Mow This! 3 Steps to Starting your Tractor

A sure sign of summer is when your neighbors catch you out in the back yard and start up a friendly conversation. Just the other day my neighbor said to me, “Hey, Richardson, could you mow your lawn? I can’t find my dog.” It was a strange way to start a conversation, but it got me to thinking; maybe I should take our dog for a walk. But there was no time for that, I needed to take the old John Deere lawn tractor out for a post-winter test drive. If you’re thinking of doing the same thing here’s three easy steps to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

Step 1 – Survey the deterioration

I flipped the latch on the shed and pushed the doors open. I hadn’t opened the shed since we shoveled the last bit of snow off the driveway and forgot that the doors don’t stay open.

Step 2 – Get the first aid kit

After patching up the door shaped wound on my head I went back to get the John Deere out of the shed.

Step 3 – Fix flat tire

I had a heck of time dragging my tractor out of the shed because of the flat front tire. When those tires are flat they do not roll.

Step 4 – Change the oil

It’s a good idea to change the oil before you start the mowing season. The old Briggs and Stratton may be a solid piece of American made machinery, but when the oil dries up she doesn’t just complain, she shuts down.

Step 5 – Go to the store and get the oil and oil filter

You knew you needed to do this, so you really should have bought this stuff ahead of time. Nevertheless…

Step 6 – Drain the old oil

Start draining the old oil by pulling the plug off the oil pan.

Step 7 – Clean up the oil spill

Before you drain the oil you should put a bucket under the oil pan. Clean up the oil spill with saw dust, cat litter, or something you can buy from the store that cleans up oil spills. Once the pan is full safely dispose of old oil. (Side note: Google search Exxon, or BP, for more information on cleaning up oil spills).

Step 8 – Put in new oil

It’s a whole lot easier to pour that oil through a funnel so I highly suggest using one. Don’t use the same funnel you use for cooking, but if you find you have no choice make sure you wash it thoroughly and return it to its place before anyone finds out you used it.

By the way, did you notice how dark the old oil was and clear the new oil is? That means you should change the oil more often. A good rule of thumb is; change your oil for every other time your neighbors call a neighborhood association meeting to force you to mow your lawn. This should only be twice a year.

Step 9 – Clean up new oil spill

If you forgot to put the oil pan plug in and you actually did properly dispose of the old oil chances are you have a new puddle of oil in your drive way. Clean that up using the methods in step 7.

Step 10 – Check the blades

I cannot stress enough that the blades should really not be moving when you check them. Mower blades tend to be very sharp and when they move at high speeds it’s reasonable to assume that you’re going to lose something vital.

Step 11 – Remove the mower deck

On the remote chance that you hit a rock or stump last year you might have to remove the blades and sharpen them, or if the blades are cracked, or inexplicably missing large chunks of metal you’ll need to replace them. Removing the deck is really quite simple just undo the belt from one of the three pulleys in the reverse order that it was installed, remove the cotter pins from the five connecting positions located on either side and front of the tractor, and undo the throttle control. Seriously, a child could do it.

Step 12 – Install the new blades

Just do step 11 backwards. Seriously, a child could do it.

Step 13 – Start up the tractor

You’ll need the key. Go back in the house and get it.

Step 14 – Start up the tractor

A tractor that’s been sitting for the winter needs a little love to start. Put the choke on and turn the key. Throttle down, but not all the way, she’ll stall out. Ease the throttle back up, but not too much, she’ll stall out. Once you’ve got the throttle all the way up to the running bunny symbol you’re good to go. Engage the blades, but not if you’re still in the drive way. You’ll be amazed at all the rocks you didn’t see suddenly flying through the air and head straight for every one of your neighbor’s windows facing your house. Remember the old Briggs & Stratton is American made. When those blades move, they mean it.

Step 15 – Take a break

Hey, you’ve worked hard getting the Old John Deere up and running for the summer. Kick back, drink something refreshing, and you can mow the lawn tomorrow. Unless tomorrow is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. In that case you can mow the lawn next weekend.

Happy Mowing!