The choke on your lawn mower is a lever that adjusts the amount of air going into the engine. When you’re starting with a cold engine, you want to open the choke so that more air gets into it and helps get it warmed up faster. Once it’s warmed up, close the choke to prevent flooding.
Sure, here’s a single column takeaway table based on the title:
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| How to Adjust Lawn Mower Choke |
| Understand how the choke works |
| Locate the choke on your lawnmower |
| Adjust the choke |
| Test the lawnmower |
| Seek professional help if necessary |
Check Your Oil Level And Gas Tank
Check your oil level and gas tank. This can be done by looking at the dipstick, which is usually located inside the engine compartment and near the oil fill cap.
If you don’t know what the level should be, check your owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer directly for more information.
If you’re not sure how to check this yourself, ask a mechanic for help; they will likely charge a fee but can also save you money in repairs down the road if they spot something before it becomes a problem.
To ensure a healthy and lush lawn, it is important to adjust the cutting height of your lawn mower according to the type of grass you have. Our expert advice on how to adjust lawn mower cutting height will help you determine the ideal cutting height for your lawn and provide step-by-step instructions for adjusting your mower’s cutting height.
Warm Up The Engine By Switching It On
Once you’ve turned the engine on, allow it to run for a few minutes. This will help warm up the engine as well as lubricate the moving parts.
It also helps to remove any moisture from inside your lawn mower, which can cause problems with starting later on.
Warm Up the Engine by Switching It on – Recommended Procedure
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1. | Place the lawnmower on a flat and level surface. |
| 2. | Check the oil and fuel levels and make sure the air filter is clean. |
| 3. | Make sure the spark plug wire is connected and secure. |
| 4. | Move the throttle to the “Start” position. |
| 5. | Turn the ignition key or pull the starter rope to start the engine. |
| 6. | Allow the engine to run for 1-2 minutes to warm up. |
| 7. | Move the throttle to the desired position for cutting. |
| 8. | Begin mowing your lawn while being mindful of the surroundings. |
| 9. | When finished, move the throttle to “Off”, turn off the ignition, and disconnect the spark plug wire. |
| 10. | Store the mower in a dry, cool place after use. |
| 11. | Maintain the lawnmower and repeat this process as needed for efficient and prolonged use. |
Rake The Lawn To Remove Any Debris
You should rake the lawn to remove any debris.
You can use a leaf blower to blow away excess leaves and grass clippings, but if you have a small yard or a lot of bare patches where the lawnmower can’t get, you may need to use a broom.
A properly maintained lawn mower blade is crucial for achieving a clean and uniform cut for your lawn. Check out our expert guide on how to adjust lawn mower blades to learn how to sharpen and balance your blade for optimal performance.
Place Your Lawn Mower On A Level Surface
First, you’re going to need somewhere to park your lawn mower. You can either use a concrete slab or a lawn mower stand.
If you don’t have either of these things, you can also use a flat piece of wood that’s been leveled out with some water and sandbags or bricks on either side. Just make sure whatever surface you choose is safe and level so that the machine doesn’t tip over when it’s running!
With your lawnmower safely parked in its designated spot, get down on the ground next to it so that you’re at eye level with its carburetor.
There should be two screws holding it in place: one on each end of the carburetor (just like how there are two screws holding together any pair of scissors). Unscrew these screws until they’re loose enough for them to come right off (you might need pliers).
Place Your Lawn Mower on a Level Surface – Recommended Procedure
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1. | Before parking, survey the already cut area to identify sticks, rocks, and other debris that could dull or damage your mower’s blades. Clear these from your mowing path. |
| 2. | If you’re using a concrete slab or hard surface, position your mower onto the surface as evenly as possible. Ensure parking brake is in gear and that the key has been removed from the ignition for unattended periods. |
| 3. | If you’re using a lawn mower stand, position the stand onto a level part of the ground, then tilt the mower over and onto the stand so that it’s standing upright. Ensure that your mower is stable and secure on the stand, by adding support under each wheel. |
| 4. | For additional security, consider chaining your mower to an immovable object when leaving for prolonged periods of time. |
| 5. | Always check your work area and ensure it is clear before starting to mow again. |
Install The Spark Plug Into The Engine
Make sure you have the right spark plug for your lawn mower. The wrong spark plug could cause damage to your engine, so make sure that you check the part number of the old one with your local hardware store or online before buying a new one.
To make sure it’s compatible, look up a diagram from your manufacturer’s website and compare it to what they carry in stores.
Check the gap on the new spark plug and adjust if necessary using a pair of pliers or screwdriver until it fits snugly within its hole without being too tight or loose (this will vary depending on how far down each screw is set).
Install the new spark plug into its hole by hand, making sure to align everything properly before tightening them in place by hand again just enough so that they won’t fall out when running without stripping any threads out by over-tightening them as well!
When it comes to lawn irrigation, even small changes in sprinkler head adjustment can make a big difference in watering efficiency and preventing over-watered areas. Find out how to adjust your sprinkler heads by following our expert advice on how to adjust lawn sprinkler heads for an even lawn irrigation and water conservation.
Connect The Wire Harness From The Choke To The Spark Plug
Now that you’ve adjusted your choke, it’s time to connect the wire harness from the choke to the spark plug.
The spark plug is usually located on the top of an engine, and if it isn’t there, look anywhere near or on top of your carburetor.
The high-speed screw should be located near or on top of your carburetor as well. If there’s no high-speed screw in sight, this means that you’re dealing with a small engine that doesn’t require one (i.e., a lawn mower).
Turn Off Your Lawn Mower’s Carburetor Switch
- Turn off your lawn mower’s carburetor switch.
- Turn off the choke. (The choke is either a knob or lever on the side of your engine.)
Turn off the engine, either by pulling out its key or by pressing a button to start it running and then immediately shutting it off again.
For safety reasons, this step cannot be skipped; if you try to continue working with an engine that’s still running, the person operating the mower may inadvertently injure themselves or others nearby due to hot parts being left exposed for too long of a time period.
Valves play a key role in the proper functioning of your lawn’s irrigation system. Regular valve adjustment is necessary to maintain the flow of water for well-maintained lawns. Our expert advice on how to adjust lawn mower valves provides step-by-step instructions on how to adjust a wide range of valve types.
Locate The High-Speed Screw; It Should Be Located Near Or On Top Of Your Carburetor, And Have An “H” Stamped On It
Locate the high-speed screw; it should be located near or on top of your carburetor, and have an “H” stamped on it.
The choke lever is connected to this screw with a linkage, so when you turn this knob, you are actually adjusting the choke.
A typical lawn mower will have two different knobs for the high-speed screw: one for wide open throttle (WOT) and another for partial throttle (PTO). With WOT engaged, give each knob a gentle twist until you hear an air tight snap sound coming from under your hood.
Determine The Size Of An Adjustable Wrench That Fits Around The Screw
First, determine the size of an adjustable wrench that fits around the screw. Adjustable wrenches come in different sizes, from 0 to 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch and up. It’s important to use the right size wrench so that you don’t damage the screw head (or strip it).
If you use too small a wrench, it could slip off and break as you try to turn it—and if your screw is already loose, this can make matters worse!
On the other hand, using an adjustable wrench that’s too large will make it difficult for you to turn your screw by hand at all; again increasing the chance that something goes wrong when trying to adjust your lawn mower choke plate setting.
Adjusting the handle of your lawn mower is often necessary to achieve more comfortable and ergonomic operation. Our guide on how to adjust lawn mower handle provides simple instructions on how to adjust the handle to your desired height or angle for an effortless and comfortable mowing experience.
Tighten Both Screws All The Way Until They Can No Longer Turn In A Clockwise Direction
To tighten the screws, use a screwdriver that fits the slot in your choke valve. If you don’t have one on hand and need to improvise, use a flathead screwdriver and gently tap on it until you’ve tightened the screws enough to seal them against their seats.
Do not over-tighten your choke valves! If you do so, you risk damaging them beyond repair. In fact, it’s important not to tighten them too much at all you just want to ensure that they’re firmly seated in place and won’t budge under pressure or vibration from running your lawn mower.
It may take a few tries before getting this right; if it’s taking too long or feels like something is slipping out of place when trying to move it clockwise (i.e., toward tightening), then stop immediately because there’s probably already enough tension on those screws already!
Adjust The Low-Speed Screw Anticlockwise
The low-speed screw controls the choke plate and the high-speed screw controls the throttle valve. If you adjust one before the other, they can get out of sync and cause misfires, which is why it’s important to adjust them together.
The low-speed screw should be adjusted first and backed off by half a turn to start at a good position. Then adjust the high-speed screw until it’s as close as possible to being in sync with the low-speed screw (but don’t worry if they’re not exact).
Once both are set up properly, you should be able to start your mower without it dying or sputtering too much when you pull it back for first gear.
Adjust The High-Speed Screw Anticlockwise
Adjust the high-speed screw anticlockwise, then back it off by half a turn to start at a good position.
Check that the choke lever is in the closed position with no gap between it and the housing. If there is a gap, adjust it so there’s no more than 1mm (1/32″) of space between them when you squeeze together with your fingers
This will ensure that when you pull on the throttle handle, air flows into the carburettor instead of being restricted by any gaps between these parts in your lawnmower engine’s design.
If this doesn’t solve your problem, try adjusting both screws at once instead: tighten one until it contacts its plate; loosen another until its plate does not contact anymore either; then make sure both are at their respective positions again before continuing further adjustments!
Conclusion
Thanks for reading! We know that you now have a great understanding of how to adjust your lawn mower’s choke.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| How to Adjust Lawn Mower Choke |
| Understand how the choke works |
| Locate the choke on your lawnmower |
| Adjust the choke |
| Test the lawnmower |
| Seek professional help if necessary |
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m here to help you with your home-maintenance needs. Whether it’s building a better yard or just trying to fix a garden—I can show you how.
