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Redlandsguy
26-09-2010, 09:31 AM
As a total newby, I just looking for a guide to the sort of general maintenance everybody does on their equipment. Things like wash downs, plugs etc.

I only operate a push mower at this stage with a couple of brushies, hedge trimmer, back pack blower and chain saw.

63impala
26-09-2010, 10:05 AM
For one try not to wash your machenery it can force water in to it as I did with my honda.....

Most comin for non Mechaly Incliended people

Clean Air filter
Clean and regap sparkie
Blow the entire machine down all dust gone around carbys...
Grease gear areas That would get done 3-4 time a year..
Check fuel filter in tanks...

Redeye
26-09-2010, 12:03 PM
replace in-tank fuel filters every 6 months or so, lithium grease in brushie/hedgie et al gearboxes, p*ss off spark arrestor screens from mufflers - dont know others opinions, but I've never de-coked an engines pot...if it ain't broke...I'd rather not disturb/need to replace gaskets

Redlandsguy
26-09-2010, 05:26 PM
I was thinking more in the way of daily and weekly maintenance. Do you hose down the shaft of brushies, under the deck of the mower, clean out the filters etc. And how often you do these things. Certainly greasing things etc.

Redeye
26-09-2010, 05:51 PM
I was thinking more in the way of daily and weekly maintenance. Do you hose down the shaft of brushies, under the deck of the mower, clean out the filters etc. And how often you do these things. Certainly greasing things etc.

No, why hose down a brushie? I use side throw mowers almost exclusively & dont bother cleaning underneath them, maybe on blade changes. Its beer o'clock when I knock off:russ:

Bluey
26-09-2010, 06:01 PM
Each to their own with cleaning but mine get clean off with pressure blaster once a week or if I have a big day then I do it at the end of the day. They may be work horses but I try to keep them clean. I can't stand going to a nice place with a filthy mower covered in crap. After each job I blow off the crap under the mower. Stops the build up of crap and weed transference. I clean air cleaners weekly and change oil monthly more frequently in peak season. Check the lube on most working parts at the same time.

Tender Lovin Lawn&Garden
26-09-2010, 07:29 PM
I was thinking more in the way of daily and weekly maintenance. Do you hose down the shaft of brushies, under the deck of the mower, clean out the filters etc. And how often you do these things. Certainly greasing things etc.

Blow the air filters daily, check oil level daily, change oil fortnightly, blades as required, thats what i do.

geoff
26-09-2010, 09:54 PM
paint scraper works fine at days end and even during the day,prevent the build up u would be surprised how the machine operates better without the build of crap .
filter blow gently with the air and blow the rest with compressed air...run down every day with wd especially the cables , in 20 years have never had a cable failure...wd brings the shine back and looks professional ..

GreenHaven
27-09-2010, 12:33 PM
Blow the air filters daily, check oil level daily, change oil fortnightly, blades as required, thats what i do.

your keen. fortnightly oil changes is slightly unnessary imo

i just blow equipment of a little with the compressor on friday check oils and air filters and blades and what not makes sure everythings where it should be. change oil and filters 3 monthly. usually have to clean airfilters weekly in summer time(soak the outer foam element in warm soapy water and ring it out and let dry and re oil and blow paper elemnt clean and reinstall) but winter time not so often.

you can get a hayne small engine manual if your unsure theyve got service requirements and whatnot for hondas and stuff

63impala
27-09-2010, 03:30 PM
Man thats one thing I have never done in check engine oil in a honda never had nothing bad has happened touch wood..

MOWON
30-09-2010, 01:12 PM
Man thats one thing I have never done in check engine oil in a honda never had nothing bad has happened touch wood..

Hi 63 Impala
What do you mean not checking oil in your honda????

I have seen your machines !!

Are you telling me they are clean on the outside only.
:safety:safety:safety
My machines are a bit green sometimes but all my plugs, filters, shaft greasing, etc are routine maintenance.
After seeing your fleet I thought to myself, nice maintained tools and programmed a better maintenance schedule for my fleet.

Now I find it's all exterior.

Just had a thought
With the price of oil etc going up is it worth changing oil every 2 weeks???
Cost of a new B/S or underpower Honda versus oil change for contractors is probably a waste of time.
A re powered 850 series B/S in Nz is about $450 (give or take)
So run the thing until it dies (except for filters might be an option)
Anyone worked this out yet ??
Cheers Mike

MOWON
30-09-2010, 01:29 PM
paint scraper works fine at days end and even during the day,prevent the build up u would be surprised how the machine operates better without the build of crap .
filter blow gently with the air and blow the rest with compressed air...run down every day with wd especially the cables , in 20 years have never had a cable failure...wd brings the shine back and looks professional ..

I am a bit embarrassed to say this (get a life)
But I wash and wax my machines (armourguard) and the green stuff has trouble sticking.
Lanolin is great on hedgetrimers
But some of my quotes tell me you can tell the type of job a contractor will do by the wAY HE/SHE MAINTAINS THEIR MACHINES.

Unless you are a newbie or a franchise whom always have new gear.
Message for INDE Newbie - cheap machines selling from new franchises who can't hack the pace.
Go Indes - We rule - Yahoo

MOWON
30-09-2010, 01:33 PM
Man thats one thing I have never done in check engine oil in a honda never had nothing bad has happened touch wood..

Hi 63 Impala
What do you mean not checking oil in your honda????

I have seen your machines !!

Are you telling me they are clean on the outside only.
:safety:safety:safety
My machines are a bit green sometimes but all my plugs, filters, shaft greasing, etc are routine maintenance.
After seeing your fleet I thought to myself, nice maintained tools and programmed a better maintenance schedule for my fleet.

Now I find it's all exterior.

Just had a thought
With the price of oil etc going up is it worth changing oil every 2 weeks???
Cost of a new B/S or underpower Honda versus oil change for contractors is probably a waste of time.
A re powered 850 series B/S in Nz is about $450 (give or take)
So run the thing until it dies (except for filters might be an option)
Anyone worked this out yet ??
Cheers Mike

63impala
30-09-2010, 04:14 PM
No people always go on about, Make sure you check your oil I never check It till I change it next....

Redeye
30-09-2010, 08:22 PM
your keen. fortnightly oil changes is slightly unnessary imo

i just blow equipment of a little with the compressor on friday check oils and air filters and blades and what not makes sure everythings where it should be. change oil and filters 3 monthly. usually have to clean airfilters weekly in summer time(soak the outer foam element in warm soapy water and ring it out and let dry and re oil and blow paper elemnt clean and reinstall) but winter time not so often.

you can get a hayne small engine manual if your unsure theyve got service requirements and whatnot for hondas and stuff

more than slightly, every few months

Tender Lovin Lawn&Garden
30-09-2010, 08:28 PM
i only have 2 honda self propelled in the wet season they do 35 to 40 hours a week each thats when i change oil fortnghtly in dry season probably monthly. my machines are not good at the moment though might have to go to specialist. At the end of the day no machine no work so look after your machines.

gcsmow
10-10-2010, 09:31 PM
paint scraper works fine at days end and even during the day,prevent the build up u would be surprised how the machine operates better without the build of crap .
filter blow gently with the air and blow the rest with compressed air...run down every day with wd especially the cables , in 20 years have never had a cable failure...wd brings the shine back and looks professional ..

Wow! I have broken 3 throttle cables on my Toro ZTR (one under warranty) and it has only just over 500 hrs on the clock. I now keep a spare one with me in the ute just in case. My Hustler by comparison has done nearly 1000 hrs and still on it's original throttle cable and PTO Clutch. I spoke to another contractor who has a Toro like mine and he has done 2 throttle cables.