If you are a homeowner or have to maintain a lawn for somebody else, and you own an electric lawn mower, you will more than likely need to maintain your mower at some point in time. Like all mechanical tools, mowers can have problems and need repairs or maintenance. In Part 1 of this article we provided an overview of how to care for the power supply and battery for users of corded and cordless electric lawn mowers. Now let's move on to more common electric lawn problems and some simple and effective ways to overcome these.
The other important feature of your mower is the cutting blades. Blunt blades won't cut as effectively as sharp blades, meaning that you may need to make several passes over a section of lawn to get the same result - this means more work for you and more time spent mowing. To sharpen your mower blades, make sure the mower is turned off and unplugged, and turn the mower upside down. Clean away any grass clippings, dirt and other debris with a damp cloth before moving onto removing the blades. If you immobilise the blades with a block of wood or something similar, this will make it easier to loosen the bolt that attaches the blade to the mower. Once removed, you can either sharpen the blade yourself using a heavy metal file or a power grinder, or take the blade to be professionally sharpened if you don't have these tools or aren't comfortable doing this yourself. After the blade has been sharpened, reattach it to the mower taking special care to ensure it is fastened tightly and securely.
Another common complaint when using electric mowers is that the blades will clog up while you are mowing. This will often occur if you're attempting to mow very heavy or thick grass or if the lawn is wet where you are mowing. Mowing wet grass is a big no-no, since wet grass clippings will cling to the inside of your mower and any mulching attachments, and there is a good chance you will slip on the wet surface as well. If the grass is particularly long, set your cutting height to the maximum it will go to. Push the mower slowly into the grass, and if it sounds like it is getting bogged down, back it off and give the blades a chance to clear the clippings before mowing forward again. You may need to mow over at the maximum height before lowering the cutting lever to the desired height and mowing again.
Sometimes mower wheels will become loose or even fall off your mower. Before mowing, check to make sure they are screwed on tightly to the axle, as mowing on a rough or uneven surface can cause them to loosen. Many electric mowers come with a polymer or plastic deck instead of metal, which means they won't rust, are more lightweight, and can easily be wiped down with a damp cloth after use. However plastic is not as tough as metal, and may feel more flimsy and be more easily damaged if used incorrectly. If you have a lot of rocks or obstacles in your garden or lawn that goes right up to the fence, take care not to run your mower into these as this could potentially damage the deck. Many electric lawn mowers come with a lifetime deck warranty, so if you do crack or break the mower deck and need a replacement, check with your manufacturer for more information.
