Machinery maintenance to do before spring

These are some of the key maintenance checks you need to make before you get busy this spring.

Open the hood and look for signs of birds, mice, or rats which like to build nests inside mowers and tractors.

ATV

■ Check oil levels every time you ride. Oil that looks milky has water in it and should be drained and replaced. Replace oil every 3-5 months as it naturally deteriorates.

■ Check tyre pressures every time you ride. ATV tyres need to be at 3-4psi and should come with a meter specially calibrated to measure low tyre pressures. Don’t trust a car tyre pressure meter as it won’t be accurate enough.

■ Use a high-pressure hose to clean your ATV but don’t aim at the radiator or engine area. To clean the brake pads/ discs, roll the bike forward to allow debris to fall out, then wash out again. Leave it to dry before using.

■ Regularly check the CV boots. These rubber covers protect the axle’s CV joint from water and mud, so it’s clean and covered in grease. It’s much cheaper to replace a nearly worn boot than to let it split and have to repair or replace a CV joint/s.

■ Check the filters. The air filter can often be washed with soap, then rinsed and dried. The oil filter will need to be replaced once a year or more, depending on use.

■ Check the battery leads for tightness and corrosion.

■ Check grease nipples twice a year. Refer to your ATVs manual for reference points.

■ Look for signs of leaks on the inside of the engine, an early sign of gasket failure.

■ Replace spark plugs twice a year.

■ Test the brakes often, at a slow speed at the start of a ride. Check the brake pads and shoes every six months. Replace immediately if worn down excessively. Lubricate brake cables and check brake fluid levels.

■ Check the radiator fluid, and look for leaks. The radiator will require cleaning but this should be done carefully, so you don’t force dirt, air or liquid into it.

■ Inspect cables and levers regularly for debris build-up. Check your ATVs manual for the appropriate points to lubricate.

RIDE-ON MOWER

■ Open the hood/housing every time you use it and look for signs of birds, mice or rat nests, especially in spring. If you find one, check hoses and wiring for signs of damage.

■ Clean under the deck after every use so dried clippings don’t build up.

■ Inspect the deck, belts and blades and lubricate where necessary. Look in the owner’s manual for the lubrication points and the type of lubrication to apply.

■ Hold one end of each blade and see if you can rock them. If they move, this should be investigated, as it may indicate worn bearings or a loose fitting.

■ Replace any belts that look worn.

■ Check the battery every month or so. Top it up, clean the terminals and tighten the clips.

■ Blades need regular sharpening. Check the owner manual for how to disengage the blades and the correct angle for sharpening.

■ Check tyres for wear and pressure. Incorrect tyre pressure will affect the cutting technique and quality.