With spring just on the horizon, it’s time to tend to your Troy-Bilt lawn mower and get it up to par for the seasons ahead. The advantages of getting your lawn mower ready for spring include helping to extend the life of your equipment and potentially saving you time by detecting unforeseen issues before grass growing season is in full swing.
If your mower was stored properly during the winter, then it should be fine after sitting stagnant for a long period of time. However, there are still some tasks you need to do to help ensure it’s in running condition. Consider the following tips to help tune up your mower as you bring it out of storage to get it ready for full use this spring.
As with any routine mower maintenance, always refer to the operator’s manual for proper instructions specific to your model. If you can’t locate the operator’s manual, then try our interactive manual finder.
Here is our list of spring lawn mower maintenance tasks to get your Troy-Bilt mower ready for a new season of cutting.
Change the Oil
If oil was left inside all winter, then you’ll want to drain and replace it. First, place a container under the mower’s drain plug. Remove the dipstick and use vise grips or a wrench to remove the plug. Once the oil has drained, replace the plug. Next, place a funnel on top of the oil reservoir and pour in fresh oil. Check the operator’s manual to determine the appropriate oil grade and amount required for your model. If you overfill, then just drain the excess oil through the drain plug. Pay close attention, though, because overfilling may damage the seals and underfilling may cause overheating.
Grease It Up
By lubricating some moving parts of the mower, you may reduce friction between components, which helps enhance performance and may extend the life of your mower. Use a light-duty lubricant on contact surfaces for wheel bearings, cables and height adjusters; however, be cautious not to lubricate surfaces that the drive belt will contact during operation. Also, don’t forget to spray silicone under the deck of the mower to help prevent rust and keep clippings from sticking.
Replace the Spark Plug(s)
The spark plug is what makes your lawn mower’s engine ignite the gas line during the combustion process, so it helps to allow easy starts and efficient engine operation. However, an old spark plug may not be able to send the needed spark and may result in faulty engine starts. As a part of routine maintenance, it’s important to check and replace the spark plug at least once a season to help enable easy starting and help your machine’s engine perform as designed. Lawn mower spark plugs also tend to be an inexpensive replacement item, so it’s best to replace the spark plug once each season rather than cleaning or reusing it.
Clean or Replace the Air Filter
Depending on your lawn mower, you may find the air filter enclosed in a metal or plastic casting on the side of the engine. If you have a sponge-like air filter, then soak it in warm, soapy water and squeeze dry. However, if you have a cardboard filter, you’ll need to replace it because you won’t be able to clean it.
Sharpen the Blades
It’s important to have your mower’s blades sharpened or replaced at least once a year, and springtime is a good time to do this step, in advance of mowing season. Additionally, a dull mower blade can shred the tips of grass, which can weaken blades and turn grass brown. To sharpen lawn mower blades, use a file or grinding wheel and follow the original angle of the blade and grind. Grind each cutting edge equally to keep blades balanced. Always remember to read the operator’s manual for proper instructions and remove the blade from the mower before sharpening. If the blades are bent, then you will need to replace them. You should also watch for impact or wear on blade surfaces and cutting edges; replace blades if these conditions are found.
Change Belts (For Self-Propelled Units Only)
Long and wet grass clumps easily when mowed, so remember to remove any grass buildup from under the deck or belt. Also, check belts for heavy wear or cracking. If you notice any, then the belt should be replaced immediately.
Replenish Fuel
If you placed fuel stabilizer in the mower’s gas tank before storage, then the gas should be relatively fresh and the mower should start without issues. However, you’ll want to top off the tank with fresh fuel before operation. Help protect the health of your outdoor power equipment by knowing how to select the proper fuel for your lawn mower’s engine.
Charge or Change the Battery (For Mowers with Electric Start Only)
If you’re having trouble starting your mower, then the problem may be related to the mower battery. Refer to the operator’s manual for proper battery charging or replacement procedures.
Replacement parts can be purchased at troybilt.com or at your local authorized Troy-Bilt dealer.
