On average, the hourly cost of operating a commercial lawn mower ranges from around $7.50 – $12 an hour based on a lifespan of 2,000 hours of use. However, the longer you can keep the lawn mower in use, the lower your per-hour purchase price.
The same holds true to other landscaping equipment, such as blowers, trimmers, pruners, edgers, and shovels.
The key to extended life of landscape equipment is ongoing, regular maintenance.
Refer to your owner’s manual or equipment supplier for specifics on your equipment, but experts agree on a few basics:
CLEANING:
Lawn mowers in particular need to be cleaned after every use (if a single use mowing) or at the end of the day. Some manufacturers advise refraining from spraying water on the top of the lawn mower deck, but recommend removing debris using compressed air. The underside of the deck can be cleared using normal water pressure.
Other equipment, such as trimmers, loppers, saws and pruners should be cleaned regularly to avoid build-up of debris which can interfere with performance.
Treat lawn mower deck and underside with 2155 BACK DOWN All Season Surface Repellent. The aerosol formulation forms a wax barrier on the mower’s surface and prevents the build-up of grass, dirt, and clippings, thus making daily cleaning much easier. Use also on other landscaping equipment to prevent build-up of debris and premature wear.
LUBRICATION:
Any landscaping tool that has nuts and bolts can fall victim to rust impeding its performance. These tools are used in environments that combine moisture with outdoor debris such as plant sap, dirt, and clippings which contribute to the likelihood of rust forming. Keep tools in peak performance condition by applying a light machine oil to keep moving parts working properly. On lawn mower blades, apply a light film of oil after cleaning to prevent rust.
5340 MR. MECHANIC Penetrating Lubricant spray is a light mineral oil ideal for lubricating, penetrating and preventing rust on nuts, bolts, and corroded parts.
GREASE ZERK FITTINGS, JOINTS, AXLES:
One of the most frequent mistakes made when maintaining a lawn mower is using the wrong type of grease. Make sure you consult with your owner’s manual or equipment distributor to ascertain if you need to use a moly disulfide grease or just plain lithium grease. If a mower is being used daily, expect to lubricate weekly or bi-weekly and would include all grease zerk fittings, joints and axles.
Pay attention to the manufacturer requirements for the grease NLGI grade and Timkin OK Load ratings. The NLGI Grade refers to a standardized measure of the grease’s hardness. The most common NLGI Grade recommendation for lawn mowers is Grade 2, which is comparable to the consistency of peanut butter. The Timkin OK Load refers to a standardized measure which indicates the possible performance of extreme pressure (EP) additives in a lubricant.
L107 MR. JOE Amber Premium Lithium E.P. Grease is a NLGI Grade 2 rated, lithium-complex grease. For equipment requiring a moly disulfide grease, check out L102 MOLY TUFF Premium Multi-Purpose Moly E.P. Grease. It is NLGI Grade 2, exceeds the ASTM D 4950 requirements and has a GC-LB classification by the National Lubricating Grease Institute. It also meets Caterpillar Cat 5% moly requirements.