At the end of the fall grass cutting season, take the time to get your push mower ready for spring. Some post-season maintenance will give you a head start next year and prolong the life of your mowing machine.
Push Mower Maintenance Tools and Materials
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Perform any maintenance in a well-ventilated area. Open the garage door for maximum air circulation.
Step-by-step Push Mower Maintenance
After a season of mowing, perform these steps before storing your lawnmower for winter.
1. Remove the grass catcher and brush out any grass clippings.
2. Run the mower for about a minute. The oil will be easier to change while it's warm.
3. Turn off the mower.
4. Cover the work area with a drop cloth.
5. Disconnect the sparkplug wire from the sparkplug. Now the mower is safe to work on.
6. Brush off the rest of the mower with a cleaning brush.
CAUTION: The engine will still be hot, so be careful.
7. Prevent the gas from spilling when you tip the mower to change the oil and blades.
1. Unscrew the gas cap.
2. Place a piece of heavy duty plastic over the gas inlet.
3. Replace the gas cap.
8. Change the oil.
1. The oil keeps the engine lubricated and working properly, so change it after every mowing season.
2. Remove the oil cap and dipstick.
3. Set the used-oil container next to the mower.
4. Tip the mower on its side to pour the oil from the mower into the container. Always tip the mower "sparkplug side up" or "dipstick side down" to keep oil off the air filter, carburetor, and gas tank. If oil gets in these components, the engine may not work properly.
5. Once the oil has completely drained from the engine, replace the oil cap.
6. Another option when changing the oil is to use an oil vacuum. These systems are easy to use and leave little mess.
7. Never pour oil down the drain. Instead, contact your local recycling center for oil disposal instructions.
9. Change the blade.
1. Tip the mower back on its side to change the blade.
2. Wedge a small piece of 2x4 between the blade and mower deck to help prevent the blade from spinning. Or you can use a special blade removal tool.
3. Remove the blade with a socket wrench.
4. Take the blade to a repair shop to have it sharpened. If you want to do this step yourself, you can purchase a blade sharpener and balancer at Lowe’s. If you need a new blade you can purchase a new one at Lowe's. Just bring in the make, model and serial number of your mower.
5. Scrape any grass clippings from the bottom of the mower deck with a putty knife. Most manufacturers don't recommend using a hose because the water will rust
the mower. Caution: Never use a shop vacuum near gasoline.
6. If your mower has belts, belt covers and pulleys, brush them off too. If the belts appear cracked or worn, replace them.
7. Reattach the blade.
10. Turn the mower back on its wheels and refill with fresh oil. Use only the oil type recommended by the manufacturer. Add the oil slowly in small increments and check with the dipstick several times. This will ensure you have added the correct amount without over-filling.
DO NOT OVERFILL THE CRANK CASE. Too much oil causes problems when the engine is running.
11. Treat the gas.
1. Gas can decompose over winter and damage your mower's engine.
2. Preserve the fuel in the tank with a fuel stabilizer.
3. Mix the stabilizer in a gas can, then fill the can with fresh gas.
4. Fill the gas tank with the treated gas.
5. Despite what you might believe, a full gas tank is less of a fire hazard than an empty one.
6. Replace the gas cap.
7. You can also purchase a fuel stabilizer gas cap, which automatically releases fuel additives into the gas throughout the mowing season. It has a cartridge that shouldbe replaced every six months.
12. Lubricate any small moving parts with a spray lubricant. Do not use engine oil on the mower's exterior.
13. Clean the air filter.
If your mower has a foam filter, clean it with soap and water. Saturate it lightly with engine oil. The oil helps filter out dust particles and debris. If there is any sign of damage, replace the filter. If you have a paper filter, replace it.
14. Replace the sparkplug.
15. Reconnect the sparkplug wire and let the engine run for about a minute. This helps work in the fresh oil and fuel stabilizer.
16. Disconnect the sparkplug wire before storing.
17. Store the mower in an area where it won't be exposed to heat or gas appliances, and cover with a tarp.
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