Lawn and garden power equipment represents a sizable investment for most homeowners. These gas-powered devices should be serviced routinely to keep them running well, to reduce the amount of pollution they produce and to extend their useful life. The lawnmower (figure A) is the most familiar piece of power equipment. Clean your mower after each use: wash the underside of the deck, then wipe it clean with a dry rag. To prevent grass from sticking to the deck the next time you mow, spray the deck with a fine coat of vegetable oil. If your mower has a four-stroke engine, check the oil level each time you use the mower by removing the dipstick and inspecting it carefully. If the oil is clean but low, add more. If the oil is dirty, drain it while the engine is warm and replace it. Every month or so, inspect the mower's nuts and bolts, tightening those that appear loose, especially those holding the wheels in place. Lubricate moving parts that are easy to get to. Remove and clean the air filter regularly: a dirty filter greatly diminishes the performance of the mower's engine. Most air filters are located behind a protective housing (figure B), and many consist of two parts--an outer foam element and an inner paper element. Clean the foam element in warm, soapy water, then rinse it thoroughly, and allow it to dry. Add a few drops of motor oil, and squeeze out the excess. To clean the paper element, tap it several times on a hard surface to get rid of excess dust, or blow compressed air through it from the inside out. Never try to brush off the dirt: the brush will force the dirt into the filter's fibers. Replace very dirty filter paper. Routine maintenance will extend the life of your mower and help prevent aggravating breakdowns. But at least once a year you should have your mower serviced by a professional. A typical servicing will provide a new sparkplug and air filter, a change of engine oil, and a cleaning or inspection of various parts, including the battery, the air intake, belts and cables, and safety switches. Have your mower blade sharpened at the same time: a sharp blade ensures healthier grass.
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