Originally posted by at Lawn Mower Maintenance: Tips and Things You Can Do by Yourself
Whether you want to save money, or just because you want to learn about mowers, here are some quick tips on how to maintain your mower in top condition.
If you decide you would like to buy a new mower this year, there are three main types to choose from: gas, electric, and battery-powered. Read more about the best ones on the market today at lawntoolsguide.com
In the meantime, let’s get to work on your mower!
![]()
Gas Mowers
The most commonly-seen mowers cutting both residential yards and sports fields are gas-powered. The information below applies to both walk-behind push mowers and riding mowers.
Safety First!
![]()
Disconnect the spark plug and make sure the cable is secured away from the plug and cylinder head. That way the mower will not start by itself. Now you can perform the first steps:
• Clean off the mud and grass
• Tighten wheels (and inflate if needed)
• Check the pull cord for wear
• Examine the whole mower for other damage, wear, and rusty parts
If you want to inspect underneath, be aware of these two concerns if you need to tip the mower and you have fuel and oil inside:
Two-stroke engines generally have a way to close off the fuel line. Do this first!
(If you’re not sure if it’s 2-stroke, these mowers usually have their oil and gasoline mixed together.)
Four-stroke engines (oil and gas are separate) need even more care if you have to tip them onto their side. Their fuel and oil may leak into the carburetor or air filter. Check with your owner’s manual to find out what it recommends. Generally speaking, never tip it with the spark plug side pointing at the ground.
• Change the spark plug once a year (if your gas mower won’t start, a bad spark plug is often the reason why)
• Examine the air filter, and clean or change it if it’s dirty
• Look at the oil and change it if needed (for easy changes, look for a drain plug so you don’t have to tip the mower
• Always use fresh fuel so sediments and moisture don’t build up and cause damage
• Drain the fuel if you’re going to store the mower without using it for more than a month
Please dispose of oil and fuel safely.
The mower blade
• Replace a broken or cracked blade, sharpen a dull blade and balance it
• Balancing means sharpening both sides equally so one side isn’t heavier than the other
![]()
Electric Mowers
Lucky for you, these mowers don’t need nearly as much maintenance as gas mowers. Unplug the mower and have a look at it.
• Clean off the mud and grass and check for damage and rust
• Check the power cord for wear (this is very important!) Fix breaks or replace the cord.
• Tighten the wheels and any loose parts
Air filter and vents
![]()
Keep your mower from overheating by cleaning the air vents and air filter. Check the owner’s manual to see if it recommends putting a few drops of oil into the motor, too.
Motor brushes
![]()
These are small carbon blocks in the motor. Look at the owner’s manual to see if they can be replaced if they wear down. Replacing them when they’re worn makes sure the mower won’t quit on you unexpectedly.
The blade
![]()
• Replace broken and cracked blades, don’t try to be a blacksmith unless you actually are!
• Sharpen dull blades by filing both sides equally so one side isn’t heavier than the other
![]()
![]( "Husqvarna 7021P 21-Inch Honda Gas Powered Review")
If you decide you would like to buy a new mower this year, there are three main types to choose from: gas, electric, and battery-powered. Read more about the best ones on the market today at lawntoolsguide.com
In the meantime, let’s get to work on your mower!
Gas Mowers
The most commonly-seen mowers cutting both residential yards and sports fields are gas-powered. The information below applies to both walk-behind push mowers and riding mowers.
Safety First!
Disconnect the spark plug and make sure the cable is secured away from the plug and cylinder head. That way the mower will not start by itself. Now you can perform the first steps:
• Clean off the mud and grass
• Tighten wheels (and inflate if needed)
• Check the pull cord for wear
• Examine the whole mower for other damage, wear, and rusty parts
If you want to inspect underneath, be aware of these two concerns if you need to tip the mower and you have fuel and oil inside:
Two-stroke engines generally have a way to close off the fuel line. Do this first!
(If you’re not sure if it’s 2-stroke, these mowers usually have their oil and gasoline mixed together.)
Four-stroke engines (oil and gas are separate) need even more care if you have to tip them onto their side. Their fuel and oil may leak into the carburetor or air filter. Check with your owner’s manual to find out what it recommends. Generally speaking, never tip it with the spark plug side pointing at the ground.
• Change the spark plug once a year (if your gas mower won’t start, a bad spark plug is often the reason why)
• Examine the air filter, and clean or change it if it’s dirty
• Look at the oil and change it if needed (for easy changes, look for a drain plug so you don’t have to tip the mower
• Always use fresh fuel so sediments and moisture don’t build up and cause damage
• Drain the fuel if you’re going to store the mower without using it for more than a month
Please dispose of oil and fuel safely.
The mower blade
• Replace a broken or cracked blade, sharpen a dull blade and balance it
• Balancing means sharpening both sides equally so one side isn’t heavier than the other
Electric Mowers
Lucky for you, these mowers don’t need nearly as much maintenance as gas mowers. Unplug the mower and have a look at it.
• Clean off the mud and grass and check for damage and rust
• Check the power cord for wear (this is very important!) Fix breaks or replace the cord.
• Tighten the wheels and any loose parts
Air filter and vents
Keep your mower from overheating by cleaning the air vents and air filter. Check the owner’s manual to see if it recommends putting a few drops of oil into the motor, too.
Motor brushes
These are small carbon blocks in the motor. Look at the owner’s manual to see if they can be replaced if they wear down. Replacing them when they’re worn makes sure the mower won’t quit on you unexpectedly.
The blade
• Replace broken and cracked blades, don’t try to be a blacksmith unless you actually are!
• Sharpen dull blades by filing both sides equally so one side isn’t heavier than the other
Battery-powered Cordless Mowers
These are so much easier to use than dealing with moving a cord at the end of each row!
• Disconnect the battery and remove the key so the mower doesn’t accidentally start
• Clean off debris, dirt, grass, etc.
• Check for damage and rust
• Replace cracked or bent blades; sharpen dull blades
• Make sure the battery is fully charged (check with the manufacturer’s recommendations on whether you can leave the battery on the charger long-term)
Push Reel Mowers
These use only human power—no gas pollution, very little noise, and no electric bill to pay.
Clean it up
• Remove dirt and debris, sand down splintery wood handles
Sharpen blades
• Raise the mower up to a comfortable working level for you, like on a workbench
• Using oil and a sharpening stone or file, follow the angle of the blade with the same number of light strokes on each blade
• Test the blades with a piece of paper—if they slice it easily, you’re done
Oil it up
• Lightly grease the gears and wheels
Final Step for All Mowers--Start it up
Congratulations if your mower is all ready to roll!
If it won’t start, vibrates more than usual, emits smoke, or you notice something else out of the ordinary, you’ll have to troubleshoot. Take your time, check the manual, and get the help of a pro if you need it.
