Using a lawnmower to maintain your yard is simple. You just pull the cord and let the engine purr. However, the soft humming of your trusted lawn mower can come to an abrupt end if you don’t take care of the filter. A dirty or clogged air filter can potentially cause your lawnmower to go up in smoke.

Read on to learn four tips for keeping the air filter of your lawnmower clean.

Check It Routinely

The filter of a lawnmower requires a more watchful eye compared to one you find in an HVAC unit. Due to the influx of debris and foliage cycling through the mower, the air filter clogs quickly. The larger your lawn, the quicker your air filter can lose efficiency.

Larger lawns usually warrant cleaning the mower’s filter at least every five hours. Or, if you do it in increments, clean the filter after three to five uses. It all depends on the size of your yard and the type of mower you have.

A Seasonal Change

Regardless of the size of your lawn, one of the best times to change your lawn mower’s filter is with the change of seasons. Interestingly enough, it’s recommended you change filters every three months. A good rule of thumb is to swap out filters at the beginning of spring, summer and possibly even autumn.

Make Sure There’s No Damage

The filter inside a lawnmower is delicate. Foliage and other debris, like twigs, can tear the fabric of the filter easily. Tears in the filter reduce its efficiency and can cause debris to get caught in the mower’s gears. Debris in the mower's gears could lead to bigger problems. 

Before putting the device to work, check to see if there are any tears. If you find any, you’ll need to replace the filter before you use your lawnmower again.

Say No to Mold

Something you may not be aware of is that your lawn mower’s air filter can become infested with mold. Because leaves and foliage contain moisture, mold can start to grow inside your lawnmower. Make a point of clearing out the bottom of your mower regularly and keeping it as dry as possible. 

No one wants to have a yard full of weeds and overgrown grass. Keep your lawnmower up and running by servicing it regularly and keeping the air filter clean.

Just like other machines at home, lawnmowers need to be regularly maintained for them to function efficiently. Replacing spark plugs, air filters, blades and gas are essential maintenance tips that should be carried out at the end of every season. Replacing or repairing lawn mower parts saves you money and time. Additionally, replacement parts are easier to find, and they are affordable. Therefore, you need to either repair or replace worn out parts to prevent purchasing a new lawnmower. Here are some parts of your lawnmower that require regular repair or replacement.

1. Spark Plugs

Before you start your lawnmower, the spark plug must ignite a spark. The park is a small, contained fire that turns the drive shaft. However, due to wear and tear, the spark plug may become loose, defective, disconnected, or dirty. Faulty spark plugs become corroded and must be replaced. The spark plug must be replaced after every 100 hours. The spark plug gets dirty from oil, grass, and other debris. Unscrew the spark plug to clean off the dirt with a wire brush and spark plug cleaner. If the dirt on the spark plug doesn't come out easily or the porcelain is cracked, you need to replace the plug. 

2. Air Filter

The air filters of your lawnmower are placed at the top of the engine and are enclosed in a metal casing secure with screws and snap fittings. Properly functioning air filters protect your lawnmower from dirt and debris produced while mowing. The air filters prevent dirt from getting into the engine. Replacing or cleaning the air filters will improve and extend the performance of your lawnmower. The air filters need to be cleaned after 25 operating hours. They should be replaced once per season or after 300 working hours. If your lawn is dusty, the air filters should be replaced frequently. 

3. Blades

If your lawnmower blades aren't cutting grass evenly, they might be dull. Dull blades should be removed and sharpened. The sharper the blades, the higher the efficiency of your mower, and the neater your lawn. Inspect and sharpen the mower blades regularly. The blades may also bend when they hit rocks or logs. Bent blades may cause the mower to vibrate excessively. If the blades are damaged, you need to replace them before using the mower again. After replacing the blades, ensure that they fit your mower. If not properly fitted, the blades will not cut properly. 

4. Gas

Old gasoline is not suitable for your lawnmower. When you want to store your lawnmower for longer periods, you should drain the gas. When stored for more than two months in the fuel tank, the deposits will settle at the bottom as the fuel quality reduces. Old fuel also corrodes the fuel tank. To drain off the gas, you can siphon with two hoses and a rag or use a siphon pump. Although there’ll be little fuel left in the tank, run the lawnmower until it runs out of gas. 

End of season lawnmower maintenance doesn’t differ between lawnmowers. Repairing or replacing these four lawnmower parts will improve its efficiency and increase its life. Don't hesitate to repair or replace these parts for better performance next season.