Winter is almost over, which means it’s time to dust off your outdoor tools and equipment and start preparing for spring and summer seasons. From lawn mowers to planting trowels, well-maintained lawn care equipment can help make lawn and garden care easier. These spring maintenance tips can keep your Troy-Bilt lawn tools working for a long time and efficiently.
For starters, be sure to check the operator’s manual of each product for a suggested maintenance schedule. If you can’t locate the manual that came with your product, then you may be able to find it online under the Specs & Maintenance section of each model’s product page at troybilt.com. Or try our interactive manual finder. And if you need professional help, then you can locate or contact an authorized Troy-Bilt® servicing dealer. Also, consider the following DIY tips to help you get your outdoor power equipment and garden hand tools ready for the seasons ahead.
Tips for Spring Lawn Mower Maintenance
- To prep your Troy-Bilt lawn mower for a spring tuneup, start with changing the oil, putting in fresh fuel if needed, checking or replacing the spark plug, cleaning or replacing the air filter, and lubricating moving parts. If you placed fuel stabilizer in the gas tank before seasonal storage, then the gas in the tank should be relatively fresh, helping to provide a smooth start.
- If your mower is more than a year old and you haven’t sharpened the blades, then make sure to do so before spring. If the blades aren’t sharp, then they are likely to cut unevenly or shred the tips of grass, which can weaken blades and turn grass brown. Mowing with dull blades may also affect the finished look of the cut.
- To sharpen, use a file or grinding wheel and follow the original angle of the blade. Grind each cutting edge equally to keep blades balanced. Always remember to read the operator’s manual for proper instructions and remove the blade from the mower before sharpening. A blade removal tool for walk-behind mowers and riders can help by holding the cutting blade while you remove it.
- Consider using a lawn mower blade sharpener and balancer kit, which helps to minimize vibration and maximize cutting performance.
- Replace the mower blades if they show signs of extreme wear, are bent, or show signs of impact on the blade surfaces and cutting edges.
- Also, be sure to check the tire pressure, and clean under the mower deck to remove any grass and dirt left from last season.
- If the mower is self-propelled, then check the belts for heavy wear or cracking. If you notice any, then the belt should be replaced immediately.
Tips for Getting Your String Trimmer Ready for Spring
- To prep your Troy-Bilt string trimmer for a tuneup this spring, start by checking the operator’s manual for a suggested maintenance schedule. If you can’t locate the manual that came with your trimmer, then you may be able to find it online. You can search for it using our interactive manual finder, or download the appropriate operator’s manual for Troy-Bilt string trimmers under the Specs & Maintenance section of each model’s product page at troybilt.com.
- Be sure to remove the spark plug wire from the trimmer’s spark plug before doing any maintenance on your product.
- Ahead of the season, check to see if you have enough replacement trimmer line. See “How to Refill String Trimmer Line” or watch “Ask Troy Live – String Trimmer Maintenance with Troy-Bilt’s Product Experts” for an overview of string replacement instructions.
- Other typical string trimmer maintenance tasks include inspecting the cutting shield and gearbox for damage or debris, cleaning and re-oiling or replacing the string trimmer’s air filter, replacing the spark plug, and, for 4-cycle engines, checking the oil level before every use. Some models of 4-cycle-engine string trimmers should also have an oil change after the first 10 hours of use and every 28 hours thereafter.
- You’ll also want to note which kind of gas engine powers your string trimmer and keep the right kind of fuel on hand throughout the season. A 2-cycle trimmer model, like the TB22 Curved Shaft String Trimmer, requires the mixing of oil and gas, so you’ll need to store it in a separate fuel container for your trimmer. You can also use an engineered, pre-mixed fuel. However, 4-cycle trimmers, like the TB304S Straight Shaft String Trimmer, use gasoline like your tractor or lawn mower. The oil for lubrication is in a separate reservoir.
Springtime Tips for Hand Tool Maintenance
- To prep Troy-Bilt hand tools for spring, begin by washing off any dirt and checking for rust, as well as for loose or broken parts. Repair and or replace as needed.
- Clean dirt from metal tools using a wire brush or a blast of water. Remove any rust using sandpaper, fine steel wool, or a pumice stone that has been soaked in water. Clean wooden handles with soap and water and a stiff brush. Dry well with a rag.
- Sharpen shovels and other garden tools by hand. Don’t use a handheld grinder or bench-mounted grinder for this work. Doing so will likely destroy the garden tool, and you’ll end up taking off more than you need to create an edge.
- To sharpen shovels and spades, apply a thin coat of oil to the blades and then sharpen with a metal file. Sharpen hand pruners, loppers, and other smaller blades using a sharpening stone.
- After sharpening, lubricate blades with a light oil such as camellia oil to help keep rust from developing. Lubricate wooden handles with linseed oil.
- Clean the bucket of your wheelbarrow, and if there’s any exposed metal, then spray with metal paint to help prevent rust.
- Check your garden hoses and nozzles for leaks. If needed, you can find replacement couplings at most home and garden stores.
While inspecting and prepping your lawn care equipment for spring, keep in mind to review the projects you have planned for this season and make sure you have the outdoor power equipment you’ll need to complete them. Troy-Bilt is here to help with reliable equipment that can make yardwork a little easier.
