Not Oil Or Wd-40: Help Keep Grass From Sticking To A Mower With A Simple Task

There's really nothing like breathing in the scent of freshly cut grass and the satisfaction of looking across your nicely manicured lawn after mowing. Unfortunately, the joy of keeping your yard lush vanishes the minute you realize you have to flip your mower over and scrape caked-on grass and green sludge that's plastered to the mower deck. A simple solution can prevent this from happening that doesn't involve oil, WD-40, or some other non-stick lubricant. Changing your air filter can significantly improve lawn mower performance and can help if your mower deck keeps getting clogged.

Every gas-powered mower has an air filter made of foam, paper, or a combination of both.  As you push your machine across the yard, the engine creates a vacuum-like effect, pulling grass, dirt, and other small particles hiding in your lawn into your engine and onto the underside of the mower. The air filter's job is to catch these particles before they cause damage to the moving parts inside your lawn mower. If you have a dirty air filter, it chokes off the engine's air supply, so your mower must work overtime. You'll also notice more gunk sticking to the underside and the deck.

As part of mower maintenance, swap out the filter at least once a year or after every 100 hours of mowing. Your machine will also give you some good clues if it's struggling. If it sputters and slows down when you move through tall grass, or takes too long to start, it could mean the engine is suffocating. You may even notice you leave a trail of black smoke while you're mowing, or that you must stop and add fuel more often than you used to.

Replacing a grimy filter takes only a few minutes, but it can make a huge difference and can extend your lawn mower's lifespan. To determine what type of filter you need, look for the part number on the old filter, or look it up with your mower model number. Before you start tinkering, disconnect the spark plug wires to prevent the engine from accidentally turning on. You can usually find spark plugs towards the bottom front of the motor.

Next, locate the small rectangular-shaped box near the top of the engine. In some machines, it could be round or oval-shaped. Take the cover off by unscrewing the screws holding it in place. Remove the old air filter. With the air filter out, clean the inside of the air filter housing. A quick wipe with a rag or a paper towel works for light dirt. For heavier grass buildup, clean it with a soft brush and some warm soapy water. Now is also a good time to wash off the rest of the mower. Once clean and dry, replace the old filter with a new one.

Finally, replace the cover and reconnect the spark plug wire. Routine mower maintenance helps keep it running properly. A clean engine has better air circulation and can help reduce the time you spend scraping grass off the deck.