Checklist for Preparing Lawn Equipment

1. Clean the mower, underside too - Using a hose is the best way to clean your equipment. Avoid using an object to scrape away debris, as this may scratch the surface and lead to rust. A way to reduce build up on the underside of mowers is to spray the underside with cooking spray after it is clean.

2. Change the oil and filter - This you must do! Refer to the owner's manual for your equipment for the correct oil and filter to use.

3. Replace the air filter - This is also a must item! Again, refer to the owner's manual for your equipment for the correct filter or take the old one with you to the store. Remember to clean the filter periodically throughout the season.

4. Sharpen the blade & tighten - If you have the tools, sharpening a mower blade is only a few minutes of your time, if not take it to a shop to have it done. Be sure to tighten the blade when you install it on the mower.

5. Replace the spark plug - Another must do item! Refer to the owner's manual for your equipment for the correct size or take the old one with you to the store. Inspect the spark plug wire while doing this to make certain it is in good condition.

6. Check all belts and replace if worn. Run your hand along the belts to see if they are frayed or cracked. If they are, replace them.

7. Charge the battery and make sure the terminals are tightly connected - Batteries should be stored for the winter, out of the equipment. Be certain the battery is fully charged before putting it back in the equipment. Check the battery cable and terminals to make certain they are in good condition. When installing the battery, be sure you have a tight connection.

8. Drain old gas and start with fresh high quality gasoline Gasoline begins to break down after 30 days, so you want to start the season with fresh gas. Be sure to dispose of the old gas in an environmentally friendly manner.

9. Lubricate all moving parts - Use high quality grease to lubricate all grease points. Use high quality oil to lubricate all other moving parts of your equipment.

On-going maintenance will keep your equipment running smoothly - all season long!

· Always check the oil and make sure the mowing blade is secure before each use.

· Cleaning the air filter, sharpening the blade and lubricating should be done after every 10 hours of use.

This article was written by Beth Comer. Please visit our website for organic/natural lawn care products (http://www.backto-nature.com) or for controlling ground moles visit http://www.moleinator.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_Comer

Other Articles

Landscaping - Home Landscaping Ideas For Your Yard

There are simply endless ways to customize your house. One of them is landscaping. There is a lot of ground which covers this area. There are landscaping ideas for your yard which can be easily adapted to your home.

Lawn and Garden - When To Apply Grub Control

I would like to know when to apply GrubEx or Bayer to our lawn for the control of Japanese Beetle grubs. Should Milky Spore be applied at a different time of year?

Lawn Care Business - Lawn Care Software For A Profitable Business

Computer specialists have developed lawn care software for lawn maintenance businesses to handle the specific functions of invoicing, scheduling, and cost tracking.

Lawn Care Resources - Lawn Mowing Blog

A new website hasn recently popped up which blogs about lawn mowers. The site is called Successful Mowing. The topics covered include: Lawn Mower Information, Lawn Mower Advice, Lawn Mower Experts, and Lawn Mower Help.

Lawn Care Service - Lawn Care Help Is Available For Everybody

No one is smart enough to know everything about lawn care. Lawn care is more than just maintaining the required height for cutting grass. Lawn care help might just be needed to reach difficult areas. There are companies that offer lawn care help in finding out the soil's acid level and suggest remedial measures.

Lawn Care Tips - Save Some Coin! - A Guide to DIY Lawn Care

A great looking lawn and its care is possible for anyone, not just for professionals. With an awareness of the issues that deal with proper lawn care and health, you can easily take care of your lawn yourself and save a lot of money that you would pay someone else to do the same job.

Lawn Equipment - Lawn Care Equipment Make Gardening Jobs Easy

In the United States, preserving a lawn can be an enjoyable hobby to some who are garden enthusiasts, but a chore to many others who do not have enough time to tend to their lawns. There are those who become desperate at not attaining their ideal lawns despite exerting precious effort, time, and money in maintaining one.

Lawn Fertilizers - Is A Fertilized Lawn The Best Option

So, with a fertilizing lawn care system for your grass, what are we talking about then? Well, it's about artificially providing nourishing chemicals that will make the best of your lawn. In some cases this can be combined with weed and moss killers that will remove those pests, all in one application.

Organic Lawn Care - Website: Clean Air Gardening

Clean Air Gardening Features environmentally friendly lawn and garden supplies including manual reel mowers, compost bins, container garden planters, garden tools and more.

Pests and Insects - How To Get Rid Of Garden Ants & Bugs

Insects are incredibly adaptable creatures and have evolved to live successfully in most environments on earth, including deserts and even the Antarctic. Insects are generally regarded as bad creatures but they are extremely useful to humans, pollinating our crops as well as flowers in meadows, forests, deserts and other areas. Insects are vital to the immense cycle of life, furnishing food for other creatures and breaking down natural materials to chemicals and nutrients for recycling into new life