Landscape Architect Articles

LCDBM October 2009: Equipment Maintenance: You Can Pay Me Now... or Pay Me Later10-08-09 | News

Equipment Maintenance:
You Can Pay Me Now... or Pay Me Later

By Larry Shield, Product Editor

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Dennis Abbott, owner and partner of Lawnmowers, Etc. in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., has about 80 percent of his clientele as professional landscapers, with the remainder home owners.

Maintenance supervisors, Cal Trans, state parks and school districts bring in their electric drills, electric hammers, cement mixers, line trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn tractors and walk behind mowers for service.

Felix Orozco used a screw driver to remove excess grass clippings from the bottom of a Honda HRC 215 lawnmower. He recommended that landscapers clean the bottom of mowers because fertilizers can eat away at the mower?EUR??,,????'?????< Photos courtesy of Larry Shield, Product Editor

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Abbott said most landscape professionals wait until their equipment breaks down or can no longer run. There?EUR??,,????'?????<

These traditional lawn edgers don?EUR??,,????'?????<

Preventative Maintenance

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Lawnmowers, Etc. gives its customers an estimate on the work done and Abbott said he saves the old parts and shows them to the customer.

Washing the lawnmower motor is a no-no as water can get in the bottom of a carburetor. Orozco said in order to maintain the engine, lubricate it and give it regular oil changes. He said hedge trimmers should run at a ratio of 40-to-1, gasoline to oil.

Even though lawnmowers may operate in conditions varying from dry and dirty to moist and thick, Abbott said it?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Lawnmowers, Etc. in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., is dedicated to the repair and maintenance of landscape equipment including walk behind mowers, lawn tractors, line trimmers and leaf blowers.

Sharpening vs. Replacing the Blades

Another important aspect of lawnmower maintenance is sharpening the blades. Abbott said a landscaper can make a visual scan of the mowed turf to see how well the grass is being cut. It?EUR??,,????'?????<

If the mower runs over some rocks or pebbles, the mower may need to have its blades sharpened and balanced. Once a blade on an edger becomes dull, it?EUR??,,????'?????<

Orozco said the engine needs to stay lubricated and it?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Abbott has observed that some landscapers make the mistake of running the machine with no air filter, which will shorten the life of the machine, especially in dusty conditions. Sometimes dirt, debris and leaves around the cooling system cause the equipment to run too hot, putting unnecessary strain on the engine. Running a machine too lean with improper lubrication, at a ratio of 75-to-1 or 100-to-1, could cause the engine to seize. He suggested running equipment at a ratio of 50-to-1.

Felix Orozco owns and operates Lawn/Turf Equipment Repair in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., servicing weed whackers, hedge trimmers, lawnmowers and leaf blowers for professionals in the landscape industry. He mainly repairs landscape equipment and does some service to repair filters.

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No Washing Needed

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Orozco said the engine needs to stay lubricated and it?EUR??,,????'?????<

Lawn/Turf Equipment Repair also works on hedge trimmers. Sometimes using less oil will cause the engine to heat up more. Within five minutes of use, the engine could heat up and seize, said Orozco. A fuel stabilizer could come in handy if the equipment is going to be stored more than three weeks. The gear box and shaft need to be lubricated and the air filter cleaned, regularly. A 40-to-1 ratio for gasoline and oil will work well with hedge trimmers.

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At what point should you decide to bring your mower to a repair shop? If your company is large enough to keep a supply of filters, belts, spark plugs, pads, wheels, etc. (as seen here) you may be able to fix it yourself. However, if you don?EUR??,,????'?????<

Some landscapers don?EUR??,,????'?????<

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Orozco said many lawnmower manufacturers give a two-year warranty on the engines, provided the customer follows closely the maintenance guidelines. So, it pays in the end to take the extra time to properly maintain your landscape equipment, instead of suffering down time to either replace it or repair it.

Frequently Asked Questions About:
Lawnmower Maintenance

Typical lawnmower maintenance items include: sharpening the blade; changing the engine oil; cleaning the air filter and replacing the spark plug; cable adjustment is also required on some models. Always refer to the maintenance schedule included in the owner?EUR??,,????'?????<

The blade is a major wear item and requires frequent inspection, periodic sharpening, and eventual replacement to maintain top-notch cutting performance. Replacement blades generally cost around $12 for single blade models and $24 for twin blade models. Labor for a dealer to install will vary based on the area and dealer?EUR??,,????'?????<

1. How do you replace wear items?

The customer should always refer to the owner?EUR??,,????'?????<

2. What happens if you don?EUR??,,????'?????<

Failing to replace the blade will result poor cut quality (visible brown spots on the lawn from torn/shredded grass), poor bagging or discharge performance, and additional load on the engine. If the wear becomes severe enough, the blade could fail ?EUR??,,????'?????<
3. What are the most common maintenance issues with lawnmowers?

Neglecting to sharpening and replace the blade(s) will result in less than optimal cutting performance. Failing to change the engine oil and check and clean or replace the air filter regularly can result in rapid engine wear, especially if the lawnmower is used in dusty conditions. And forgetting to empty the fuel from the carburetor (or add gasoline stabilizer) prior to long term storage can result in carburetor damage and starting problems when the mower is first used during the spring mowing season.

4. What kind of safety precautions should a mechanic take when working on the lawnmower?

The mechanic should always refer to the shop manual when performing a repair. Important safety information specific to the model being repaired will be clearly listed. Proper safety equipment also should be worn.

5. When should owners turn to their dealers for serious problems and when can they do it themselves? Are there certain situations where hobby mechanics should turn to a professional?

Simple maintenance procedures like inspecting the blade(s), changing the oil, replacing the air filter, spark plug, and grass bag are shown in the owner?EUR??,,????'?????<
6. Are there routine steps an owner should take before and after operating a lawnmower? What considerations should be taken when taking lawnmower out of storage or into storage for the season?

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Courtesy of Honda Power Equipment