Winter Maintenance: How to Keep Your Mowers as Good as New |
Posted: June 13, 2019 |
It doesn’t matter whether you have ride-on mowers, push mowers, or mower attachments, they all require a bit of maintenance from time to time. While it’s easy to use it, park it, then move onto something else, failure to maintain your equipment can result in premature failure and costly repairs. You can avoid such problems from occurring by dedicating time to mower maintenance. However, winter is also as good a time as any. Winter is when you store away the mowers and hunker down for rain, snow, and wind. It’s the time when the lawns lay dormant, and plants use all their energy to stay alive, rather than thrive. Take this free time to dedicate it to your mower attachment’s maintenance. You can then be ready for the mowing season ahead with bells on. Here are a few handy tips to help you out. 1. Check the Manual All mowers you buy, including mower attachments, come with a manual. These booklets show you how to use the gear, what parts they consist of, and usually how to maintain them. Don’t throw this book in your junk drawer then forget about it. Bookmark that maintenance page and discover if there are any non-generic things you need to do to keep your gear in tip-top shape. 2. Store it Correctly Rust can form at an alarming rate – especially on exposed steel. All it takes is for the paint to chip off your mower, and you’ve created the perfect environment. However, if you store your mower attachments correctly, you may not see such degradation. Where possible, store your mower attachments in a barn, shed, or enclosed shelter. If you don’t have such an area available, then a heavy-duty cover can suffice. Make sure the cover is breathable and features a waterproof poly canvas-type material. Plastic, while useful for keeping the rain off your gear, can restrict airflow and cause sweating. 3. Clean It Very few people enjoy cleaning – be it their home or farm equipment. But if you want your mowers and farm equipment to last you for several years, then you need to stay on top of it. Once you finish mowing – after every run and the end of the season – dedicate time to this task. Remove grass, mud, and any other vegetation or muck that builds up in the mower attachment. Not only does this help your mower to stay in premium condition, but it can help you to see any wear and tear that you might need to address before the new mowing season. 4. Check and Replace Parts When you choose high-quality mowers, you can rest assured they last the distance. However, nothing lasts forever. Some parts can wear out, but you may not know they are due for replacement unless you take a look. At the end of the mowing season, head into the storage shed with a notepad and pen and go over your machinery and equipment with a fine tooth comb. Work out what parts you need to buy, any fluids you need to have on-hand for top-ups, and what parts would be helpful to have around the farm in case you need them in the future. You can then go into the mowing season feeling on top of the world. 5. Lubricants Mowers and other farm equipment consist of dozens of moving parts. These parts require lubrication to run smoothly – especially bearings. Take the end of the mowing season as an opportunity to ensure all your mowers and machinery are well greased and rearing to go. You can also treat any rust or bare metal with grease or rust prevention paint to stop or prevent the rusting process. 6. Blade Sharpening After a full season of mowing, your mowers will be well and truly ready for some tender, loving care. Either take your attachment to an expert for sharpening or, if you know how to do it yourself, get it ready for next time. Blade sharpening ensures a clean cut and you should aim to sharpen them after around 20-25 hours of cutting. Conclusion The quality of mowers on the market today means that there isn’t a lot you need to do to keep them working at their best. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t need any attention at all. As the nights draw in quicker and the cold fronts approach, make sure your mower is well and truly ready for the next season of mowing. Read your user guide, store your mower attachment safely, give it a clean, and complete a thorough check – including maintenance. You can then carry on with your winter tasks, knowing you’re primed and ready to go once the sun appears once more.
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