How Long Should a Lawnmower Last?

10 Feb

How Long Should a Lawnmower Last?

Since a lawnmower is not a small investment, most homeowners want to ensure they locate a lawnmower that lasts quite a very long time. The average life of a lawnmower depends on many facets, including its manufacturer, size and usage. Even though the manufacturer’s warranty provides an average life expectancy, a lawnmower may last longer if it receives appropriate care and maintenance.

Average Life Expectancy

The ordinary lawnmower lasts eight to ten years with proper maintenance and attention. A lawnmower that is not maintained may last one-half that point. Some manufacturers measure the service life of the lawnmowers and components in hours of usage. For instance, some inexpensive mowers are made to have a service life of 200 or fewer hours while pricier mowers typically are made to last 500 or more hours. Thus, a lawnmower’s life expectancy could be based on how frequently and how much time it’s used.

Variables that Shorten Mower Life

Several factors factor into how much time a lawnmower will last. For instance, a lawnmower that is not maintained properly won’t last as long as it needs to. If you routinely cut grass that’s thick and long, your mower works harder than normal, which can shorten its life. The size of the lawn also influences how much time your mower will last. If you utilize your lawnmower for 2 hours every week during spring, summer and other mowing season weeks, then that equals approximately 60 hours of mowing per year, meaning a mower rated for 200 hours of usage might last only a few years in that situation. In contrast to that lawnmower, a mower used just 1 hour each week might last twice as long.

Old Does Not Always Mean Finished

Just because a lawnmower has reached its average or forecasted life expectancy doesn’t always mean it’s time to buy a new one. A lawnmower can run years past its life expectancy with appropriate maintenance, and sometimes replacing a cheap part gives it extra life. For instance, the ordinary life of a battery powered mower’s lead-acid battery is about 4 1/2 years, but the battery demise doesn’t mean that the mower is finished. Replacing the battery may provide you a lot more years of service from the mower so long as it’s properly maintained.

Maintenance for Long Mower Life

A properly maintained lawnmower lasts longer than a mower not preserved well. If your mower will be kept for any amount of time, then remove its gas to prevent carburetor difficulties and rust. Scrape its cutting blades clean at least once each year, removing mud and grass to prevent rust. The mower’s oil ought to be changed at least once each year, as should its air filter and spark plug. Most mower manufacturers provide specific maintenance instructions in their mowers’ owner’s guides.

See related