Do Lawn Mowers Come Assembled Or Is Some Assembly Required On Delivery?

If you've just recently bought a lawnmower and are eagerly waiting for its postal arrival, or you're planning to purchase one- you'll likely want to know a bit about the assembly. After all, why opt for a cheaper mower if the assembly will just be a hassle?

Luckily, even if your mower isn't pre-assembled (this will only be the case if the company which you bought your lawnmower from has offered an assembly team with your purchase), the task is easy enough to do by yourself. It actually shouldn't take you more than an hour. 

What do usually come pre-assembled in many store-bought push mower types, for example, are the mower parts, such as the wheels or collection facility. 

We've designed this guide to concisely guide you through assembling your own lawnmower.

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Step 1: Lay Out and Organise the Parts

Firstly, you'll want to empty out the lawnmower factory box and all the included components. Identify what you have, and separate them so you don't mix any parts up. Laying them out in a neat, organised manner will ensure you don't shuffle around for missing parts when you're actually assembling it.

The frame will normally have the blade and the motor usually pre-attached, and in some mower packages, you may even find the rear wheels to have already been assembled for you. This will save you a lot of time, but the assembly of these is minor can will be instructed in the manual for your particular model.

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Step 2: Putting it All Together

Now, you'll want to assemble two key components: the wheels, and the handles. The manual included in your mower box should tell you which accessories and parts you'll need for both. 

• Identify which parts will be needed for wheel installation, and attach them to the frame. Most mowers these days are self-propelled, and rarely need any wheel installation at all! The most you'll have to do it fit in the frontal wheels.
• Next you'll need to install and secure the push handle mechanism. Typically, this consists of two main parts; the upper piece, and the lower piece. In order to successfully do this, you;ll likely have to thread a pull rope within the guides to ensure the handle is accessible from any position- whether it's the middle, top, or bottom of the push handle. Make sure that the right side is facing upwards so that the self-propel guide and throttle are aligned in their correct positioning. 

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Step 3: Oiling/Fuel

Since you've just bought this new lawnmower and are looking to assemble it for the first usage, it's worth remembering that it won't have any fluid inside it at the moment. Oil will need to be added to your mower before starting it up. Make sure you add the oil to your mower's oil capacity before actually starting it up.

In terms of which oil you need, we recommend going for a synthetic one. The manufacturer guide should actually tell you which oil your mower takes anyway, so look through it to help you provide your machine with the best 'nutrition' to enhance its lifespan. Using the incorrect oil could mean the efficiency of your product is reduced, and it will start consuming more than necessary. This will be both costly (having to purchase more fuel with increased regularity), and damaging to the engine/motor (hence costing you motor repair too).

If you're dealing with a push mower rather than a petrol or electric, for example, you'll need to load it up with gas- or it just won't start up. You'll need to both prime the motor and fill up the gas tank with suitable gas. The primer button is usually any of the following three colours; red, black, ir yellow.

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Step 4: Seal and Start

Now that you've done all the required preliminary steps, you just need to make some final adjustments to confirm it's safe and efficient to use.

You should aim to keep the frontal and rear wheels aligned, at an equal height- this will ensure your mower attains the most uniform cut out of your grass. Try and align all four wheels in harmony and equivalent to station your mower at the best height. We recommend only trimming down your grass growth by a third, so make sure you keep this in mind during this height-setting stage.

Now you just have to start it up. The best way to do this is by yanking the rope-pull mechanism whilst holding the mower's throttle down- after priming the motor with all the preliminary steps, of course. If it doesn't start up the first time, keep going until it does. Once it's started up, letting your mower's motor run for a short period of time, as this will help burn off and disintegrate any dirt or residue. 

Your mower is now ready for use whenever you wish. 

Are Lawn Mower Blades Universal? Find Out Here...

The condition of your blade can make a huge difference when it comes to the overall cower performance and cut quality- it's not exactly the place to cut corners. That's why you need to give this page a read- so you know everything you need to know.

We recommend changing your blade at least every three years- while ensuring you're switching them with the correct blade. This is a critical step. These blades are designed to whizz away at around 200 mph- if not more! You need to ensure you are using a well-fitting blade that's in good condition- accidents with blades are fatal.

Are lawnmower blades universal? The short answer is no. They are mower-specific (different types of lawn mower have their own specific blade). Your mower blade needs fit exactly into the slots for your particular lawnmower model, and they also have to be specially torqued to the manufacturer's specifications.

This guide will help you with everything you need to know.

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Identifying Your Blade: How?

The first and foremost step is pinpointing which blade you need. As we said before, and ill-fitted blade can be extremely dangerous when in use- it could fly out and cause serious injuries. On the bright side, finding out which perfect blades/suitable blades you need is easy. Here are 3 ways to ID your blade:

Information Sticker

Have a look on your mower's deck or chassis- there should be a badge, label, or a sticker of some sort with information on the mower's model and make. A standard blade will have this. This will inform you of the details straight away. If you don't see a label, or it's simply illegible, then don't worry- there's another way to go about it.

Blade Part Number

Take a look on an old single blade surface. Are there any numbers etched into the surface of your current blade? This is most likely the blade part number stamped onto your metal blade. These digits are unique to that specific part. You can hit this number into Google and find out more about it, as well as where to buy it from.

If your blades have been subject to corrosion, rusting, or damage over the years of mowing and clipping- this number may not be visible anymore, or legible.

Blade Size

The final way to figure out what make and model your blades are is by checking out the size.

To help determine your blade size, take the time to figure out what types of blades you have. Below, we've listed the various blade types:

1. The 2-in-1 (cut and collect) blade/Lift Mower Blade; usually you'd see these blade types if your mower collects any grass clippings in a box or bag
2. The 3-in-1 (cut, collect, and mulch) blade/Mulching blade; this is usually the case if your mower deposits the clumps of grass back onto the ground- this is usually an all-purpose blade type (modern mulching blades mowers may come with a collection facility, making them multipurpose blades as a hybrid lifter and mulcher)

As a general rule of thumb to help you determine which of these type of blade categories your one belongs to (and avoid picking the wrong blade type), look at the wings. Lift blades have distinctively larger wings, while mulching blades have relatively smaller ones. You should also look at the cutting-leading edge; mulching blades have a longer edge while the lift type of blade tend to have smaller ones. 

Once you've found the type, you can determine the size.

Listen up close- you'll need to note down three key measurements: the blade boss shear pin (locating the hole distance), the central bolt hole (diameter of the centre), and the overall length (inches).

• Overall length: Make sure you get the accuracy in measurement right- if the overall length is too long- the blade simply won't fit, and if it's too short- your mower won't be the correct swath!

• The Center Hole: If you get this measurement wrong, you'll encounter major problems- so don't skimp on this one, it's a critical measurement! The centre hole we're talking about is the entire balanced center of your blade- not just the bolt hole.

• The Shear Pin Hole: Make sure you get this one right too, as an incorrect measurement will result in an imbalanced/weak support for the lawn mower blade. This measurement is calculated by finding the distance from the shear pin-locating holes, and the centre bolt hole.  

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How to Recognise a Wrong/Badly-Fitted Blade?

There are some clear giveaway signs that you've fitted (or someone else has fitted) a wrong lawn mower blade- or haven't fitted it in correctly. In fact, any of these could be a red flag indicator that something is wrong. Look out for the following to know if you're dealing with the wrong blade (or an ill-fitted one):

• The blade bolt is constantly becoming loose

• There's a distinct 'knocking' noise

• The mower isn't collecting or bagging the grass you're mowing

• Excessive amounts of vibration (abnormal)

• The mower components keep becoming loose

These are all strong indicators that there has been a problem with the blades assembly- you should ensure that you thoroughly investigate your machine and scan for any loosened or damaged mower components. 

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Fitting The Correct Blade: Mistakes to Avoid

Many gardeners (even experienced ones) can make mistakes which can cause damage to their appliances or reduce their effectiveness. Blade fitting isn't just something which can cause immediate harm, it can also reduce the overall lifespan of your product. Ill-fitted blades can gradually cause wear and tear on the blade supports, eroding them and eventually ruining your mower.

Here are some key things to avoid:

• Using the wrong blade type: As we mentioned earlier, this will pose numerous problems and essentially cause your machine to massively under-perform; make sure all blade dimensions are the same as required

• Mower is turned on the wrong side: Ensure that the mower is tilted in such a manner where the air-filter is facing upwards. If you're confused on this, here's an article that explains everything you need to know on how to tilt your mower correctly

• Using a larger centre bolt hole: If your new blades' centre bolt hole is larger than required, you'll find the blade to be displaced and lose balance- this is what results in excessive amounts of vibration, as we'll mention later

• Over-tightening the bolt: Don't over-tighten your blade bolt- this is likely to result in engine failure should the blade come into contact with solid debris and harder matter such as pebbles

• The blade bolt is turned the wrong way: Turning the blade bolts in the wrong direction can actually cause damage to the threads, so make sure you're turning them correctly!

• The blade has been fitted upside down: Some lawnmower blades are handy, and have a grass icon printed onto the side of the blade which should face the grass- but generally, make sure that the mower's blade wing tips are pointing away from the grass 

How To Repair A Cut Lawn Mower Cable? Find Out Here!

If you've wound up on this page, it's highly likely that you're indulging in some garden work this summer. Mowing the lawn is. both therapeutic and satisfying, but it's also a dangerous task if appropriate safety measures aren't in place.

If you've severed your lawnmower power cables- stop. Don't attempt to use it until you're confident that the safety/fix system you've implemented for your lawnmower cable is effective against water damage, tugging, and further damage to your electronics.

Soldering is a temporary, relatively easy, yet unreliable solution to fixing your power cord- so we've listed three different ways for you to repair your cut lawnmower power cord/broken power cable. 

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1) Crimping: The Cheapest Way 

While this method of power cable repair/fixing your severed power cord isn't the most efficient or perfect, it gets the job done and costs far less than ordering a new cable, for example.

This technique involves the extension of a new section of your cable to the pull bar, using one of the many connector types out there, aluminium crimps. This sort of cable connector is commonly used in soldering and other wire fusion techniques. You can grab a couple of hundred of these for a fiver- making them a very cheap way to fix you problem. Replacement cords can cost up to £30, depending on your lawnmower...that £15 saved could be used for far better things!

Additionally, this method is quick and easy- no hassle involved in fiddling around with a power outlet/power source. 

How to Do It

You'll need a total of 4 items to perform this task:

• Aluminium crimps
• A section of the cable
• Hammer
• Pliers with an integrated wire cutter edge (the whetted part nearest to the plier handle)

Method

1. Connect both the old and new wire segments; as below (we recommend doing this on the ground to avoid injuries and damage to yourself or surfaces)
2. Align and insert both of your cables within the aluminium crimp (or any other correct sort of connector) simultaneously- seal by striking the flatter edge of the crimp with your hammer.
3. You may remove the pull bar if needed.
4. Add on another crimp (or any suitable connector) on your new, extended cable. Loop the remainder of the cable through the original gap where the S-shaped part went. Run through the other end of your new cable into the aluminium crimp to close it off. This attaches the extended cord to the pull bar. 
5. Now that you've fixed it, you need to test it and ensure it's safe and working. As the severed ends of the crushed cables will be sharp, we recommend cutting them off. 

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2) The Manual Method: Easiest Way

This method is perhaps the one many people opt for first. It involves shortening the wire slightly, and reconnecting it with a wire nut, then sealing it up with electrical tape.

If you follow any method (not just for fixing severed cords) that involves the use of electrical tape, make sure you don't cut corners. Duct-tape or super-tape will not work; it must be electrical tape. This is essentially a pressure-sensitive type of insulation tape (common tape for electricity problems) used to insulate wires and other conductive materials. They provide long-lasting insulation and are also stretchier than traditional tape- many are waterproof too, making them suitable for contact with wet grass. 

How to Do It

 You'll need the following items to undergo this method of repair:

• Wire stripper
• Electrical tape
• Wire Nut

Method

1. Clean up your wires in preparation- peel back any outer covering and expose a longer portion of wire with only the inner coating
2.  Cut back on some of the wire with a wire stripper, exposing the metal wires inside- we recommend cutting back around 1/4 of an inch
3. Twist the wires together, and bind with a wire nut
4. Tape any remaining wires together with the wire nut with electrical tape- go over the area a couple of times and once at a slight distance from the site- to securely bind the system in place

This method is easy and pretty effective- the main issue is the ghastly lump in your cord that you'll be left with afterwards!

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3) Soldering: The Most Efficient Way

This technique is slightly more advanced, but highly preferable over the other methods mentioned. Soldering typically involves the use of a soldering iron, and solder. 

Soldering is a process where items are fused together by a melting method, and the addition of a filler metal into the joint. The filler metal would need a lower melting point than the metal used for adjoining. The way in which soldering is distinguished from welding, for example, is that it doesn't involve melting the actual work pieces. 

How to Do It

You'll need the following to do this method:

• Soldering iron 
• Solder
• Heat-shrink tubing (plastic tubing which contracts and shrinks when exposed to heat)
• Electrical tape (optional)

Method:

1. Clean up any wire, and slide some heat-shrink tubing onto one end of the wire- space these far away from the wire ends to prevent premature shrinking
2. Twist the opposite wire ends together, in a cross-hatch shape (X) to end up with a straight connection
3. Heat up the exposed metal wires with your soldering iron, and apply some solder to the connection of wires- ensure that this fully fuses and strengthens your wires
4. Wait for it to cool slightly, and then check to make sure the wires are strong- bend them a little bit and make sure they don't pull apart
5. Quickly but carefully slide the heat-shrink tubing onto the heat site- if they haven't shrunk enough, it may be that the heat site isn't hot enough; in which case, grab a hairdryer and apply some hot air to shrink it down completely
6. Cover up the broken cord remnants with some electrical tape or more heat-shrink tubing (with a larger final diameter)

Can I Clean A Lawn Mower Air Filter? If So, How?

Instead of spending hours searching for your lawnmower's exact model so that you can clean its air filter, find out some universal methods that will save you a whole bunch of time and money.

Yes, you can clean your mower's air filter and should regularly as to keep your lawnmower running healthily.

An air filter plays an important part in your lawnmower's day to day running. As such, it is vital to know exactly how to properly clean the air filter as to not damage it in the process.

The purpose of a lawnmower's air filter

Lawnmowers air filters are built to keep dirt and grass clippings from clogging up the engine and shortening your mower's life span.

Therefore, if you feel that your lawnmower is not working correctly or is failing to cut grass like it usually does, then you may find that a clogged air filter is the cause of the problem.

The longer you go without unclogging it and cleaning the filter, the worst your lawnmower's performance will get.

Not only that but if you insist on still using your mower with a dirty air filter then you will damage the filter and have to replace it.

What are the 3 types of air filter's used in mowers?

There are three types of air filters that a manufacturer may use in their mower, but the cleaning process for them are not that different.

The types of air filters that your mower may have are:

• Disposable foam air filter
• Reusable air filter
• Dual air filter

As is clear from the name, you will not need to clean the disposable foam air filter. You will need to replace it with an entirely new filter instead.

Make sure you have some spare disposable air filters to hand so that you can replace the filter whenever you may need to.

If you do attempt to clean a disposable filter, not only are you wasting your time but you may damage your mower as the filter will no longer work.

What you will need to clean an air filter

It is best to get everything you need to clean the filter together before you get to work. That way you can get the task done quicker.

You will need:

• Liquid soap - dishwashing soap will do here, you don't need a specialized soap for this
• Warm water - it is better to have warm or hot water to really clean out your air filter but cold water would do the job too
• Paper towels - to be able to properly reach every nook and cranny of your air filter without damaging it, make sure to use paper towels. They will also help absorb any water stuck in the filter which is vital
• Motor oil - oil is a key to keeping the air filter running smoothly and should be reapplied once you have washed the filter
• Old toothbrush - to clean less fragile parts of the filter, an old toothbrush can be used. If you have a cleaning brush, you can use that instead
• Screwdriver - many models use some type of screws to keep the air filter in place so make sure you have the right tool to hand in order to be able to remove the filter

How to clean a reusable remove air filter for your lawnmower

Turn off your mower!!

Before you start the cleaning process, you must make sure to correctly remove the air filter to avoid any damage to yourself or the equipment.

First, make sure that your mower is disconnected from its power source. Sigh as you might at the obviousness of this step, it is commonly missed.

It may be that you need to change your air filter halfway through your grass cutting session and so you forget to disconnect the power which is a bad step to miss.

You may also find that while the mower itself is off, all of the internal parts are still moving. This is because you need to give your mower time to properly power down and stop moving after it is turned fully off.

So, don't try and rush ahead as soon as you suspect that your air filter may need cleaning.

Give your mower time to shut down and stop moving so that you don't lose a finger in the process.

If you are still unsure whether or not your mower has stopped moving, try disconnecting the spark plug wire.

In fact, we recommend that you do this regardless for extra safety.

Locate your air filter

Air filters are not that hard to find inside your lawnmower. They are quite large and round, usually covered by a top cover to keep the filter from falling out during your mowing.

There may also be one or two screws in place to hold the filter still. Keep these nuts and screws somewhere safe so that you can put your filter back correctly once clean.

Once you have removed the cover and unscrewed what you need to, all that you should have to do is lift the filter out and you can begin the cleaning process.

Time to wash the filter

Don't just go ahead and dunk the filter into a tub full of water. This will not correctly clean the filter and could damage it.

Instead, put the filter in an empty tub and rinse with warm water and soap.

While you do want to avoid overdoing it with the water, you do need to make sure that the filter has been thoroughly covered in soap and then entirely rinsed with water to really cut through the grease.

Thoroughly dry

This is a key step in the cleaning process as having too much water left in your air filter could damage it and your mower.

Use the paper towels to squeeze out all of the water trapped in the air filter.

You may go through a fair few paper towels during this step, but it will be worth it to not have to replace your entire filter.

If you find that you are still removing soap from the filter even after you have rinsed it, then simply rinse with more water are start re-drying it again.

As long as you don't drown the filter then you will avoid damaging it.

Time to oil up

Just like with the water, too much motor oil will ruin your mower but too little can stop your filter from working properly.

To get just the right amount of oil on your filter, take a paper towel and tab some motor oil onto it. Then rub the towel all over the filter so that it is covered entirely on both sides.

Note that your air filter should not be dripping oil. If you do find this is the case then use a clean paper towel to dab off the excess oil.

Replace the filter

Before you put the filter back into place, you may want to clear any excess debris from the top cover or from around where the filer will be.

This way you are ensuring that it will not get clogged up again straight away.

Once you are satisfied, slip the air filter back into place and secure the screws once more.

Make sure to make them tight enough that they will not become loose while the mower's engine is running.

And there you have it - the easiest way to clean a reusable, foam air filter for your lawnmower.

But, as noted earlier, this is not the only type of filter manufacturers use in their mowers.

How to clean a dual air filter for your lawnmower

All of the safety steps and identifying your air filter's location are exactly the same for a dual air filter as a reusable one. However, removing the dual filter is different.

Not only will you spot the air filter but you will also see that a cartridge is attached to it. Is it this cartridge that you need to clean, not the filter itself.

Doing so will damage the air filter and you will have to replace it entierly.

As for the cleaning process, all you need to do is follow the steps described above for cleaning a standard air filter.

Just make sure to be extra gentle and not overdo it with the water.

If you do use too much water or even too much oil, then take some time to properly dry the cartridge before replacing it.

Of course, there will come a time when your air filter is too worn down to simply clean and will need replacing.

But until that point, be sure to keep your current filter unclogged and clean to keep your lawnmower running as smooth as possible.

Are Lawn Mower Engines 4 Cycle? Find Out Here!

We understand that most people are not professionals when it comes to engine types. If you are unsure what a 4 cycle engine lawnmower is, look no further.

While not all lawnmowers are powered by a 4 cycle engine, they are typically the better type of mowers to buy.

But why are 4 cycle engines so common in lawnmowers and why are top mower brands keen to use these types of engines? Let us explain.

How does a 4 cycle engine work?

As can be guessed from the name alone, a 4 cycle engine completes 4 cycles but of what exactly?

Almost always, these types of engines are internal combustion engine meaning that instead of the petrol being burnt elsewhere in the lawnmower, it is burnt within the engine.

This burning of the fuel creates hot air which pushes on a piston which then turns the crankshaft.

Everytime that the piston completes a 4 step stroke, one cycle is complete.

These steps are:

• Intake - the air produced by the fuel moved into the combustion chamber
• Compression - once in the chamber, the air becomes compressed. This is a key step in accessing more energy stored in the fuel's air
• Ignition - the now compressed air is combusted by rapidly mixing oxygen with the air, resulting in the release of energy in the form of hot air
• Exhaust - now that the energy is released, it is moved from the combustion chamber into the air

Once all of these steps have been complete then 1 cycle has finished.

However, just 1 cycle on its own does not produce the level of power expected from a top of the range lawnmower. Nor enough power to cleanly cut through grass.

That is why engines with more than 1 cycle engines are used.

What is the difference between a 4 cycle engine and a 2 cycle engine?

Unlike a 4 cycle engine, a 2 cycle engine does not require as many strokes of the piston to work. But that is not the only difference.

Different types of cycle engines require different types of fuel or power sources to operate and produce the most energy they can.

A 2 cycle engine needs to have a mix of fuel and oil so that the engine parts can be well oiled continuously during combustion.

One the other hand, a 4 cycle engine does not need its oil and fuel mixed.

It is this key difference that makes it easier for you to identify if you have a 2 cycle or a 4 cycle lawnmower.

Simply find where you fill-up the fuel on your mower and look for the little sign that will indicate what type of engine it uses.

Why do lawnmowers use 4 cycle engines?

The biggest attraction to a 4-stroke engine system is the environmentally friendly design.

When comparing 2 cycle and 4 cycle engines, a 2 cycle engine produces just as much power as a 4 cycle and is lighter.

This is why a 2 cycle engine is most often used for self propelled lawn mowers.

However, manufacturers are trying to move away from 2 cycle engines due to the oil and fuel mix that they require.

Every time combustion happens, a little bit of oil is burnt at the same time, releasing extra pollution into the atmosphere.

4 cycle engines keep their oil and fuel separate. Therefore, no oil is being burnt while the engine is completing its cycles.

That is why you will find top lawnmower brands like Bosch using a 4 cycle engine, as they are committed to reducing air pollution.

There is also the fact that a 2 cycle engine has to work twice as hard as a 4 cycle engine to produce the same amount of power meaning that it will have to be replaced more regularly.

Therefore, not only do 4 cycle engines burn less oil but they are also saving you money in the long run as they will not wear out as fast.

What Can I Do With A Lawn Mower Engine? Anything Useful?!

Do you want to know how to make the most out of your old lawnmower engine? We have thought of a few ways you can recycle your old engine that beats throwing it away.

There are plenty of ways to repurpose your lawnmower engine - both as a new engine and as a key component in new projects.

Lawnmowers are often such a pricey investment that when it comes time to replace them, many people are reluctant to just thrown their old mowers away. But now you don't have to!

Use your lawnmower engine to power your transport!

There are several methods of transportation whoes engine could easily be replaced with a powerful lawnmower engine.

If you have ever wanted to own a small boat to enjoy fishing ot riding along the river in the middle of a hot day then this may be your chance to live out that dream.

A small, simple boat could easily be powered using a petrol-powered lawnmower engine as they are built to be able to run for a long time.

As long as you have a spare tub of fuel with you then you could enjoy your own boat for hours on end.

Of course, the main issue here is coming up with a way to prevent the engine itself from getting wet as, unlike traditional boat engines, lawn mower engines are not waterproof.

However, once you have figured out that small detail, then reworking the engine to fit a small boat could be well worth the effort.

If sailing is not your preferred choice of transport or you want a project to complete with your kid, do not worry. Lawnmower engines can be powerful enough to work for a go-cart.

The whole trick to building a go-cart is to keep it as lightweight as possible to increase the speed. A lawnmower's engine is often designed to be lightweight to make it easier to control the lawnmower.

Not only that but the power of a 4 cycle engine, the type of engine many fuel powered lawnmowers use, is more than enough to propel a one person go-cart forward at a speed just as impressive as a typical go-cart engine.

Make your own lawnmower

You may find that in your hunt for a new lawnmower that no other model can be compared to the engine used in your old mower. So why not make your own?

It may seem a little silly to suggest but really it is the idea that makes the most sense.

You could even find a way to lower the amount of pollution produced by the engine by changing how much the engine relies on fuel or a fuel and oil mix.

If your old engine is a 2 cycle engine then you could try and convert it into a 4 cycle engine. Not only would this be better for the environment but you may also get a little bit more power out of the engine.

Either way, you could build the lawnmower of your dream and be saving money that would otherwise be spent on a newer but worse mower.

Make yourself a new coffee table.

This may be the option more tailored towards those who enjoy crafting or artistic projects, but that does not mean that you can not give it a go.

If you have no other practical use for your old engine then why not make it a statement piece either for you or to sell to someone else?

It will take a little bit of elbow grease to properly clear up all of the grease and dirt from the engine itself.

But once cleaned up, you have yourself a brand new coffee table foundation.

All you have to do then is pull out your measuring tape, figure out what material you want to use as the surface and get to work.

Build yourself a lawnmower powered generator

If you are one of those who likes to be prepared for the inevitable apocalypse, then the chances are that you already have a functioning generator all ready to go.

However, it doesnt hurt to be extra prepared. So, why not use your extra time to build another generator out of your old lawnmower engine?

This would be especially useful if you have an electric lawnmower engine as they could easily be powerful enough to power lamps or low consumption tools.

The small, compact design of lawnmower engines means that, unlike other generators, this one will not take up too much room.

Meaning you have a purposeful power source with room to spare.

How To Service A Ride On Mower! Find Out Here!

We have compiled a list of the 3 most important service tasks you must do to keep your ride on mower running smoothly.

You are able to complete 3 key servicing tasks for your ride on mower by yourself, but if left poorly maintained then you will have to pay for a professional service.

To save yourself money both immediately and in the long run, here are a few things you can do to prevent having to pay out for a whole new lawnmower every season.

Changing your lawnmower's oil

Regularly changing your lawnmower's oil is a crucial part of mower maintenance, but especially so if you have not used your mower for an extended amount of time.

You may find that if you try to start up your mower after a long winter without changing the oil then it might not start up at all.

Likewise, if you are using your lawnmower every other day or so then you will need to change your oil more regularly. (Manufactures recommend every 50 hours or use or so).

Remember, simply topping up your oil is not the same as changing it.

A lawnmower's oil plays an essential part in keeping your mower moving and from overheating.

As such, the oil starts to collect dirt and worn out motor parts after a lot of use and will become useless if left unchanged for so long.

When you go to drain the oil, keep a pan under where the oil will come out to catch it when it comes out.

Turn your lawnmower on to get the oil moving about and then turn off the engine, leaving the mower to cool down for a few minutes. This way, if any oil splashed onto you, you will not get burnt.

Ensure that your mower is completely off and then remove the cap.

Once all of the oil has been drained, you can start to refill your mower. Just make sure you have replaced the oil cap so that your new oil does not spill out straight away.

To refill your mower with fresh oil, simply pour the correct type of oil into the right compartment.

You will want to check how much oil your mower is supposed to take as too little could cause it to overheat but too much could ruin the spark plug.

Once done, turn the engine on for a few minutes to allow the oil to properly spread throughout the engine and then you are good to get back to cutting the grass once more.

All of the old oil you have drained should not just be dumped in a drain and never on the ground.

Special oil recycling plants are available to take your old oil and properly dispose of it. Likewise, a quick search could direct you to some other companies that are willing to take your old lawnmower oil.

How to replace your lawnmower's filters

You should change your lawnmower's oil filter at the same time you change the oil just to ensure that it is kept on top of.

The oil filter's job is to make sure the oil does not become contaminated with large pieces of dirt or any grass cuttings.

Replacing the filter is simple. Locate where the filter is and twist it either with your hands or with a wrench if needed until you can remove it.

It is best at this stage to clean the rubber in and around where the oil filter fits to reduce the amount of dirt the filter has to repel once the new one is installed.

You can simply use your lawnmower's oil and an old rag to wipe the rubber clean.

Now take your new oil filter and fit it securely with your hand or a wrench to ensure that the filter can do its job properly.

Do not forget to repeat these step with the fuel filter as its job is just as important as the oil filters.

You will also need to either clean or replace your ride-on mower's air filter regularly to ensure that it can run at top capacity.

Keeping your lawnmower's blade sharp

Arguably the most important part of any lawnmower is its blade. A dull blade will result in a terrible grass cutting performance.

As such, it is vital to sharpen your ride on mower's blade during its service.

Ensure that the spark plug is unplugged before you carry on with this process otherwise there could be terrible consequences.

Remove the blade by flipping your mower onto its side and marking the side of the blade facing the ground. This way when you go to re-attach the blade, you will know which way it goes.

Loosen the bolt with a wrench and carefully remove the blade. While it may not be sharp enough to cut grass properly it will still be sharp enough to do harm if not carefully handled.

Securely clamp your blade in a wise and use a file to sharpen the blade until it is as sharp as a butter knife.

You do not need to use a whole mechanical grinder to sharpen the blade. Most manufacturers use soft steel that can easily be re-sharpened using a hand file.

Make sure that you are filing so that the sharp edge is on the same side and going in the same direction it was before otherwise, you will have to replace the blade completely.

Before you re-attach the blade, making sure that it is evenly balanced by placing it on a hanging nail. If one side starts to fall then you know your blade is unbalanced.

If this is the case then you will need to carry on sharpening and filing until it is balanced. Otherwise, it will cause unnecessary vibrations that could destroy the bearings which are harder to replace.

When you go to reinstall the blade, ensure that you have tightened the screw enough so that the blade will not come loose during use.

In some cases, you may not need to entirely remove your lawnmower's blades in order to sharpen them. Read more about how to do that here.

Tips to help maintain your ride on lawnmower

While the tips above are key important when servicing your ride-on lawnmower, there are some steps to follow to ensure that your mower is properly maintained.

One mistake that many people make is forgetting that their mower is not waterproof and neither is its engine.

Unlike cars that are able to be kept outside regardless of the weather, lawnmowers do not mix well with rain.

Therefore, no matter how long between use, keep your ride on lawnmower stored way somewhere watertight and safe to avoid having to have a professional come out and repair a water clogged engine.

Likewise, if your ride on mower operates using a grass collector, then make sure to empty it regularly during use to prevent any unnecessarily clogging.

Also, ensure that you replace the grass collector securely to avoid damaging yourself or the mower.