Lawn and Order: Special Maintenance Units

Summer is here in full force. That means different things to different people: summer break from school, family vacations, trips to the beach, hot dogs on the grill, ice cold lemonade...and whether you want to go out and enjoy the sunshine or stay inside and stay cool in the air conditioning, there is one part of summer that you cannot avoid: mowing the grass that seems to be growing right before your eyes. We all know that TBGoods has a great selection of lawn mowers, edgers, weedeaters and any other piece of lawn equipment you'll need to make your lawn the envy of the neighborhood, but we also want to make sure your investment in lawn equipment is a long-term one.

So make it easier on yourself by following 4 simple tips to maintain that lawnmower every year.


 - New season, new spark plugs.

This is really one of the most overlooked things in maintaining your lawn equipment, and yet one of the most vital. If your lawn mower is coughing and sputtering, this is a good place to get it to not do that. Take a deep socket and remove the existing plug and bring it with you to the hardware store or home center, and make sure you know the brand & model of your mower to help ensure you are getting the right plug. Might as well bring in all your plugs and replace them at the same time---string trimmer, blower, etc.

 - Sharpen Your Blades!

Sharp blades work better than dull ones on every lawn mower in the universe. Safety First: before wrenching off the blade, wear proper hand & eye protection, and be sure to pull the spark plug wire off. From there you can take the blade to a professional to have it sharpened, or using a sanding station and again taking safety precautions & wearing proper protection you can sharpen the blade yourself. Just match up the bevel of the lawn mower blade to the belt, then sharpen. It doesn't need to be razor-sharp, but a good edge will make a big difference.

 - Clean, clean, clean!

All that left-over waste and build up of last year's clippings? Clean it off! The friction of built-up grass on the blade of an under the mower deck makes the mower work harder, do less and frustrate you more. This will ultimately lead to more wear-and-tear, shorten the life of your mower, and shorten your temper. Again, work safely and wear proper protection, as some of this may require some elbow grease and scraping to remove, but your mower and lawn will thank you for it.

 - The Right Height is Everything

Make sure your lawn mower's wheels are at a good height, usually 3 inches is recommended. Too low, and you can damage (burn) the grass and stunt the growth and health. Too high, and you'll be wasting your time mowing, only to see the grass at a ragged height all too soon.

Sometimes even with all that maintenance and TLC, it may be time to get a new mower (or even better, an upgrade!), so stop by TBGoods for a special discount on your next piece of lawn equipment by mentioning this article! 

Enjoy your summer!