How do I protect my riding lawn mower?

Owning and operating a riding lawn mower can be a rewarding experience. However, proper maintenance and protection of your riding mower is essential to keep it running smoothly for years to come. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide tips on how to best protect your investment in a riding lawn mower.

A riding lawn mower is a significant investment for any homeowner. Prices can range from $1,500 for more basic models up to $5,000 or more for heavy-duty and commercial-grade mowers. With proper care and protection, a riding mower should provide at least 10 years of reliable service. However, neglect or improper use can quickly lead to issues that shorten the usable life of your mower and reduce performance.

Protecting your riding mower involves following manufacturers’ recommendations for maintenance and storage, operating it safely, securing it from theft or damage, and troubleshooting any problems early. By making the effort to properly care for your riding mower, you will maximize your return on investment and avoid costly repairs or replacements down the road.

Follow the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule

The owner’s or operator’s manual that comes with your riding mower will lay out a detailed schedule for regular maintenance tasks. This typically includes:

• Changing engine oil and filters
• Replacing air filters
• Inspecting and replacing spark plugs
• Checking tire pressure
• Lubricating moving parts
• Replacing belts and hoses
• Adjusting and sharpening mower blades
• Cleaning the deck and underside
• Checking and changing transmission fluid
• Inspecting safety features

Some tasks should be performed after the first 5-10 hours of operation, while others are seasonal maintenance. Following the prescribed intervals for maintenance is the best way to get the longest life and best performance from your riding mower.

Keep Records of Maintenance

In addition to following the maintenance schedule, keep records of the dates each task was completed. This helps ensure you stay on schedule going forward. The logs are also useful if you need to diagnose a problem or have a repair done under warranty where maintenance records may be requested.

Replace Worn Parts

Inspect the condition of parts like belts, hoses, and blades each time you perform maintenance. Replace any parts that show signs of wear or damage. It is much cheaper to replace a $10 belt than to repair engine damage caused by a broken belt.

Change Fluids Regularly

Fluids like motor oil, transmission fluid, and hydraulic oil lose their lubricating properties over time. Heat and moisture contamination also reduce their effectiveness. Replace these fluids as called for in your owner’s manual.

Exercise Safe Operating Practices

Careless operation can easily lead to damage of your riding mower. Follow these guidelines to properly operate your mower:

• Clear the lawn of sticks, stones, toys and other objects that could be thrown by the blades
• Set the deck height high enough to avoid scalping or scraping the ground
• Mow up and down slopes, not across
• Do not attempt excessively steep slopes that could cause rollovers
• Give full attention to operation and avoid distractions
• Do not carry passengers, especially children
• Wear closed toe shoes and avoid loose clothing
• Disengage mower deck when crossing gravel or paved areas
• Shut off blades when not actively mowing
• Slow down over rough terrain

Careless mowing practices are one of the most common causes of damage to riding lawn mowers. Developing safe operating habits will help avoid costly repairs.

Store Your Mower Properly

Where and how you store your riding mower between seasons greatly impacts its longevity. Follow these guidelines for proper storage:

• Allow engine to fully cool before storage
• Drain fuel or use fuel stabilizer to avoid deterioration
• Clean mower deck and lubricate moving parts
• Store mower on a hard, level surface
• Keep stored mower covered and dry
• Avoid storing mower with blades engaged
• Disconnect battery and remove for storage
• Raise cutting deck to avoid flat spots on tires
• Sharpen blades and coat with rust inhibitor
• Perform any needed repairs before storage

Proper storage between mowing seasons prevents many problems that could otherwise lead to poor operation or costly repairs when you take your riding mower back into service.

Secure Your Mower From Theft or Damage

Riding lawn mowers are attractive targets for thieves looking to sell them for scrap metal or parts. They can also be damaged by unsupervised children playing around them.

When not in use, store your riding mower in a locked garage or shed, or use a heavy-duty cover securely locked to its frame. Installing a wheel lock or removing the battery will also secure it from theft. Storing it out of sight discourages would-be thieves scoping out targets.

If you must store your mower outside, choose a location out of public view and consider installing motion-activated security lights or cameras to deter potential thieves.

Troubleshoot Issues Quickly

No machine runs perfectly forever. When your riding mower begins showing signs of trouble, address problems immediately to prevent further damage. Common issues to look out for include:

• Difficult starting
• Rough or uneven engine performance
• Smoke or unusual exhaust odor
• Overheating engine
• Abnormal vibration or noises
• Fluid leaks
• Mower deck not engaging
• Reduced mowing quality or performance
• Pulling to one side

Consult your owner’s manual for diagnosing and addressing these and other issues promptly. Catching problems early greatly reduces the likelihood of expensive repairs.

Perform Preventative Diagnostics

You can identify many problems before they lead to breakdowns by periodically performing diagnostics checks, including:

• Test safety shut-off systems
• Check tire pressure and tread depth
• Confirm blades engaging and disengaging properly
• Listen for abnormal noises or vibration
• Ensure headlights, safety lights and gauges are functioning
• Check accelerator and brake pedal operation
• Look for fluid leaks under machine
• Inspect belts and hoses for damage or cracks

Keep Spare Parts on Hand

Having common spare parts on hand allows you to quickly replace worn items before they cause breakdowns. Recommended spares include:

• Spark plugs
• Air and fuel filters
• Drive belts
• Fuses
• Shear pins and other blade connectors
• Mower blades
• Battery
• Headlight bulbs

You can often buy many common replacement parts affordably in multi-packs. Keeping spares allows you to get your mower running again quickly while waiting for dealer parts orders.

Keep Your Mower Looking Good

Beyond the mechanical care, keeping your mower clean, touched up, and presentable preserves its appearance and resale value down the road. Recommendations include:

• Wash the deck after each use to prevent grass buildup
• Remove any stuck-on grass with a brush or plastic scraper
• Touch up paint chips to avoid rust
• Repair any dents, tears or damage
• Keep tires cleaned and shined
• Detail the seat, panels and controls
• Replace worn or faded decals
• Apply protectants to glossy surfaces
• Remove any rust promptly and repaint

Taking extra time to keep your mower looking its best helps it hold up to years of use while maintaining a like-new appearance.

Protect Your Investment

Riding mowers represent a major investment for most homeowners. Protecting that investment through proper care, maintenance, operation and storage directly impacts how many years of reliable service your mower provides.

By following the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance tasks and intervals, operating your mower carefully, storing it properly during the off-season, troubleshooting issues promptly, and keeping it clean and rust-free, your riding mower should provide at least a decade of smooth mowing.

Putting in the required care and effort provides an excellent return by maximizing your mower’s lifespan. Performing preventative maintenance and protection makes your mower less likely to need major repairs or replacement years sooner than necessary.

While a riding mower does require more care and attention than a typical push mower, protecting your investment through conscientious ownership directly translates to more years of enjoyable, trouble-free operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I change the engine oil?

Most manufacturers recommend changing engine oil every 50 hours of operation or at least once per year, whichever comes first. Refer to your owner’s manual for the prescribed interval.

What type of fuel is best for my riding mower?

Use only clean, fresh automotive grade gasoline. Most mowers require a minimum of 87 octane. Do not use gasoline containing more than 10% ethanol.

How can I secure my riding mower against theft?

Store your mower in a locked garage or shed when possible. Also install a heavy-duty cover locked to the frame, wheel lock, or remove the battery when not in use. Park out of public view and consider motion-activated cameras.

What is the proper tire pressure for my riding mower?

Consult your owner’s manual. Most mowers call for a tire pressure between 10-25 PSI. Under-inflation causes uneven wear and poor cutting while over-inflation gives a harsher ride.

Should I disconnect the battery when storing the mower?

Yes, disconnecting the battery helps prevent gradual discharge over the storage period. Clean terminals thoroughly before removing cables.

How do I determine if a blade needs sharpening?

Inspect blade edges for visible nicks, rounded edges, or a dull appearance. A balanced blade tip should also be 1-2 inches lower than the cut edge when held horizontally.

What is the proper deck height to avoid scalping my lawn?

Set your deck height at least 1 inch higher than the tallest point in your lawn. Gradual height adjustments may be needed between mowings as grass growth changes.

How do I prevent flat spots on my mower’s tires?

Avoid parking long-term with weight on the tires. Use jack stands to lift the mower deck and take weight off tires during storage.

Conclusion

Riding lawn mowers represent a major investment for homeowners desiring the convenience and quality cut of a riding model. Protecting that investment through proper maintenance, operation, storage and security directly impacts the usable lifespan of a riding mower.

By consistently following the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance intervals and tasks, operating the mower carefully, addressing any issues promptly, and storing the mower properly when not in use, you can expect at least 10 years of reliable service from a typical riding mower.

A well-maintained riding mower holds its value better when it comes time to trade up to a new model. Investing consistent care into protecting your mower ultimately provides an excellent return on investment through years of enjoyment and avoiding costly breakdowns or repairs.