How to keep your mower alive and kicking all-year-long

The well-cared for lawn mower should last a good 10-to-12 years, but very often, this important appliance is neglected until it either won’t start or it breaks down.

A lack of maintenance almost guarantees an early death for your mower, but you don’t have to be a mechanic or an engineer to keep it buzzing during the colder seasons, and right through until spring. Your first port of call to ensure the long, healthy life of your mower is to read the owner’s manual – this tells you how the maker of your mower wants you to take care of it.

Secondly, keep in mind that old petrol is one of the main reasons why your mower fails to start after multiple attempts. As such, only put in a small amount of fuel per grass cut so that there is none left at the end of the session. Dispose of old petrol safely if you are not intending to use your mower during the coldest months of winter.

Another top tip is to never ever forget to check your mower’s oil levels, and look for floating debris or oil that appears dark black in colour. Old or contaminated oil should be drained and replaced. To change your oil, remove the drain plug underneath the mower and allow it to drain completely. If your mower does not have a drain plug, you’ll need t carefully tilt the mower on its side and drain the oil through the fill hole. Always consult the owner’s manual for the correct type of oil to use.

Grass can get caked in the under- carriage of your mower, which potentially clogs the mower’s discharge chute. This more commonly happens during the autumn season as the grass is generally damper when cut, and the dew rises earlier in the evenings. Use a wire brush to scrape away grass clippings and dirt, and spray any remaining debris with a hose. Disconnect the spark plug for safety before doing this.

It is easy and inexpensive to replace your mower’s air filter and spark plug, so do this annually, and ask a repair shop to sharpen your mower’s blade for a small fee. Similarly, ask your mower repair shop to professionally service your mower to ensure that it is in perfect working order before you begin any extensive grass-cutting.