How Long Do Lawn Mowers Last? Life Expectancy & Signs

When buying a lawn mower, you need to consider quality and durability, as it is a product that is supposed to last you for some time. As mowing your lawn is a frequent chore you have to do, it’s better to invest in a high-quality product that will have a long lifespan.

However, you shouldn’t assume that your lawn mower will have a long lifespan just because it’s expensive. You’ll need to take care of it properly and practice regular maintenance to keep it functioning as long as possible.

Check out the rest of our article, as we will go over everything you need to know about the lifespan of lawnmowers.

The life expectancy of lawnmowers

The average life expectancy of your lawn mower will depend on various factors, such as the brand, usage, size, and maintenance. A well-maintained lawn mower can last over 10 years. However, if you neglect proper care and abuse your lawn mower, the life expectancy will decrease to anywhere between 2 to 5 years.

That shows you how essential maintenance is and that you should adequately take care of your lawn mower if you want to expand its lifespan.

Factors that will determine the lifespan of your lawn mower

As mentioned earlier, various factors will determine your lawn mower’s lifespan, so check them out below.

Quality

You’ll always find both expensive and cheap options when looking to purchase a lawn mower. Although buying a more affordable version might seem like a good idea to save some money, you need to be aware that a lower price typically means that the quality of that machine is not top-notch. Therefore, you could experience frequent breakdowns and other issues that would result in high repair costs.

Of course, expensive lawn mowers are not always better and cannot guarantee a longer lifespan. Still, you can research before the purchase to find a product with high-quality materials and a balance between its price and performance.

Environment

Environmental issues can significantly affect the lifespan of your lawn mower. When you’re using it in an environmentally challenging location, such as areas close to the sea or a rainy or humid area, your lawn mower will be more prone to rust. On the other hand, if the place where you live is too hot, the plastic parts of your lawn mower could quickly wear out.

Usage amount

The usage amount is one of the most crucial factors in determining how long your lawn mower lasts. The majority of manufacturers measure the life expectancy of their lawn mowers in hours of usage. That way, you can convert the expected usage hours into the actual lifespan based on the weekly/hourly usage amount.

Basically, the life expectancy of a lawn mower will be lower for people who use their lawn mowers more frequently than other consumers.

Maintenance

Like every other product, lawn mowers need proper maintenance to last longer. Whenever you notice a malfunction on your lawn mower, you should react quickly and resolve the issue to increase functionality and performance and prolong the lifespan of your lawn mower.

Damaged small components can easily lead to more significant issues, so maintenance is key for everything to run smoothly. It’s typically undemanding and inexpensive as long as you perform it regularly.

Fuel

If you have a gas-operated lawn mower, you need to consider the gas you will use for it. You should avoid poor-quality gas, as it could lower the lifespan of the lawn mower. High-quality gas might be more expensive, but is worth it in the long run because it will make your lawn mower last much longer.

Oil

Another thing that will significantly impact your lawn mower’s lifespan is the oil you’ll use. Various components of lawn mowers require adequate lubrication, and if the oil is low-quality, there could be insufficient lubrication, leading to a lot of friction between the parts.

Also, low-quality oil could lead to your engine overheating and breaking down quickly. Most lawn mower manufacturers provide a guide where you’ll be able to see oil-related recommendations. Other than using adequate oil, you need to remember to frequently change it as it can collect dirt and debris.

Spark plug and battery

You’ll need to use the correct spark plug and battery to avoid any malfunctions with your lawn mower. The specs for both components should match your manufacturer’s guidelines. When it comes to the battery, you should charge it a couple of times during winter to increase its lifespan. As for the spark plug, frequently clean it to avoid problems, and replace it if cleaning is no longer possible.

Filters and fuel system

You should also remember to regularly service the filters and the fuel system. A clean and well-functioning fuel system is essential for good performance and engine health. Frequently check all components to ensure there’s no damage, and everything is up to date.

Blades

The blades on your lawn mower should always be sharp to provide good cutting results. Keep them in good shape and sharpen or replace them when needed.

How to expand the lifespan of your lawn mower

There are a couple of tips and tricks that will help you expand the lifespan of your mower by at least a year or two.

Invest in a quality product

Ensure that the lawn mower you’re buying has decent quality and performance. That will be a smart investment as you won’t have to worry about frequent repairs and high repair costs.

Use good fuel

A quality lawn mower needs quality fuel to function properly. Although high-quality fuel typically costs more, it will be the extra buck that will save you money in the long run.

Frequently change the oil

You should use a high-quality oil that you need to change frequently, based on your manufacturer manual. Don’t change the oil before the tank gets empty, as it could spill and cause damage.

Clean or replace the filters

Commonly, lawn mowers have two or three filters that need regular cleaning or replacement to allow your lawn mower to perform well. It’s an inexpensive job, but it will keep your lawn mower in good shape.

Sharpen the blade

A sharp blade is crucial for your lawn mower to cut your lawn correctly. That’s why you should sharpen it routinely, possibly around three times per cutting season. Of course, you might need more frequent sharpening if you use the mower daily.

Clean the mower

Most lawn mowers have a washable part that you can wash out to get rid of grass cuttings caught up inside. Even if there’s no washable part in your mower, you should clean the bottom of any grass and debris that might get stuck inside.

Signs you need to purchase a new lawn mower

1. Engine or transmission issues

If you’re experiencing engine or transmission issues with your lawn mower, it’s likely that the repair costs would be too expensive and, therefore, not worth it. When such things happen, it’s better to invest in a new lawn mower that will perform better and last you more than a repaired one.

2. Damaged crankshaft

When mowing, your lawn mower can easily hit a rock or another hard object that could damage your crankshaft. A damaged crankshaft can lead to your mower becoming unresponsive, and the blade could bend, which would mean your lawn mower will no longer function. As this is another costly repair, instead of repairing the lawn mower, investing in a new one is a much better choice.

3. No warranty

Most new lawn mowers have a warranty that will cover any damages for at least a couple of years after you purchase them. If your lawn mower suffers from mechanical damage, always check the warranty to see if it covers those costs. However, if the warranty doesn’t include repair costs, it might be time to purchase a new lawn mower.

4. Constant breakdowns

If your lawn mower is frequently experiencing breakdowns, it’s not worth going through all repairs as the issue could occur even after the repair process. In such cases, a new lawn mower would be a wise investment.

5. You want a better machine

At some point in your life, you might simply want a better lawn mower, so if that’s the case, it’s always good to purchase an upgraded version that will make your mowing experience easier. If your old lawn mower is still functioning, you can sell it to cover some of the costs for the new mower.

Final thoughts

If you take good care of your lawn mower, it should serve you for the next 10 years. Try to keep up regular maintenance and clean the mower frequently to increase its lifespan. Also, it would be helpful to follow our tips and tricks that will help your lawn mower last even longer.

Featured Image Credit: kikatani, Pixabay