year, though, this should be done prior to the first cutting. You need to have a sharp blade when cutting grass, otherwise it doesn’t cut the grass but, tears it instead, which can lead to a diseased lawn. Before removing the blade, be sure to detach the spark plug wire to prevent the mower from accidently starting. Then tilt the mower up and use a wrench 
to loosen the bolt that holds the blade on by turning it counter clockwise.


Sharpening your  blades can be done here at Imperial Services.


Types of Lawn Mowers

Push Mowers
For a small yard, a simple push mower is perfect. While some homeowners use push mowers to take care of a large yards, it takes several hours of work and defeats the whole purpose of making the chore easier. Don’t rush out and get the least expensive one, though. Remember, the whole point is to make yard work easier. A cheap mower won’t cut it, if you’ll pardon the pun. A larger cutting deck is a good feature. Many small mowers start at around 19”, but 21” is better. Also, think about how easy it is to crank and the type of bagging attachment .

Riding Mowers
For a large yard, riding mowers are the toy of preference. Professional services use ZTR (Zero Turn Radius) mowers, which can turn on a dime. The new ZTR’s are a work of art focusing not only on performance, but also on comfort and style. They can include shock absorbers, larger wheels for a more comfortable ride, cushy seat with armrests and even cup holders! 


The cutting decks for riding mowers start at 42”. While most homeowners don’t need one that’s too big, a 48”-50” model is ideal. If you want the “cool factor” of a ZTR with the convenience of a traditional tractor, come check out our Wright and Dixon Mowers we have in our showroom.


Remember we stock all of the above in our store, oil filters, blades, oil, etc. and don't forget the Lawn Mowers! We can change the oil sharpen the blades and service your mower here at Imperial Services.  imperialservicesinc.com