Your lawn mower is arguably the most important tool when it comes to lawn maintenance. That’s why it’s so important for you to keep it in tip top shape! Luckily it doesn’t take a ton of effort to keep your mower running, just a little bit of intuition and elbow grease. Here are some top tips for extending the life of your lawn mower:

1. Read the instructions. This sounds like a simple one, but a lot of people fail to read their lawn mower’s manual, tossing it out with the box after they bring it home. Your owner’s manual is important because it gives care directions that are specific to your machine.

2. Drain it after each season. Though it may seem like a bit of a nuisance to drain the leftover gasoline from your mower after the mowing season concludes, it can make a world of difference and save you headaches in the future. Old fuel can gel up, causing clogs and complications when attempting to start your mower the following season.

3. Check the oil regularly. Just like any motor, the motor in your lawn mower needs clean oil to run properly. Keep an eye out for oil leaks or contaminations. Each lawn mower is different, so if you need to drain and replace the oil check your owner’s manual for instructions.

4. Keep it clean. The undercarriage of your lawn mower can get quite messy with all of the kickback from grass clippings. Make sure it remains debris free by scraping away any caked on clippings. This will minimize your risk of dealing with a clogged discharge chute.

5. Sharpen your mower blade. The most important part of your lawn mower is the blade, which also likely takes the worst beating. Not only will your mower blade dull from repeated grass cutting, but it will encounter many a rock, tree or hidden toy in the yard. Sharpening your blades at least twice a season is a good rule of thumb.

Landscape maintenance is a difficult task, and there’s no doubt that you couldn’t get it done without your trustee lawn mower! However, if you’d rather leave the lawn maintenance to the pros, Turf Unlimited is ready and willing to tackle all of your landscape maintenance needs! From mowing and fertilizing, to grub prevention and shrub care, we do it all!

Call 888-649-9919 today to learn more about our lawn care programs or to request a free on-site estimate.