I just wondered if besides checking the oil and filling my lawn tractor with gas if there is anything else I should do to prepare it for spring? It is a Yardworks tractor with a 42 inch deck and automatic transmission that I purchased new last May.

Thank you!

Didi

Hi, grammadidi!

Yes, there are a few things that would be helpful to do to your lawn tractor in order to get it ready to work for you.

1. Change the oil.
2. Replace the spark plug.
3. Replace the fuel filter. (I'm not sure there is one on yours.)
4. Replace the air filter.
5. Sharpen blades(s).

I hope that you have an owner's manual. Maintenance items will be listed there.

I, like you, joined this site recently. Isn't it addicting? I mean, wanting to answer people's questions and all?

Thank you Clough. Yes, the site and answering questions is very addicting! :) As for the tractor, I actually replaced the blades right near the end of the season. (Had a little run in with a stump... sigh... ) Do I have to get parts (fuel filter, spark plugs, etc.) from a special tractor place, or can I buy them at places like Home Depot (and Canadian Tire)? In the manual it says something about lubricating the engine with motor oil, lubricating all the pivot points on the drive system (and I have NO idea what that is), parking brake and lift linkage with light oil (is that the same as motor oil... like, 10W30?? ). It also says that the rear wheels should be removed from the axles once a season and the axles and rims should be lubricated with all purpose grease (?? Call me blonde, but..? ) and re-installing. Is that a big job?

I can't find my engine manual, but I am pretty sure I know how to do the spark plug, air filter and change the oil. I am also not certain if my model has a fuel filter. I guess I'll figure that out when I find the engine manual! :)

Do you think it would be better to have someone come and do this for me, or should it be manageable for me to do myself? Oh, and is the spark plug pre-gapped when you buy them?

As you can tell I am a novice. Wait until I ask about summerizing my big snow thrower! :P

Thanks so much for any and all information/advice!

Didi

I may be incorrect, but, to my knowledge, spark plugs are usually pre-gapped. But, I would purchase a gapping tool and make sure that it was correct anyway.

The drive system concerns the parts that turn your wheels.

It would not hurt to lubricate, with an oil of some kind (be it household, engine oil, etc.) any metal parts that rub against each other.

I can do most of the work on my own lawn mower. But, am certainly no expert at it. I used to change the oil on my car myself, but frankly, the quick oil change places do a much better job. Based upon what you have told me so far, I am sure that you could do the basic maintenance yourself.

An all-purpose grease is something that you can purchase at an automotive parts store.

You should be able to get most basic tune-up parts at a local or franchise hardware store like Home Depot, Menard's, Lowe's, etc.

On a lawn machine, if I can afford it, I would rather have someone else do tune-ups to make sure that everything is absolutely correct.

Just down the street from me is a disabled vet, who for only $20.00 labor (aside from any parts that may need to be purchased), no matter what is wrong with your lawn machine, will fix it.

Maybe there is someone like that where you live?

Maybe there is, but I don't really know. I've only lived here 3 years in July and I'm a bit of a loner. :D It's difficult to meet people where I am, it's pretty rural. I rent a little place on 100 acres, but only mow 2 to 3. A local farmer rents the rest. I will ask around in town to see if anyone suggests someone who might come out here for a reasonable price before I decide to do it. We're supposed to get more snow from Thursday until Monday, so I guess there's no rush... grrrrrrrr. Sounds like it would just be a heck of a lot easier if I could find someone to do it! I am on a very limited income, so I was hoping to avoid paying someone but as I get older I am less inclined to be crawling around under my van or the tractor. I just want to be in the driver's seat! :D

Thanks for your help and advice.

Didi

With power equipment there is always risk, so the manufacturers will offer the manuals for free online. This really is the best way to know. There are things like type of oil (Briggs single viscosity 30 weight, kohler or kawasaki 10w30) generally oil should be changed every twenty hours, or once a season. But my 18hp Craftsman has a washable air filter,
So I can save some bucks. Also like I said the reason that it is recommended replacing blades is that the sharpening causes the steel to lose its tinsel strength. Meaning the blades will not keep an edge. The manufacturer is always a good resource you would be surprised with the great service you can get from allot of them.

Thanks Matt. I have the owner's manual for it, but not the engine manual. I will look for it online to see if I have an oil filter. I suspect that I do, but it's been years since I even looked at an engine in this way, and I have never worked on small engines only a '78 Pinto. Hmmmm... maybe that qualifies as a small engine? :D I don't know if I would standardly replace my blades every season, I think I would sharpen every season and change every 2, but I will judge that based upon how many stumps I happen to find. Ha ha ha. Seriously, though, I think I would be okay with alternating sharpening with new blades with my lawn. We shall see.

Thanks for your input.

Didi