Your tractor mower keeps your lawn lush, healthy, and green. Regular lawn tractor maintenance is crucial in keeping your mower in excellent running condition.

How to Maintain Your Lawn Tractor

There are mowing machine components that need regular maintenance. Here are eight outdoor power equipment servicing tips that will prolong your tractor's life:

Clean The Mower Deck and Undercarriage

The mower undercarriage protects the gears, belts, and pulleys from dirt, grass clippings, and other debris. The mower deck protects both the engine and user from debris kicked up by the blades. If the mower deck and undercarriage are too dirty, the mower will be inefficient and be vulnerable to breakdowns.

Clean the undercarriage and deck after every third or fourth mow. Use a leaf blower to blow the debris off the undercarriage and deck. Next, take the deck off and use a screwdriver to scrape debris off the belts and pulleys.

Change the Blades

Sharp blades give the grass a clean cut. They also help the engine to work more efficiently. With dull blades, the mower must work harder.

Here is how to change blades:

1. Hold back and lock the blades with wood blocks and a C-clamp.

2. Remove the mower deck and work from the top of the tractor, not from underneath.

3. Loosen the blade bolts with a breaker bar and six-point socket.

4. Scrape off the big chunks of grass buildup underneath the mower deck with a flat pry bar and a putty knife.

Change The Spark Plugs

A well-running engine starts easily and is fuel efficient. With worn spark plugs, you risk misfiring, hard engine starts, poor fuel economy, and possible engine damage.

Changing and replacing your spark plugs requires unscrewing old ones and screwing on new ones. Here are some spark plug changing tips:

• Blow away debris from around the plugs before unscrewing them. Once you remove the plug, use a rag to clean the plug seat.

• Don’t try to force an old plug to turn since this can damage the engine. Loosen it with a cooling spray.

• Tighten the new plug with your fingers. If there are gaskets, use a wrench and turn the plug an additional half turn.

• Set the gap of the new spark plugs before you install them.

Get a Clean Fuel Filter

The fuel filter protects your mower’s engine from excessive wear and tear by filtering debris particles from the oil. An old filter can reduce fuel efficiency, cause hard starting and damage to the carburetor. The user’s manual will tell you how often you should change the filter.

To avoid getting covered in oil, pinch off the fuel line when you remove the old filter and install the new one. It is critical to pay attention to the direction of the fuel arrows as they must point towards the engine.

Install a New Air Filter

The air filter plays a crucial role in helping to keep the engine cool and prevent overheating. The owner’s manual will tell you when to change out the filter. Clean the filter every month between changing filters. Locate the filter, which will have a square- or cylindrical-shaped covering. Pull out the filter and replace it.

Inspect Your Tires

Regularly check the tire pressure and look for leaks. Replacing the inner tube is the best way to fix tire leaks.

Here are the steps for replacing tractor tires:

1. Place an angled piece of wood where the wheel and tire meet. Break the tire away from the wheel using a maul. Work around the wheel to detach the tire.

2. Turn the detached wheel over to break the bead on the other side.

3. Use a utility knife to cut off the old valve stem and break away the tire bead. Separate the tire bead from the wheel.

4. Insert the new inner tube and align the valve stem with the stem hole. Pull the stem through the hole and secure it with a clamp.

5. Reattach the tire bead back on the wheel and inflate the tire.

Checking the Tire Pressure

Regularly check the tire pressure with a gauge against the recommended level on its side wall. Add or release air until the tire pressure reaches this level. All tires on the same axle should have the same pressure.

Change The Oil

Your mowing equipment needs routine oil changes to ensure the engine operates efficiently. Change the oil filter and the oil at the same time.

Here is how to change your tractor's oil:

1. Locate the dipstick. If the oil doesn’t reach the FULL line, you need to add oil.

2. To change the oil, park the mower on a level surface.

3. Run the mower for a few minutes and turn it off. Place a pan underneath the drain valve.

4. Remove the oil cap. For drain tube mowers, place one end in the pan.

5. Push the valve, turn it counterclockwise and pull it out. The oil will flow out.

6. After the oil is drained, push the valve in and turn it clockwise.

7. Add the fresh oil and put the cap back on.

Grease The Fittings

Not greasing the tractor results in inefficient operation, uneven cuts, rough starts, added wear, and noisiness. Check the owner’s manual for the proper grease type and where all the fittings are. Grease the fittings with each oil change.

The Benefits of Lawn Tractor Maintenance

Regular lawnmower maintenance keeps your mower in top running condition. Below are routine maintenance benefits:

• Less gasoline consumption

• Extended mower life

• A cleaner-running engine

• A powerful, smooth-running tractor that starts quickly

• Long-term cost savings

Powersports Company Lawn Tractor Service

Lawnmower maintenance helps prevent repairs. Powersports Company has trained, experienced technicians who can quickly repair your mower. Contact us today to schedule your lawn tractor repair.