Not all issues require a lawn mower service. There are plenty of tasks that you can handle in your own garage, saving yourself the money and time of visiting a professional. We rounded up some simple lawn mower self-maintenance tasks below. When you run into an issue that is beyond your experience level, visit your nearest Mid-State Equipment. Our stores are located in Columbus, Jackson, Janesville, Prairie du Sac, Salem and Watertown, Wisconsin.

Understand Your Mower's Specifics

These tips cover general lawn mower maintenance that can be done regardless of the model of lawnmower you own. It's a boring read, but you'll want to consult your owner's manual. It'll give you valuable information such as how often you'll need your lawn mower serviced and what tasks need to be done.

Lubrication

Lawn mowers need plenty of fluids to run properly. Their engines contain an oil reservoir that works to lubricate the crankshaft and pistons. One easy lawn mower self-maintenance tip is how to check the oil. It's the same process that you would do with your car. Insert the dipstick, remove it, put it in again, then check the color and consistency. Replace the oil if it is discolored or sludgy. If you find water or metal shavings inside your oil, you'll want to get your lawn mower serviced, as those indicate other issues.

Clean Out the Undercarriage

Another important tip of lawn mower self-maintenance is to clear out the undercarriage. This helps keep debris from clogging your equipment and causing overheating. If you own a push model, tip it over and clear it out. If you own a riding mower, drive it onto a small ramp or block. This gives you access to the underside of the cutting deck. To clear out each mower, use a high-pressure nozzle.

Replace the Spark Plugs

Spark plugs can wear away thanks to the many hours of use as well as periods of downtime in storage. You'll want to replace the spark plugs every year or so to get the best performance out of your mower. If your spark plugs are not pre-gapped, you'll need a tool called a plug gap. This helps you set your spark plug spark gap to the right width.

Sharpen the Blade

A key tip of lawn mower self-maintenance is sharpening the blade. Your blades get worn down over time which causes them to dull. Dull blades are not only less efficient; they can actually damage your lawn. You'll need a file, burr, or grinder to get the dull material off and leave behind a sharp blade. You want to get it sharp enough to be effective, but don't over sharpen it. The blade only needs to be sharp enough so that it can quickly move through the air. It helps to have a new blade to compare.

Storing Your Equipment

When your equipment isn't in use, you'll want to store it strategically. This can help prevent a range of maintenance issues from creeping up. If possible, store it somewhere where it won't be exposed to the elements such as a barn or shed. If that's not an option, use a non-plastic cover.

We hope you found these lawn mower self-maintenance tips helpful! If you run into issues that are beyond your experience level, check out the lawn mowing service options at Mid-State Equipment. Our expert staff can address a wide range of issues and get your equipment running back to normal in no time. Mid-State Equipment proudly serves the cities of Columbus, Jackson, Janesville, Prairie du Sac, Salem and Watertown, Wisconsin.