How To Keep an Old Mower Running

If that lawn mower you purchased about ten summers ago is beginning to show its age, with a few simple maintenance steps practiced regularly, you can still get about five more seasons of work out of the old gal.

• After every use of your mower, remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated around the engine or the cutting deck.  This simple step can help prevent premature engine failure, because a dirty engine runs too hot and wears out faster. For safety's sake, whenever you are performing maintenance on your lawn mower, be sure to remove the spark plug wire so that the engine or blade mechanism doesn't automatically start up and cause an accident.
• Prior to storing your mower away for the season, remove any remaining gasoline from the tank and clean the undercarriage using a damp rag or spray from a water hose.  A mower should never be retired from one week to the next or for an entire season with dead grass clippings or leaves attached to the engine or cutting deck.
• Another good way to keep your old mower running great is to check the condition of the cutting blade. Remove the blade from its holder and try to sharpen the blade first.  In the event the blade is too dull to be sharpened adequately, get a new blade replacement. Just be sure to insert it properly so that the blade edge is cutting in the correct direction.
• Every lawn mower, regardless of age, needs to have the oil changed at least once a year. Lay the mower on its side with a pan underneath to catch the old oil and residue, then replace the oil with the type of lawn mower oil recommended by the mower manufacturer.
• An older mower that seems to be losing steam can be revitalized by replacing its spark plug. Locate the spark plug, remove the spark plug wire, and thread in a replacement.  If you are not sure what size spark plug to purchase from your local hardware store, check the owner's instruction manual or remove the old spark plug and carry it with you to the store to compare sizes.  Once the new plug is in place, return the spark plug wire to its original position.
• When not using your mower, cover it with a light cloth or plastic tarp and keep it under cover in the garage or a garden shed. Never work on a mower that has gasoline remaining in the tank.
• If you are going to be storing your mower for a few weeks or a few months of inactivity, purchase stabilizer to add to the gasoline tank, fill it with gasoline and this will prevent the gas tank from prematurely rotting away.