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Get ready to mow down the competitionArkansas It's getting warmer, and before you know it the grass will be green. It's a glorious time of year in Arkansas. But this annual ritual of spring and summer also means many people will be gearing up for another ritual: getting their lawnmowers ready. --While everyone is somewhat anxious to embark on the spring cleaning of the yard, there are some things that should be considered in dealing with lawn equipment," says Sherri Wesson, White County agent with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Wesson says those who did preventive maintenance before storing their mowers in the fall are ahead of the game. Those who didn't will need to do a few things to get their mowers ready. Six points of concern should be addressed as you ready your mower for a long season of cutting and maintaining your lawn, says Wesson. These are: --Making sure the gasoline in the tank is free of dust, dirt and foreign matter; --Changing the oil; --Cleaning or replacing a dirty air filter; --Inspecting belts; --Sharpening of the blade; --Replacing the spark plug. "A supply of quality gasoline, free of water, dust and other foreign particles is a must," says Wesson. "Gasoline that contains any type of foreign matter will not allow for proper engine operation. While the engine may crank, it won't operate correctly." Wesson says a fresh oil change is always needed before you operate your lawn mower; refer to the owner's manual for the proper oil that should be used. If your owner's manual isn't available, consult an expert who can recommend the correct oil for your engine. To operate efficiently and to protect the engine, the mower engine must get clean air. Paper filters should be replaced annually. Foam filters can be cleaned with a mixture of diluted warm water, but a new filter is better for the new season. All belts should be inspected annually for wear since they can become hot, worn, and stretched over time, Wesson notes. --Proper sharpening of mower blades is critical," says Wesson. There are websites with advice on how to do this. Balancing a lawn mower blade is often overlooked, but improper balance can create vibration, unevenly cut the lawn and reduce the life of the mower. Blade balancers can be bought at hardware stores. --Lastly, it's a good idea to replace the spark plug in most mowers on an annual basis to get the most power from your mower," Wesson says. For more information about lawn care or spring horticultural matters, contact your county Extension agent or visit www.uaex.edu and select Home and Garden. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture. Date: 9/21/07
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