After your final mow in the garden, the next time you’ll likely use your cordless lawn mower will be in the following spring when the grass starts to grow again. With that said, you should carry out some lawn mower maintenance before you retire it to the garden shed for several months.
To ensure your cordless mower remains in good condition and cuts optimally when you next use it, we’ve put together this quick guide to simple end-of-season cordless lawn mower maintenance.
EGO guidelines for end-of-season maintenance
All EGO cordless lawn mowers have been designed to be user-friendly when it comes to maintenance. This includes EGO ride-on mowers like the EGO Z6, which are just as easy to maintain but require different deck cleaning instructions.
With that in mind, here’s our checklist for end-of-season lawn mower maintenance.
1. Clean the mowing deck
Cleaning the deck of your cordless lawn mower is one of the most important steps when maintaining your mower. Grass clippings stuck to the underside of your lawn mower can be a breeding ground for bacteria if left over the winter. They can also cause corrosion and rust and create an unwanted smell.
To clean the deck of your cordless lawn mower:
- Remove the disabling device (this should be done before any kind of maintenance) and switch off and remove the detachable battery pack.
- Carefully turn the mower onto its side so you reveal the underside of the mowing deck.
- Make sure the blades have stopped rotating before proceeding.
- Remove any build-up of grass from underneath the mowing deck and wipe it clean with a damp cloth (do not use running water).
Cleaning the deck of an EGO Z6 and the EGO 98cm and 107 cm ride-on mowers require a different technique because these mowers have in-built wash ports. If you have a Z6 or other EGO ride-on mower, see our guide on how to clean the deck of your EGO ride-on mower.
2. Brush and wipe the rest of the mower clean
Return the lawn mower to its regular position and clean the rest of the mower by first brushing off the excess grass clippings and then wiping it down with a damp cloth. Again, avoid running water here, as you may get the electrical components wet and damage the mower.
3. Check the collection box
If you’ve been mowing and collecting the grass rather than mulching it and leaving it on the lawn, you must remove and clean the collection box. You can wash the grass off the collection box and rinse it out as long as you’re away from the cordless lawn mower.
After this, wipe it down with a clean, dry cloth, ensuring the collection box is free of grass, dirt and debris.
4. Identify and replace any worn or damaged parts
Check for any worn or damaged parts and look to get them replaced. This can be done as you’re cleaning your mower. The most common parts that you should check include:
- The mower blade - rust, chipping and corrosion to the mower blade are signs of a worn mower blade.
- Air filter - remove the air filter and look for dirt, dust, and other contaminants clogging it up.
- Blade belt - a rumbling noise when the mower is running and fraying or cracking to the belt are both signs of a worn blade belt.
- Tyres - dry rot to the side wall and cuts and/or chunks missing from the tread are signs that the mower tyres are worn.
For other lawn mowers which run on petrol, these are other components you should check:
- Spark plug
- Oil filter
- Fuel filter
If you have an EGO cordless lawn mower, get in touch with your local EGO dealer, who can replace the worn or damaged parts for you. For other lawn mowers, again, contact your local respective dealer, who will provide you with advice on what you need for replacements.
5. Get the mower blades sharpened
Get your mower blades sharpened now to save you the trouble of getting them sharpened just before your first mow in the following year. We advise you to take your lawn mower to your local dealer or mechanic who specialises in garden tools and get it sharpened by a professional there.
With that said, you can sharpen your battery lawn mower blades yourself - there’s plenty of information out there. Just make sure you read the product manual first and wear the appropriate safety gear. You should also remove the battery pack and ensure the blades aren’t spinning before approaching them for removal.
Storing your lawn mower after maintenance
We have an entire guide on how to store your cordless lawn mower properly over the winter. Here’s some quick guidance you can follow so you can store it properly:
- Find a suitable location to store it - somewhere that has a level floor and is completely watertight.
- Avoid storing your cordless mower in a position where it can easily fall over and become a hazard.
- Remove the battery of your lawn mower and store it separately in a warm, dry location.
For more information on how to maintain your EGO cordless garden tools, we have plenty more information in our EGO news section of the website. Have a browse through and expand your gardening knowledge and put it into practice with the help of the EGO range.