There are many parts that make up a riding lawn mower, and several of those parts can break, wear out, or need replaced for other reasons. However, if you perform proper maintenance on your lawn mower, you can actually make your riding lawn mower and all of its parts perform better and last longer.
A common problem concerns the belts on the mower deck. If they wear down and break every season, then the problem could be lack of maintenance every time after you mow. If grass clippings, sticks, leaves, and other debris get built up around the belts and the pulley, this can
hinder their movement. This hindrance can cause wear spots on the belts, causing them to break.
To avoid this problem, make sure to clear off the upper part of the deck, as well as underneath the deck, after every mowing.
If your grass looks uneven after you mow it, the problem could be caused by the blades on your riding lawn mower. If the blades are dull, nicked, or bent, then they can't perform their jobs properly. The result will be a yard full of grass that is higher in some places, and lower in others.
To avoid this problem, you will need to periodically, depending on how much grass you cut, and how often you cut it, inspect the blades. For safety's sake, unhook the spark plug wire first. Then, check the blades for sharpness by carefully running your finger along the edge of each one. Inspect each blade for cracks, nicks, and other damage too. Either sharpen the blades if they are dull, or replace damaged blades. To remove the blades, you should wear a pair of heavy gloves to protect your hands. And, when you replace the blades, make sure that you tighten the bolts securely.
Even though it's a critical part of operating your riding lawn mower, battery maintenance is often overlooked. If your mower starter won't turn over, that might be when you check the battery. Actually, you need to periodically check the battery cables and the ends to make sure they are free from corrosion. If they need to be cleaned, you can use a stiff wire brush and a paste made of baking soda and tap water.
Check the battery to make sure the casing is not bulging, cracked or is leaking. Replace it immediately if the casing is damaged. And, use a tester to check the voltage. If the voltage measures a nine or below, the battery will need to be replaced soon.
Another cause of your riding mower not starting could be old, gunky gasoline. At the end of each mowing season, proper fall maintenance includes draining out or running out any gasoline that is left in the tank. If you don't do this, and you try to start your riding lawn mower in the spring, it probably won't start with old, gunky gasoline in its tank.
Before you start your riding lawn mower, you should pull the dipstick and check the oil level.
If the level of the oil in the crankcase gets too low, and you run the mower engine, it can cause a knocking sound. The knocking sound is an indication that there is not enough lubrication in the crankcase. This will lead to severe, unrepairable damage to the engine. But, with a little pre - use maintenance, you can avoid this problem.
Finally, even if there is enough oil in the crankcase, if the oil is black, sticky, and dirty, then it's not going to be able to properly lubricate the engine. You need to change the oil every so often, depending on how much grass you cut, and how often you cut it. Follow your owner's manual for specific instructions pertaining to your riding lawn mower.
Basically, you will need to place an old container, such as a bucket or an old cooking pot, underneath your mower. Position it underneath the oil plug, then unscrew the plug and remove it. Pull the dipstick up so that air can get into the tube. Allow the oil in the crankcase to drain out until it is empty. Then, replace the oil plug securely and refill the crankcase with the correct amount, type, and weight of oil.
