Lawn Mower Maintenance Tips: Few pieces of lawn equipment take a beating like a lawn mower.  Yet, this important piece of equipment is often neglected until it won’t start or something breaks.

A lack of preventive maintenance almost guarantees an early death for your lawn mower, but you don’t have to be a mechanic to keep it buzzing all summer long.

Check the oil: Monitor the oil level in your mower and look for floating debris or oil that is dark black in color. Old or contaminated oil should be drained and replaced. To change the oil, remove the drain plug underneath the mower and allow it to drain completely. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for the correct type of oil to use.

Clean out the undercarriage: Grass can get caked in the undercarriage potentially clogging the mower’s discharge chute. Use a wire brush to scrape grass clippings and dirt from the undercarriage and spray the remaining debris away with a hose.

Inspect the air filter:  A clogged or dirty air filter puts added stress on the mower and burns gas less efficiently. Most lawn mowers have a paper or foam air filter that can be easily accessed.

Change the spark plug: Like the air filter, the spark plug is extremely important to a functioning lawn mower, yet inexpensive and easy to replace. Change the spark plug every year to ensure an easy start.

Have the mower blades sharpened: Mower blades endure a great deal of stress thanks to rocks, large branches and other hidden objects. A dull blade rips and tears grass instead of providing a clean cut.

Do you have any great outdoor tips to share? Comment below we would love to hear them.