Zero Turn Mower Maintenance

Only a properly maintained mower with sharpened blades can achieve a healthy, beautiful lawn. Sharp mower blades cut each blade of grass cleanly. Dull blades have a tendency to rip off the tops of grass, which is unsightly and leaves the lawn susceptible to diseases.

To optimize the life and reliability of your zero turn mower, it’s important to service it regularly. Here are a few suggested tips to keep your machine running like new.

Daily Maintenance Routines

Our friends at Husqvarna put together these helpful daily maintenance items that should keep your zero-turn mower ready to take on the heavy use of summer mowing.

Before usage:

• Check for fuel and oil leakage.
• Check the parking brake.
• Check the engine oil level (when you refuel).
• Check the safety system.

After usage:

• Check/clean the engine cooling air intake.
• Check and clean above and under the mower deck.
• Check fastenings (screws, nuts, etc.).
• Start the engine and engage blades and listen for unusual sounds.
• Check the condition of and around belts, belt pulleys, etc.
• Check for any obvious signs of mower damage.
• Thoroughly clean around the engine.
• Thoroughly clean around the hydraulic system.
• Lubricate links in the mower deck.

Weekly Routines

During summer use, it’s recommended that the following items be maintained every week:

• Lubricate all cables.
• Lubricate the driver’s seat mechanism.
• Lubricate the throttle.
• Clean the engine’s cooling air intake.

Annual Routines

Mark your calendar with the following list of annual maintenance items to ensure that your mower will perform years of trouble-free use:

• Clean engine cooling air intake.
• Check/adjust the cutting height.
• Clean the air cleaner’s pre-filter (oil-foam).
• Clean the air cleaner’s filter cartridge (paper filter).
• Change the engine oil.
• Change the hydraulic oil (every 300 hours).
• Replace the engine oil filter (every 200 hours).
• Clean/replace the spark plugs.
• Replace the fuel filter.
• Clean the cooling fins.
• Check the play in the engine valves.
• Replace the air cleaner’s pre-filter (oil-foam).
• Replace the air filter (paper filter) every 200 hours.
• Perform the 300-hour service.
• Check/adjust the parking brake.

Maintenance Per Hour of Use

In addition to the recommended daily, weekly and annual maintenance routines, regular maintenance of your zero-turn mower should be performed based on hours of use. The following guide offers suggestions for 24, 50, 100, 200 and 300 hours of use.

After 25 Hours:

• Check the fuel pump’s air filter.
• Check the hydraulic system’s oil level.
• Check the tire pressures.
• Lubricate the belt adjuster and mower deck.
• Lubricate the belt adjuster and hydraulic pumps.
• Clean the air cleaner’s pre-filter (oil-foam).

After 50 Hours:

• Lubricate the front wheel bearings.
• Lubricate the steering control shafts.
• Lubricate the mower deck’s struts.
• Lubricate the mower deck’s cutting height adjuster.
• Clean the air cleaner’s filter cartridge (paper filter).
• Check/adjust the parking brake.

After 100 Hours:

• Change the engine oil.
• Clean/replace the spark plugs.
• Replace the fuel filter.
• Clean the cooling fins.

After 200 Hours:

• Replace the engine oil filter.
• Replace the air filter (paper filter).
• Lubricate the front wheel mounts.

After 300 Hours:

• Change the hydraulic oil.
• Perform the 300-hour service.
• Check the play in the engine valves.
• Replace the air cleaner’s pre-filter (oil-foam).

Tips courtesy of www.usa.husqvarna.com