From early spring to late fall a lawn mower is the workhorse of yard chores, so it makes sense to keep it working at peak performance all season. It’s a machine, like your car, that needs regular maintenance, so it operates when needed. This routine care is a job even a first-time do-it-yourselfer can tackle, and the skill is one that will pay off for years to come.
The alternative is to take the mower to a mower service every spring for a tune up, where the charge is $95 to tune up a typical four-cycle power mower. That includes the labor and material. You can do the tune up for $30, the cost of an air filter, a spark plug, and engine oil, and pocket a 68 percent saving. You need a pair of workhorses to raise the mower off the ground and the mower’s owner’s manual. If you don’t have one, go to the manufacturer’s website, where you’re likely to find a downloadable version.
