Southland Engine in Lafayette, LA, has put together a checklist that generalizes manufacturer requirements in regard to basic equipment maintenance.
Daily
Clean grass from belt area
Check air filter for cleaning
Check engine and transmission oil levels
Check belt adjustments (if not self-adjusting)
Grease spindle assembly (if not maintenance-free)
Clean transmission and engine coolers
Clean radiator
25 hours
Check working order of safety switches and chute
Check loose nuts and bolts on deck
Check battery connection and fluid levels
Grease all zerks (check owner’s manual for locations)
Check air in all tires
Sharpen and balance blades
Replace OEM filter (paper only)
Lubricate cables (throttle, choke)
50 hours
Change engine oil and filter (air-cooled models)
100 hours
Replace air filter
Replace fuel filters
Change engine oil and filter (water-cooled models)
Clean under deck
Check or adjust tracking
Level deck
250 hours
Change transmission oil and filter
Change spark plugs
500 hours or once a year
Remove front yoke, clean old grease and repack bearings
Flush radiator
Clean carbon out of heads (L-head engines)
Remove engine blower housing, clean grass and dirt
Remove cover to transmission and replace grease (gear-drive walk mowers)
Remove steering tires, and clean and pack bearings (certain models only)
