Care and Maintenance of Lawn and Gardening Equipment Tips for Women

Everyone wants a beautiful lawn. They require a lot of time and care. From snow blowers, hedge trimmers to lawn mowers I've noticed more and more women are handling the care and maintenance end of their lawn and gardening equipment. Just as our automobiles need to be maintained to perform properly so do our gardening tools. It's easy to put them away until next year only to find they wont' start. The three items I frequently use are the snow blower, hedge trimmers and lawn mower. Here are a few tips on how to perform basic care and maintenance on your lawn and gardening equipment.

Snow blowers: If you own a snow blower it's best to do the maintenance over the summer months. This will ensure it is in good working order and ready for that unexpected snow storm. Check the starter, make sure the wheels are inflated at the proper weight and you have cleaned the fuel tank. It's also a great idea to review the owner's manual. Unless you live in areas that get a lot of snow you may not use your snow blower as frequently as someone living in the heavy snow states like Upstate New York, Montana, Wisconsin, etc. You may need to review the manual for more difficult procedures like replacing the scraper bar, belts, engine maintenance, etc.

Hedge Trimmers: The most important maintenance on this tool besides gasoline is blades. Make certain the blades are free and thoroughly cleaned of sticky sap, leaf debris before storing them. Any of these may cause performance malfunction. Clean and check the fuel tank to make sure there is no fuel leakage. I suggest empting any used fuel from the smaller garden tools to extend the productivity of the tool. Always replace any worn or damaged components. Replacing the air filter is also a good idea. Check the owner's manual for detailed maintenance like spark plugs cleaning and replacement, fuel filter and fuel pipeline.

Lawn Mowers (Riding and Hand-Pushed): For lawns more than 1.5 acres you may choose to use a riding mower or a high powered hand mower to care of your lawn area. My personal rule of thumb is riding mowers should be maintained in the same manner as your vehicle. Remember to change the oil regularly, check for underinflated and wearing tire, replace hoses, belts and most importantly use keep the gas filter and tank clean. This aids in the performance of your mower and keep it in top performance. Check blades for dents and chips. Dull blades can add more wear and tear on your mower's motor. Make sure the headlights are working. There are times you may not finish your lawn until dusk. I can't tell you how often we turn the headlights on only to find the bulbs have burnt out!

Above all safety is the first priority. Store gasoline operated tools and any surplus gasoline in a well ventilated location. Never attempt to clean a tool while it's still in operation. Again if you are uncertain about a how to perform a maintenance procedure check your owner's manual. Lawn and gardening products usually have helpful websites to assist you with any questions you may have about your lawn and gardening equipment make and model.

Source(s):
My Personal Lawn and Gardening Experience
DIY Guide for Outdoor Equipment