Maintaining your lawn and garden equipment

Simple steps boost savings and safety

Yard equipment is expensive to purchase—and can become dangerous and prone to costly repairs if some simple maintenance checks aren't followed.

For example, the average lawn mower needs to be replaced every six years, but you can extend its life by keeping the blade sharp and following these tips from one of our readers to regularly clean the mower deck. Lawn tractors are among the most repair-prone products we test, but again, some regular precautions (including proper battery storage) will ensure trouble-free operation.

Hedge and string trimmers, garden tillers and chain saws require less maintenance, but will last longer and cut better if you perform a few simple maintenance steps. One especially crucial one is to run the machines' gas tanks dry or stabilize the gasoline before storing them away for the winter.

The links at left detail simple checks and essential maintenance you should perform before, during and at the end of the season for each of these types of lawn equipment. You can also share tips and pitfalls to avoid in our lawn mower and tractor and other lawn and garden equipment forums.