It's fun to ride around the yard on the mower, watching scrubby grass (and weeds) turn into trimmed lawn. However, when the grass looks as bad after you mow as it did before, or the mower doesn't want to start, riding mowers aren't as much fun. That's when it's time to put on your Fix-It Club hat and have some more fun.

How Does It Work?

Components of a typical riding lawn mower.

A riding lawn mower is a gas-powered machine for cutting grass. The engine turns a rotating blade that cuts the top off the grass blades to a specified height. The operator sits atop the mower on a tractor-type seat with speed and height controls nearby. Riding mowers also can be used to pull small utility carts for other yard jobs. Other grass cutters include the reel lawn mower and the rotary lawn mower.

Fix-It Tip

Save yourself some time and money. Pull out the owner's manual for your riding lawn mower and determine what regular maintenance is needed, then mark the jobs on your calendar. Taking care of your mower will pay off by ensuring a longer working life at lower costs.

What Can Go Wrong?

The mower may cut poorly or unevenly. The V-belts may slip or come off during use. The belt may squeal or wear quickly. The mower may vibrate excessively when the clutch is engaged. The mower may be hard to shift or may not move when the clutch is engaged. The engine may not start, may lose power, or may die during use.