🧑‍🤝‍🧑 / 🏡 Yard tools/machines maintenance. What's your spring cleaning routine?

[sean]

Yeah it's still winter, but I went ahead and did the maintenance on all my yard tools (lawnmower, string trimmer, backpack blower, chainsaw). I changed the oil and gas, or fuel mix, in all of them. And I changed the spark plugs and filters. I need to get a new chain for may chainsaw. I mean to get one last years, but I totally forgot about it. I still need to do the pressure washer, but it doesn't get used near as much as the others. Plus I know it's good because I used it a couple weeks ago.

My lawnmower is getting long in the tooth (bought in 2008-09), but it still starts on the 1st or 2nd pull without fail. It does take about 30 seconds to warm up and start running smooth, but once it does it's good to do for a day of cutting grass. The other things I've done to it other than regular maintenance is replace the self-propel belt, replace the self-propel handle cable when the tab on the end broke, replace the pull cord when it broke a couple years ago, and replaced the front wheels when they became worn and didn't have more traction (the self-propel is front wheel drive).

I never drain the fuel from the engines when putting them up the last time before winter. Everyone's told me I'm an idiot and that I would ruin the engines. I told them I used ethanol-free fuel with a stabilizer and I've never had a problem.

I also make sure to sharpen and oil my cutters and loppers/pruners.

 

[rick4bama]

Man I'm tried just reading what you have done!

 

[TerryP]

@sean I always do mine after my spring clean-up. I suppose it really doesn't matter in the end, but I've always struggled with tuning up the mower and then going out and scalping the turf, edging out the walk/drive way, etc., for the spring. Ya know, the filter I just cleaned (or replaced) is now filthy!

 

[It Takes Eleven]

This little bit of good weather had me out in the yard today, too. Looking at the long-range forecast, there is a long-term mild trend setting in, with highs in the 60's and 70's for the most part all month. I know that can change, but here's hoping for a cloudy day tomorrow.

 

[sean]

@sean I always do mine after my spring clean-up. I suppose it really doesn't matter in the end, but I've always struggled with tuning up the mower and then going out and scalping the turf, edging out the walk/drive way, etc., for the spring. Ya know, the filter I just cleaned (or replaced) is now filthy!

I clean the filter after every mow. It's easy to pop it out, bang it against the door of my shop, then pop it back in. But the old one was a bit worn and had somehow gotten wet (not gas or oil leaks on the mower, so I have no idea how).

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I clean the filter after every mow. It's easy to pop it out, bang it against the door of my shop, then pop it back in. But the old one was a bit worn and had somehow gotten wet (not gas or oil leaks on the mower, so I have no idea how).

Holy shit. My mower is jealous. If it could, it would have me charged with neglect.

 

[TerryP]

I clean the filter after every mow. It's easy to pop it out, bang it against the door of my shop, then pop it back in. But the old one was a bit worn and had somehow gotten wet (not gas or oil leaks on the mower, so I have no idea how).

Sparse turf in areas so you are kicking up a lot of dust, dirt, and debris? I should (probably should say hope) to finish my front yard today. I'll run my mower over the lawn three times, at least, cutting it down to 1". I'll have very little dead grass much less trash left. I've got a strong turf, thick as a South American rain forest when it's in 'season.' (Which, happens to be about 9-10 months of the year.

This little bit of good weather had me out in the yard today, too. Looking at the long-range forecast, there is a long-term mild trend setting in, with highs in the 60's and 70's for the most part all month. I know that can change, but here's hoping for a cloudy day tomorrow.

I looked at the forecast about an hour ago and it was calling for three days around 80 this week; the others in the low 70's. If that holds true I'll be spreading Pre-em and spraying a few broadleaf weeds this week.

It's a little crazy. I pray we don't get another hard freeze this year. Even after the 4+" of snow a few days ago I'd swear I found spring growth in the turf yesterday. I KNOW I saw several buds popping on the roses after a few days of mild weather.

 

[TerryP]

Holy shit. My mower is jealous. If it could, it would have me charged with neglect.

I've mentioned him before. I have a neighbor who spends a couple of hundred every other year on a new mower. He doesn't do anything to his...not even clean the bottom if he's cutting wet grass. Now, he does cut his yard about every three days so there's not piles of dead grass.

A lot of dead presidents wasted? Uh, yeah.

 

[sean]

Sparse turf in areas so you are kicking up a lot of dust, dirt, and debris? I should (probably should say hope) to finish my front yard today. I'll run my mower over the lawn three times, at least, cutting it down to 1". I'll have very little dead grass much less trash left. I've got a strong turf, thick as a South American rain forest when it's in 'season.' (Which, happens to be about 9-10 months of the year.

Yep. My front yard is heavily shaded so not a lot of grass grows. Heck, not a lot of anything grows...even weeds. I've looked into the type of grass/sod that does well in the shade, but the cost right now is something I'm not able to do.

I've mentioned him before. I have a neighbor who spends a couple of hundred every other year on a new mower. He doesn't do anything to his...not even clean the bottom if he's cutting wet grass. Now, he does cut his yard about every three days so there's not piles of dead grass.

A lot of dead presidents wasted? Uh, yeah.

My neighbor's other neighbor (the guy on the other side of him) used to buy a new mower every couple years. He said that's all he could get out of one. Then my neighbor asked him how often changed the oil, the filter, or the plug or did anything else to it. The other guy said, "Never". So we started helping him with regular maintenance. Now, the mower he currently has he's had for a few years.

 

[TerryP]

My neighbor's other neighbor (the guy on the other side of him) used to buy a new mower every couple years. He said that's all he could get out of one. Then my neighbor asked him how often changed the oil, the filter, or the plug or did anything else to it. The other guy said, "Never". So we started helping him with regular maintenance. Now, the mower he currently has he's had for a few years.

All I ever say now is, "spend some money on it." My last two, dating back to the early '90's, were replaced because something on the frame wore out: not the engine. I could have fixed the last one but didn't want to (also wanted to give it to someone.)

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I clean the filter after every mow. It's easy to pop it out, bang it against the door of my shop, then pop it back in. But the old one was a bit worn and had somehow gotten wet (not gas or oil leaks on the mower, so I have no idea how).

The setup with the automatic choke on my cheap push mowers will let some gas get to the filter. Both use the same cheap filter, and I've had to adjust the choke control on both of mine when the auto choke stays on too long. That's when - I think - the gas gets on my filters.

 

[sean]

The setup with the automatic choke on my cheap push mowers will let some gas get to the filter. Both use the same cheap filter, and I've had to adjust the choke control on both of mine when the auto choke stays on too long. That's when - I think - the gas gets on my filters.

It was probably water on mine. I do remember hitting it with the pressure washer once when I had it out doing some cleaning with it. I'm usually pretty careful not to hit that part directly since that little cover over the filter isn't water proof. But I guess I have hit it directly and not realized it.

And, yes, I spray off my mower every once in a while. I use the blower to clean it after every use, but I also hit it with the pressure washer a couple times a year. Yep...I'm that guy. But my neighbor is the same way. He takes VERY good care of his stuff. His riding mower is from 2001 and it still runs like new.

 

[TerryP]

The setup with the automatic choke on my cheap push mowers will let some gas get to the filter.

What are you calling "cheap?" I'm guessing here. I think I saw a Craftsman at Lowe's for $300. I'd imagine you could save a little if you looked at Walmart or something of that 'ilk.'

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I've mentioned him before. I have a neighbor who spends a couple of hundred every other year on a new mower. He doesn't do anything to his...not even clean the bottom if he's cutting wet grass. Now, he does cut his yard about every three days so there's not piles of dead grass.

A lot of dead presidents wasted? Uh, yeah.

I put gas in mine (push mower), that's about it. The riding mower at least gets an oil change every 3 years or so.

 

[TerryP]

I put gas in mine (push mower), that's about it. The riding mower at least gets an oil change every 3 years or so.

Thought crossed my mind ...

Back when I was a kid and working with around FOR my granddad I watched him be very particular with his tools. As example, if he was using the spade as soon as he was finished he would wash it off, dry it, and then rub a coat of old motor oil (from his lawn mower tune up that spring) on the blade. Today, I look at mine. The rubber coat/sleeve that was on the spade? Gone; worn out. It's nothing but a fiberglass handle now. But the blade? Not a bit of rust and looks good as new (except for the original paint is gone.)

That takes all of 10 minutes, maybe. And, that's about the same with the mower. It doesn't take more than a few minutes to change the oil, the filter, the plug, etc. (OK, I sharpen the blade and that can a little longer.)

IF I were shopping for a mower this morning my first requirement? Honda engine. As you can imagine, it's not in the same "price point range" as your Briggs and Stratton's. But, that extra money spent...is also worth that extra 10 minutes or so in routine maintenance.

And, yes, I spray off my mower every once in a while.

Mine has a Nexite deck (no rust issues and its light weight) with a port on the top for the hose connector. It does a good job keeping it clean. (A cut following a heavy dew, no problem. A cut after a few days of heavy rain? Yeah, may have to pull the hose out for a little extra.) It's an extra minute or two...plug it up, start the mower, and just like a self cleaning oven...let it do the work.

 

[alabama mike]

I need to do some maintenance on mine as well but it’s just been too cold to stay out in the garage for any length of time. I will probably have to wait until mid March before I get all those things done mentioned above with the exception of the chainsaw, new chain last summer. My power washer is leaking water pretty bad from underneath the motor, not sure if I need to replace the pump or not. Working on things with my hands is something I do not enjoy doing.

 

[TerryP]

I'm estimating how much pine straw and mulch I need to finish the spring clean-up. I looked at two of my 11 rose bushes and counted over fifty buds...then I quit counting. It's about to bust...and when it does I'm looking at, easily, 200 rose blooms in the next few days. It's going to be ...

 

[sean]

I'm estimating how much pine straw and mulch I need to finish the spring clean-up. I looked at two of my 11 rose bushes and counted over fifty buds...then I quit counting. It's about to bust...and when it does I'm looking at, easily, 200 rose blooms in the next few days. It's going to be ...

I stopped using mulch a couple years ago. When it was time to put down new, I went with rock instead of mulch. Yes, the initial cost is more, but it doesn't have to be replaced every year.

 

[TerryP]

I stopped using mulch a couple years ago. When it was time to put down new, I went with rock instead of mulch. Yes, the initial cost is more, but it doesn't have to be replaced every year.

I get ya. I don't like the look. It would cost me a fortune to lay my beds with rock. A fortune. I have one bed in my front yard that has two trees, eight landscaping plants and it'll take at least 10 bails to just cover. I have six beds in the front yard; over a dozen different species that all give color. The Ginko Beloba in the fall is a thing of beauty.

I have a Higen Cherry that'll make you weep with the color. A Jacardana that'll spell bound you. That's in the back yard.

 

[sean]

I get ya. I don't like the look. It would cost me a fortune to lay my beds with rock. A fortune. I have one bed in my front yard that has two trees, eight landscaping plants and it'll take at least 10 bails to just cover. I have six beds in the front yard; over a dozen different species that all give color. The Ginko Beloba in the fall is a thing of beauty.

I have a Higen Cherry that'll make you weep with the color. A Jacardana that'll spell bound you. That's in the back yard.

Yeah, the places I put the rock weren't all that small. And I had to do them all in stages, lol. I looked for a place that had that type of rock I used in bulk quantities, but none were close enough that wouldn't charge me a ton extra in delivery. So I just bought the bag you can get from HD or Lowe's. I usually bought 20 at a time.

Plus I have a couple more places I want to do and put rock. But one is rather large and will take a LOT of rock to fill.