Last updated 10/18/2022

Just as your lawn needs ongoing maintenance to keep it looking healthy and tidy, your lawn mower needs ongoing maintenance as well. While you certainly don’t need to give your mower a tune up every time you cut the grass, you need to give the machine a touch up at least every fall, typically as the cutting season is coming to an end.

This means keeping your lawn mower clean on a regular basis, but also greasing it when the time is right. It’s true that there are different types of lawn mowers, and they don’t all necessarily have the same parts (after all, there are commercial grade lawn mowers, but also general everyday backyard lawnmowers), but they all need to be greased throughout the year and especially at the end of the season.

From the cutting spindles to the axle to the engine, there are various points of a lawnmower that need greasing. This will not only make the machine operate more efficiently, but will also extend its life and keep you happier as a lawn mower operator.

But a common misconception when caring for machinery such as this is that you need to be a professional. This is not the case. Greasing a lawn mower requires care and attention, but it is not a task that is difficult. And what’s more, you can buy grease online and there are tools available to help you out.

For example, a grease gun for a lawn mower is a handy sidekick when it comes to keeping your machine operating in tip-top shape. A grease gun for a lawn mower will help you keep the engine well-lubricated, and engine lubrication plays an essential role in ensuring engine performance and longevity.

The Right Way to Grease and Lubricate Your Lawn Mower

A Reduced Oil Pick-up Point

The oil that is used in a mower’s engine reduces the engine temperature as well as friction between the parts. Most well-built lawn mower engines are designed with a reduced oil pick-up point. This feature safeguards the engine against wear when it is operating at an angle or is running low on oil.

Consult Your Operator’s Manual First

The importance of engine maintenance cannot be overstated. That is why you need to stock up on engine lubricant products and refills for your grease gun for lawn mower. Before you perform any grease or lubrication work, consult your operator’s manual first. Manuals cover lubrication maintenance for riding and push mowers. Normally, if you locate the manual online, you will need to enter the model engine number to access the information.

Locating a Mower’s Model Number

The engine model number normally appears, stamped, above the spark plug, on the front of the engine, or above the muffler. Once you obtain the number, you can review your maintenance manual to locate the fittings that need to be regularly greased.

Make Sure You Use a Grease Recommended by the Mower’s Manufacturer

One of the biggest mistakes that lawn mower owners make is using the wrong type of grease. The brand of the grease does not matter as long as you use the grease advised by the manufacturer. Grease may contain lithium with molybdenum disulfide or be made up of plain lithium. Poly urea, a type of elastomer and protective coating, is another ingredient that is used in the product. Greasing is important as it enables parts to resist abrasion, provides corrosion protection, and adds waterproofing resistance as well.

Grease Each Fitting Whenever You Change the Oil

Every fitting should be greased each time you change the oil. Again, the owner’s manual should assist you in locating all of the mower’s fittings. In addition, an adaptable hose can make reaching the lawn mower fittings much easier. A grease gun for lawn mower and hose can be purchased at any auto parts dealer or home center store.

When Should the Oil Be Changed?

Typically, the oil should be changed in the fall, or at the end of lawn-mowing season. By changing the oil at this time, you can extend the life of the engine and mower. Fresh oil contains rust inhibitors, which lengthen a mower’s life. If you do not change the oil at the end of the season, deposits will settle in the engine during the off-season. Changing the oil should be a part of your lawn mower storage preparation for the winter months ahead.

How to Facilitate the Greasing Process

Begin greasing by turning the head of the lawn mower grease gun counterclockwise in order to unscrew and pull it off. Then, pull the plunger rod at the bottom of the gun’s barrel from the gun. Push down the release latch to lock the plunger. Next, you need to pull the plastic tables off either end of a No.2 all-purpose cartridge of grease, inserting it at the top of the gun’s barrel. Follow by replacing the head and releasing the latch. Press the grease gun coupler onto the zerk fitting and gently press the handle to begin the grease flow.

Greasing the Spindles: A Basic Primer

When greasing your lawn mower, park the machine on a solid and flat service, such as the driveway. Turn off the ignition and permit the mower to cool down for about ten minutes. Lower the deck of the mower to its lowest setting. That way, you can access the grease fittings much easier. For lubrication, utilize a lever-action type grease gun for the lawn mower.

The spindles that need to be lubricated include the cutting spindles and front axle spindles. The grease fittings are situated on the back of the spindle. The front axle spindles are easy to locate and access. They can be found on the rear side of the left and right front axle spindles.

Begin by Greasing the Cutting Spindles

Locate each of the zerk fittings on the mower’s cutting spindles. The mower features a spindle for each blade. Zerk metal fittings are located on the fronts of spindles and look nipple-shaped.

Remove any debris, grease, or dust with a cloth on each zerk fitting. Insert the tip of the grease gun for the lawn mower over each zerk fitting and press downward. While holding the barrel of the grease gun with one hand, push the plunger gradually inward in order to fill each joint with grease. When the grease flows out of a fitting, it is considered full. Pull the gun tip off the fitting, then wipe away the excess grease. Repeat the process on each spindle.

Lubricating the Front Axle Pivot Fitting

You also need to lubricate the front axle pivot. This part is located in the center of the assembly of the front axle. The fitting can be difficult to see unless you get on your back and view it by looking up under the mower’s front end. Use one or two pumps of grease until you see a small amount of grease emerge from the fitting.

Lubricating the Deck Lift Pedal

This fitting is situated at the base of the mower’s deck lift panel. Again, use one or two pumps of grease until a small amount of grease squirts from the fitting.

What You Should Do before Storing the Grease Gun for the Lawn Mower

You will need to wipe any excess grease off the grease gun’s tip before storing it. By taking this measure, you can preserve the grease cartridge for further use.

Lubricate All the Fittings at the Same Time

Again, you need to refer to your owner’s manual to find all the fittings for your specific lawn mower’s make and model. You should always lubricate all the fittings at the same time.

Don’t Forget to Grease the Wheels of your Lawn Mower

When lubricating your lawn mower it’s easy to forget the wheels. However the wheels work just as hard as the cutting tools on your mower. Greasing your wheels may seem like an insignificant task but it’s not. Not lubricating the wheels of your lawn mower can impact its movement, even making it seem rough due to the friction caused by tight wheel bearings. The mower may seem forever stuck as it moves with difficulty or worse the wheels may lock up when you’re trying to move it forward or backward. To experience a smooth movement during mowing, lubricate the wheel bearings. But how often should you do it?

It’s ideal to grease the wheel bearings twice every mowing season or summer and if that’s not possible, try to do it at least once. Again refer to the owner’s manual for the procedure and type of grease you should be using on the wheels. Get ready to lubricate with a grease gun for the lawn mower but before you start the greasing process, be sure to clean the wheel bearings first to ensure there are no grass bits, dust particles, or debris stuck to them. Also, as with lubricating all other fittings, squirt the grease until you see some oozing out of the bearings. Greasing your wheels will keep your lawn mower running efficiently and also make it easy to maneuver.

Keep You Mower Clean

When you use a riding mower, clean the deck after you use it. Spray the mower on each side with a garden hose. When you make cleaning a practice, you lessen the chance of fire and also prevent rusting of the deck.

Change the Oil and Lubricate Your Mower Regularly

Again, as explained previously, you should maintain your lawn mower in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Changing the oil and oil filters, and lubricating your mower will keep the machine performing just like the day you first bought it.

Learn Which Grease to Use and How to Stay Clean Greasing!