In this video episode of The Handyguys we discuss some common tractor and mower maintenance for your John Deere.

We discuss changing oil, checking air filters, the location of spark plugs, grease points and fuel filters.

John Deere sells a Home maintenance kit specifically for your tractor. It contains most of the items you will want for DIY maintenance of your tractor. One thing the kit does NOT contain is a grease gun and grease. This Grease Gun from Amazon is similar to the one used by The Handyguys in the video and works nicely. .

John Deere has provided The Handyguys the products used in this evaluation. However, the opinions of The Handyguys are entirely our own and we have not been paid to make positive comments.

Related shows:

1. John Deere LA115 Lawn Tractor Controls Overview Video
2. Accessorizing a lawn tractor video – Aeration, hauling, bagging and more
3. Controls, Maintenance And Cutting Techniques Of A John Deere La115 Lawn Tractor

Yet one more item to add to your handyguy list… Tree care!

Do you give your trees any attention in the fall?  The Handyguys discuss how the fall is an important time for both lawn care and tree care.  But before they discuss this topic, they respond to some listener questions and suggestions.

In response to our closet organization show, Tom suggests that we check out the closet system from www.johnlouishome.com.  You can purchase this system from Rockler.  This closet system combines the ease of a wire shelf system with the sophisticated look of a finished wood product.  You can order in several different wood varieties and pricing is much closer to the wire shelving then to wood cabinets.  Listen to the podcast for the Handyguys comments.

After listening to our Lawnmower show, Bonnie asks “How do you know what size of spark plug, and are there specific ones for lawnmowers?”.  Good question.  Brian addresses this in the podcast, his response to Bonnie is below.

Thanks for contacting The Handyguys Podcast. There are many possibilities for spark plugs. What plug you will need will depend on the manufacturer of the engine on the mower. Usually what I will do is take the old one off and bring it with me to the store to ensure I get an exact replacement. Most stores will have a chart that cross references the plug model numbers from different manufacturers. You can also look in the owners manual for what plug you need. What if you do not have the owners manual and you do not have an old plug to reference? Then you can do some Internet sleuthing.

First determine who makes the engine and what model it is. Two common engine manufacturers for push mowers are Briggs & Stratton and Tecumseh. Go to the manufacturer website and look-up the info. Here are the links for Briggs and Tecumseh.

Briggs & Stratton Spark Plug Information
http://faqs.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/faqs.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=11
Tecumseh
http://www.tecumsehpower.com/CustomerService/BSI.pdf

Thanks again for contacting The Handyguys Podcast. We will let you know if we use your question on the air.

Lastly – Please consider doing your Amazon shopping through our store. http://www.handyguyspodcast.com/the-handy-guys-store this will help keep us on the air.

Handyguy Brian

And now for Tree care.  Trees are often neglected because the Handyguys are too worried about creating a green lawn.  But the fall is a great time to care for you trees and the handyguy or handygal can tackle this job!   It is your last chance to give your trees the care they need before the harsh winter months.

Check out these tips courtesy Home Improvement News and Information Center

1. Put composted organic mulch under your tree in the fall or early winter to help retain water and reduce temperature extremes. A thin layer of mulch will act like a blanket and give the tree’s roots a little extra winter protection.
2. Give your trees a drink. Winter droughts require watering as much as summer droughts. If temperatures permit, an occasional watering during the winter on young trees can be a life saver. But be sure to water only when soil and trees are cool but not frozen.
3. Prune your trees. Winter is actually one of the best times to prune because it is easier to see the structure of trees without their leaves. But limit pruning to deadwood and poorly placed branches in order to save as many living branches as possible.
4. Prevent mechanical injuries. Branch breakage or splitting can be caused by ice and snow accumulation, or chewing and rubbing by animals. Prevent problems from occurring on young trees by wrapping the base of trees in a hard, plastic guard or a metal hardware cloth. Wrapping trees with burlap or plastic cloth also can prevent temperature damage. Just remember to remove the wraps and guards in the spring to prevent damage when the tree begins to grow.

For more information:

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research around the world. Headquartered in Champaign, Ill., ISA is dedicated to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees. For more information, contact a local ISA Certified Arborist or visit www.isa-arbor.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center

Brian wraps up the show by mentioning that you can get free trees when joining the Arbor Day Foundation or maybe even from your town. Also check if your township has a free mulch program as part of its recycling program.

Lastly – The Handyguys will be speaking at this years PodCamp, Saturday September 13th. If you will be attending or in the area stop by and meet us.

Related shows:

1. Fall Lawn Care Tips
2. Fall Home Improvement Checklist
3. How To Care For Granite

The Handyguys discuss annual spring maintenance and home improvement for your lawn mower

For many of us in the northern parts of the USA, it is that time of year when we get the lawn mower out for the first time. Most of us probably use tradition walk behind mowers with combustion engines. Like our cars, these tools require maintenance to keep them humming along from year to year. The Handyguys discuss how you can handle these basic maintenance items yourself:

We start off by talking about mower safety and some crazy mower stories before we get into the basics of spring mower tune-up.

Basic Spring mower tune up consists of checking and maybe replacing the spark plug, cleaning or replacing the air filter, sharpening your blade, cleaning the deck and changing the oil.

Changing the spark plug – The spark plug only needs to be changed if its black, burnt, or damaged. If it looks clean when you remove it only replace it if you are having trouble with the mower running smooth or not starting. This picture is an example of a badly fouled plug that needs replaced.

Replacing an air filter – make sure you get the correct air filter. There are many sizes and styles. The filter can be cleaned with compressed air or a brush. If its really bad just go ahead and replace it. Some filters are foam and can be washed in warm soapy water. Do not re-install a washed filter until its completely dry.

Sharpening a blade – You can use a file or a grinder to sharpen your blade. Make sure you use the same angle as the previous sharpening. Handyguy Brian got this heavy duty grinder for only $25, including the stand, at an auction. An inexpensive grinder will be fine for this task. A Dremel tool or even just a plain old file will do the trick as well. A sharp blade makes a better cut and helps keep your grass healthy. Tip – If your blade bolt is stuck try soaking it in some Liquid Wrench
!

Cleaning the mower deck – Sorry I don’t have an after picture. Use a scraper and a wire brush to clean up the mower deck. This is especially important for mulching mowers. If you have rust, sand that and hit it with some primer and paint.

Changing the oil – Do this every year. Make sure you use the proper oil and the correct amount. Most mowers will use SAE 30 oil. Do not use 10W-30, its different and will likely void any warranty you may have. Regardless – Check your owners manual first for the correct oil.

Learn more by listening to this installment of the Handyguys Podcast!

And remember – You can always ask The Handyguys a question about your DIY or home improvement project by calling us at (615) 676-0877 or using the contact form.

We respond to all questions and may use your question in a future episode.

Our podcasts are made possible through revenue at our store. Our store is a partnership with Amazon. Some of our favorite tools are listed here

Related shows:

1. How to sharpen a mower blade video
2. Mower Blade Removal, Metal Bending Brakes And DIY Mistakes
3. Vehicle Choices, Air Conditioning Leaks And Mower Carb Repair