Spring is in full swing, and grass is growing fast, so your garden’s first cut of the season is due any day now, but you must make these vital checks beforehand. It’s important to carry out a few essential safety checks when it comes around to bringing your lawn mower out of the shed for the first time since autumn.
Experts at GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk have shared what they deem to be nine essential checks to make sure your mower isn’t damaged and your grass is in tip-top shape. A spokesperson said: “Before you get to work, though, it’s important to carry out some key safety checks, just to make sure everything’s working as it should. These checks should only take a few minutes but can save you from potentially costly repairs and replacements, as well as unintentionally damaging your lawn.
“Be sure to inspect parts like the battery, oil level, and blades, and don’t forget to test the mower’s safety features too. A few simple checks now can go a long way toward keeping your mower in excellent condition and your lawn looking its best all summer long.”
First things first, it’s always best to have a general look around the different parts of your lawn mower, looking out for any signs of rust, loose bolts, or leaks. You especially wnat to make sure that the wheels spin freely and that the height adjuster is working as usual.
You should carry out a battery check in the case where your lawn mower is battery-powered to check for any corrosion or damage. This is especially important if the mower has sat in storage over the winter months, and it’s best to make sure the battery is fully charged before use.
For fuel-powered lawn mowers, it’s important to make sure you drain anything that may have been left over. This is because fuel can go stale in a short amount of time if left for 30 to 60 days and, as a result, block up the carburettor.
The experts also recommend checking the oil level by pulling out the dipstick and making sure the oil level is within the marked range. Oil is another aspect that can degrade over time, so if it looks in any way dirty or gritty, it might be a sign it’s time for a change.
Inspecting the air filter is a step that mustn’t be overlooked, because if it’s clogged up or dirty, it can affect the performance of your lawn mower. If this is the case, it will need to be cleaned or maybe even replaced.
Ensuring that blades aren’t rusted, bent, or dull is essential before cutting your grass because dull blades have a tendency to rip up the grass as opposed to cutting it finely. If not checked, you could leave your lawn more susceptible to disease, so it’s best to sharpen up or even replace blunt blades.
The most common task that needs to be carried out is removing any old grass buildup underneath, which is guaranteed when mowing. It’s also best to check for chewed wires in case any rodents have caused damage over the winter, and if your mower has a spark plug too, carefully inspect it for signs of wear.
The lawn mower experts suggest a standard safety check is always needed so you know that all switches, levers, and kill switches are functioning properly before use. If you find that anything is broken, you should always seek professional repair or replacement.