The mowing season is coming to an end, and winter is just around the corner! Once you’re done mowing for the year, replace any worn parts and properly store your machine to help ensure it is ready for next spring.
If you’re planning to do your own maintenance, here are tips that will help you prepare for winter. See your operator’s manual for further details on performing any of the maintenance mentioned.
If you prefer to have a dealer do any necessary maintenance or repairs on your mower, now would be a good time to contact us here at Imperial Services (978-670-6016). Once spring comes, we will be extremely busy, and we could have long delays.
Fuel system preparation
Add fuel stabilizer/conditioner to the fuel tank. Run engine for five minutes to
distribute conditioned fuel through fuel system. Stop engine, allow it to cool, and
drain fuel tank or run engine until it stops. Either choke or prime the engine, restart it
a third time and allow it to run until it stops. Continue to attempt to restart the engine
until it no longer will start. While the engine is still warm, change the engine oil (and filter, as applicable), if this service is due.
Cylinder/Piston care
4-cycle engines
Remove spark plug and add about one tablespoon of oil through spark plug hole.
Slowly rotate engine several times using starter rope or key starter to distribute
oil. Reinstall spark plug, but do not connect spark plug wire.
2-cycle engines
Slowly pull recoil starter until resistance is felt due to compression pressure, then
stop. Release starter tension slowly to prevent engine from reversing due to
compression pressure. This position closes both the intake and exhaust ports to
prevent outside air entry, which can result in corrosion of the cylinder bore.
Tighten fasteners as needed.
Service air filter as described in operator’s manual.
Clean unit thoroughly.
Touch up all rusted or chipped paint surfaces.
Battery (if applicable) –
Remove battery from unit and fully
charge prior to storage.
Replace damaged or worn parts.
Sharpen and balance the mower blade(s).
Lubricate unit per the operator’s manual.
Storage
Ensure engine has cooled. Cover unit and store in a clean, dry location out of the reach of children. Note: Never store unit in house (living area) or basement where ignition sources may be present, such as a hot water heater, space heater, or clothes dryer. Gasoline and fumes are highly flammable and explosive. Fumes also can be dangerous if inhaled.
Brought to you by Imperial Services Inc.
The Best Type of Lawn Aerator
There is a bit of mystery surrounding the lawn aerator. What does it do? Which type is best? When do you use it? A lawn plug aerator is actually one of the most important tools to keeping your grass healthy. This is a specific type of aerator. Not just any will do.
Here are the reasons why:
Lawn plug aerators actually remove plugs of soil from the lawn, which opens up spaces for air and water to penetrate.
These lawn plug aerators are vastly superior to a punch aerator or aerating shoes because they actually remove the soil, rather than pushing it down further.
The purpose of aerating is to alleviate compaction, so removal of soil is more likely to do that than pushing soil further down.
Some lawns need more organic matter added to the soil and removing plugs of soil creates space for the top-dressing organic matter to incorporate into the soil.
Most often, lawn plug aerators work with hydraulic systems, giving them the power to reach a much deeper soil layer than an aerator/roller combination.
When To Use a Lawn Aerator
If you can find an aerator to rent, all the better. Most of the time, though, if you want the benefit of a lawn plug aerator, you will have to hire a professional lawn care service to aerate your lawn for you. They are more likely to have the equipment, or have access to it. The best time to aerate your lawn is in the spring or fall. Doing so in the fall will help the lawn if you overseed it. It will also relieve compaction from heavy use during the summer season. During the fall, roots of grass grow quickly, so the extra space, air and water will aid good root growth before the grass goes dormant or slows growth for the winter. The spring is a good time to aerate to incorporate organic matter into the soil, and to aid with lawn renovation.
Lawn Care Before and After Aerating
Before you deploy the lawn aerator, mow your grass slightly lower than normal and water it well for two to three days before aerating. Next, use the lawn plug aerator to aerate the lawn. You will want to break up the clods, and help the lawn recover from the stress of aerating, so you need to water the lawn again immediately after you are finished aerating. To improve your soil structure, a couple of days after aerating, top-dress with a compost/topsoil blend and rake it into the holes. Earthworms and soil insects will work in the new addition, improving the soil quickly. Using a lawn aerator the right way will improve the health of your lawn, thus reducing the amount of time you will need to spend caring for it.
