The summer is going by in record speed. The football,
volleyball, fall soccer and deer seasons are right around the corner. Soon we
will be enjoying cooler weather! Soon your grass will not need mowing every 5
days!
There are still some things to take care of this summer. Try
to find a source of gas for your lawn mower that does not contain ethanol. Use
ethanol free gas in your small engines, boat motors, and generators (have you
tested your generator recently?). Your mower will be happier next spring if you
use ethanol free gas.
The mower blade needs to be inspected this time of year.
Always remove the spark plug wire from the plug and tape it to the side of the
mower to avoid accidently starting the mower when you turn the blade to inspect
it (or remove the plug). The mower blade works like an old time airplane
propeller if you spin the blade it will start the engine.
In the old days, we use to sharpen our mower blades
ourselves. Now days, there is a lot of aerodynamics and engineering that goes
into these blades, so you are better off buying a new blade. Be sure to buy a
replacement that is suited for your mower. These blades move at high speeds, so
be sure they are balanced correctly like the tires on your car.
You want a nice sharp blade that has not run over pine
cones, small sticks, gum balls, the hose, or any other foreign object. A nice
sharp blade will give your lawn a better cut (look) and the leaf blade will
have less entry points for disease.
While you are checking out your mower, how clean is the air
filter? If your air filter is not clean, a lawn mower can produce some nasty
air pollution. Mowers do not have all the emission controls that our cars have,
so a clean air filter is really important. I guess a dirty air filter would be
like your mower having an asthma attack – the engine needs good air flow.
The other main thing to check would be the engine oil. When
was the last time it was changed? Have you mowed enough hours that it is time
to change?
If this sounds like a Saturday morning of fun, have at it.
If not, take it to your local small engine repair shop!
