Are You Ready To Mow?

To make sure your grass is a cut above your neighbor's, it's important not to let your riding mower and other power equipment get you hot under the collar because they're not ready to mow when you are.

That's why it's a good idea when you create your "to-do" list to have a check box that reads: Maintain Outdoor Power Equipment. This task is not only essential for the safety and performance of the equipment, but also helps keep your yard healthy and free of disease throughout the summer.

Are You Feeling Handy?

You can do a lot of the basic maintenance on your outdoor lawn equipment yourself in just a couple hours. Some steps to follow include:

• Change and dispose of oil; replace filter

• Check and replace worn spark plugs

• Brush grass clippings away from cooling fans, air intake screens and under mower deck

• Inspect air filter

• Sharpen blade

Prefer Soil Rather Than Oil?

Use a "hassle-free" mobile service.

Not everyone likes or is able to perform their own maintenance. Similar to a doctor's house call, there are mobile services available to deliver the service center to your doorstep. For example, John Deere offers Ready To Mow™, whereby one of their factory-trained technicians comes to your home or work with a service center on wheels to perform a 12-point maintenance & inspection service on all outdoor power equipment. A few steps involved with this service include:

• Check battery voltage and continuity

• Clean engine

• Inspect belts for wear and adjust tension

• Check tire tread and pressure

• Test operation of brakes, carburetor, transmission and safety systems

• Change transmission fluid, engine coolant, oil and filters (certain models)

• Grease axle and mower spindles

• Sharpen blades, check balance and straightness to prevent vibration.

Don't let the grass grow under your feet before you perform some basic maintenance on your outdoor power equipment.