Lawn mower maintenance protects the investment you made in your lawn mower. Lawn mower service goes beyond just a quick oil change. End of season lawn mower maintenance should include a thorough inspection of the lawn mower plus an oil change. You’ll also want to replace certain wear parts.
You should always consult your owner’s manual for recommendations for your specific mower. Or, contact your local TriGreen Equipment for a thorough inspection and maintenance service at the end of mowing season.
Mower Checklist
Start with a thorough inspection of the mower. Make sure you:
- Remove dirt, lawn clippings and other debris from your mower. Keeping a clean mower deck and engine compartment is good for the mower’s longevity. It also stops debris from hiding issues with your deck or in your engine compartment.
- Operate the Power-Take Off (PTO) and note any grinding noises.
- Check under the hood for signs of engine oil leaks. Valve covers can sometimes be a source of leaks.
- Check battery cables to make sure they’re tight.
- Complete a battery load test to ensure the battery is in good shape.
- Check the charging system on the mower to ensure it’s operating properly.
- Check the condition of belts, springs, and spindles on the mower deck.
- Examine the mower blades to determine if they need sharpened or replaced.
If you notice any issues with your lawn mower, it may be time to take it in for maintenance and repair service. A TriGreen Equipment near you can look at your mower, and recommend repairs.
Lawn Mower Routine Maintenance
A lawn mower tune up kit is a great place to start. Your local TriGreen Equipment stocks John Deere lawn mower tune up kits. Typically, these include a fuel filter, engine oil filter, spark plug, primary air filter element, secondary air filter element, and engine oil.
How to change oil in a John Deere lawn mower
Changing the oil is an important step when you tune up a lawn mower. Consult your operator’s manual for specific recommendations on how often you should change the oil in your mower. We recommend you change the oil along with a complete tune up at the end of every mowing season. That way you can start next spring with a fresh cut!
- Start by parking the tractor safely on flat ground and engaging the parking brake. Lower the deck. Make sure the engine is off and remove the key.
- Drain the engine oil into an oil pan. You’ll remove the oil drain cap and allow the oil to drain into your catch pan.
- Note any silver shavings in the old oil. This can indicate abnormal engine wear. If you see a large quantity of metal or silver shavings, contact your local TriGreen Equipment to schedule a diagnostic and repair service.
- Locate the oil filter. Unscrew the filter and replace it with the new oil filter. Use new oil to wet around the rubber seal on the new filter, and make sure the rubber O-ring connects with the engine block. Be careful not to overtighten.
- Replace the plastic cap on the drain tube. Use a funnel to replace the oil to the appropriate level with the oil provided in your lawn mower tune up kit. Run the engine for thirty seconds and then remove the dipstick to check the oil level. Top up if necessary.
- Properly dispose of the old oil. We recommend contacting your local municipality waste service for the best options for oil disposal.
Changing the Oil with a John Deere Easy ChangeTM System
If you have an E Series, S Series, or Zero-Turn Mower with the John Deere Easy Change 30-Second Oil Change System, you’ll follow these steps below. Make sure you change the oil when the engine is cool.
- Park the tractor safely on flat ground and engage the parking brake. Lower the deck, turn off the mower engine and remove the key.
- Open the hood and disconnect the spark plug.
- Unpackage the new oil filter, making sure to note your lawn mower’s hours and the date of the oil change on the new filter. Remove the rubber cap from the bottom of the filter.
- Remove the old Easy Change Oil system. Push and rotate the canister 90 degrees counter clockwise. Once it’s loose, remove it and turn it to the upright position.
- Install the new system by lining up the lock symbol on the canister with the unlock symbol on the engine. Rotate the canister 90 degrees clockwise. You’ll know it’s in place when you hear it click and you can see the lock symbols match up.
- Check the oil level with the dipstick and add oil if necessary. Reconnect the spark plug wires, and then run the machine at idle speed. Check for any leaks.
Replacing Spark Plugs and Air Filters
Ride on lawn mower service means more than just an oil change. A lawn mower maintenance service should also include changing the spark plug(s) on your mower and replacing the air filter.
Mower Deck Maintenance
Maintenance on your John Deere lawn mower should also include greasing the spindles on your mower deck. Find the openings in the spindle covers to locate the grease fittings. We recommend using high-quality John Deere greases and lubricants.
If your blades appear dull, it may be time to get them sharpened. Replace the blades if they are visibly damaged or bent, or if they make unexpected noises when engaged. TriGreen offers John Deere and Sunbelt replacement blades that maintain a great cut at a low cost.
Finding Mower Maintenance Near You
Proper tune ups and yearly maintenance of your gas riding lawn mower include a lot of steps. If you’re ready to tackle a hands-on project, head to your local TriGreen Equipment to find all of the tools, tune up kits, blades and other John Deere replacement parts you’ll need.
If DIY mower maintenance isn’t for you, we’re happy to help maintain your mower. We have years of experience servicing zero turn mowers and garden tractors. Our John Deere trained technicians can detect issues with your mower and make sure you’re ready for next season.
The best time of year to schedule your mower tune-up is during our Winter Service Specials. From November to February, our lawn mower repair shops offer great deals on maintenance. We can even pick up your mower and deliver it back to you, all set for spring.
