Troubleshooting Common Electric Lawn Mowers Problems – Part 2

If you are a homeowner or have to take care of someone else’s lawn, and you have an electric lawn mower, it is very likely that you will need to maintain your lawn mower at some point. Like all power tools, lawn mowers can have problems and need repair or maintenance. In Part 1 of this article, we provided an overview of how to care for the power supply and battery for both corded and cordless electric lawn mower users. Now let’s move on to the most common electric lawn problems and some simple and effective ways to overcome them.

The other important feature of your lawn mower is the cutting blades. Dull blades do not cut as effectively as sharp ones, which means you may need to make multiple passes over a section of grass to get the same result; This means more work for you and more time mowing. To sharpen the mower blades, make sure the mower is turned off and unplugged, and turn the mower over. Wipe grass clippings, dirt, and other debris with a damp cloth before continuing to remove the blades. If you immobilize the blades with a block of wood or something similar, it will be easier to loosen the bolt that holds the blade to the mower. Once removed, you can sharpen the blade yourself with a heavy metal file or electric grinder, or bring the blade in for professional sharpening if you don’t have these tools or are not comfortable doing it yourself. After the blade is sharpened, put it back in the mower with extra care to make sure it is secure.

Another common complaint when using electric lawn mowers is that the blades get stuck while mowing. This will often happen if you are trying to cut very heavy or thick grass or if the grass is wet where you are cutting it. Mowing wet grass is a big no-no, as wet grass clippings will stick to the inside of your mower and any compost attachments, and there’s a good chance it will slip on the wet surface as well. If the grass is particularly long, adjust the cutting height to the maximum you can reach. Push the mower slowly into the grass, and if it appears to be getting stuck, turn it off and give the blades a chance to clear clippings before mowing forward again. You may need to mow to full height before lowering the mowing lever to the desired height and mowing again.

Sometimes the mower wheels loosen or even fall off the mower. Before mowing, make sure they are securely bolted to the spindle, as cutting grass on a rough or uneven surface can cause them to loosen. Many electric mowers come with a polymer or plastic deck rather than metal, which means they won’t rust, are lighter, and can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth after use. However, plastic is not as strong as metal and can appear flimsier and more easily damaged if used incorrectly. If you have a lot of rocks or obstacles in your garden or lawn that come up to the fence, be careful not to collide with the mower, as this could damage the deck. Many electric lawn mowers come with a lifetime deck warranty, so if you crack or break the mower deck and need a replacement, check with your manufacturer for more information.