The following post is by MPFJ staff writer Travis. Travis is a customer blogger for CareOne Debt Relief Services, and also appears weekly at Enemy of Debt. Travis candidly shares his personal journey to pay off $109,000 of credit card debt and the tips he’s learned along the way. As a father and husband he provides a unique perspective on balancing debt, finances, and family.
“Are you ready for it to officially be Spring?,” I asked my wife as I wheeled my lawn mower onto the driveway. The day I get to take my lawn mower out of my shed, fire it up for the first time of the season, and fill the air with the smell of freshly cut grass is one that I look forward to all Winter.
She just shook her head and laughed at me as my dramatic pull of the start string resulted in nothing but a sickly chugging sound from the engine. I stated that the gas tank was completely dry, and it would take a few pulls to get it primed. I pulled the string again and again, but it was very obvious that it wasn’t going to start. Puzzled, I looked at my lawn mower, and realized that I had completely skipped my usual Spring lawn mower maintenance routine.
I know some people that will take their mowers in for a tune up each Spring. A local small engine repair shop will tune up my lawn mower for $60, but in my opinion, the only thing that’s getting tuned up is the mechanic’s wallet. In seventeen years of home ownership, I’ve owned only two lawn mowers. The first one lasted 8 years, and was the cheapest lawn mower I could find (about $100) at the time. Had I spent $60 a year on a tune up, I would have spent $480 over the life of the mower, and it wouldn’t have given me any benefit. The wheels fell off and the frame was cracked and broken, but the engine still started on the first pull! The mower I have now is entering it’s 9th year of use, and while the paint is fading a bit, it’s still in perfect functional condition.
Instead of taking my lawn mower into have it professionally tuned up, I do the following steps each and every spring to keep my lawn mower in tip top shape:
Clean It Off:
Seven months of sitting in a shed will leave a lawn mower looking pretty grisly. I usually like to first spray it down with the hose. Then, I take some paper towers or a garage rag and wipe it down. After that, I tip it on it’s side, and remove any stuck on clumps of grass that may be impeding the blade, or blocking the exit chute.
Sharpen the Blade:
While I’ve got the mower tipped upside down, I remove the blade to have it sharpened. You can take it to a small engine repair shop, but in my case I have a neighbor that has the equipment to do it himself. Having it done for me will cost about $9, but I get it done for free. I actually have two blades that I alternate using, always keeping one sharpened and ready to go just in case I want to switch the blade and my neighbor isn’t around at that very moment to help me.
Add Oil:
Lawn mowers don’t use a lot of oil, so it’s something that gets forgotten by many people. Each spring I buy a new bottle of oil, check the dipstick, and fill it right up to the line. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s suggestion on what kind of oil to use with your specific lawn mower.
Clean/Replace the Spark Plug:
Most seasons I usually just remove the spark plug, and clean off the bottom and top connectors with sand paper to make sure the contacts are clean. However this year, that wasn’t enough. For the first time in my adult life, I had to replace the spark plug. A new one only cost me just under $2 with tax at Walmart, and I had it installed in a matter of minutes. If you do replace your spark plug, I recommend removing it first, and taking the old one with you to the store so you can match the part number printed on the side of the plug. Nothing’s more frustrating then finding out you bought the wrong part and have to go back to the store.
Add Gasoline:
Last but not least, fill it up! I have a five gallon gas can will last me about two months. This reduces the chances of me hurrying home from work to mow the lawn ahead of an approaching storm only to find that I need to take an extra fifteen minutes to run to the gas station. Obviously I need to fill the lawn mower more often than just prior to the first mow, but after a long winter in storage, my gas tank is usually bone dry. I like to fill it up, and hit the primer button a few times to get everything flowing through the gas lines.
Check For Leaks:
Now that I’ve added the necessary fluids, I give my mower a careful once over to make sure oil or gas aren’t flowing out of any leaks in the engine. If any leaks ARE found, this is where I would break down and consult a professional. It may simply mean it’s time for a new mower.
By following these simple steps in the Spring, I start out the lawn mowing season with:
- Oil for the entire season – $4.00
- Gasoline for a few months – $17.50
- A sharp blade – FREE
- A new spark plug – $2.00
Total cost for my Spring preparation: $23.50.
The next day, after following my normal routine, I again asked my wife if she was ready for Spring to officially begin. I pulled the string once, and the lawn mower roared to life.
Nailed it.
How about you all? How do you get your lawn mower ready for the season? What’s the longest a mower has ever lasted you?
Share your experiences by commenting below!
***Image courtesy of antpkr / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
