Preparing mowing and mulching equipment for spring

When the grass starts to grow, it’s a good idea to have your lawn or mulching mower checked and ready for use well in advance. Because before it goes from the winter rest on the meadow, an intensive look at the mower is worthwhile. The professionals from AS-Motor give an overview of what should be part of a check-up. Smaller maintenance work can be done easily by yourself.

Regardless of the spring check, the following applies: The operating instructions should definitely be consulted. For example, there are devices that should only be tilted to the right or only to the left. In principle, the air filter should always point upwards when tilting. If you do not follow this rule, you risk flooding the air filter with engine oil. It also states who can or should perform which task, because: Anyone can inspect mowing and mulching equipment; repairs and some other activities, especially on safety-relevant parts, should definitely be left to the specialist dealer or motorist. And since safety is comes first, the following applies before getting started: first disconnect the spark plug cap.

Complete check

Are there any bent or damaged parts? Is there any corrosion? Are all cables and wires still tight? Are there any cracks, breaks or signs of wear? Are the Bowden cables adjusted correctly? Moving cables such as shift or brake cables should be checked for corrosion and cracks, including individual strands. Moving parts must be lubricated regularly and according to instructions. If damage or defects are noticed during inspection, it is recommended to go to a specialist dealer.

Wheels and blades

During the month-long winter break, air-filled tires lose some of their pressure. Therefore, before mowing for the first time, they should be inflated to the recommended air pressure, if necessary. Wheels, like all moving parts, should be lubricated at the wheel hub. Blades must be tightly seated and free of damage, e.g., deformation, chipping, wear beyond the wear indicators, worn or pitted blades. If they are blunt or damaged, for safety reasons the rule is: Hands off. The specialist dealer not only repairs or sharpens the blades, he also has the necessary equipment for balancing them.

Refueling

Before refueling, check whether there is any fuel left in the tank from the previous season. If there is still some fuel left in the tank, it should first be completely emptied, including the carburetor. This is because old fuel can gum up and clog the carburetor and fuel lines. To empty the carburetor completely, start the engine, turn off the fuel tap, and let it idle until the unit shuts off on its own.

Now add fresh, new fuel. Normal gasoline fuel ages already after 30 days. Special additives can extend the shelf life over the winter. Gasoline and especially 2-stroke mixtures should not be older than three months. Otherwise, there is a risk of power loss or even engine damage in the case of 2-stroke engines. Commercially available special fuels generally have a longer shelf life.

Checking regularly - and early in spring

Regular checks help maintain a mower’s performance over time. High-performance and high-grass mowers in particular can run for many or even hundreds of hours in a mowing season, and almost always under full load. Accordingly, they require even more careful maintenance and inspection than smaller mowers with less operating time. For those who want to have the check done by the dealer, AS-Motor recommends making an appointment early so that the mower is ready for use in time for the mowing season. A nationwide network of qualified dealers can be found via the dealer locator on the AS-Motor website: https://www.as-motor.com/company/service/dealer-search/

Checklist before the first start-up:

  • Spark plug connector plugged in
  • Tire pressure adjusted
  • Fuel filled up
  • Moving parts lubricated
  • Complete unit visually inspected for damage or defects

Expert knowledge on all aspects of maintenance and service

Detailed instructions for cleaning and maintenance of body, frame and mower deck – Fit for the coming season Part 1

Detailed instructions for cleaning and maintenance of engine and electrical system – Fit for the coming season Part 2