Simple Lawnmower Maintenance

Do you have trouble starting your lawnmower up in the spring? Before deciding to take your lawnmower in for repair, try these few simple suggestions. After completing them most of the time your lawnmower will fire up and run like a champ.

Pull and clean the Spark Plug

Most of the time simply cleaning the spark plug will solve your lawnmower woes. To do this, disconnect the wire attached to the end of the spark plug. Then using a wrench or a Ratchet/Socket, remove the spark plug. If the spark plug is black or wet looking, you have probably found your problem on why the lawnmower is not starting.

Using fine grit sandpaper, sand the top of the spark plug down to bare metal. Make sure you sand all around the edges of the piece of metal (tab) that sits just above the electrode. Make sure that there is a gap between the metal tab and the electrode. If you still have the lawnmower manual and a feeler gauge you can adjust the gap to the specifications. However, if there is a small gap it is probably sufficient for the spark plug to operate correctly.

Make sure the spark plug is free of dust and dry. Then screw it back into the cylinder and connect back the wire to the end of the spark plug. Then try starting the lawn mower.

Check for Oil

Make sure there is oil in the lawnmower and that it is at the proper level.

Check for Fuel

Make sure there is gas in the lawn mower. If you have old gas in the lawnmower and did not put in a fuel stabilizer at the end of the season, replace the gas. If you had drained the gas tank at the end of the previous season, then fill the tank at least half full with new gas.

Check the Fuel Line

Like many of us, at the end of the previous lawn mowing season we turn off the fuel line switch. Make sure it is in the on position. If you have done all of the above and the engine will not fire, then check to see if the fuel is getting to the carburetor. Temporarily disconnect the fuel hose from the carburetor and see if gas pours out. If so reconnect the hose. If not, then check the fuel line. It may be gummed up or the fuel filter is clogged.

Check the Air Filter

Make sure the Air Filter is clean. If it is dirty and oily then replace it. If it just dirty shake it and knock out some of the dust. This may solve your problem; however I would still recommend replacing it.

Clean the Carburetor

First turn off the fuel line. Disassembling and cleaning the carburetor is not as bad as you may think. Usually there is a nut on the underside of the carburetor. Remove this and pull the bottom portion of the carburetor off. Clean the inside of this lower portion of the carburetor and then make sure the float valve moves up and down freely. The float valve is a plastic object about 1.5” in diameter that hangs down when you remove the lower portion of the carburetor.

Reconnect the lower portion of the carburetor and turn on the fuel line again.

Try restarting the lawnmower. If it still does not work after performing all of these procedures, then take it to a repair shop. However, from personal experience these procedures usually solve the problem.

Sharpen the Blade

Finally, make sure you sharpen the blade. This will ensure you minimize the torque on the engine while cutting the grass. Not to mention, your lawn will get a more even cut.

Me_Donovan@comcast.net
http://www.homeadditionplus.com
http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Over the past 20+ years Mr. Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. Mr. Donovan's formal education and profession have been as an Electrical Engineer and Marketing Manager.

Lawn Mower Racing

The mower racing is becoming a regular sport. Local newspapers report the results, sponsors are looking for the best racer in order to get the first position in the next local or even state race. Races draw thousands of fans due to the fact that a lot of lawnmower racing races have been scheduled from town to town.

There are no purses and typically no betting in terms of mowers racing. Therefore, they have no desire for lucre, it is only a hobby to work and enjoy. We can say that it is only for the glory. Most of the machines which work in these races are long-retired ones that racers rebuild for racing. On the other hand, we must say that there exists different levels of classification; from stock racers that still cut grass, or mowers without blades, which have been removed, to factory experimental mowers on which the platforms intended to cover the blades are strictly decorative.

Group1: This is the grass roots of mower sport, lawn mower racing started here. Mowers are defined as run-behind mowers, and it is easy to understand, what you see is what you get. The only thing that you need is to acquire an old petrol engined cylinder driven mower and race it.

Group 2: This group is split into 2 main groups for roller and wheel driven mowers. Those mower's types have a lot of similarities to race. The wheel driven mowers tend to be heavier and wider but offer better traction in slipper conditions.

Group 3: By far this is the most popular group at the moment. Lawn mowers are always wheel driven machines with the rider sat on the machine. This also tends to be the fastest group with mowers capable of reaching speeds up to 40mph.

Group 4: This group was introduced for 2002, and is described in the Rules & Regulations as a small bonneted tractor, which effectively opens this class up to a wide range of mowers. Drivers in this class should be able to compete against Group 3 machines.

Currently, there exists the U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association. They are responsible in checking rules for each season, races, photo gallery and everything relative with mower races as well as how to organize a lawnmower racing in your own town.

Andrew Caxton is the webmaster and successful author of http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com A guide on lawn mowers and garden tractors and how to choose the right type for your garden, including synthetic turf for different garden styles. Caxton contributes adding reviews and special articles regularly to the site, including reports on lawn mower racing.

Lawn Mower Maintenance for a Perfect Lawn

Growing and maintaining a lush green lawn takes care and the right equipment. The right lawn mover for your landscape and proper maintenance of your equipment will ensure a nice even lawn. A good lawn mower should cut the grass and not tear or rip it out.

The first thing to consider when purchasing a lawn mover is your landscape. Is your lawn on a slope or flat ground? What type of mower can get the job done with the least amount of effort? Another factor is how easy the mower is to maintain for peak performance.

If you have to cut grass on a slope, the best type of lawn mower is one with high wheels. This will make it easier to push up a hill, or to move back down the hill with. The second type of lawn mower is a cordless or electric mulching lawn mower. The mulching mower is less messy and mulches your lawn. The third type of lawn mower is a reel lawn mower. Reel lawnmowers are environmental friendly, not contributing to pollution and are easy to use.

After deciding on the type of lawn mower to purchase, review the maintenance schedule. A good maintenance program will allow your mower to last for years to come and give your grass a better cut. Every spring, the different parts of the lawnmower should be cleaned or repaired. Spark plugs should be cleaned or replaced for good firing and nuts and bolts should be checked and tightened where necessary.

The underside decking should be cleaned throughout the season to remove build up of grass and dirt. Cleaning the grass and dirt will also help in preventing the spread of diseases in grass. In order to clean the deck of the lawnmower, you should first empty the gas tank and make sure that the spark plug is not connected. You can then stand the mower up on its side and spray the mower with water. You can then scrub off the rest of the dirt and grass that is stuck on the mower. Make sure to dry the mower after you have finished rinsing it off, to make sure that none of the parts rust.

Your maintenance should also include checking the oil and air filters. The air filters should be cleaned or replaced on a regular basis. Before removing the filter to replace, make sure that you know whether it is paper or foam. The oil in your lawn mower lubricates the engine. Be sure you read the operating instructions on the type and amount of oil your mower uses.

Another important part of maintenance is sharpening the blades every one or two months, depending on use. Sharp blades ensure a clean cut rather than ripping out the grass. This can be easily done by removing the blade from the mower and sharpening it with a file.

When mowing season is over, there are certain steps to properly store your lawn mower for the winter. It is advisable to remove the oil and gas, and clean the exterior.

With consistent and proper care of your lawnmower, you will be able to keep your lawn looking great through the seasons and years, and your mower will last for years too.

For more information about lawn mowers and your lawn, visit Lawn Mowers and Lawn

Lawn Mower Parts

In the present age of abundant production, it is easy to come across an overabundance of lawn mower designs to select from. Lawn mowers can operate on gas or can be motorized, self-propelled or pushed. More often than not, an individual can possess a lawn mower but may also be contemplating a substitution, or alternate parts.

Before one intends to purchase a lawn mower, one should take into account its relevance. If one has a yard which is not too big, one would not require a costly lawn mower with heavy maintenance costs. In such cases an electric or battery driven mower may be quite suitable.

In the majority of cases, homeowners have an inclination for a rotary motor, which is less costly. It is not too difficult to maintain, and appropriate for the majority of lawns. Reel-type mowers are suitable for specific kinds of grass, which one would like to clip to a minimum height.

While contemplating a substitute lawn mower, one should also obtain some advice to ascertain if a new lawn mower is a good proposition. As a rule, one can put off a costly new acquisition by just swapping damaged parts in the machine. Fresh blades and new engine parts for lawn mowers can be procured for a price that is not too high.

Lawn mower parts can normally be divided into one of two types. They are attachment parts, and substitution parts for those that have degenerated due to use. Scores of web sites can be searched that make available diverse kinds of attachments for all categories of lawn mowers, including ride-on mowers, commercial types and the ubiquitous push-behinds.

Lawn Mowers provides detailed information on Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mower Parts, Riding Lawn Mowers, Lawn Mower Repair and more. Lawn Mowers is affiliated with Blower Fans.

Are Zero Turn Mowers Really That Special?

They all have four tires, an engine, and a mowing deck, but are they any different from the rest? It seems like zero turn mowers are growing in popularity every year. Not only do they make quick work of large mowing areas, they are a blast to operate. Professionals have been using them for years to cut tight spaces and large lawns with ease. Zero turn radius (ZTR) means that you can turn on a dime with ease. That is, you stay in the same place while your mower is turning. Because of this, they don't leave a circle of uncut grass that would normally require a second pass.

Some companies claim that a zero turn mower can cut your mowing time in half. I would have to agree with this statement. That also means less fuel usage and less wear and tear on your unit. Once you try these units out, you will probably never go back to a steering wheel again. Nevertheless, can you still justify the extra expense before you get introduced to one of these beasts? It is pretty easy to exceed a $2,000 price tag with one. In the long run, you won’t be sorry.

If you are still unsure whether it is worth it or not, you can always get a demonstration for one and see the difference for yourself. They have a much longer learning curve than regular lawn tractors. Many people can only justify it if they are mowing larger lawns and most experts don't recommend them for mowing slopes, where they are prone to tipping. Otherwise, they might select a walk behind mower instead.

Matt Morrison writes regularly for Blades Lawn Care where they have other similar articles on lawn mowers like How to Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blade.