Maintaining My Kubota Mower
On any working farm, it is of utmost importance to keep all equipment clean, organized, and in good working condition.
During this time of year, my outdoor grounds crew and I are constantly mowing the fields, paddocks, and lawns. This means the mowers must be in tip-top shape. Last week, every mower was given a thorough check to ensure all the tires had air, all the blades were sharp, and every piece of equipment was washed and ready to use.
Enjoy these photos and tips.
-
- We do a lot of mowing at my Bedford, New York farm. This is my Kubota ZD1211-60 zero turn riding mower. It has a 24.8 horsepower diesel engine and a wide mower deck. It gets a lot of use this time of year.
-
- Pete is a very skilled mower. Here he is mowing the orchard. He carefully goes around every tree, cutting the grass down to the appropriate height for this time of year.
-
- To keep all the grassy areas looking their best, we mow every day it isn’t raining. Pete mows the orchards, paddocks, and fields. I also enjoy mowing – you may have seen my videos on my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48. I love spending hours mowing the grass when I can.
-
- On this day, Pete took some extra time to give each mower a thorough check to make sure all the vehicles are in good working order.
-
- First, Pete checks all the tires. This mower needs a bit of air. I am fortunate to have an air hose and all the necessary maintenance equipment here at the farm.
-
- Using short bursts, Pete adds about 20-pounds of air to the tires. Tire pressure is a measure of the amount of air in a vehicle’s tires, in pounds per square inch. Any vehicle’s owner manual will list how much tire pressure is needed.
-
- Next, Pete prepares to sharpen the mower blades. Here, he removes the hairpins from the front axle.
-
- And then turns the handle to raise the front of the mower. This will allow Pete access to the blades.
-
- For added safety, Pete always places the front end on a jack stand.
-
- After removing one of three blades and wiping it down, Pete shows where it needs a bit of sharpening. These are hardened steel blades, so they don’t need much maintenance, but it is always best to mow with the sharpest blades possible.
-
- At the back of my large Equipment Barn, we have all kinds of tools and supplies for maintaining all the vehicles at the farm. This is a bench grinder.
-
- Pete uses the grinder to sharpen the mower blades. Whenever using this kind of equipment, be sure to wear the proper eye safety gear.
-
- After just a few minutes, one can see how clean and sharp this blade is.
-
- Pete lubricates all the necessary mowing parts with grease before returning the blade. Greases are made by mixing oil and thickeners, such as lithium-based soaps, for added stickiness, allowing the lubricant to adhere to the surfaces better. Greases also act as a barrier, protecting the surfaces from contaminants that can corrode or damage them.
-
- Here, Pete puts the blade back together with the proper bolts and blade adaptors.
-
- And then returns the blade and its retaining nut to the underside of the mower.
-
- Pete also checks the undercarriage and removes any grass clippings that may have gotten stuck.
-
- Finally, Pete gives the mower a good cleaning. All the mowers are washed every day after being used, so they are ready to go the next morning.
-
- Pete also cleans out the wide seven-inch vacuum tube that is used to get the grass from the deck into the container system.
-
- Every area of the mower is thoroughly rinsed.
-
- Finally, Pete parks it next to the other mowers. We use big riding zero-turn mowers, stand-on mowers, and for tighter spots near the various buildings, push mowers.
-
- They are all parked by the back entrance to the barn – all ready for another long and busy mowing day – the right equipment for the right job in perfect condition.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
