Making Push Lawn Mowers Last Longer

Most homeowners are always seeking ways to get the most out of their household purchases — after all, expenses add up quickly. Buying any kind of lawnmower can become pricey, and one of the best ways to protect an investment in a push mower is to ensure proper care and maintenance of the machine to extend its life.

Why to Store the Push Mower Somewhere Safe

Choosing to store your push mower in a garden shed, garage, or other covered structure is an excellent first step to extending its life. Not only is the push mower hidden and locked away from potential thieves, but it’s also covered from exposure to rain, ice, and snow.

Battery-operated push mowers should not be introduced to any moisture. Choosing to leave a battery-operated push mower outside can result in water getting into the machine’s nooks and crannies, causing expensive damage and shortening the overall life of the mower. Having an easily accessible place to move a battery-operated push mower out of the rain is the best way to ensure a homeowner won’t be tempted to leave the mower outside during a summer drizzle. 

Why to Choose Replacement Parts Recommended by the Push Mower’s Brand

Push mowers, like any other type of heavy-duty equipment, come with booklets, operating manuals, and user’s guides. It is crucial to keep these documents in a safe location in case the user ever needs to reference them for a repair.

Push mowers are made with a variety of features, so every type of replacement part offered at a local hardware or home improvement store may not be appropriate for every brand of push mower. Ordering non-recommended parts can lead to further complications with the push mower. To avoid causing unnecessary damage to the push mower and wasting money on subpar replacement parts, users should always reference the original manuals when selecting replacements. If the manual is lost, users can opt to visit the brand’s website to find information or reach out to local hardware experts to determine the best replacement parts for their push mowers.

Why it's important to  Develop a Habit of Performing Quick, Routine Maintenance During Every Use

One of the best ways to extend the life of a push mower is to invest time in its regular upkeep and maintenance. Often, push mower problems result from negligence or oversight of an issue that should have been corrected before it worsened. One way to make sure the push mower is operating properly is to spend a few minutes inspecting the machine and determining if anything on the mower needs specific attention.

Before Mowing:

  • Make sure the push mower is powered down before inspecting it. This includes disconnecting spark plugs that connect to the mower’s pain power supply. The power supply should be reconnected before attempting to mow.
  • Shake away any loose dirt or grass from the previous mowing session.
  • Check for loose parts, such as fasteners.
  • Inspect each wheel on the mower to make sure they rotate properly.
  • For gas-powered push mowers: Make sure the oil and gas levels are high enough for mowing.

After Mowing:

  • Make sure the push mower is powered down before inspecting it.
  • Carefully rotate the push mower on its side in order to examine the mower’s undercarriage.
  • Inspect the bottom of the mower for any parts that may require attention before future use, such as loose or bent blades.
  • Wipe away any loose grass clippings or dirt from the bottom of the push mower. On some brands, this may involve physically removing a debris shield.
  • Reconnect power sources before storing the mower.

How to Winterize the Push Mower During Cold Weather Seasons

Fortunately, homeowners can take a break from lawn mowing during chilly weather seasons, but this doesn’t mean they should forget about maintaining their equipment. Failing to winterize a push mower before storing it away for an extended period of time can cause damage to the machine.

A push mower can be winterized by completing a few quick steps:

  • If the mower uses fuel, ensure any extra fuel is drained from the tank. Depending on the fuel type, you may find a method to store it for later or decide to use it to avoid degradation.
  • Wipe away any excess grass clippings. Failure to remove grass clippings invites rust to form on the push mower.
  • Remove the spark plug and grease its cylinder. Grease connector points as well.
  • For battery-powered push mowers, make sure you remove the battery and store it separately from the machine.
  • All mowers should be stored in a safe location away from the elements.
  • Push mowers should also be stored away from any chemicals that could potentially spill or leak onto them. Spills could corrode the machine and go unnoticed for months during the wintertime.

Resources— Lowe’s, Popular Mechanics,

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