Lawn Mower Tune-Ups:
The Secret to a Greener, Healthier Yard
This year, show your lawn love with these expert lawn mower maintenance tips from Esh Hardware.
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, it’s time to dust off your trusty lawn mower and get ready for another season of lush, green lawn perfection. Before you fire up the engine, consider giving your mower an annual checkup. Similar to your car, a professional tune-up can make all the difference in keeping your lawn looking its best.
Here are a few reasons to let the pros handle your mower maintenance:
Safety First: A well-maintained mower is a safe mower. Professionals will check for any loose or damaged parts, ensuring your mower runs smoothly and without risk of injury.
Extend its Life: Regular maintenance can significantly extend the life of your mower, saving you money by avoiding costly repairs or replacements.
Optimal Performance: A mower that’s been properly serviced will run more efficiently. It will be easier for you to operate and maneuver, and will cut your lawn cleanly and evenly.
Located in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania—or near Esh Hardware in Ronks, Pennsylvania? Consider bringing your mower in for a professional spring tune-up. By car, Esh Hardware is located about 20 minutes east of Downtown Lancaster.
Don’t feel like driving? Esh Hardware also has a pickup and delivery service for addressed located within an 8 to 10-mile radius of our store, located at 64 Clearview Rd in Ronks, Pennsylvania. The service includes Lancaster County communities such as New Holland, Leola, Ronks, Intercourse, Bird in Hand, Lampeter and even areas near the shopping outlets along Route 30.
Not sure if your address is part of their lawn mower pickup and delivery service area? Call Esh Hardware at 1-717-768-8497.
Types of lawn mowers serviced at Esh Hardware? “All the way from 21-inch battery or gas-powered mowers to hydro-drive walk behind mowers,” says Ray Esh of Esh Hardware. Riding mowers are also serviced at Esh.
The 4 Essentials of a Lawn Mower Tune-Up
A lawn mower tune-up consists of the following 4 components:
- Sharpen the blades
- Change the oil
- Replace the air filter
- Inspect and replace the spark plugs, belts, and other critical components
OIL AND GAS
It’s essential, points out Esh, to have fresh oil in your mower, and to fill it up with good-quality gasoline. “That’s huge,” he says, “Just those two things.” To change the oil in a push mower, tip the mower and let the dirty oil trickle out into a pan or old cardboard. Or, use an oil vacuum pump. Place the mower upright, and add new oil to the machine’s capacity.
As for gasoline, Esh Hardware recommends 93 octane gas that’s of the non ethanol variety. “Ethanol clogs up your muffler, and is hard on the carburetor and the rubber hoses,” points out Esh. “You’ll save a lot on maintenance if you use ethanol-free gas.”
Always fill up your lawn mower with non-ethanol, high-quality gasoline. “If somebody uses good-quality gas that’s non-ethanol,” says Ray Esh, “usually all we have to do is sharpen the blades, check the belts, change the air filter, spark plugs and change the oil—and the mower is ready to go.”
Alternately, using cheap, ethanol gasoline typically results in more repair and maintenance for your lawn mower. “It collects water faster,” Esh explains. It’s also typically the cause of brittle, dry hoses and gummed-up carburetors.
MOWER BLADES
Having sharp, well-adjusted blades is another game changer. Dull, unbalanced blades can cause a multitude of lawn care problems, from dull and uneven grass blades, to the mower suddenly losing power during use.
There are few things more exasperating than having to stop mowing your lawn when only midway through. “If it’s off-balance, the engine will have to work harder,” explains Esh. “Imbalanced blades will take more off on one side, and the mower will vibrate.”
AIR FILTER
Having a clean air filter is important, also. A dirt-covered filter can suffocate the engine and cause it to lose power. “It’s just like ourselves,” Esh points out. “If we wear a clogged mask, it’s going to get harder to breathe, and after it gets weakened, it sucks in all the bad stuff.”
Tip: A lawn mower’s air filter is typically located next to the engine.
A NOTE ON BELTS
You don’t want to experience a torn belt during the height of lawn-mowing season. So have all belts inspected and, if needed, replaced at the beginning of the season as part of your annual tune-up. According to Esh, dry rot is a common issue, as are overly dry belts that are susceptible to breaking after additional use.
Esh notes that, the majority of the time, a lawn mower will need some additional service—such as an adjustment or a new wheel—to get it operating in optimal condition.
Photo Credit: Philippe 2009
