lawn mower maintenance

Five Quick and Easy Labor Day Weekend Projects Around the Lawn

Posted on by baggervance71

5 Easy Projects to get your Lawn Ready for Fall

Each year, Labor Day comes along to celebrate you!  You’ve been working hard all year long and it shows!  To celebrate all that you do, we’re giving you the day off!  So take an extra long weekend and relax!  Kick back and enjoy some “you time!”  Labor Day weekend is also great for getting in a few projects around the lawn.  With Fall right around the corner, now is the time to prepare for the incoming colder months.  If you’re trying to get some work done this extra long weekend, here are five easy projects for your labor day weekend.

pruning_tree1. Prune Trees

After only a few minutes with a pruner, your trees and shrubbery will be looking great!  Clear way those dead branches and unsightly twigs.  Trimming away any out of control limbs will be sure to give your trees a clean appearance.

aerator2.  Aerate your Lawn

Over the summer, you probably put a lot of pressure on your lawn – literally.  When soil becomes compacted due to high traffic and usage, it becomes harder for it to receive nutrients and oxygen.  Regularly aerating your lawn drastically improve it’s ability to breathe properly, which will result in a beautiful, deep green color.

And for most cool season grasses , the best time to aerate is RIGHT NOW!  Early fall aerating will help to promote healthy growth and aeration when your lawn needs it the most!

edge3. Edge Sidewalks

If weeds and grass are starting to creep up onto your sidewalk or driveway, you could probably stand edging.  Using an edger or weed trimmer, clean up along paths and walkways to give your exterior a neat, symmetrical look.

bm218164. Mulch your Lawn

Mulch Kits do wonders for your lawn’s health and appearance!  They dramatically reduce the size of your lawn clippings, which makes it easier for them to break down.  Fall is also the best time to mulch your lawn!  Using a mulching kit promotes healthy growth and aeration, while severely reducing damaging thatch buildup.  Mulch Kits are also incredibly easy to install!  If you don’t have one, then it look’s like you’ve found your Labor Day plans!

bolt5. Sharpen your Mower Blades

Just as it’s important to keep your lawn maintained heading into Fall, it’s equally important to maintain your lawn mower!  By this point in the summer, your lawn mower blades have probably taken quite a beating.  Dull or chipped lawn mower blades can leave your lawn looking dull.  If you’re not sure if your lawn mower blades need sharpening, look at your lawn right after you mow.  If your lawn looks white immediately after mowing, that means the grass blades are being torn, rather than cut, which is damaging to your lawn.  Replacing your lawn mower blades can be done in under 10 minutes, and it will do wonders for your lawn!

Along with maintaining your lawn before Fall, maintaining your lawn mower is just as important!  By now, your lawn mower blades have probably taken quite a beating.  Dull or chipped lawn mower blades can leave your lawn looking dull.  One telltale sign of dull blades is that your lawn will begin to look white right after you mow.  This is a sign that the grass blades are being torn, rather than cut.  If this is the case, then it’s time for a blade replacement.  Replacing your lawn mower blades is a simple task that can be done in under ten minutes.

By now, you’ve probably got a list of projects to do this weekend!  We hope you have a great Labor Day Weekend!

Mid-Summer Mower Maintenance Tips

Posted on by baggervance71

4 Steps to Keeping your Lawn Mower Running all Summer Long

Summer is almost halfway over, which means your lawn mower has probably seen it’s fair share of daylight.  In order to keep your lawn mower running great all summer long, now is the perfect time to give your mower a mid-season tune up.  Here are five steps to giving your lawn mower some mid-season maintenance.

1. Give your Lawn Mower a Good Cleaning

The first step in giving your lawn mower a mid-summer tuneup is to clean it up a little bit.  During the first half of the summer, chances are, your mower has collected some dirt, debris and grass.  It’s important to give your mower a good cleaning.  Clean thoroughly, especially underneath the mower deck.  Grass buildup underneath the mower deck can hold a great deal of moisture, which will make your mower deck rust.

PRO TIP2PRO TIP:  Save water and use an air compressor to get rid of debris quickly!  If you don’t have an air compressor, a leaf blower will work just as well.

bolt2. Tighten Bolts and Hardware

Over the course of a summer, your lawn mower takes on a great deal of wear.  Vibrations among other things can cause bolts on your lawn mower to loosen.  Grab a wrench and make sure all of your hardware and bolts are tightened up!

air filter3. Change the Air Filter

If your air filter is dirty, then it’s probably time to change it.  Replacing your paper air filter can maximize your mowers performance and engine life.  If your air filter is foam, then you could probably benefit from cleaning it.  Using soap and water, remove all debris, grass, and anything else it might have collected so far.

blades4. Check the Blades

Well sharpened blades can make all the difference in the world, when it comes to cut quality.  Remove the blades and carefully inspect them for chipped or dull edges or any chunks that are missing. Properly balanced and sharpened Lawn mower blades are without a doubt, the most important part of achieving a high quality of cut.

After you do these 4 simple steps, your lawn mower should be all ready to take on whatever you throw at it, as we head into the last half of the summer.  Happy Mowing!

How to Change your Lawn Mower’s Spark Plug Like a Pro

Posted on by baggervance71

Changing the Spark Plug on your Lawn Mower

If you can’t get your lawn mower to start, many times it’s because of a faulty spark plug.  An old or dirty spark plug can cause your lawn mower to have problems starting.  Does your lawn mower start on the first pull?  If not, simply replacing your spark plug can usually be exactly what your mower needs.  Fortunately, replacing your mower’s spark plug is one of the easier things you can do for your mower.  Here is a step by step guide to changing your lawn mower’s spark plug in under 10 minutes!

Does your Spark Plug Need Changed?

If your lawn mower doesn’t start on the first or second pull, then it’s probably time for a new spark plug.  To decide whether or not you need to change your spark plug, first remove your old one and inspect the tip.  If it’s black or dark in color or covered in debris, then it’s time to change your spark plug.  Fortunately, spark plugs are incredibly inexpensive and super easy to replace!

You will Need:

  • New Spark Plug
  • Spark Plug Socket Wrench (These types of sockets contain a rubber insert that protects the ceramic spark plug.)

How to Change the Spark Plug

1. Disconnect the spark plug wire and clean around the spark plug hole with a wire brush.

2. Using a spark plug socket, remove the old spark plug.

3. Purchase a new spark plug.  New spark plugs typically only cost a few dollars.  Take the old spark plug into your local lawn mower service professional  or hardware store to have it replaced.  All spark plugs come with the model number printed right on them, so you can be sure you’re getting the right one.

4. Install the new Spark Plug.  Insert the new spark plug into the spark plug hole.  Turn the spark plug by hand until you can’t anymore, then use the spark plug socket to tighten the spark plug into place.  Don’t over-tighten the the spark plug – applying too much pressure can crack the ceramic spark plug.  Once the new spark plug is in place, connect the spark plug wire and you’re ready to go!