Mowing season is also mower repair season, so be prepared to wait
May 29, 2008, 13:19
Emily Jarrett
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| Lawnmowers are like cars, in that they need to be brought in for a tune-up to increase their life. (Photo by Dustin Freund) |
Jeremy Sanders, service manager at John Deere Lawn and Garden in Centerview, said lawn mowers can last 10 to 15 years, depending on how much the mower is used and if it’s maintained properly.
“Mowers can last a lot longer, if the owner takes it in for regular tune-ups,” he said. “Right now, we’re getting a lot of calls from people about getting their mowers ready for the summer season.”
“We recommend yearly tune-ups for your mower,” said Barbara Smith, co-owner of Smith Welding Shop. “It’s just like having a car. If you drive it often and don’t take care of it, it’ll end up costing you a lot.”
Tune-ups include changing the oil, spark plugs and air filters, leveling the deck, sharpening the blades and checking the tire pressure. A complete tune-up at John Deere runs at about $135, while a tune-up at Smith Welding depends on the style of mower and what needs to be done.
“Right now, we’re three weeks behind in our repairs because so many people have been calling,” Smith said. “But this is pretty typical of mowing season. I think people forget about their lawn mowers until it’s time to actually use them.”
Sanders said John Deere offers a service special during the winter months to help remind people of lawn mower maintenance.
“We offer a complete service, tune-up and anything else from November to February,” he said. “It’s a good time to bring it in because not a lot of people are thinking about their lawns in the winter. Plus we offer free pick-up and delivery during that time.”
If a mower is older than 15 years, or if there’s complete engine failure, it might be time to replace the mower with a new one, Sanders said.
“Ten to 15 years is just an average, but most mowers don’t last longer than that,” he said. “And if the engine completely fails, it’s usually not worth the cost to fix it.”
Sanders recommended that customers in the market for new lawn mowers consider their lawn needs before buying another mower.
“A lot of people will come in (to John Deere) because they’ve acquired more acres and need an upgrade,” he said. “The size and type of the mower really depends on how big your lawn is, how often you cut your grass and what you want to spend. And even with a new mower, I suggest people still bring it in for yearly tune-ups.”
“I always tell customers, if you take care of your lawn mower now, it really will save you money in the long run,” Smith said.
