How to get your mower Spring ready!
Get Your Mower Ready for Spring
Spring is the perfect time to give your lawn mower a little attention so it’s ready for the mowing season ahead. A few simple steps now can save you a lot of frustration later and help your machine run cleaner, cut better, and last longer.
Follow this quick start-up guide to get your mower back in action:
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Put fresh gas in your mower
Your mower should start spring with fuel that’s either:
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Completely empty, or
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Completely full with fuel that has stabilizer mixed in
If the gas sitting in your tank is old, replace it with fresh fuel so you’re not fighting hard starts or poor engine performance when the grass starts growing.
Step 2 – Check your oil levels
Every spring, take a moment to check your engine oil level.
This helps you spot low oil or early signs of leaks before they turn into bigger issues.
💡 Pro Tip:
If your mower has hydrostatic transmissions, make sure to check your hydro oil level too. Keeping it topped up ensures smooth driving and steady ground speed.
Step 3 – Give your machine an engine service
If you didn’t do a full service at the end of last season, now is the time. A proper spring tune-up includes:
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New air filter
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New fuel filter
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New spark plugs
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Fresh oil
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New oil filter
This keeps your mower breathing easy, running strong, and starting reliably throughout the busy mowing months.
Step 4 – Sharpen or change your blades
Dull mower blades can:
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Tear your grass instead of cutting it
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Leave Stripes in the yard
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Cause uneven mowing patterns
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Stress your lawn’s root system
A sharp blade gives you that clean, striped, professional-looking cut you want.
💡 Pro Tip:
Keep an extra set of blades on hand! If one gets damaged by a stick, rock, or hidden root, you can swap it out quickly and keep mowing.
Step 5 – Check for signs of mice or winter critters
During colder months, small animals love to build nests around engines and in cozy compartments.
Take a look under the hood and around the engine shrouds for:
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Nests
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Chewed wiring
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Damaged covers
Removing nest material and addressing any damage early helps protect your mower from overheating or electrical issues.
Step 6 – Reinstall your battery
If you stored your battery indoors for winter (great job!) now’s the time to reinstall it. Cold temperatures shorten battery life, so protecting it over winter is a smart move.
You can also use a trickle charger or battery maintainer to keep it in good health throughout the season.
Step 7 – Give it a good first start
Once everything is back together, it’s time for the moment of truth: start up your mower!
A few tips for the first spring start:
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Use full choke when you turn the key
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Once the engine warms up, ease back the choke
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Move your mower out into the yard
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Engage your PTO (blades) at full throttle
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Start mowing!
A few minutes of running time helps the engine settle in after its winter rest.
Need Help Getting Your Mower Spring-Ready?
Whether you need parts, blades, a tune-up, or a full service, we’re here to help.
Stop by the shop or give us a call — we’ll make sure your mower is ready for a strong start to the season.