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I have decided to take on a new adventure in gardening. To sustain my planting passion throughout the cold winter months ahead, I will turn my blue thumb inward, and focus my energies on indoor herbs to carry me through the season's dreary gardening lull.
Do you remember sometime around the end of November last year, when you felt pretty good about putting the lawnmower in the garage for that last time? You were probably thinking that there wouldn't be a need to think about it again until April or May.
When the time does finally come, you'll probably wheel it out, pull the cord and expect it to start instantly. Good luck.
If you're my age, you may remember reading, or at least hearing, about the book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, written by Robert M. Pirsig, published in 1974. It was one of those culture-defining works to tell us how to live. I read it and liked it. As a matter of fact, it turned me into a motorcyclist for some reason, but that's another story.
But for those of you who have not read it, the book explained how the craft of motorcycle maintenance could somehow lead to a beautiful process for reconciling science, religion and humanism for those who pay close attention to maintenance schedules and machine requirements. For someone like me, with little mechanical skill or interest in the subject, I was quite impressed with how it could become someone's guide to life.
The protagonist in Zen paid very close attention to both the recommended schedule of maintenance and the actual needs of his motorcycle during a cross-country trip with his young son. He was constantly adjusting, readjusting, cleaning and caring for the mechanical components of his motorcycle.
I, on the other hand, have taken many extended cross-country trips on my motorcycle without knowing even a little bit of technical expertise about my bike and have (usually) survived without mechanical incident. I used to attribute that to my "karma" or "feeling"
I had about my bike. But, of course, that's all nonsense. I know it's all been a mater of "luck" and my "day" is due.
Nevertheless, somehow in my ignorance, I continue on my path of blind "trust" n.1 with my machine, never expecting it to fail me at the most inopportune moment. But, as I have aged, I've come to appreciate Pirsig's approach of being a stickler for maintenance and having a technical appreciation of (his) machinery.
In fact, we can all learn something from Pirsig's experiences, even after we've put away our Harleys or Hondas and have ignored or denied our wanderlust. We can apply those lessons learned to machinery that maybe doesn't exactly influence or inspire us - our power lawnmowers.
The basic lawnmower motor is not very different from the two-stroke motor in Pirsig's motorcycle. In other words, it needs basic gas and oil. But that part is simple. We all do that, because if you don't, the motor won't run.
But here is what else you should (need) to do. Each season you should remove and clean the air filter - same as you do for your car when changing its oil.
The air filter on a lawnmower is a small piece, usually a cylinder or small box or rectangle with a filter paper on the inside. It's normally easy to remove. If not, consult your machine's manual. It is an inexpensive item and easy to replace. Even for me!
The spark plug is another item. It should be serviced yearly.
It can be removed easily with a wrench and cleaned with a metal solvent cleaner (even WD40). If it can't be cleaned, it should be replaced, but that is unusual for at least a few years.
Of course the oil should be kept cleaned and filled. The engine and the mower should also be cleaned regularly. Grass accumulation and residue should be removed after each use.
But the most important maintenance of your mower is the blades. Without fail, each year remove and sharpen them. This is relatively simple and easy. You can do this with a good metal file and knife or sharpening tool. Or once removed, they can be taken to a machine shop for a professional job. Sharp blades make for a clean cut and better lawn. Even if you don't want to do it, get your mower blades sharpened regularly and you will notice a difference. Otherwise, the dull blades will "tear" instead of "cut" the grass, causing it serious injury. Imagine if your barber didn't sharpen his scissors before cutting your hair - same deal.
Take care of your lawnmower and it will take care of you (or at least serve you well) for this spring season and those to come. Pirsig's theory in "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" was to never take your machinery for granted.
I have my motorcycle rider friends, to this day who, in my opinion, give an inordinate amount of attention (maybe unnatural) to their bikes. I don't necessarily think that is inappropriate. However, I have come to learn and to respect my machinery. I have learned that not only will basic maintenance serve you and your machine well, but it will also satisfy and benefit both you and your lawn in the long run.
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