Even though the best electric mowers don’t require as much maintenance, it still requires a bit of care to make sure that it’s always in good running condition and ready to handle the rigors of cutting grass. To keep our readers informed about the steps they should take to keep their electric lawnmower in good condition, we’ve written some of the following tips. We hope they serve all of our readers well and ensure that they get a long-life from their mower.
Step One: Keep The Motor In Good Condition
Some people look at an electric motor and say to themselves that they’ve finally found a lawnmower that doesn’t have a motor that requires frequent maintenance. Unfortunately, that’s just not true. Although electric mower has motors that require less maintenance, they still require the consumer to take some preventative measures to keep them in good running condition.
Electric mowers don’t require pull cords to be replaced (because they don’t have one), and they don’t require oil or gasoline to operate. However, what the consumer does need to do is to make sure that the ventilation holes to the electric motor are free of debris. If this isn’t done, then heat can build up in the motor and damage it, so always keep the mowers motor’s ventilation holes clear of grass and other debris for best results.
Step Two: Keep The Undercarriage Clean
It’s also important for the consumer to keep the undercarriage of the lawnmower as clean as possible. Every time they use the mower they should clean out the undercarriage according to the mower’s manufacturer’s instructions.
The consumer should make sure to remove any buildup of leaves or grass from around the motor cover. Unlike a gas mower, however, they can’t use a hose to clean out the undercarriage. They should instead remove the debris by hand (wearing gloves, of course), and then wipe down the mower with a dry cloth. While cleaning the carriage, make sure that the mower is disconnected from its power supply first.
Step Three: Inspect The Cord Or Battery
The consumer also needs to make sure that they inspect the cord on their electric mower, or inspect the battery/charger if they’re using a battery-powered model. If the cord is damaged in any way and/or has exposed wire showing, then immediately replace the cord with a new one. After each mow, also make sure to remove the kinks out of the cord. Batteries and power cords should be kept in a safe and dry location. This will ensure that they don’t suffer damage and will stay in good condition.
Step Four: Regularly Sharpen And/Or Replace The Blades
Although we can’t give model-specific information to our readers—mainly because we don’t know what mower models they own—we can give some general advice to their readers about maintaining the blades. As is the case with gas-powered mowers, electric ones require the consumer to take proper care of their blades to keep them cutting well.
That means sharpening the blade and replacing the blade according to the manual’s directions. When changing the blade, it’s important to wear heavy gloves and to put a rag on the blade to prevent it from cutting their hand. Usually, a 15mm wrench or socket is needed to remove the blade as well. When reinstalling the blade, make sure that the nut is properly secured and that all of the washers and/or fasteners are reattached in the same order they were removed.
Step Five: Periodically Tighten The Mower’s Hardware
It’s also a good idea for the consumer to tighten the hardware on the mower every once in a while. The vibration caused by the mower’s spinning blade can cause hardware on the mower to loosen over time. That’s why it’s important for the consumer to periodically check the mower’s hardware and tighten it up as necessary. It’s also a good idea to check all of the hardware before the mower is used for the season to ensure that the bolts are properly tightened down.
Step Six: Properly Store The Mower
We briefly covered the proper storage of batteries and cords, but now it’s time to turn our attention to the proper storage of the mower. Once the mowing has been done for the season, the consumer should follow some steps to make sure that the mower is ready for storage.
- Make Sure Power Cord Is Disconnected.
- Wind The Power Cord Up & Store Properly.
- Clean The Mower’s Undercarriage.
- Make Sure The Ventilation Holes Are Clear.
- Wipe The Surface Of The Mower With A Dry Cloth.
- Clean The Undercarriage Of The Mower.
- Inspect The Mower’s Blades—Sharpen Or Replace As Needed.
- On Some Models, Fold The Handle For Storage.
- Store The Mower In A Safe Location (According To The Below Instructions).
Proper Electric Mower Storage
It’s extremely important for the consumer to have a location that’s suitable for storing their lawnmower. This means a location that’s dry and where the mower won’t be stored near corrosive materials such as rock salt or fertilizer.
It’s also a bad idea to throw plastic wrap over the lawnmower for storage. That’s because plastic wrap can trap moisture and that can cause damage to the mower. The location where the mower is stored should also be dry and not expose the mower to the elements.
Let’s Sum It All Up
If the consumer considers all of the above tips, then there is no reason why their mower shouldn’t last a good long time. Generally speaking, electric mowers are extremely reliable and should provide the consumer with years of faithful service if they maintain them properly.
Before we conclude this guide, however, we would like to leave our readers with one last piece of advice for maintaining their electric mower. And that piece of advice is as follows: All of our readers should make sure that they place their mower’s owner manual in a safe place where they can quickly access it if needed. This will ensure that they have information on maintaining their mower, as well as replacement parts they might need, at their fingertips.
