How to Change the Oil in your Lawn Mower

Lawnmowers are tough pieces of machinery. They can last for years, if taken care of properly. Many people don’t realize, just like a car, your lawn mower needs to have the oil changed from time to time. By completing this simple procedure just once a year, you can be sure your machine will be right there with you for many sunny Saturdays to come.

First, before you do any work near the blade, it is important to remove the spark plug wire on the mower. Cutting power to the engine completely is the easiest way to ensure safety. You will then want to remove all gas from the tank to prevent accidental fire. You can use a hand siphon, or just do it the old fashioned way with a length of hose (DO NOT do it the ‘old fashioned way’).

Once you have removed the gasoline from the tank, it is time to locate the drain plug. Tip the mower on its side and look for a drain plug. Get your oil pan in place and remove the plug. Once the oil is just done pouring you can put the drain plug back. The oil makes it easy, so be careful not to over-tighten or strip the bolt. Be careful not to spill the oil as you transfer it to a safe container to have it properly disposed of. Many places that provide lawnmower repair in Park City, UT are happy to properly dispose of your used oil.

Once the drain plug has been put back in place you can replace the engine oil. You should always check your owner’s manual to be sure, but most mowers use regular SAE 10w30 or 5w30 oil. Pour in the new oil and the only thing left to do is reattach the spark plug wire. Replace the gas and you are ready to start it up.

Now that you have changed the oil in your machine, you can turn your attention toward turning that tangled mess of vegetation behind your house into something more like the fairway at pebble beach.

By: Kyson Crowell

Choosing the Right Lawn Mower

Is your lawn mower running on its last leg? You knew this time would come eventually, but you always tell yourself you’ll replace it next year. Once you’ve run through all feasible options for small engine repair inSalt Lake City, UT, you finally have the excuse you’ve needed to justify buying a new toy! The question is, what kind of mower do you get?

Most mowers you see these days will fit into one of three categories, the first of which is the classic rotary style. Rotary style mowers operate with a spinning blade, similar to a ceiling fan. These can be pushed manually, but self-propelled rotary mowers have reached near ubiquity. These mowers are most common because they are relatively inexpensive and incredibly effective for smaller applications that don’t quite warrant a riding mower.

Riding mowers really need no explanation. If you’ve got a large plot, or just don’t want to have to stand and walk while you do your yard work, a riding lawnmower is a great choice. A sort of arms race within the industry has led to increasingly comfortable machines, for much cheaper than they used to be.  A riding lawn mower isn’t necessarily the status symbol it was a few decades ago. That said, you’ll still feel like a king as you cruise around the yard on one of these.

Another type of lawnmower that is less commonly seen is the Zero-turn mower. These machines are best suited for large scale projects. Their specially designed wheel system allows them to maneuver around rocks, stumps and various other obstacles. Because of their size and cost, zero-turn mowers are typically only used for commercial applications.

There are countless different brands of mowers out there, and they each have their own claim to fame, but the vast majority of them fit into one of these categories. Rotary mowers are great for smaller applications and their lower price point. Riding mowers are great for bigger projects, as well as just cruising around the yard with a beverage in hand. Zero-turn mowers are great for large scale and commercial applications, but if you need a zero-turn mower you probably already knew that. Whatever your mowing needs are, just take trip to your local lawnmower dealer or call your local lawn mower repair man for a recommendation and you’ll be back to cutting grass in no time.

By: Kyson Crowell