The petrol lawn mower is one of the most used tools in the garden. Unfortunately, its performance diminishes with each working hour. The knife gradually dulls, the air filter becomes clogged with dust and pollen.Used oil reduces engine performance. That is why it is worth to properly preserve the mower in late autumn.
We can do some work on our own, and the more complicated ones are better to outsource to specialists from the website.
Here is a list of basic post-season maintenance.
1. We remove the spark plug cap.Thanks to this, we can be sure that no unauthorized person will start the machine.
2. Place the mower on its side so that the air filter is at the top, otherwise it may be flooded with oil or fuel. We unscrew the knife preferably with a socket wrench, not a flat wrench. We have the knife sharpened and balanced (cost about PLN 15).As a last resort, we replace it with a new one.We remember its position, preferably by photographing the underside of the mower.
3. Use a wooden or plastic spatula to remove compacted, dry remnants of grass so that you do not scratch the drum.
4. Remove small impurities with a broom or a hard-bristled brush.
5. Screw the knife on, protect it against corrosion with WD-40, which is then wiped off with a cloth after a few minutes.Place the mower on wheels.
6. Unscrew the oil filler dipstick, put in a tray and pour the used oil into it.
7. Put the mower on its side again until the oil starts running out.In large and heavy mowers, the oil can be sucked off with a special pump (the cost of a set with a hose and a container is approx.30 zlotys).We take the used oil to a local recycling point. Change the oil every 25-50 hours of operation, after the engine is started for the first time after 5 hours.
8. Place the mower on wheels and pour in fresh oil.
9. We check the oil level, if necessary top up to the level recommended by the manufacturer (usually the maximum).
10. Remove the spark plug, clean the slightly sooty one with a wire brush, replace the old one (cost about PLN 10).
11. We screw the candle into the socket. It is important to tighten it with moderate force.
12. Take out the air filter, depending on the mower model it can be sponge or paper (10-40 PLN).If the filter is not too dirty, just blow it out.
13. We put on the filter, now the mower is well prepared for winter.
Empty the fuel tank
Fuel loses its properties over time (about 4 weeks).We say it delaminates and the deposits clog the carburetor. As a result, the engine may run unevenly and emit more exhaust gas, it will certainly lose power. Hence, the fuel must be burned out before winterIf not by mowing, then by mowing the leaves with a mower, and finally by idling.If we do not have the opportunity to do so, add a stabilizer to the fuel, which increases the fuel life up to 36 months.
