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Summer is here, and that means your mower’s about to see a lot more action. A little prep now keeps your Kubota running smooth all season long.
Get Your Mower Ready
Here’s a simple checklist to help you knock it out fast.
1. Check the Blades
Dull blades don’t cut, they rip. That leaves your lawn looking ragged and stressed, and it opens the door to pests and disease. Take a close look at your mower blades. If the edges are rounded, chipped, or nicked, it’s time to sharpen or replace them.
Most homeowners should sharpen blades after about 25 hours of mowing. Commercial users should do it even more often. Use a blade balancer to make sure everything spins evenly, or bring it in to us and we’ll take care of it.
Pro tip: Keep a spare set of sharpened blades on hand to make mid-season swaps a breeze.
2. Change the Oil
Fresh oil means a cooler, better-performing engine. If it’s been a while, now’s the time to drain the old oil, pop in a new filter, and refill per your Kubota manual.
Not sure what oil to use? Give us a call, we’ve got the right type in stock.
3. Clean (or Replace) the Air Filter
Dirty oil clogs up internal engine parts and leads to overheating. Check your oil with the dipstick. If it looks dark or gritty, don’t wait. Change it.
Change the oil after the first 5-10 hours on a new engine, then every 50 hours after that, or at least once a season. Swap in a new oil filter each time. Use oil that matches your Kubota manual. Not sure what you need? Call us or swing by. We stock the right oil and filters for every Kubota model.
Fresh oil reduces friction and helps your engine run smoother, and longer.
4. Inspect Belts and Battery
Look over all belts for cracking, fraying, or stretching. Belts transfer engine power to the cutting deck or transmission, so they’re doing a lot of work. Worn belts can snap mid-job, bringing your mow to a halt.
Next, move to the battery. Corroded terminals? Clean them with a wire brush and a mix of baking soda and water. If the battery uses water, top it off with distilled. Make sure it’s holding a charge, most mower batteries last 3-5 years.
5. Top Off Fluids and Fuel
Start with the gas tank. If fuel’s been sitting for more than 30 days, drain it and refill with fresh gas. Add a fuel stabilizer if you plan to go more than a few weeks between mows.
Then check the rest: hydraulic fluid (especially on front mounts and tractors), coolant (if liquid-cooled), and transmission oil. Inspect these every 50 hours. Follow your Kubota manual for correct fluid levels and types.
Clean fluids keep everything running cooler and more reliably in the Texas heat.
Which Mowers Does This Apply To?
All of them. Every mower Bobby Ford Tractor & Equipment carries can benefit from this summer prep. That includes:
No matter which model you run, the basics still apply. Sharpen the blades. Change the oil. Keep the air flowing and the belts tight. These steps help every mower perform better and last longer.
What Happens if You Skip These Steps?
Ignoring mower maintenance now can turn into big headaches later. Dull blades can shred grass, leaving it weak and brown. Skipping oil changes? That can wear out your engine faster than you think.
A dirty air filter chokes performance and burns more fuel. Old belts can snap mid-mow. Corroded battery terminals might stop your mower from starting at all. And stale gas? That can clog up your carburetor and lead to costly repairs.
Bottom line: a little time now saves you money, hassle, and downtime later.
Check out our Kubota maintenance schedule for more info.
Need Help? We’re Here.
Getting your mower ready doesn’t have to be a chore. But if you’d rather let a pro handle it, the team at Bobby Ford Tractor and Equipment is always ready to help.
We service all Kubota models and we stock the filters, fluids, and parts you need. Stop by our Angleton location or give us a call to book a tune-up today!
The content on this site reflects my own opinions and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of my employer or Kubota Tractor Corporation.