9 essential maintenance tips for ride-on lawn mowers to keep them running all season

If you happen to be the owner of a large loan, it will definitely be worth it to invest in a ride-on-mower. It will be a worthy investment on account of the fact that not only does it make the lawn-care process seamless, but it also ensures that the activity is fun.

You will definitely want your ride-on lawn mower to perform optimally, and this therefore necessitates that you embrace lawn-care strategies. In this article, I am going to share with you strategies that I have implemented to keep my ride on lawn mowers in good shape, and hopefully you could also learn a thing or two with regards to having a lawn in the best possible condition.

Why is it important to keep your ride-on lawn mower properly maintained?

There are a number of reasons that will demand that you maintain your ride-on lawn mower.

First in order for your ride-on lawn mower to operate optimally, it needs to be in top condition.

Second, failing to maintain your ride-on lawn mower could lead to a lot of damage and consequently demand a lot of costly repairs. This could be even more costly when the ride-on lawn mower completely fails to work and you are compelled to purchase a new one.

Therefore, proper maintenance saves you not just time but also money.

Maintenance tips for ride-on lawn mowers

1. Cleaning and inspection on a regular basis

This sounds pretty obvious, and one may go on to underestimate how powerful of a strategy it is in maintaining the condition of your ride-on lawn mower After you’re done enhancing the state of your loan, it is also important to take a few minutes to get rid of any grass or any type of dust that may have clung onto your machine.

You can use a garden hose to clean the deck, which will remove any existing debris from the deck of your ride-on lawn mower. For the debris that is a lot more persistent, you could use a knife to get rid of it. You also have to ensure that the blades of your ride-on lawn mower are in top condition. They have to be sharp. A sharp blade will ensure that your cards are as clean and neat as possible, while a blunt blade will probably damage the grass, ultimately leading to death. For the bolts, nuts, and screws, you want to ensure that they are all tightened and that none are loose. Failure to do this could potentially see the ride-on lawn mower develop even severe problems.

2.Oil changes and filter replacements

 You have probably experienced engine wear due to overheating. Well, this is partly because of your failure to do regular oil changes, which means that the ride-on mower will not perform smoothly. Regular oil changes and a clean air filter are what will make your engine perform at those optimum levels. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to changing the oil. That will ultimately depend on the recommendations from that particular manufacturer. Typically, most manufacturers will recommend oil change after about 20 hours of work. Another way to ensure that the engine performs well is to ensure that the air filter is in perfect shape. This will be done by checking the filter and ensuring that it is devoid of any dirt or any sort of clogging. If it is dirty or clogged, be sure to replace it.

3. Battery maintenance

Another aspect of ride-on-mower maintenance that is often overlooked is battery maintenance. This is hazardous as a ride-on-loan battery that is not in good shape will have an adverse effect on the overall performance of the ride-on mower. The first way you can check the status of your battery is to ensure that the battery terminals are not corroded. In the event that they are corroded, you can fix them by using a solution of baking soda or wire bush.

 I have had some experience with batteries that use lead acid. One thing you want to do is check the fluid levels at any possible opportunity. If it is not filled, you can use distilled water to top it up. Checking your ride-on lawn mower battery is important, as it ensures that the process of starting your machine is seamless.

4. Tyre maintenance

 If there is one aspect of ride-on-mowers that I see many people overlook, it is definitely tyre maintenance. This is dangerous as it serves to ultimately compromise on the quality of the cut you get on your lawn. The first thing you can decide to do with regards to tyre maintenance is to check the pressure levels of your tires. This is important, as uneven pressure levels will result in a cut that is also even.

You have to check your tyre to ensure that there are no cracks or punctures. This is important as it helps evade any forms of disruption during the lawn-mowing process.

 The other safety concern with the state of the tyres is the tread. Sufficient trade is an absolute necessity, especially if you are working on a lawn that is slippery or sloppy.

5. Belt and transmission maintenance

Your ride-on lawnmowers blades and wheels are literally be driven by its belt and transmission system. The more inspection you give to this system, the higher the chance that it operates smoothly. Consider replacing your lawn mower belts as soon as you notice any wear or tear. Hesitance to do this could likely see the belt break right in the middle of your lawn mowing process. The maintenance of your ride-on lawn mowers transmission system will depend on the type of manufacturer it originates from. This maintenance could range from checking the fluid levels to checking the moving parts that may need lubrication.

6. Fuel system maintenance

If you want your lawn mower engine to be in top shape, I would really recommend that you look into your fuel system. You could achieve a good fuel system through quite a number of techniques. First, make deliberate efforts to avoid using fuel that has been used before. If you also want to avoid issues with your fuel system, avoid using fuel that contains ethanol in it.

There may also be a season why you are not using your lawn mower for one reason or another. In that case, I would advise that you use a fuel stabiliser. This fuel stabiliser prevents the oil from clogging any parts of the system.

My last tip with respect to fuel system maintenance is to check the fuel filter. ensure that, in the event that it is either clogged or dirty, it is replaced as soon as possible.

7. Spark plug maintenance

Another tiny yet crucial part or component of any ride-on lawn mower is the spark plug. Is your ride-on lawn mowers spark plug cracked. Make sure to replace it. Failure to do this will result in problems when starting the ride-on lawn mower.

Another aspect of the spark plug is the gap. It has to be in line with the recommendations of your manufacturer. Otherwise, there’s going to be a lot of problems with regards to the performance of your engine.

8. Fuel Cap maintenance

If you have a faulty fuel cup, it could affect your engine in one of these two ways. First, there is a threat of fuel leakage. This one is quite dangerous, as it opens up the possibility of an explosion or numerous other forms of accident.

 The second is the effect of ventilation that is poor.  To ensure that the fuel cup does not hamper the operation of your engine, always make sure you occasionally check it to notice any forms of cracking or wearing out. If there is any form of damage, replace it as soon as possible.

9. Check and change the cutting height.

 You have to take this one seriously, not just because of the performance of your ride-on lawn mower but also for the sake of the health of your loan. In addition, taking this tip into account ensures that your lawn mowing experience is as seamless as possible. Your cutting height will be dependent on a number of factors, some of which include the type of grass upon which you are operating and also the season within which you are cutting your loan.

You also do not want to overwork your lawn mower. One strategy that could be used to ensure that that does not happen is to refrain from cutting more than one third of grass at one particular time.

Lastly, with regards to the cutting height, ensure that the cutting height system is fully functional. Maintaining your ride-on lawn mower is not just a matter of ensuring that it performs optimally; it is also a question of saving you a lot of money that would have gone into either replacing the faulted one or purchasing a new one altogether.