Once summer is in full swing, we have to keep taking out our zero turn mowers to get our yards in shape. All that sun and heat can take its toll on both operators and machines. Outdoor work can be tough during the summer but that doesn’t mean your lawn mower has to pay the price of it. Overheating is something you want to avoid as it can land you with a high repair bill. Not only can it cost you a lot to get your mower working again, it will also mean waiting to make sure your lawn doesn’t look unkempt. There are a number of different reasons that contribute to overheating!

At Four Brothers Outdoor Power, we know you can beat the heat with the right information and avoid any operating delays or problems. Read on to know how to deal with overheating and when you want to check out zero turn mowers for sale in Royse City or Terrell, Texas, contact our sales department for more information. 

Lawn mowers can overheat due to a number of different reasons, from the weather down to the state of the grass and even because of the way you use them. Here are a few common causes of mowers overheating.

Engine Oil and Filter

One very common reason behind the overheating of mowers is low or old engine oil, which can harm a mower beyond just overheating. Without adequate lubrication, the moving parts face additional friction, which leads to more heat and even worn-out parts. Make sure you keep to a maintenance schedule to ensure engine oil is in proper condition and at the right levels. Simply check it as you would your car, replacing oil and filters as necessary.

Blocked Cooling Fins

Your lawn mower is equipped with cooling fins, which let the heat radiate off the engine. Another common issue behind overheating is blocked cooling fins, which are the small fins you’ll notice milled into the engine housing next to the spark plug. Sometimes grass clippings or debris can get caught between these fins, which then traps all the heat in the engine. Clear the fins to cool down the engine. 

Blocked Cutting Deck

The cutting deck is usually the widest part of your mower and beneath it are your blades. Sometimes the cutting deck can get overloaded with clippings and debris, which can cause strain to the engine as it tries to put the jammed blades to work. Simply check the engine (after turning the mower off!) or deck and make sure there’s no debris stuck in there. 

General Engine Issues

One way to cause overheating problems is to try and get your machine to do more work than it was built to handle. Another cause behind overheating of mowers is grass that retains a lot of the moisture, heavier grass types or brush that isn’t suitable for your mower model. Not only can these reasons make your machine heat up, they can also exacerbate things on a particularly hot day. 

Sometimes, the only sign of lawn mower overheating is the machine simply locking up or shutting off. If the engine has been overworked continuously, it might need a professional tuneup. If you notice that there doesn’t seem to be any external cause behind the overheating, it might be time for some expert service. 

We hope these tips will help you increase the uptime of your machine as well as its lifespan! If you’re faced with mower issues you can’t handle, get in touch with us at Four Brothers Outdoor Power for professional mower service and repair. When you want to check out zero turn mowers for sale in Royse City or Terrell, Texas, contact us for more information. We’re proud to be the preferred zero turn mower dealer for our friends from Garland and Canton!