Does Your Riding Mower Need a Tune-up?
Ensure your gas-powered riding mower is in top condition by scheduling regular tune-ups or repairs. Neglecting basic maintenance can lead to premature wear and tear, but with proper care, your mower can last up to a decade. Follow these tips to keep your mower running efficiently and avoid costly repairs down the line.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Just like a car, a ride-on mower needs regular service and care to last long. Neglecting basic maintenance can lead to parts wearing out, but with proper care, a mower can last up to seven to 10 years.
- Drain old fuel before winter to prevent carburetor issues, replace air filters every spring to maintain engine efficiency, and change the oil annually to prevent engine clogs.
- Keep an eye on blades, belts, and spark plugs, and replace them when they start to wear out. Additionally, know when it's time to consider repairing or replacing the mower based on cost and complexity.
How to make sure your gas-powered ride-on mower is truly cutting it.
A ride-on mower is similar to a car in that it needs regular service and care if it’s going to last. So whether you own a push mower or a ride-on tractor, if basic maintenance and repair are neglected, parts will start to wear out. However, with regular maintenance, a mower can last up to seven to 10 years, according to J.D. Power.
Here are a few tips that can help extend the life of your mower:
1. Drain old fuel
One of the most common mistakes owners make is leaving fuel in the fuel tank over the winter. When this happens, the fuel can destabilize and gum up the carburetor, which causes the engine to stop working. Once that happens, the only way to fix your mower is to rebuild the carburetor.
2. Replace air filters
For every gallon of gas burned, your mower pushes roughly 10,000 gallons of air through the engine. If the air filter starts to clog, it will throw the air-fuel mix out of balance, which could cause the engine to burn more fuel and work less efficiently. Make sure to change the air filter every spring.
3. Don’t forget to change the oil
Most manufacturers advise changing the oil after the first five hours of using a new mower to get rid of all the bits of metal and debris that are left over from the manufacturing process and could clog the engine. After that, the oil should be changed once a year, regardless of use, so that the engine parts don’t get clogged with carbon sludge.
4. Keep an eye on blades, belts and spark plugs
These parts will last longer than filters and oil, but you want to monitor them and change them when they start to wear out.
5. Know when it’s time to move on
Taking good care of a lawn mower can certainly extend its lifespan. But after a certain point, think about whether it’s better to repair your lawn mower or replace it. The best way to measure this is to compare the cost and complexity of the repair to the expense and lifespan of a new product.
Remember: The grass is always greener when you take good care of your mower.
Schedule riding mower maintenance now!
Maximize the efficiency and longevity of your riding mower with our professional maintenance service, tailored to keep your lawn looking pristine all season long.
Was this content helpful?
Related Articles
Learn how to help extend the life of your riding lawn mower with our expert tips.
Prepare your riding lawn mower for the winter months with these essential maintenance steps to ensure it's ready to go when the grass starts growing again.
Master the art of using your riding lawn mower with these top tips from our techs.