Best lawn tool repair specialists near Truth Or Consequences, NM

A standard home lawn mower with sharp blades can handle a thin layer of leaves without issue. You may need to make a couple of passes within several days to mulch leaves down, but your mower shouldn’t struggle. If your mower comes with a mulching kit, like an attachment to blow leaves out the side, that’s a good sign it’s ready for fall leaves. Set your mower to the highest or near-highest height for this project so it focuses on the leaves rather than the grass below.

Yes, you can tip a lawn mower on its side as long as you turn it with the carburetor side upwards. This prevents oil from leaking into the carburetor and reducing performance. You can also tip the mower backward as long as it's stable while you're working on the deck or blades for safety.

Whether it is cheaper to repair or replace your lawn mower depends on the specific issue, the mower's age, and the potential costs. The cost to replace a lawn mower can range from $60 for basic models to over $15,000 for high-end ones. In contrast, small repairs like a spark plug replacement can be as little as $20. However, more significant repairs, such as a damaged crankshaft ($500-$900) or a blown engine, can cost hundreds of dollars. Some people follow a 'three-year rule,' opting to replace mowers older than three years rather than repair them. For a clear decision, it's best to consult a lawn mower repair technician who can assess the damage and provide an accurate quote.

Sometimes dark smoke trailing out of your lawn mower is the result of excess oil. It smokes as it burns off. Other times, it could signal a problem with the combustion or contaminated fuel. If changing the fuel and cleaning your mower doesn’t help, call a professional (especially if the smoke is white).