Top Essential Lawn Mower Parts You Need to Know

Mowers might seem like simple machines, but they have a lot of parts that must work together to function properly. Find a catalog of parts for Craftsman mowers and keep your mower in tip-top shape to ensure it's at its best for each mowing season.

Air filters should be cleaned or replaced regularly to avoid clogging and reduce engine performance issues. Spark plugs should also be inspected and replaced if needed.

Engine

The engine is the heart of your lawnmower, providing power to drive the deck and blades. Check the self-propel drive belt for wear and damage during lawn mower maintenance. Replace it with genuine factory lawn mower parts to ensure it sets properly and offers the right torque.

Clean the air filter during mowing to prevent dirt from entering and choking the engine. Keeping the spark plugs clean also enhances engine performance.

A broken seat switch may keep your lawn mower from starting or allow it to move while you're away. Replace a broken seat switch with the step-by-step instructions in our How to video. Also, remember to use the proper fuel and add a fuel stabilizer to your gas can to extend its lifespan.

Cutting Deck

The cutting deck is a pressed or fabricated steel area that houses the mower blade. It helps protect the engine and the user from blade and debris damage. The size and type of deck depends on the mower's purpose: consumer-sized mowers typically have fairly narrow decks that cover only one blade, while industrial mowers can use much wider ones.

Other features of the deck include side discharge bagging (when used with a true rear-mounted mower) that cuts and transports clippings from the deck into an attached bag that sits between the handles; mulching – a blade that shreds grass clippings and evenly distributes them back into the lawn; and smooth turn differential, which is a gear mechanism on self-propelled walk mowers that allows for smooth turns. Lubricating the deck regularly is recommended to help it last longer.

Chassis

The chassis supports the engine and blades. It also houses the controls that let you operate the mower. These controls help you get around the yard and keep your lawn looking great.

Some chassis components include a drive belt that transfers power to the wheels and allows them to turn. The chassis may also feature a handle that you use to start and stop the engine.

Some mowers have one lever, while others use two or four. The ones with one lever tend to be lighter, but they have a lot of linkage you need to keep lubricated. Those with more than one lever usually have less linkage and are heavier but easier to control.

Tires

The tires on your mower are critical for the performance and maneuverability of the tractor. Before choosing a tire, it is important to understand what terrain you are using the lawn tractor. You should also consider the specific tasks your lawn is required to perform.

There are many options available for mower tires. Ribbed tires are cheap, tough, and offer good traction and tread life. They are ideal for zero-turn radius mowers.

A tire with a higher ply rating is better at resisting punctures. If your tires have dry rot or look cracked, it is time to replace them.

Sharpener

Dull mower blades cause your mower to work harder, burning more gas. Regular sharpening reduces this effect, saving money on fuel and maintenance costs.

You can sharpen lawn mower blades using handheld tools such as a file or whetstone. 

After successfully sharpening the blade or blades, carefully reinstall them on your mower deck. Refer to your notes, photo, or diagram to ensure correct placement and alignment. Then, check them for balance by positioning the center hole on a nail or screwdriver shaft. If the blade tips more to one side, it needs rebalancing.