Advice
Self-Servicing Your Lawnmower for the First Cut
Read Time: 2 Minutes.
Release the Beast!
In this blog, we provide a guide to self-servicing your lawnmower, in preparation for the first cut of the year:
- Refer to the lawnmower manufacturer’s manual first
- Remove and clean/replace the lawnmower spark plugs
- Drain out any leftover petrol in the lawnmower tank
- Clean away debris from the lawnmower
- Tighten the lawnmower bolts and wheels
- Sharpen the Lawnmower blades
- Check the lawnmower starter cord
- Remove old oil & petrol from the lawnmower and replace
It’s the time of the year to open up the cobweb-filled shed and retrieve the lawnmower from its winter hibernation. Yes, spring is around the corner and in no time at all the grass will be growing once again!
Did you know grass grows fastest in the spring? That combination of wet soil and warmer temperatures makes for the perfect grass-growing conditions.
Whilst February is a little too early to be mowing the lawn, it’s certainly not too early to get prepared for that first cut of the season. If you have a petrol lawnmower, then that entails an annual service. Whilst you could outsource this, servicing a petrol lawnmower is easier than you might think, especially when you have the right parts to hand.
8-point Lawnmower Service Checklist
Find out more with our useful guide to self-servicing your lawnmower:
1. Don’t Make Assumptions – Refer to the Lawnmower Manufacturer’s Manual First
Read the manual! If you can’t find it, download it from the manufacturer’s website. Whilst a service generally follows the same steps, each lawnmower is slightly different so reading the manual really is important before you tackle the service.
2. Safety First – Remove and Clean/Replace the Lawnmower Spark Plugs
Spark plugs ignite the engine fuel which makes the blades spin. Although it’s unlikely the mower may accidentally start, you really never can be too careful, so remove the spark plugs to prevent the possibility, and give them a clean in the process or replace them if necessary.
3. Drain on Resources – Drain Out Any Leftover Petrol in the Lawnmower Tank
To be honest, this should have been done before you put the lawnmower away for winter, as petrol becomes ‘stale’ after just 30 days and can damage the engine. If you didn’t get around to it before, then it’s imperative you do so now.
4. Get Cleaning – Clean Away Debris From the Lawnmower
Remove any garden debris from the blades and clean the air filters. If necessary, replace filters (with the correct models!), and clean out the housing as part of the process.
5. Hold Tight – Tighten the Lawnmower Bolts and Wheels
Tighten anything that seems loose, including bolts, but especially wheels. It will ensure your mower performs well and will prevent damage caused by parts coming off it when in use.
6. Sharp as a Knife – Sharpen the Lawnmower Blades
No matter how well you look after your lawnmower, at some point, the blades will need sharpening or replacing altogether if you are to get a good cut and a great-looking lawn. To sharpen your blades, use a grinder for maximum effect. If replacing them, do be sure to buy the correct model.
7. I’ve Started So I’ll Finish – Check the Lawnmower Starter Cord
The starter cord is one of the more common parts to suffer from wear and tear. If the cord is frayed, replace it before it snaps. Open the housing, remove the old cord inside the pulley system and replace it with a new cord. Wrap the new cord around the pulley a couple of times, being careful not to spin the pulley.
8. All Change – Remove Old Oil & Petrol From the Lawnmower and Replace
Change the oil then put fresh petrol in the tank. To perform the latter, have a suitable vessel in place to catch the oil once you have removed the plugs. Dispose of the oil in line with your local council’s requirements; never put it down the drain. Fill the oil tank with quality oil, checking the level with a dipstick.
Lawnmower Parts – Where Do You Get Them From?
We stock a full range of spares, including blades, spark plugs and air filters, along with accessories such as good-quality oil and fuel. It’s easy to find what you are looking for by entering the model, product or part number in the search facility. Or you may want to upgrade your lawnmower – we have a wide range of lawnmowers available to you!
So, get prepared and ready to release the beast!
Accessories & Spare Parts
Looking for a specific product or part…
Use the website’s search bar
- Model Number…eg. WER18HP
- Product Number…eg. 1938001001
- Part Number…eg. WE135-J2420000117R
Spare Parts – Here to Support You
We know buying machinery for your garden can be a difficult decision, but we hope that you knowing that you can buy spare parts for your machine, will help you feel rest assured that a Webb product will be a worthy addition to your garden shed for many years to come.
I purchased a WEH12R mower two weeks ago. The blades are blunt. Is this normal from new? Thanks
Good Morning. Our WEH12R units are shipped with cylinders pre sharpenended. If the machine is not cutting as you would expect, it is likely that the machine needs setting / adjusting. This process moves the cylinder closer to the bottom blade. Details of how to do this are in the product instruction manual. For further assistance, feel free to contact our customer service team cs@handys.co.uk
My hand rear roller 30cm mover, the baldes have suddenñy stopped rotating when I push it.
Good Morning. Please contact our customer service team cs@handys.co.uk they will gladly assist you with this. It is likely they need a small adjustment. They will gladly talk you through the process. Kind Regards
My machine was delivered and left at my back door now I did not like position box was upright when opening it brown paper covered in oil and machine also however I cleaned it and let it settle overnight next morning it started first time I want you to note this for future warranty and let Drivers know correct way the box should be handled.
Dear Mr Crawley. We are sorry to hear of the problems around the delivery of your mower. If you could please send your order details to our customer service team, we will gladly note this on your order for you. They can be contacted at cs@webbgardenpower.co.uk – We work very closely with our couriers and any feedback is frequently passed on, in order to avoid product damage on delivery. I will be sure to pass on your concerns. Kind Regards Webb Garden Power
Is a sticking float in the carburetor fuel chamber a common fault in petrol mowers
Good Morning. Thank you for your question. Blocked fuel jets and / or sticking floats can occur is a mower has been left with fuel in for a prolonged period of time. Most lawnmower manufacturers, including ourselves, do not recommend using petrol that is more than 28 days old (from purchase) – unless it has been treated with a product such as sure start. This includes not leaving a mower with fuel in the tank / carb over the winter months. Petrol degrades over this period of time and can begin to separate and become thicker, even more so with E10 fuel. Hopefully you will find that having the carb cleaned, and using fresh fuel will resolve the starting problem you are having with your mower. Kind Regards, Webb Garden Power.
Are the self propelled mowers belt or chain and how is drive
Thank you for your message. Our self propelled machines with wheels are belt driven. Our self propelled rear roller machines have a drive chain as well as a belt.
If you buy a machine off Amazon from a shop/dealer and it needs sending back after only 1 year due to not starting do you accept proof of purchase ?
Hi Kathryn, If you have one of our mowers that is not starting, please contact our customer service team cs@handys.co.uk – They will gladly go through troubleshooting with you, and if needed we can arrange collection to have the unit inspected / repaired in our workshops. They will need a copy of the proof of purchase to check the warranty status for you. This can be your Amazon invoice or a copy of your order. Kind Regards