Tip of the day: Get your lawn mower or tractor in shape for spring

Spring's a great time of year, especially for us cold-weather-climate inhabitants, who are now emerging from winter hibernation. Greeting us are early-flowering bulbs, budding trees, and chirping birds. Add to that inviting tableau a lawn that needs attention.

Before you pull the start cord on your walk-behind mower or turn the key on your tractor and get your yard in shape, follow these equipment-maintenance tips from Peter Sawchuk (shown below at our Florida testing facility), Consumer Reports' resident mower expert and watch our video (right) on the features to look for in a lawn mower.

Fuel: Start the season with fresh gasoline. Gasoline can deteriorate in as little as one month, loosing firing power, clogging up the carburetor, and making starting difficult if not impossible. If you have not already drained the fuel from the tank or used gasoline stabilizer last fall, empty out the old fuel. It's a messy but important job.
• Tip: Add stabilizer to your fuel whenever you buy gasoline for your mower or tractor, not just at the end of the mowing season. This simple step will keep the fuel fresh all the time. Note that environmental additives in gasoline in some parts of the country can cause it to break down and form a "varnish" even after a short time, resulting in hard starting and an expensive carburetor cleaning.

Battery: Fully charge the battery on your tractor. The charging system on most lawn tractors is not capable of fully recharging a low battery. Periodically recharge your battery over the off-season, if you don't it could fail sooner that it otherwise would.

Oil: If you didn't change the oil last fall before you put your machine to rest, do so now. A lack of lubrication is the fastest way to permanently damage your engine, so put in fresh oil and keep an eye on the oil level throughout the mowing season. Too little oil can damage or destroy the engine by leaving parts unlubricated in a hot environment. Too much oil can also cause problems by preventing proper lubrication.

Deck: Hose or scrape off old clippings from beneath the deck. Built-up clippings will significantly reduce mulching performance by blocking the recutting action necessary for good mulching.
    To easily clean a mower deck, turn the mower on up on its side with the carburetor and air filter facing upwards to eliminate lubrication oil from getting into the fuel system and use a hose and scraper. If the cap on your mower is vented, remove the cap, lay on two layers of plastic wrap, and then put the cap back on. (Remove the plastic wrap when you're done cleaning.)
    To clean a tractor deck without having to remove it, use a set of ramps like those you'd use to change the oil in your car. Drive the front wheels up on the ramp for access to the underside of the deck and then use a hose and scraper.
• Tip: After cleaning, spray silicone lubricant on the inside of the deck to reduce clipping build up and for easier cleaning. During mowing season, remove clippings after each time you cut the grass, when they are moist and easy to remove. This simple move will save you time in the long run and give a better cut.

Blade(s): Get the blade(s) sharpened before you start cutting. A dull blade will damage the blades of grass, stressing the plants and keeping your lawn from looking its best and maybe even causing the grass tips to turn brown. A dull blade will cause your mower to burn more fuel and make you work harder and longer. Sharpen the blade(s) once a month or more frequently for heavy cutting conditions, especially in areas with small stones or sand.
• Tip: Buy a second blade or a second set of blades. This way you'll always have sharp cutters on hand.

Spark plug and air cleaner: New spark plugs are cheap. Change it every year for best engine performance. On a gas engine, replace the carburetor air filter if it's paper. Wash a foam filter in soap and water, rinse and squeeze dry, then lubricate it with engine oil and squeeze it dry again before you reinstall it.

Moving parts: Lubricating moving parts, including cables and wheels. Check your owner's manual for detailed information.

Essential information: Mow safely, and check out "How to fix the top 10 lawn problems" for expert advice on how to get a great-looking lawn. If you need to replace your mower or tractor, read "Faster and friendlier." Then use our Ratings of push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and lawn tractors (available to subscribers) to find the best model. You'll find more information on lawn gear and ways to keep your yard looking its best in our Complete Lawn & Yard Guide.