Lawn Mower Tips
Why do my deck belts wear out so quickly? Why should I run my engine at full throttle?
There may be several reasons why a deck belt may wear prematurely.
(1) The blades should always be turned on at full throttle if the mower has a electric P.T.O. switch. There are two reasons for this, first the electric clutch will engage with a instant and sometimes violent hit on the belt if it is turned on at low rpm's, for obvious reasons the deck belt will be stressed and shorten belt life.
(2) The electric clutch has clutch plates that need to be burnished, this is accomplished when the P.T.O. is turned on at Hi rpm's.
(3) The blades must be the correct blades and balanced, too much of a Hi lift or unbalanced blades will put more stress on the deck belt, not to mention the bearings in the spindles.
(4) Always turn the blades on with no load, like over the driveway, or anywhere there is no grass.
Most small engines are air cooled and it is necessary to run them at its highest rpm for the following reasons:
(1) The engine's cooling and lubrication systems are designed to operate best when the throttle is in the highest position. Running the engine at lower speeds will decrease the flow of cooling air and the volume of oil circulated. These two factors will shorten engine life.
(2) The engine's carburetor is adjusted so that the engine operates most efficiently at full throttle. Operating outside or below the optimum speed range will result in poor performance and more maintenance.
(3) Everything driven by the engine (eg. cutting blades/belts) are designed to turn at the speed maintained by the engine's governor when the throttle is at the highest position. Running the engine at a lower speed will result in poor performance and excessive vibrations.
How often should I be using new gasoline and why?
Fresh gasoline is more volatile than stale gasoline. Gasoline over 30 days old has likely lost volatility and is unsuitable for use in most small engines on outdoor power equipment. If storing a piece of equipment for more than 30 days, drain or run out any of the fuel which remains in the fuel system (tank, fuel lines, carburetor(s), etc.) When gasoline becomes old and stale, it begins to break down and become what is commonly called engine gum or engine varnish.
This is particularly detrimental to 2 cycle engines, this can cause the fuel delivery system to limit the flow of fuel to the piston and cylinder and not only can cause poor running conditions but can also cause major engine damage. There is one option which allows gasoline to store/last for a prolonged period. Gasoline stabilizer can be found at I-4 Power Equipment. This product must be mixed with gasoline the day of purchase. Mixed properly, it can extend the life of fuels up to 1 year depending on the amount.
Riding Lawn Mower Maintenance
Have a big, sloping yard with lots of landscaping features like trees and flowerbeds? Snapper riding lawn mowers make yard work easy with easy maneuverability, intuitive design, and simple 3-in-1 convertibility from side discharge to bagging to mulching. Keep your riding mower in tip-top shape with a tune-up and regular maintenance every season, here’s a high-level checklist to cover the basics:
Clean Your Riding Mower
Your Snapper riding mower has been working hard since you got it, cutting grass, clipping twigs and moving leaves and dirt around the yard. All of these can get stuck inside and outside of your riding lawn mower, affecting performance. Keep your riding mower looking good and running right by raising the hood and brushing off any debris that’s clogged the inside. Check the riding mower deck and carefully remove any grass clippings that are stuck underneath. Some Snapper riding mowers even have a handy deck wash-out port, for hooking up your garden hose to flush out debris from underneath the deck.
Lubricate Your Riding Mower Parts
Avoid wear and tear on your mower’s moving parts with lubricant. Using a grease gun is a quick and easy way to apply lubricant to small parts under the hood.
Change Your Air Filter
After a long season in your backyard, you’ll likely have a dirty air filter. Simply remove the filter, clean the surrounding area and install a nice, clean replacement.
Replace Your Spark Plugs Once Per Season
Spark plugs tend to require replacement about once per season and yield easier starts and better fuel economy. Before replacing spark plugs, be sure to correctly adjust the gap between electrodes.
Check Your Riding Mower Belts
Make sure your belts aren’t worn or damaged, and ensure the correct tension. Replacement belts can be purchased from your local Snapper dealer and are easy install with just a screwdriver and some elbow grease.
Regularly Change Your Oil
Just like a car, your Snapper riding mower needs oil to run smoothly and avoid seizing up. Unscrew the plug from the drain funnel and release the oil into a bucket or recycled milk jug. Replace the plug and fill your riding mower engine with oil.
Before performing any kind of maintenance, read through your owner’s manual. Snapper lawn mowers carry a legacy of reliability and, with regular care should last for years to come.
Get Help From Your Local Snapper Dealer
Not sure how to perform recommended maintenance? Contact your local Snapper dealer to perform the maintenance for you. With experience technicians and product expertise, your local Snapper dealer is your one-stop-shop for Snapper service and parts.
There may be several reasons why a deck belt may wear prematurely.
(1) The blades should always be turned on at full throttle if the mower has a electric P.T.O. switch. There are two reasons for this, first the electric clutch will engage with a instant and sometimes violent hit on the belt if it is turned on at low rpm's, for obvious reasons the deck belt will be stressed and shorten belt life.
(2) The electric clutch has clutch plates that need to be burnished, this is accomplished when the P.T.O. is turned on at Hi rpm's.
(3) The blades must be the correct blades and balanced, too much of a Hi lift or unbalanced blades will put more stress on the deck belt, not to mention the bearings in the spindles.
(4) Always turn the blades on with no load, like over the driveway, or anywhere there is no grass.
Most small engines are air cooled and it is necessary to run them at its highest rpm for the following reasons:
(1) The engine's cooling and lubrication systems are designed to operate best when the throttle is in the highest position. Running the engine at lower speeds will decrease the flow of cooling air and the volume of oil circulated. These two factors will shorten engine life.
(2) The engine's carburetor is adjusted so that the engine operates most efficiently at full throttle. Operating outside or below the optimum speed range will result in poor performance and more maintenance.
(3) Everything driven by the engine (eg. cutting blades/belts) are designed to turn at the speed maintained by the engine's governor when the throttle is at the highest position. Running the engine at a lower speed will result in poor performance and excessive vibrations.
How often should I be using new gasoline and why?
Fresh gasoline is more volatile than stale gasoline. Gasoline over 30 days old has likely lost volatility and is unsuitable for use in most small engines on outdoor power equipment. If storing a piece of equipment for more than 30 days, drain or run out any of the fuel which remains in the fuel system (tank, fuel lines, carburetor(s), etc.) When gasoline becomes old and stale, it begins to break down and become what is commonly called engine gum or engine varnish.
This is particularly detrimental to 2 cycle engines, this can cause the fuel delivery system to limit the flow of fuel to the piston and cylinder and not only can cause poor running conditions but can also cause major engine damage. There is one option which allows gasoline to store/last for a prolonged period. Gasoline stabilizer can be found at I-4 Power Equipment. This product must be mixed with gasoline the day of purchase. Mixed properly, it can extend the life of fuels up to 1 year depending on the amount.
Riding Lawn Mower Maintenance
Have a big, sloping yard with lots of landscaping features like trees and flowerbeds? Snapper riding lawn mowers make yard work easy with easy maneuverability, intuitive design, and simple 3-in-1 convertibility from side discharge to bagging to mulching. Keep your riding mower in tip-top shape with a tune-up and regular maintenance every season, here’s a high-level checklist to cover the basics:
Clean Your Riding Mower
Your Snapper riding mower has been working hard since you got it, cutting grass, clipping twigs and moving leaves and dirt around the yard. All of these can get stuck inside and outside of your riding lawn mower, affecting performance. Keep your riding mower looking good and running right by raising the hood and brushing off any debris that’s clogged the inside. Check the riding mower deck and carefully remove any grass clippings that are stuck underneath. Some Snapper riding mowers even have a handy deck wash-out port, for hooking up your garden hose to flush out debris from underneath the deck.
Lubricate Your Riding Mower Parts
Avoid wear and tear on your mower’s moving parts with lubricant. Using a grease gun is a quick and easy way to apply lubricant to small parts under the hood.
Change Your Air Filter
After a long season in your backyard, you’ll likely have a dirty air filter. Simply remove the filter, clean the surrounding area and install a nice, clean replacement.
Replace Your Spark Plugs Once Per Season
Spark plugs tend to require replacement about once per season and yield easier starts and better fuel economy. Before replacing spark plugs, be sure to correctly adjust the gap between electrodes.
Check Your Riding Mower Belts
Make sure your belts aren’t worn or damaged, and ensure the correct tension. Replacement belts can be purchased from your local Snapper dealer and are easy install with just a screwdriver and some elbow grease.
Regularly Change Your Oil
Just like a car, your Snapper riding mower needs oil to run smoothly and avoid seizing up. Unscrew the plug from the drain funnel and release the oil into a bucket or recycled milk jug. Replace the plug and fill your riding mower engine with oil.
Before performing any kind of maintenance, read through your owner’s manual. Snapper lawn mowers carry a legacy of reliability and, with regular care should last for years to come.
Get Help From Your Local Snapper Dealer
Not sure how to perform recommended maintenance? Contact your local Snapper dealer to perform the maintenance for you. With experience technicians and product expertise, your local Snapper dealer is your one-stop-shop for Snapper service and parts.
