Electric Lawn Mower Maintenance

Extend Mower’s Life With Maintenance!

 

 

Introduction

Electric lawn mower maintenance is required if you want the lawn mower to last. By doing specific types of maintenance you will extend the life of the mower. Every lawn mower requires some type of maintenance. To get familiar with them, check the owner’s manual as they will be discussed and what you need to do to keep the lawn mower running in top shape.

Over time, various parts of the electric or battery powered mowers will need repair or replacement. Also, you should perform specific types of maintenance every time you finish mowing the lawn. In this article, we will describe these specific things you need to do for a battery or corded lawn mower.

People ask just how long my electric mower will last. With proper care and maintenance, you can expect your electric lawn mower to last anywhere from 7 to 13 years. If you own a battery powered mower, you will be replacing the battery a couple of times during that time span.

Electric Corded Lawn Mower Maintenance

If you own a corded lawn mower, you will need to do some specific types of maintenance to ensure the mower gives you many years of service. Let’s go over them.

1. Clean under the mower deck. This is extremely important. As you mow the lawn, clippings, dirt, and debris can get attached to the deck and affect the running and life of the mower. After each mowing session, get into the habit of cleaning under the deck. You can use a scraper or hose to do the job. Some mowers may have a hose port on the deck for this purpose.
2. Mow when the grass is dry. Electric lawn mower motors tend to overheat when you cut grass that is too tall or wet. It takes extra energy to mow through tough or wet grass. Some mowers will automatically shut down to keep it from burning out or when the engine it get too hot. This will affect the life of the mower over time. Get into the habit of mowing the lawn when it is dry.
3. Sharpen the blade. You should sharpen the blade after every season or after every 25 hours of use.  If you hit something hard like a rock, you should sharpen the blade. You can do this in the spring to get the mower ready. Check out the video below on how to sharpen the mower blade. You can tell if the blade needs sharpening by noticing your lawn appearing yellow, brown or raggedy. A dull blade can also pull up portions of the grass instead of slicing through the blades of the grass cleanly. Remove the blade carefully and sharpen it using a method comfortable to you. Before replacing the blade, be sure it is balanced.

Video – How To Sharpen The Blade

An excellent video showing mulitple ways on how to sharpen a lawn mower blade.

4. Check the cord for any exposed wire or damage. Before any mowing session, inspect the cord for any damage. Remove any knots or kinks in the cord before using it to mow the grass. Always inspect the cord if the mower should run over the cord. Replace the cord with a new one if you discover any exposed wires or damage to the electrical cord.

5. Storing mower for winter. Store the mower inside or in the garage. If you don’t have a garage, in a storage unit. If this is not available, then you must store the mower outside during the winter. If this is the case, be sure you elevate the mower so it is not on the ground. This allows air to circulate to keep it dry. Cover the mower with a tarp. Check the tarp periodically that there are no holes or damage to the tarp. Electric mowers can be stored vertically as there is no oil or gas to be concerned about.

6. Winterizing the lawn mower. After the mowing season is over, it’s time to winterize the lawn mower. If you have not cleaned under the deck, now is the time to clean it before storing it away for the winter. Failure to clean under the deck can cause the clippings to get hard and difficult to remove in the spring. Sharpen the blade. Clean the top of the mower. You can also clean the grass catcher using some soapy water and rinse using the hose. Allow all mower parts to dry. Then store mower away and it’s ready for spring.

7. Lubricate moving parts. At the end of the mowing season, you should lubricate some of the moving parts. You can use grease for wheels and fluid film to lube the following parts: Axel on the inside of the wheels, joint at the rear wheel, spring of the adjustment lever, and pivot spring at the rear discharge area. This ensures that the parts will move smoothly and will protect them against rusting. The video below shows you how to lube the lawn mower parts.

Video – How To Lubricate A Lawn Mower

The video below shows how to lubricate your lawn mower.

By following the above maintenance tips, you will keep your lawn mower in top shape and running condition. It will also provide you with many years of service. A little effort in keeping the mower clean will go a long way in extending the life of the mower.

Battery Powered Lawn Mower Maintenance

If you own a battery powered lawn mower, you will also need to keep the mower operating efficiently by performing some standard maintenance. In the owner’s manual, there is some maintenance that should be done annually to keep the mower running in top condition. What is nice about these mowers is they don’t need oil, air filter, spark plugs, gasoline and a pull cord.

We will present here, some of the basic maintenance items you will need to do on the mower to keep in good running condition.

1. Mow when the grass is dry. Mowing the lawn when it is wet or tall can place a strain on the battery. It takes more power to mow through tuff and wet grass. Over time, this can burn out the motor or cause battery problems later. It is always best to mow when the grass is dry as it will produce better results.
2. Clean under the mower deck. It is very important to the life of the mower that you clean under the deck after each mowing session. Just take a putty knife to scrape off the clippings and other debris. If your mower has a hose spout, you can clean the deck using the hose. When cleaning the deck, be sure to remove the battery from the unit before cleaning. This will prevent the mower from accidently from starting during cleaning. The motor will run more efficiently and the battery will last longer when this is done regularly.
3. Keep the mower blades sharp. After every 25 hours of use, or at the end of the mowing season, you should sharpen the mower blade or blades. Look for any nicks on the surface of the blade and smooth them down. Be sure to clean the blade of any debris stuck on it. You should sharpen the blade after hitting a rock or any other hard object. At least, check it for any damage. You can check out the video above on how to sharpen the blade. Or, you can take the blade to your local lawnmower shop to sharpen them.
4. Be sure the battery is fully charged. When you first bring home the mower, be sure to charge the battery according to the instructions in the owner’s manual. Fully charge the battery before beginning any mowing session. Also, fully charge the battery before storing it away for the winter. Charge the battery if it is dead because you may have left the ignition switch on accidently. Don’t leave the battery on the charger overnight as it can damage the battery. Throughout the winter, check the battery to see if it is fully charged. If not fully recharge it. When using the mower, do not let the discharge of the battery fall below the 20% power level. Going below this level, can cause an accelerated fade, or the battery’s slow degradation. Always store the battery on the inside or in the garage and never outside.
5. Monitor the battery. Choose batteries and charger from the original manufacture. Do remove the battery when storing the mower. Keep the battery dry, clean and free from any oil or grease. Monitor the performance of the battery. Stop using it if it’s overheated, damaged or modified. Finally, protect the batteries terminals if they are present.
6. Periodically blow the vents and battery components. Ensure that the vents and components are clean and clear of dust or grass clippings. You can use an air compressor for this step. This will extend the life of the mower.
7. Winterizing the mower. Just like the electric model shared above, you must do some things before storing the mower away for the winter. We already shared about the batteries. Check on them regularly to ensure they are fully charged. If not, charge them. Clean under the mower’s deck. Remove the blade and sharpen it. Clean the ventilation system. This step should be done after every mowing session.

Conclusion

We have shared with you the importance of performing regular lawn mower maintenance for your electric or battery powered mowers. By doing these basic maintenance steps you will extend the life of the mower. Some of the maintenance tips shared requires some effort, but in the end it is worth it.

Owning a battery or electric cord mower is great for the environment. They are quieter than their gas powered models. These models are also lighter which makes them easier to move around the lawn or to avoid obstacles that might be in the way.

You cannot go wrong using one of these mowers. Just remember, with a corded model you must always check the cord for any wear, tear or exposed wires. On the other hand, the battery powered models use a battery to power the engine. Be sure to keep the batteries fully charged at all times. Never let the power of the battery go below 20%.

Shop Lawn Mower Supplies

Below you will find some lawn mower supplies you can use for doing the regular maintenance on the lawn mower. You will be taken to Amazon where you can place the order. While there, you can read the customer reviews and answered questions.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.