Even though spring is not that close, a homeowner cannot simply start preparing his lawn mower to take care of the grass at the last moment. The best approach is to start the lawn mower maintenance as early as late winter and be prepared. Ideally, the maintenance of the equipment should begin by cleaning up under the lawn mower when you are preparing to store it for the cold season. To put it simply, before storing it in the garage or basement, make sure that its lower part does not contain grass, leaves of debris that could harden and clog it during storage.

Once the device is taken out of the storage room, the very first step to lawn mower maintenance is to check the oil. Even though most homeowners consider that primarily push lawn mowers mandatory need an oil change in order to perform well, this guide advises you to change the oil of the equipment, regardless of type. If this is the first time you had to perform an oil change for the lawn mower, then do not worry, it is not very complicated. Simply place a container under the drain plug, remove the plug in order to allow the oil to drain completely and fill it with new oil. As a side note, do not forget to properly dispose of the old oil.

If your device is quite old, then it is very likely the spark plugs present rust or corrosion on them. Consequentially, the next step of the lawn mower maintenance would be to replace the spark plugs so that the machine works properly. Even though the spark plugs do not need replacement yet, it is still a wise idea to take them out and clean them on a regular basis. Regardless of whether you are replacing or simply cleaning them up, you should be careful that they are fitted correctly in their sockets, as otherwise the lawn mower will not cut the grass properly.

The next parts of the lawn mower that should be inspected are the belts. In order to check their condition, you will need to lift the machine upright and turn it on. Usually, if they present cracks or show signs of dry-rot, they need to be replaced.

An important aspect of preparing the lawn mower for the extensive usage in spring and summer resides in constantly sharpening the blades. Despite the fact that it must be done often, especially for large lawns that need constant attention and mowing, sharpening the blades is done quite easily: detach the blades from the machine and sharpen them using a metal file. On the other hand, if when you inspect the blades you notice chipping in various places, it is recommended that they are replaced.

After you have finished the essential maintenance, take a moment to inspect the height of the blades. There are few chances that they are positioned too high, unless you inserted them wrong. However, if they are too low, they need adjustments as otherwise they will tear and weaken the grass. In general, the optimal height for the classic blades of lawn mowers is around one inch.