Laura's Home and Gardening Blog

A heavy-duty riding mower may be exactly what you need to make quick work of cutting through thick brush and grass on your property, and creating that manicured look you want for your lawn. While a riding mower is often stronger and more durable than a standard walk-behind model, you will still need to maintain it over the years, to ensure it runs properly and lasts as long as possible. Note a few tips on properly maintaining your riding mower so that it's always in good repair and ready for use, and doesn't suffer early and unnecessary breakdowns.

Spark plugs

Never assume that you can use just any spark plug on the engine of your riding lawnmower, as engines are always designed to work with certain parts in particular; the wrong plug can mean not enough power or spark to start the mower, so that it works extra hard to start. Too much power or heat from the plug can burn out components of the engine. Look for spark plugs meant for riding mowers, and your mower's engine size in particular, when performing your own tune-ups, and this will ensure the engine is protected every time you start it.

Belts

The belts of your riding mower will eventually need replacing as they will wear down over time. However, running over sharp objects, overloading the mower with too much weight on the deck, and not cleaning grass clippings from under the mower will usually break the belts sooner than expected. Be sure you have a mower that will accommodate your own weight comfortably, and keep an eye on the lawn as you cut, so you can avoid rocks and other such objects. Rinse out the underbelly of the mower after each use so grass clippings don't build up. This will protect those belts from snapping.

Oiling the blades

The blades of a riding mower will get dull and even rusted before too long, so it's good to examine them regularly and have them cleaned and sharpened as needed. You also need to oil the blades regularly. If those blades are overly dry as well as being dull and rusty, they may get overheated and cause damage to the engine, and won't spin as they should, so your grass isn't cut properly. Be sure to use oil meant for mower blades or even chainsaws, as this type of oil will resist the high heat of such tools, and add just a drop or two, or as instructed in your owner's manual, to keep the blades in good condition.