Whether you’re the proud owner of a traditional lawn tractor or a zero-turn mower, regular maintenance is a must for keeping your equipment in good working order and staving off potential problems before they arise and leave you (literally) stuck in a rut.
Annual maintenance ensures performance over the entire life of the mower. “If you take care of your machine, it's going to last longer and you're going to get better cut quality,” says turf equipment and compact tractors specialist at AKRS Equipment Nick Wessel, who offers the following checklist for mower maintenance.
Oil
Checking and changing your mower’s oil is the single most important step in avoiding catastrophic engine issues down the road. While a mower can run without oil, doing so will ultimately damage the engine beyond repair.
Lubricant
Manual greasing of your tractor’s myriad moving parts — including axles, wheels, spindles and deck — prevents wear and tear. Be sure not to use too much lubricant, as a little grease goes a long way when it comes to maintaining your mower.
Blades
Sharp mower blades — which cut grass clean so plants stay healthy and recover quickly — are integral to achieving a lush, green lawn and help to reduce mowing time. Dull blades lead to ragged tips and, over time, cause the overall health of your lawn to deteriorate.
Filters
Fresh air is essential to your machine’s performance, and a dirty air filter can take years off its lifespan. That also goes for the fuel filter, which keeps dust and debris from reaching your mower’s engine. Skipping these steps can lead to misfiring, rough idling and stalling.
Belts
Most mowers have two belts, one that drives the transmission and one that runs the blades. Check your machine’s belts for cracking and other signs of excessive wear to decrease the likelihood of either breaking on the job, which — while not catastrophic — is highly inconvenient.
Tires
Proper tire pressure helps with the cut quality and goes hand-in-hand with leveling the cutting deck. When coupled with sharp blades, this results in a well-manicured lawn, every time. Pro tip: The manufacturer’s recommended PSI is embossed on most tires. When in doubt, double-check before adjusting.
Wessel recommends performing annual maintenance in the fall when regular mowing is done for the season. “So you can fix your machine up, put it away clean where it’s ready to go for spring. Plus, if there are any issues, they will be fresh in your mind,” he says.
As inconvenient as taking time out from daily chores to perform annual maintenance might seem, it pales in comparison to Wessel’s worst-case scenario: “You’re in the middle of cutting your lawn and the transmission belt breaks. Now you’re pushing the mower up to the road or your garage.”
Don't delay — make a maintenance plan today. Consult the team of experts at AKRS Equipment to schedule your mower’s annual maintenance. Or pick up a John Deere Filter Pak — complete with oil, air, fuel and hydraulic filters — if you want to tackle the job yourself.
