Learn about lawn mowers, chainsaws, trimmers, and other outdoor maintenance tools.
If your riding mower leaves strips of uncut grass or cuts one side shorter than the other, the deck is likely out of level. That small problem can make a healthy lawn look rough fast. The good news is that riding mower deck leveling is usually a simple job. In most cases, you only need …
How to Winterize a Lawn Mower: Complete Fall Prep Checklist Winterizing your lawn mower takes 30–45 minutes and prevents the most common spring startup problems — gummed carburetors, corroded fuel systems, and dead batteries. The number one cause of spring no-starts is stale ethanol-blended fuel left in the carburetor over winter. This checklist covers every …
How to Store a Lawn Mower: Short-Term and Long-Term Storage Guide Storing a lawn mower correctly protects the engine, prevents corrosion, and ensures reliable starting after any storage period — whether it’s 2 weeks or 6 months. The key difference between short-term and long-term storage is fuel management: short pauses don’t require fuel treatment, but …
Grass clippings pack under the mowing deck every time you mow. Left there, they trap moisture against the metal, cause rust, restrict airflow that affects cut quality, and can imbalance the blade over time. Cleaning the underside takes 5–10 minutes after mowing and prevents the most common form of deck deterioration. This guide covers every …
Lawn Mower Primer Bulb Replacement: Step-by-Step Fix A cracked or hard primer bulb means your mower won’t prime fuel correctly — and a cold engine won’t start. Replacing the primer bulb takes under 10 minutes and costs less than $5. You don’t need special tools, and the fix works on most gas push mowers from …
Most gas push mowers and riding mowers run on regular unleaded gasoline — 87 octane — with no more than 10% ethanol (E10). Higher ethanol blends like E15 or E85 damage rubber fuel system components and void most mower warranties. This guide covers exactly which fuel to use, which to avoid, and how to protect …
Ethanol-blended gasoline is the single most common cause of carburetor damage, hard starts, and fuel system failures in lawn mowers. Most pump gas now contains up to 10% ethanol (E10), which is manageable if the mower is used regularly. But E15 blends and stale ethanol fuel cause serious damage. Here’s what’s happening and how to …
Most modern hedge trimmers feature a rotating or articulating rear handle that adjusts to multiple positions — typically 0°, 45°, 90°, and sometimes 135° — allowing you to trim at different angles without straining your wrists. Adjusting the handle is a quick process: press the release button, rotate to your preferred angle, and lock it …
Double sided hedge trimmers cut on both the forward and backward stroke, making them faster and more efficient for most homeowners. Single sided trimmers cut on one stroke only, giving more control and precision — preferred by professionals and topiary gardeners. For the average homeowner trimming boxwoods and privacy hedges, a double sided blade is …
A hedge trimmer that won’t start is almost always caused by one of four things: a fuel problem, a spark plug issue, a carburetor fault, or a safety interlock not engaged properly. Gas trimmers have more potential failure points than electric or battery models, but all types can develop start-up problems. This guide walks through …