For experienced lawn care professionals:

[cleverlandshark2001]

I just bought a 97' eXmark 48" walk behind. I am about to start my own small business but am not experienced in some areas.
Do you guys have any tips for a beginner as far as maintaining engine and mower performance?
How often to sharpen blades? Change oil/filter? Plugs? Air filter?
etc...
Also, are there any maintenance issues to watch out for specifically with the eXmark 48" walk behind?
Thanks!
-Steve

[GrassMaster]

Welcome to the Lawn Service Forum Community, cleverlandshark2001!

[br549oicu8]

Routime Maintenance

We change blades daily. I woould say you should change blades every 6-10 hours of use depending on conditions.
We also have several machines with Kawasaki engines. Our routine is to change the oil and filter every 50 hours. If this machine does not have an hour meter add one. you will be glad you did.
Buddy

[Scott]

airfilters and prefilters every 25 hours, plugs and oil every 50, sharpen blades every 10 hours of use or sooner. Once the tailend of the blade gets somewhat worn toss em and get new ones. It's easiest to get several blades and then just swap them out every ten hours. Then when they pile up sharpen them all at once.
lube as needed

[Maddog]

I do the same as Scott does with the exception of the plugs. I usually change the plugs about halfway through the season.

I buy my blades by the case (usually alot cheaper this way) and I will run through som blades with the sandy soil here.

As far as greasing I have found that on my mower (Cub ZTR) some of the grease points like the front casters need greasing more often than the 25 hour interval called for in the manual.

The blades being sharp and balanced will make a diference. It keeps from tearing the grass when you cut, gives you better fuel efficiency, less wear on engine and spindles, and will give you a better cut.