Coming spring maintenance

[Nick R]

Well guys, it's almost time to put away the snowblower and pull the lawnmower out for its spring maintenance. What do you have to do this year?

For me, I I have a bottle of Quaker State Q-HP 5W-30 waiting to go in. That, a new E3 spark plug, new air filter, and new drive wheel to replace the one with the stripped teeth (again). Gotta sharpen the blade, and then it will be all set to go. Lawnmower in question is a 2008MY Craftsman (Big rear wheels) self propelled, with a Briggs 675 Series flathead.

 

[Colt45ws]

Air up the tires.

 

[MacGyver]

I use a 48" Button commercial hydro walk behind (made by thexton) with a 14hp Kawasaki. Change the oil & filter. Oil is Kohler 30 weight with an OEM filter. Replace air filter. Lube the grease fittings. Sharpen the blades. Check the air in the tires. Check hydro oil - I think it is due for replacement. Lube throttle cable and control linkage. When lubing control linkage I look for loose or worn parts that need repair. I look really hard at the control linkage because a roll pin came loose one time and this thing got away from me and really tore up my chain link fence. Wow, now that you have me thinking about it I better get started!

 

[Cmarti]

I do it when I put it away. Saws, trimmers, blowers, mowers, lawn tractor & tractor are ready to roll. Snow Blower and Generators about to get an oil change,air filter cleaned, new plug, gas drained and and the engine fogged.

Many tell me it is better to not let the new oil sit all winter, and to change it in the spring before use. They are probably right, but It is just how my mind works to store it ready to use

 

[Colt45ws]

Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Air up the tires.

Weird thing though. I got the tires aired up, fired it up, and let it warm for a minute or two. Then I drove it out to the lawn at half throttle. Kicked it up to WOT, engaged the blades, and could tell something was wrong. It was running rough and at maybe 75% power. After about 2 minutes the other 25% came online like a supercharger kicked in and she smoothed right out.

 

[TurboLuver]

All I have to do is sharpen the blades on both riders and change the coolant and fuel filter on the JD.

 

[gd9704]

I'm about to tear apart my 30 year old Ariens Sno-Thro for some needed refreshment--sandblast and repaint the blower, replace belts, bushings and bearings, and a new friction disk.....the 7hp Tecumseh still runs strong...perhaps new points and a coat of paint for it as well........looking forward to a good project!

 

[Nick R]

Did all the maintenance today, since it is so goshdarned nice out. (65 degrees and sunny). Changed the oil with the QS Q-HP UD 5W-30, the E3 plug gapped at .045 (these ones need to be gapped), replaced the filthy filter with a Craftsman one, the stripped drive wheel was replaced. While I had the wheel off, I took the opportunity to take some preventative measures. Found my tub of Valvoline wheel bearing grease, and I slathered it on the gear on the inside of the wheel, on the drive gear, the axle, and repeated on the other side. Sharpened the blade with a hand grinder, and added some sta-bil to the gas. Starts first pull, runs much nicer now, and the drive wheels are a million times quieter when pushing it with the engine off.

 

[fdcg27]

Shouldn't you add some dirt to the engine? J/K