Garden Tool Care and Maintenance.

Cleaned, sharpened and serviced tools always work better!

Petrol and Electric Mowers.

Always disconnect from the power socket or remove the sparkplug etc when working on or maintaining a garden mower. To store petrol mowers over winter, remember to drain / run down the fuel. Change the machine oil ready for spring, making sure that the level is topped up.
Remove any of the grass and soil from the underside rollers, blades and ideally also from the grass boxes using a stiff brush and then use hose to finish things off.

Apply some grease to the height adjusters and turn them slightly to prevent them from seizing up. If the blades of any rotary mower are chipped or blunt, look to have them sharpened and balanced by a servicer. Remember: Cylinder mower blades are best sharpened professionally.

Tool sharpening.

Take time to look at your tools which are likely to have become blunt from use so their cutting edges will need to be sharpened. Most of your tools can be sharpened yourself using the likes of a fine metal blade / sharpening stone, though any damaged or very badly worn blades will need replacing or professionally sharpened. If you have any doubts about how to carry out the repairs consult your local servicer.

Avoid tools rusting by attending to your tools regulary. Once you have finished with maintenance on your tools, remember to wipe them down with an oily rag before storing.
For your bare wooden handles look to use boiled linseed oil. Rub the oil on with a rag and then allow the wood to absorb the first coat before applying more oil. This will prevent them from drying out and splintering during storage.

Do not leave tools outside! Not only will keeping them in proper storage keep unnecessary moisture away from your tools and increase their lifetime, it will also protect your valuable tools from theft. With just a little effort and some of your time your garden tools will be in tip-top shape for the Spring and Summer months and indeed, for many years to come. Even tools that have been neglected can be nursed back into shape. Cleaner and well maintained tools with no doubt be easier to use and make gardening more enjoyable!