This mowing season, maximize your riding lawn mower's efficiency and longevity by reading the following maintenance tips from Schell Distributing Inc. in Idaho Falls.
Like any other summer, the overgrown lawn at your property may require some care and work to improve its overall look. To that end, you need to get your riding lawn mower ready to get started with lawn care. If you are getting ready for mowing season, make sure to read the following maintenance tips from Schell Distributing Inc. in Idaho Falls.
Get Ready With These Pre-Maintenance Tips
Before performing any revision or maintenance to your riding mower, we suggest you consider these key points:
Since you'll be inspecting an engine with blades, make sure to do it safely by disconnecting the spark plug.
You can improve your maintenance by reading your operator's manual to familiarize yourself with your machine's maintenance requirements and specifications.
Although you can perform maintenance by the operator's manual specified time intervals, make sure to do a general checking at least once every season.
If you are planning a specific time to clean your riding mower, make sure it's right after mowing.
By the end of each mowing season, give your machine an in-depth cleaning and inspection to let it sit in good shape for the winter.
When you mow your lawn under dusty conditions, your machine may be sucking in all sorts of particles in the air, such as pollen, mold, airborne dirt, and other contaminants that can cause engine failure. For that reason, the air filter is so essential for the overall efficiency of the engine. It traps all the harmful particles, so the engine only gets the clean airflow it needs to perform. To that end, make sure your riding mower is breathing clean air by checking its air filter regularly.
Check Engine's Main Oils And Coolant
Your mower needs proper lubrication and coolant to perform efficiently for as many mowing seasons as possible. That being the case, make sure to check your machine's essential fluids:
Engine Oil: Some people refer to oil as the lifeblood of an engine, and for good reason. This essential fluid reduces friction as it lubricates the engine's moving parts; moreover, it helps your mower reach its operational temperature.
Transmission Oil: In a similar way to engine oil, this one lubricates your mower's transmission system to reduce friction and premature wear; therefore, make sure to have the proper levels.
Coolant: Without proper coolant levels, your engine might accumulate corrosive rust and overheat; hence, make sure to measure your mower's coolant levels frequently
Ensure high-quality maintenance and protection for your lawn equipment. Call Schell Distributing Inc. at (208) 524-0322 or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order on the top-performing synthetic oil in Idaho Falls.
Inspect Your Mower's Spark Plug
The spark plug creates a spark that allows the engine to start by igniting the air-fuel mixture inside the engine's combustion chamber. To that end, check this small piece regularly to replace it in time. In fact, most manufacturers suggest that users should replace the spark plug once every season. To check the spark plug, make sure to follow these steps:
Let your engine cool down so you can remove the spark plug safely.
Clean the spark plug with a wire brush and look for signs of wear or damage, such as a dry sandy coat on the insulator or electrode damage.
Check the spark plug gap to see if it has increased or has wear signs. You can measure the gap with a feeler gauge to verify its millimeters. It should have the measure pointed out in the operator's manual.
If the spark plug is worn, be sure to replace it.
Check Your Tires
Well-maintained tires provide the proper traction to handle any hilly or flat lawn. To that end, make sure to measure their air pressure regularly with a tire gauge. You can also spray your tires with soapy water to look out for bubbles indicating air leaks. Finally, make sure there are no missing or loosened lug nuts or tread wear.
Clean Your Mower
Your riding lawn mower can perform better if it's clean. To wash it, pay closer attention to the undercarriage, being that wet grass and mud accumulate beneath, and if left unwashed, this matted dirt can turn into rust. Moreover, a corrosive buildup is obstructive to blades' performance; for that reason, make sure to keep your mower clean from top to bottom.