How to Lubricate Lawn Mower Wheels in 8 Steps

Whether you own a landscaping company or you have a small patch a grass, your lawn mower needs a bit of maintenance every so often. Lubricating the wheels can make a massive difference to increase speed, prevent smoke, and increase the overall longevity of your mower.

To lubricate lawn mower wheels, start by removing them, using a grease gun, then do the same for the wheel bearings. Next, grease the spindles, then consider using dry graphite spray to remove fine particles. Follow this process twice per year for the best results.

Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info about how to lubricate mower wheels:

• The step-by-step process to remove and grease your mower’s wheels
• Why it’s crucial that you lubricate a lawn mower regularly
• Additional tips to make your lawn care machines run smoothly

Quick Suggestion: You might not have all of the tools to get the job done, but you can find them in-store or online. If you don’t have the right type of mower wheel lubricant, check out the best lawn mower grease offered by Amazon. You can add it to a grease gun or use it with your hands, it’s up to you.

Remove the Wheels

Did you know that rusted, dull wheels are one of the main causes of smokey engines? Lubricating the wheels of your lawnmower is a crucial and necessary aspect of its maintenance. It ensures your machine keeps performing just like the day you first bought it.

Lubrication reduces friction between the parts facilitating efficient movement by protecting the wheels against corrosion, abrasion, and increasing the waterproofing resistance.

However, you need to consult the operator’s manual for the type of grease recommended for your lawnmower before performing any lubrication tasks.

Manuals contain information concerning mower maintenance, and they also detail the type suitable for your mower. Use your model engine number to access information if you are searching for the user manual online.

The following are guidelines to be followed when removing the wheel of your lawnmower. For specific steps regarding your mower model, refer to the manufacturer’s user manual.

Removing a Push Mower’s Wheels

1. Begin by unplugging your power supply.
2. Underneath the front edge, gently raise the mower and place a brick or plank of wood. Do the same for the rear wheels if you want to detach them.
3. Using a hand or a screwdriver, detach the hubcap. If you miss a screw in the center of the wheel, the hubcap is probably covering it.
4. Remove the center screw by rotating it anticlockwise by using a socket wrench.
5. Using pliers or hands, remove the washer located under the screw if your mower has it.

Removing a Riding Mower’s Wheels

1. Position the mower on a flat surface like the driveway. Carefully disconnect the power cord from the battery.
2. Under the wheels you want to change, place the mower lifter. Apply pressure to the mower lifter until it makes a 90-degree angle with the ground, then lock the pins attached to the lifter.
3. Using hand gloves, rotate the plastic cap mounted on the center of the wheel anticlockwise. Some mowers lack this cap.
4. Remove the cotter pin using pliers or a screwdriver and remove the washer located underneath.
5. Pull the washer outwards underneath the pin, and remove it.

For more information, check out Mowers Boy’s guide.

Using a Grease Gun

According to Advanced Engine Tech, using a grease gun can completely change the way you clean your mower. To use a grease gun, follow these steps:

1. To begin greasing, turn the head of the grease gun counterclockwise to unscrew and pull it off.
2. Locate the plunger rod at the bottom of the barrel and pull it away from the gun.
3. Lock the plunger by pushing down the release latch.
4. Proceed to pull the plastic tables off each side of a No.2 all-purpose cartridge of grease and insert it at the top of the gun’s barrel, then replace the head and release the latch.
5. Press the grease gun coupler onto the fitting and begin the grease flow by gently pressing the handle.

Lubricate the Wheel Bearings

If your mower has wheel bearings, make sure to lubricate them after every 25 hours of use to protect them from wear. Always review the safety instruction on your user manual before undertaking any mower maintenance procedure. The zerks make it easy to apply grease to the internal bearings. Use your grease gun and pump in some until you see a little bit of it come out of the fitting, then wipe off the excess.

Grease the Spindles

The spindles are the posts to which the blades are attached and around which it spins during operation. Depending on the manufacturer of your lawnmower, it may have one or more spindles. The spindles that require lubrication include the cutting spindles and the front axle spindles. To apply it, try the following steps:

1. Park the lawn mower on a hard, flat surface and turn off the ignition to allow the mower to cool down for about 10 minutes.
2. Lower the mower deck to the lowest setting to permit you to access the grease fittings easily. The grease fittings are on the back of the spindles. The front axle spindles are the easiest to locate. The grease fittings are on the rear side of the left and right sides of the spindle.
3. Locate each zerk fittings on the cutting spindles of the mower. For each spindle, there is a nipple-shaped zerk metal fitting on the front.
4. Clean the zerk fittings of any dirt, debris, or grease using a clean cloth
5. Use a lever-action gun for lubrication. Insert the gun tip over each zerk fitting and press downward. Refer to your user manual to understand where the grease gun goes in. 
6. Proceed to push the plunger gradually inward to fill each joint with grease while holding the barrel with one hand.
7. To effectively grease your spindles, fill up the grease until you see it come out on the other side of the spindle. A fitting is full when it overflows out of it.
8. Pull off the tip of the gun, then use a rag to clean off the excess grease.
9. Repeat this procedure on each spindle.

Use Dry Graphite Spray

Dry graphite is a lubricant to be used where dust and dirt are a problem in mowers. The reason is that it doesn’t leave a sticky residue that may later attract dust particles.

The graphite is combined with fast evaporating solvents for ease of use and packaged into a spray can. This liquid solvent evaporates quickly and leaves a powdery graphite deposit on the lubricated area.

Dry graphite spray also has a high heat and pressure tolerance. Its use is purely a convenience when it comes to lawnmowers.

Investigate Additional Causes

Always clean your mower after use to remove dirt and debris that may collect while mowing. Use a garden hose and spray the mower deck on each side. It will prevent the mower from damage and ensure that it functions properly and lasts longer.

Lubricate the Rest of the Mower

Lubricate the other parts of the mower, such as the deck lift pedal and all the fittings simultaneously. Your mower will last much longer if you keep it greased and ready to go.

Perform the Process Regularly

Performing mower maintenance goes a long way in ensuring the longevity of your equipment. Change your oil and oil filters regularly and grease your mower two times in a mowing season. However, if you are a commercial mower, you should do it more often.

Do you have a riding mower? Consider reviewing the identification and title article.

Conclusion

As you can see, greasing a mower’s wheels is relatively simple. You only need a few tools to get the job started, and it takes less than an hour from start to finish. Make sure you wear protective clothing, and keep your hands away from your face until you’re done.

Here’s a breakdown of the post:

• Remove your lawn mower’s wheels before you use grease.
• Consider getting a mower lift to elevate it off the ground.
• Grease the wheel bearings, spindles, and other components.
• Follow the steps found on this page one to two times per year.