Now that spring is in view, it's time to pull out your outdoor power equipment and get it ready to use. From lawn mowers to planting trowels, well-maintained lawn care equipment can help make maintaining your lawn and garden easier. Plus, it keeps your lawn tools working longer and more efficiently.
Here are a handful of tips to help you get your outdoor power equipment and garden hand tools ready for any type of yard project you have planned for the seasons ahead.
Outdoor Power Equipment Tips
- For your lawn mower, change the oil, put in fresh gas, check the spark plug and replace the air filter. If your mower is more than a year old and you haven't sharpened the blades, make sure to do so before spring. If the blades aren't sharp, they're more likely to cut unevenly. Replace the blades if they show signs of extreme wear. 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 you have a string trimmer, check to see if you have enough replacement trimmer line for this spring. Check out our how-to videos on replacing trimmer line for a variety of different cutting heads.
- If you find you do need professional help, locate or contact an authorized Troy-Bilt® servicing dealer .
Hand Tool Tips
- Wash off any dirt from your rakes and shovels, and check for rust. Remove any rust with sandpaper or steel wool.
- Sharpen your shovels and other garden hand tools with a hand file. 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.
- Prevent rust from forming on garden hand tools and keep the edges sharp by using a bucket of sand and used motor oil to protect them. To do this, fill a container with dry mortar sand and then mix in used motor oil until the sand is almost saturated. Plunge your tools repeatedly into the bucket and then hang up. A thin coat of oil will remain on the tool, helping to keep rust from forming. The sand will also help remove any rust or stuck-on dirt.
- Clean the bucket of your wheelbarrow, and if there's any exposed metal, spray with metal paint to prevent rust.
- Check your garden hoses and nozzles for leaks. If needed, you can find replacement couplings at any home and garden store.
While inspecting and prepping your lawn care equipment for spring, keep in mind to review the projects you have planned for spring and summer, and make sure you have the outdoor power equipment you'll need to complete them.
