June 19, 2003 / For most lawnmowers, spring is the toughest time of the year. Wet spring weather, fast growing grass, and constant use can take their toll on both walk-behind and riding mowers. The end of June is a good time to do some mid-season maintenance on these hard-working machines.

1) Change the engine oil. Most small engine manufacturers recommend an oil change using 30W oil every 25 hours of operation. If the engine has an oil filter, it should also be changed. Be sure to check your owner's manual to follow the recommended oil for use in your particular engine.

2) Sharpen and balance the blades. Mowing with a sharp blade will help your lawn stay greener and look healthier. If the cutting edge of the blade cannot be sharpened in a straight line to within 1/8 of an inch of its end or whenever 1/2 inch has been removed, replace the blade.

3) Check the air cleaner. A dirty air cleaner will cause the engine to run rich, shorten the life of the valves, and foul the spark plug, eventually leading to expensive repairs.

4) Check the air pressure in the tires. The air pressure in the tires of a typical rider should be about 12 to 15 PSI. The wrong pressure can harm both the machine and the lawn. Be sure to check your owner's manual and verify recommended PSI for your mower's tires.

5) Clean the machine. Grass can build up in a number of places in and on a mower which could lead to problems for you. Check for build-up under the deck, around the engine, and on the transmission and clean as necessary. However, it is a bad idea to use a pressure washer to clean a mower. High pressure can force water into bearings, transmissions and engines and harm these components.

6) Read your owner's manual. Most manuals have a maintenance and adjustment checklist for items unique to a particular machine.

Gravely has the most dedicated and respected Technical Service support in the industry. For additional help or question you may have, visit our "Contact Us" section at http://www.gravelyathome.com/contact_us/ and click on Technical Service to pose your question.