Spring Mowing Guide – Preparation Checklist

Nothing worse than bringing out the mower, excited for the first mow of the season, and finding that it wont start. If this has happened to you, don’t fret. This easy guide will help you get your mower checked and ready to run. (See our Guide to Preparing Your Walk Behind Mower for Spring)

Check Oil

If your engine has been dormant all winter, one of the first checks you’ll want to make is for engine oil. If you don’t see any on the dipstick, add oil in small increments according to the manual. Check the dipstick and repeat.

Check Air Filter

Dirty air filters can become clogged and rigid in storage. A brand new air filter is an effective way to maintain top performance from your lawn mower. Check that your engine air filter is clean and free of debris. If filter appears dark and polluted, replace it.

Check the Gas

Leaving fuel in the tank over winter can cause all sorts of problems. Ethanol can draw moisture in cold months and damage your engine when you start it up in the Spring. Having a fresh tank of gas at the beginning of the season helps start the lawn mower. Our experts recommend running equipment at the end of each season until fuel reserves are low, then adding fresh gas for Spring.

Check the Battery

After you’ve made the above checks, if the engine won’t turn over at all, the reason is most likely a dead or low-charged battery. Make sure the terminals are in solid contact with the wires to rule out this possibility. If the dash components turn on but the engine wont start, a broken starter mechanism may be the problem.

Check the Mower Deck

For the optimal cut, the underside of your mower deck should be kept clean. Overtime, mower decks may pack with grass, making the engine work harder to spin the blades. Decks benefit from being manually scraped clean after mowing in wet conditions. This will increase Springtime mowing performance.

Check the Mower Blades

To start the mowing season off right, ensure you have sharp lawn mower blades. Inspect the mower blade for any bends, chips, or nicks on the cutting edge. It is unnecessary to have an absolutely razor sharp blade edge, but make sure it’s not rounded, as this will rip and mangle grass instead of cut it cleanly. Mutton Power Equipment offers a professional blade sharpening service.

Check the Tires

Last but not least, if you mower operates on inflatable tires, ensure consistent tire pressure for an level cut. Our technicians recommend inflating between 8 and 12 PSI.