With every new season, you may be dreaming up plans to achieve your landscaping and large property goals. Now is a great time to start thinking about how to best prepare for a head start this spring.
Give Your Mower a Test Run
If it’s been a while since your last drive, give your mower a test run to feel out the ride and check for any signs of maintenance or repair needs, such as blade performance. You may consider mowing a test patch and closely inspecting your work to make sure everything is cutting properly. Turf grass leaves that are crushed, shredded, jagged or uneven indicate the blades should be sharpened. Visible nicks, dents and bends in your blades are also telltale signs they need to be sharpened or replaced.
Not only is blade sharpening efficient for your future mowing, but it’s also better for the health of the turf grass. A poor cut will increase susceptibility to diseases and insects, which could compromise the turf grass' response to environmental stresses like drought or heat.
Ensure Your Blades Are Straight and Sharp
Mower blades will become dull over time and may have encountered some yard debris. Sharpening your blades 2-3 times a year will help give your lawn or property a clean, professional cut.
Before you take care of your blades, ensure you’ll be safe during the process. Wear personal protective equipment, confirm the mower is off and disconnect the battery.
For full instructions on sharpening mower blades and other maintenance operations, check your operator’s manual.
To sharpen your own mower blades:
Before checking or replacing the blade, wipe grass and mud off the top and inside of the mower. Make sure to clean the inside of the belt cover, otherwise, the belt life will be reduced.
Wedge a block of wood between the blade and mower housing or use a box wrench over the pulley nut to prevent the spindle from rotating while removing the blade bolts, then loosen the blade bolts. Use the proper metric-size box or socket wrench to tighten or loosen the blade mounting bolt.
Clamp the blade securely in a vise. Use a large mill file and file along the original bevel until sharp.
To check the blade for balance, place a small rod through the center hole. If the blade is not balanced, file the heavy side of the blade until balance is achieved. Unbalanced blades could result in premature wear of spindles and other deck components, as well as pose a safety risk.
Pass the spline boss through the plate, blade and 2 cup washers, and tighten the bolt.
Make sure that the cup washer is not flattened out or worn; this could cause the blade to slip excessively. Replace the 2 cup washers if either is damaged.
Prep the Machine for the Season
As you get closer to firing your mower up for the season, especially if it’s been in storage, prep your machine with these maintenance guidelines.
Add fresh fluids – Starting the season with fresh fluids is essential to proper starting and running. Gasoline breaks down over time, which could cause your mower to perform poorly or not start at all. Drain the remaining gasoline out of the machine so you can start fresh. A good rule is to drain it at the end of each season before you put the mower in storage.
Change the oil and filter – Before you get your Kubota mower rolling, you’ll want to change the oil. Dirty oil can damage your engine, shorten the engine’s life and cause future maintenance problems. Refer to your operator’s manual for specific oil and oil filter service intervals.
Inspect all belts for failure points – When inspecting your machine’s belts or changing your oil, be sure to allow the engine to cool down, as the oil inside will be hot and could cause burns.
Check all switches – During your inspection, make sure all switches are working properly.
Check tire air pressures - Improperly inflated tires could result in poor cut quality.
Check the deck level and adjust the anti-scalp rollers - A properly leveled and adjusted deck can help you achieve the best possible cut quality from your mower.
Rely on Kubota Genuine Parts – If you find any need for replacement parts during your inspection, Kubota Genuine Parts can be supplied by your local Kubota dealer or purchased online at shop.kubotausa.com.
For full details on the guidelines mentioned above and more, please refer to your Kubota mower operator’s manual. If you own a Z Series mower, you can also find our Know Your Kubota YouTube video series for maintenance tips. And of course, your local dealership is also a valuable resource for any questions about your machine or for service inquiries.