The spark plug of a lawnmower is arguably the engine and the most important piece inside the equipment. The lawnmower will experience a drastic drop in performance when the spark plug is worn out, therefore requiring more effort and power to create an adequate spark. Manufacturers recommend frequent maintenance to keep the lawnmower working in perfect condition. But how do you maintain the spark plug without knowing where it is? Where is the lawn mower spark plug, and how do you keep it in good condition, keep reading to find out.
The two popular types of lawnmowers are walk-behind and riding lawn mowers. If you’re using either, then locate the spark plug near the front of the engine. However, if you happen to be using the zero-turn lawn mower, the spark plug can be found near the back of the engine. To remove the spark plug, you’ll need a couple of tools in your arsenal. These are the Wrench and spark plug socket or regular socket, and spark plug gap gauge.
Walk-Behind Mowers and How to Locate their Spark Plug
The walk-behind mowers are arguably the most popular. Trusted by many homeowners across the world, they are used for commercial and private use.
For example, a walk-behind mower is the best option for wide areas and is preferred by landscape contractors. They are fast, compact, and can be easily stored, notwithstanding their size.
Walk-behind mowers are also the best option for small areas that cannot accommodate riding equipment, such as your small lawn.
The spark plug plays the most vital role in the engine. It can be found near the front of the engine. The engines vary in power and output, and they may affect how the fuse delivers on its functions.
For example, a residential 22-inch lawn mower has an engine that is between 163-cc to 190-cc while wide-cut mowers are from 223-cc to 337-cc. Higher-rated engines are faster and provide better performance when compared to the rest.
They are also the preferred option when mowing tough grass, however, higher engines rating are not always necessary, especially when you’re mowing a residential area with smaller lawns.
Always make sure you consider the function of the mower before making a purchase. This will eliminate extra weight.
However, higher-rated engines are useful for removing tall weeds from encroaching on the lawn. So, consider your lawn and the surroundings before buying your mower.
Bigger engines are not just that. These massive engines also come with other advantages including spin-on filters, and grease fittings among others.
However, because of their speed, you may need to be on your toes when working. Make sure you’re holding it tightly to avoid accidents and poor performance.
Walk-behind mowers can be divided into cylinder, rotary, push, self-propelled, and hover mower.
Cylinder mowers are similar to scissors and are best suited for cutting flat lawns. However, they are less common and getting replacement parts is difficult.
Rotary mowers are more common and capable of cutting medium to long grasses. They are also affordable and users can get their parts from anywhere.
Push mowers are manual machines that require the user to physically move the mower around. They are popular and inexpensive.
Self-propelled mowers on the other hand, do not need manual push as they are self-propelled with a transmission that moves the mower forward.
Advantages of a walk-behind mower
You can easily locate the spark plug of a walk-behind mower, although you will need some important tools if you want to remove it for maintenance or replacement.
Notwithstanding the weight of some of these mowers, walk-behind mowers are easily maneuverable and versatile. They are also durable, meaning homeowners will get extended value for money.
They also have good traction and productivity. The switch from belt-driven to hydraulics-powered mowers has drastically improved the performance and reliability of the walk-behind mowers.
Other Advantages include:
Dealer support
Being one of the oldest types of mowers, the walk-in mower can easily be fixed by all types of repairmen and is also easy to maintain. It doesn’t require complex tools and processes to fix each problem.
Manufacturers are always happy to attend to any complaint, especially when it involves the plug. However, problems with the spark plug are rare and can be fixed by yourself, with only a few tools.
But if you’re concerned about quick customer support, then you want to buy the walk-behind mower. Nevertheless, you want to check the warranty on the product. A good product should have at least one year warranty.
Fuel Efficiency
Propane and EFI reduce the operating cost of a mower. Homeowners have noticed a drastic reduction in the consumption of fuel by these mowers.
This means you no longer have to spend as much as before to keep the engine working. However, every piece of the machine needs to be working properly, especially the spark plug.
The fuel consumption might increase once the plug is worn out, and that would put more pressure on the fuel. Nevertheless, the fuel consumption drops significantly when you upgrade to a walk-behind mower with a good spark plug.
Technological Advancement
Manufacturers keep adding new features and parts to the walk-behind mower to ensure that it meets modern-day demands.
These technological advancements reduce the demand on the plug and enhance the functionality of the other parts of the mower, making grass-cutting more efficient and faster. However, higher technology means a higher price.
Ease of Maintenance
As a mechanical product, it’ll require frequent greasing, maintenance, and parts replacement. For a newbie, any of these can be a tedious process, but because walk-behind mowers have easily accessible parts, homeowners can easily maintain the mower and replace worn-out parts by themselves.
For example, the spark plug is located near the engine so owners can quickly locate it, adjust, and replace it when necessary. Notwithstanding, we don’t advise owners to temper with the mower without the necessary knowledge and caution.
If you’re a newbie and can’t find your way around the product, consult the manufacturer’s manual or contact the dealer. This guarantees quality repair and leaves your warranty intact.
Ride-on Mowers And Where To Locate Their Spark Plug
Ride-on mowers are good for mowing large expanses of lawns. They are designed with a seat for the driver and a steering that allows the user to steer the equipment in different directions. A ride-on mower is mostly used for industrial purposes. It provides a more enjoyable and faster means to mow.
The spark plug is located in the front of the engine. It can be identified with the round hole in the plastic blower housing.
A ride-on mower is divided into a lawn tractor, zero-turn mower, and the rear engine riding mower.
The lawn tractor is really efficient but expensive. They range between $1000 to $3000 with horsepower between 18 to 25. However, they are not easily maneuvered.
The rear engine riding mower has a horsepower between 10 and 11 and is suitable for smaller lawns. If you want to mow a larger area, then you’ll need a bigger mower like the zero turn mower.
Zero-turn Lawn Mower And Where To Locate Their Spark Plug
A zero-turn mower has its deck at the front and a turning radius of zero inches. It comes in different variants: two wheels, four wheels, or with two swiveling wheels.
The zero-turn mower is notorious for entering into tight spaces because of its smaller size. The spark plug of a zero-turn mower can be located near the back of the engine. Other advantages include:
Versatility
The zero-turn mower can be used on all types of lawns, small and big. It also features alternative energy sources. You can either use fuel or electricity.
While electricity is a preferable option, and enticing too, you should consider the battery life for extended mowing.
Maneuverability
Zero-turn mowers are equipped with dual-wheel motors to enable quick and high maneuverability. Another great advantage is that homeowners can control one wheel at a time, thereby, enabling them to drive the mower in a particular direction easily.
This level of Maneuverability makes it the perfect option for homeowners with tight spaces and smaller lawns.
Faster Mowing
Are you short on time? then the zero-turn mower is your best option. It is fast and efficient. It is very fast and covers a large expanse of space in a short time.
This reduces the mowing time, and homeowners can simply go about their day faster. Mowing time is determined by several factors including the size of the lawn and mower.
Since zero-turn mowers have high maneuverability, users can easily find their way around obstacles. You can also change the direction faster by controlling only one wheel at a time.
Lesser Fuel Consumption
Because you mow faster, the fuel consumption rate is slower and efficient. However, zero-turn lawn mowers are more expensive. But you’ll be getting your money back as you spend less money on fuel compared to your neighbor.
Power Mowers And Where To Locate Their Spark Plug
Power mowers come in different types. The one you choose will depend on your needs and preference. These are gas, electric, battery, and manual powered mowers.
They are efficient at mowing any type of lawn. The spark plug of a powered mower is located at the front of the engine.
Manual mowers are quiet with a limited engine. However, they have no momentum and rely on the user’s momentum.
The electric mowers on the other hand, are powered by electricity and have a cord that runs to a socket. They are lightweight and cheap. But the cord presents a limitation as you’d need a longer cord to mow larger areas.
Gas mowers are also popular because of their high efficiency. They cut grass faster and are not limited by a cord, like the electric mower.
If you own one, then you can mow as far and wide as you desire. However, a gas mower pollutes the air, requires regular maintenance and is expensive.
Battery powered mowers are becoming popular because of their numerous advantages. Unrestricted by a cable, users can now wide areas without having to worry about fuel. However, they run out of battery after about an hour and will require recharging.
Drive Mowers And Where To Locate Their Spark Plug
Drive mowers are divided into the rear wheel drive, front wheel drive, and all wheel drive. Depending on the engine type, the spark plug is usually located on the front and left side of the engine.
How to change lawn mower spark plug
Manufacturers recommend changing the plug of your lawnmower after every 100 hours of use. This is required for maximum performance and lower fuel consumption.
But how do you change a spark plug, and how do you know it is time to change the plug? keep reading to find out.
- The first step is to disconnect the spark plug for a thorough check. If you begin to experience a slower work rate, the plug should be the first thing you check.
- If you’re using a walk-behind or riding mower, locate it near the front of the engine, while the zero-turn can be located near the back of the engine.
- If you can’t find the plug, then consult your manufacturer’s manual or an experienced professional. Avoid yanking on random wires.
- The plug can be identified by a thick short wire.
- Look out for a cylindrical protrusion from the engine.
- To remove the plug, you’ll need a plug wrench. Turn it counterclockwise to loosen it before removing it.
- But how do you know that it is damaged and needs replacing? check the tip for any oily deposit, baked-on carbon, or soot. These are indications that the plug either needs to be cleaned or replaced.
The tip of the plug can be cleaned with alcohol and an old toothbrush. However, we do not recommend cleaning and reusing a spark plug as it can be replaced for as low as $5.
To buy a spark plug, you’ll need the code number on the plug so you can find the exact match.
Conclusively, the spark plug of a lawnmower is located around the engine. However, a walk-behind and riding mower has its plug located near the front of the engine, while the zero-turn has it behind the engine.
