Search
- Home
- Profiles
- Dunaway, Christopher R.
- Articles
- Lawn Mower Tune Up
Just like your car, a lawn mower needs occasional maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Two of the most important items that need to be replaced occasionally are the engine oil and the air filter. The engine oil helps keep the engine cool and lubricated. Over time the oil can get very dirty and some even gets burned up in the combustion process. You should check the oil level every time you use the lawn mower and add oil as needed. Consult your owners manual for instructions and interval periods for changing oil. Low oil is the number one cause of severe engine damage. The air filter is also very important in engine performance. Combustion engines need fuel and air to run. The filter is designed to remove dust and debris from the air that the engine uses in the combustion process. Clogged filters will reduce the flow of air to the engine causing it to run poorly. Furthermore, dust and debris entering the engine can also cause major damage. Again you should consult your owners manual for the manufactures maintenance schedule. I like to check the air filter on my mower every time I use it. By lightly tapping it I find that I can remove a lot of the larger particles of dirt and plant material that were trapped by the filter.
The other major component of a lawn mower that needs to be inspected regularly is the blade. The blade and its function is the prime purpose. It is important that the blade be sharp and balanced. We recommend that the blade be removed and sharpened annually. Eventually normal use will wear down the blade necessitating its replacement. Recently I purchased a complete tune-up kit containing a new blade, air filter, spark plug, and engine oil. In less than 30 minutes I had all the parts installed and was mowing away...And Boy what a difference.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture