A bad workman blames their tools
A Good workman maintains them.
schedule time to service your mowers
As a lawn mowing business owner, you know that properly maintaining your equipment is crucial to running your business smoothly.
By regularly servicing your lawn mowers, trimmers, and other equipment, you can avoid costly repairs down the road and keep your fleet running like new.
Not maintaining your equipment can lead to uneven cuts and lawns that look messy.
Not only is this not a good look, but it also makes your work harder than it needs to be and can lead to more breakdowns.
Simple things like sharpening your blades once a month will make it much easier for something like a wet cut or a new lawn.
Book time to do machine maintenance in your diary.
Scheduling your servicing is easy when you are working solo and know the amount of work your machine is doing. You can just schedule a time to service your machine as you need it.
When I ran many machines and vans, I found it hard to track, so I fitted engine timers (Hour/Tach Meter). They are not hard to install, and you can pick them up from a place like Amazon. Checking the timers allowed me to see what machines were due for servicing.
My maintenance routine
I pull out all my mowers on the first Saturday of the month.
To start, I give them all a quick water blast, including the catchers. (a low-pressure wash, of course)
I then remove the blades and give them a quick sharpen with the grinder.
I replace any parts that are worn or broken—Bearings, fans etc.
Then I check the air filter and replace the oil.
Lastly, lubricate the cables, as this can save you a lot of money on seized cables.
It takes me a couple of hours to do three mowers, and then I am good to go for another month.
Two strokes
I don’t bother too much with the smaller two-stroke engines, blowers and weedeaters etc., as I tend to replace filters, spark plugs, etc., on the job.
I don’t touch the engines as we have a mutual hatred of each other, so I leave that to the experts.
Since I started this, I have had fewer breakdowns and, therefore, less downtime.
Carry spare spark plugs
I would also suggest you always carry spare spark plugs in your wagon. Back in the day, when a machine stopped, I would run it straight into the shop. Then I realised that every time I did this, the first thing they did was replace the plug.
Now I do this myself on the job. Nine times out of ten, it solves the problem.
These are the basic things you should do when you service your mowers.
7 Tips for Servicing Your Lawn Mowing Equipment
1. Read the owner’s manual.
This may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people skip this crucial step. Before you do anything else, make sure you read and understand the owner’s manual for your particular make and model of lawn mower. This will give you a good starting point for understanding how to best care for your equipment.
2. Check the oil level and change it if necessary.
Every lawn mower has an oil reservoir that you need to keep filled for the engine to run correctly. Check the oil level regularly and top it off as needed; most manufacturers recommend changing the oil entirely every 50 hours or so.
Lately, most of our mower engines claim not to need oil changes. I still change the oil every few months. I can’t quite get my head around this whole “no need to change the oil thing.”
3. Clean or replace the air filter.
The air filter protects the engine from outside debris and dust; over time, it can become clogged with debris, which can reduce engine power and cause damage. Checking and cleaning (or replacing) the air filter regularly will help keep your engine running strong.
Check if your mower stops on the job. You can get a mower or weed eater to start running again by removing the air filter. Your machine will run ok for a day, but you need another filter ASAP.
4. Sharpen the blades.
Dull blades will not only produce subpar results – but they can also damage your lawn by tearing grass rather than cutting it cleanly. Sharpening (or replacing) the blades on your lawn mower at least once per season will ensure that your mower is always performing at its best.
5. Clean the underdeck area.
The area under the deck of your lawn mower can become caked with grass clippings, dirt, and debris over time. This can impede airflow and prevent grass from being cut effectively. Keeping this area clean will help extend the life of your mower and produce better results.
Also, spend some time cleaning the catcher. It needs the vents to be clean to catch probably. Good airflow is essential right through the cutting area and catcher.
6. Lubricate moving parts as needed.
Many parts of a lawn mower – such as spindles, wheels, levers, etc. – require regular lubrication to function correctly. Refer to your owner’s manual to find out which parts need to be lubricated and how often; in general, it’s a good idea to lubricate all moving parts at least once per season.
7.Tighten loose bolts & screws
Finally, it’s always a good idea to walk around your lawn mower(s) and tighten any loose bolts or screws you may find.
Over time, vibrations for everyday use can cause these components to loosen.
By now you know you need to schedule time to service your mowers.
And there you have it! By following these simple tips regularly, you can keep your lawn mowing equipment running smoothly for years to come.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post! If you found it helpful, we encourage you to share it with fellow lawn care professionals or anyone else who might find it useful.
