Pre-Season Lawn Mower Servicing Guide: Get Ready for Spring
Spring is just around the corner, and that means it's time to dust off your mower and make sure it's ready for the season ahead. A little preparation now saves you from a breakdown mid-mow when the grass is growing fastest. Here's your complete pre-season lawn mower servicing checklist.
Why Service Your Mower Before Spring?
Most mower problems show up at the worst possible time — when the lawn is overgrown and you're ready to go. Servicing before the season starts means you catch small issues before they become expensive repairs, and your mower runs efficiently from the first cut of the year.
Pre-Season Mower Servicing Checklist
1. Change the Engine Oil
Old oil breaks down over winter and loses its lubricating properties. Drain the old oil and refill with the grade recommended in your owner's manual. Check out our range of oils and lubricants to find the right product for your machine.
2. Replace the Air Filter
A clogged air filter starves the engine of air, causing it to run rich, burn more fuel, and lose power. Paper filters should be replaced annually; foam filters can be washed and re-oiled.
3. Check and Replace the Spark Plug
A worn or fouled spark plug causes hard starting and rough running. Spark plugs are inexpensive and easy to replace — it's worth doing every season as a matter of course.
4. Sharpen or Replace the Blades
Dull blades tear grass rather than cutting it cleanly, leaving your lawn vulnerable to disease and giving it a ragged, brown-tipped appearance. Sharpen blades at least once a season, or replace them if they're nicked or bent. Browse our parts and accessories for replacement blades. Or contact our team in store and we will be sure to help.
5. Check the Fuel System
If you left fuel in the tank over winter, it may have degraded and left gummy deposits in the carburettor. Drain old fuel and refill with fresh petrol. If the mower is hard to start, the carburettor may need cleaning or a rebuild kit. We have an ultra-sonic cleaner on site to help remove even the smallest specks of dirt from your carburettor.
6. Inspect Belts and Cables
Check drive belts for cracking or fraying, and inspect throttle and brake cables for kinks or fraying. Replace anything that looks worn before it fails mid-season.
7. Check Tyre Pressure (Ride-ons)
Uneven tyre pressure on a ride-on mower causes an uneven cut. Check pressures against the spec in your manual and inflate to the correct level. If unsure just ring our friendly mechanics for advice. 06 876 3698 extn 3
8. Grease All Fittings
Lubricate all grease nipples on the deck, spindles, and front axle. This is especially important on ride-ons and zero-turn mowers that have been sitting idle over winter.
9. Clean the Deck
Grass clippings and moisture left on the underside of the deck over winter can cause rust. Scrape off any built-up debris and apply a light coat of oil or deck spray to protect the metal.
10. Test Run Before You Need It
Start the mower and let it warm up. Listen for unusual noises, check for fuel or oil leaks, and test all controls before you take it out on the lawn.
Push Mower or Ride-on — The Same Rules Apply
Whether you run a push or self-propelled mower or a full-size ride-on, the fundamentals of pre-season servicing are the same. The bigger the machine, the more important it is to stay on top of maintenance — a ride-on has more moving parts and a more complex drivetrain that rewards regular attention.
Not Sure Where to Start? We Can Help.
At Franick Outdoor Power Specialists, we stock a wide range of service parts and accessories including oils, filters, spark plugs, and blades. If you'd rather leave it to the experts, our workshop team offers full pre-season servicing — get in touch to book your mower in before the spring rush. https://my.workshopsoftware.com.au/bookings.html#/Franick?token=hxiayz