Zero-Turn Riding Mower Maintenance: The Ultimate Guide

The Basics of Zero-Turn Mower Maintenance

Regular lawn mower maintenance is the key to keeping your zero-turn mower in top condition and prolonging its lifespan. Without a proper maintenance routine, your mower is prone to common issues like dull blades, engine problems, and decreased fuel efficiency. These problems can lead to costly repairs and a shortened lifespan for your mower.

To maintain your mower effectively, follow the following key zero turn riding mower maintenance tips:

Check and Replace Cutting Blades and Maintain the Mower Deck

Regularly check and replace the cutting blades for a clean, precise cut. Follow the steps shown in this DIY video to replace blades on a rear-engine riding mower:

While you have the deck removed to replace the cutting blades, clean the underside of the mower deck thoroughly. Coat the underside of the deck with a silicone lubricant such as MO-DECK spray to help keep grass clippings from sticking to the mower deck.

Tune Up the Engine

Perform a complete engine tune-up at least once per year to keep your zero-turn riding mower running smoothly. The engine tune-up includes these essential steps:

• Clean or replace the air filter to prevent dust and debris from damaging the engine.
• Inspect and clean the spark plugs for proper ignition and fuel efficiency.
• Change the oil and oil filter to keep the engine lubricated.
• Replace the fuel filter to keep the engine running smoothly.

If you want a Sears Home Services technician to tune up the engine and maintain the zero-turn riding mower for you, schedule service now.

Tighten Bolts and Lubricate Moving Parts

Inspect and tighten all bolts and fasteners to prevent loose parts. Lubricate your mower's spindles and bearings with high-quality grease to reduce friction and prevent wear. This is a crucial part of spring lawnmower maintenance. Follow your mower's manual for lubricating additional moving parts on the mower.

Following these lawn mower maintenance tips and adhering to a regular schedule can help keep your zero-turn mower in top condition.

Essential Lawn Mower Spring Maintenance Tasks

To ensure your zero-turn riding mower's longevity and optimal performance, certain essential lawn mower spring maintenance tasks need to be carried out.

Check the Blade Belt

During winter storage, the blade belt can dry out and crack. Inspect the blade belt and replace it if it’s worn or damaged. Follow the steps in this DIY video to replace the blade belt:

Clean the top and bottom of the mower deck while you have it removed for blade belt replacement.

Check the Ground Drive Belts

Keeping the ground drive belts in top shape will ensure that the mower drives smoothly. Examine the ground drive belts for wear or damage. Replace the belts if needed. Here’s a video that shows how to replace ground drive belts in a common zero-turn riding mower:

Replacing the ground drive belts is fairly advanced and complicated. If you need to have a Sears Home Services technician complete that repair on your zero-turn riding mower, schedule repair services now.

Adjust Neutral Control

If your zero-turn riding mower creeps forward or backward when both lap bars are in the neutral position, you’ll need to adjust the neutral control. Our How to adjust the neutral control on a zero-turn riding mower guide with video shows you how to complete this task on common rear-engine mowers.

Storing Your Zero-Turn Mower for the Off-Season

When the mowing season ends, properly storing your zero-turn mower is crucial to prevent damage and ensure it's ready for the next season. This is an essential part of your spring lawnmower maintenance routine.

Pre-Storage Preparation

Clean your mower thoroughly before storing it. We recommend changing the oil and filter to protect the engine during the off-season.

Don't leave untreated gas in the mower over the winter, because the gas deteriorates, and the mower might not start in spring.

If there is treated gas in the tank, top off the tank with more treated gas to lessen the chance of water contamination from the fuel tank sweating. The treated gas will also protect the fuel system and carburetor from gumming.

If you don’t have treated gas in the tank, follow these steps to winterize the tank and fuel system:

1. In a well-ventilated area, drain untreated fuel from the tank.
2. Fill a gas can with gas and add fuel stabilizer to treat the gasoline.
3. Fill the fuel tank with the treated gasoline and run the engine for 10 minutes to run the treated gasoline through the carburetor.
4. Top off the riding mower tank to reduce the chance of water contamination from the fuel tank sweating.
5. Park the mower in its storage location after topping off the gas tank with treated fuel.

Store the Lawn Mower Battery

Remove the negative battery cable and then the positive cable. Pull the battery out of the riding mower and clean the battery terminals using battery terminal cleaner. Coat the terminals with a terminal protector.

Store the battery in a cool, dry location such as the garage or storage shed. Periodically charge the battery during the off-season to maintain its optimal charge level.

Store your mower in a dry, well-ventilated area, such as a garage or shed. By following these zero turn riding mower maintenance tips, your zero-turn mower will be ready to tackle the yard when the next mowing season arrives!