The Canadian Chamolffon. Fridav. ADri 8. 2005-17 Lawnmower maintenance and fast tacts With the arrivai of spring, the sfart of lawn care seasan is set ta begin. Whefher yau maw the lawn yaurself with your gas. electric or hybrid mawer, or hire the local neîghbaur's son or daughter ta take on this annual chare, be sure ta give yaur mower a tune-up befare startîng the engine. Remember, yaur lawnmawer has been sitting idie for manfhs, and may be in need of some TtC before taking on the fask of cutting. Consider these iawnmawer mainte- nance lips: Spark PIugr Before perfarming any lawnmaw- er maintenance, disconnecf the sparkpolug. Ta change a sparkplug. loosen if wifh a plug wrench. If the piug isn't corroded or damaged, you may be able ta dlean and reuse tf - but t is always goad custom ta replace the ali plug. A new plug will help keep yaur mower running smoofhly. Air Futur: One of the mosf common sources of iawnmower problems is the air filter. Ta change the filter, remove the caver and pull the filfer ouf. Shake or blaw ouf any debris from the filfer. If the aid flter is naticeably dirfy you shauld con- sider replacing if with a new one. Wheels: Keep your wheels in gaad warking arder by lubricafing them with aufamotive grease. Use a ratchet and sacket ta remove the wheel and be sure ta smear some aufamo- tive grease an the axIe befare putting mhe wheel back in place. Blade: A sharp blade makes mawing effec- five and easy. Check your mowers biades peri- adically for nicks and dents. If the blade becomes dul you can sharpen it yourself with a l1111e careful handling. Use a block of wood ta help hoid the blade sf111. Wear leather gloves and hold the blade in place while spraying the nut with some penetrafing lubricant. Then use a ratchef ta turn the retaining nut counterclock- wise. Once you have the blade in hand, put on your safefy glasses and sharpen if with a file or a mefal grindler. CabIe Check. Give your cables a check f0 make sure that they're in good shape. You may want ta lubricafe fhem wifh dry graphite ta help keep them from wearing out. - News Canada *FREE2UIYEAR ENGINE CGVERAGE* PLUS ooeowo FREE ELECTRIC START' (M Imm u) OR SFREE MOUNTAIN KiT, WEST TORONTO DEALER SINCE 1988 a 61 Guelph St., Hwy #7, Georgetown j Tel. (905> 877-0314 Sàilbo info@outdoorpower.ca Milto Coun try DepotlOe m dfl "dGeReaî,zdv to Grow Arl2,05I if .. 1%