Top 5 Preventative Maintenance Tips from Husqvarna Dealers

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A couple of days? Or a couple of weeks?

That's the decision homeowners and professional landscapers sometimes face in choosing to have their outdoor power equipment serviced by a certified technician at a general retailer (where offered) or at an authorized Husqvarna dealer.

While either option can get the job done, some retailers outsource service and maintenance requests on power equipment, which can sometimes delay delivery times. So, a smart choice is to take it to the nearest authorized local dealer -- and Husqvarna offers hands-on and online training courses regularly for its dealers' technicians, ensuring they are up to date on new technologies and techniques.

According to Judy Lord, of Steve's Service Center in Prattville, Alabama, some of her best service referrals come from employees of stores that outsource service. "They know we'll get it done right, and faster. The grass keeps growing. You can't wait a month to get your mower fixed!" 

Still, the best service is...  no service! Through interviews with Lord and some of its other top dealers, Husqvarna has identified the Top 5 Preventative Maintenance Tips for DIY-ers seeking to keep their outdoor power equipment in perfect working order:

1. Air It Out. A frequent mistake people make with mowers – or any equipment powered by an engine – is failing to clean or replace air filters. "Everything with a motor has to have clean air to run," explained Jared Basch, of Basch Bros. in Cullman, Alabama. "If people would check, clean and replace the air filter regularly, that would alleviate a lot of problems."
2. Fight Fuel Filter Fiascos. Similarly, a lack of attention to fuel filter maintenance allows "trash to get in your gas," noted Lord, causing engine issues. "Check it at the beginning or end of the mowing season – one or the other," she added. "But just do it. It's crucial to maintain your mower."
3. Don't Be Fuel-ish. Gas with too much Ethanol can harm small engines, said Brett Wright, of Wright Brothers Power in Newark, Ohio. Additives can help, but "we see more carburetor repairs than anything else," he explained. "Just because gas is OK for your car doesn't make it right for smaller engines."
4. Stay Sharp. A common problem with chainsaw maintenance occurs after a new chain is installed. Because it naturally stretches out after the first cut, the chain must be checked and tightened often, especially after the first few uses. "If it loosens and jumps the sprocket," noted Basch. "That can ruin it."
5. Get in sync. Even consumers who don't know a spark plug from a muffler get their cars serviced on a regular basis. Why not keep your power equipment on the same schedule? Or at the very least, service as needed at the beginning or end of every mowing season.

To find a Husqvarna dealer near you, visit the Dealer Locator section at www.husqvarna.com.

To learn more, join the conversation by "liking" Husqvarna on Facebook (www.facebook.com/HusqvarnaUSA) and by following Husqvarna on Twitter (www.twitter.com/HusqvarnaUSA).

About Husqvarna
Husqvarna Professional Products Inc. is a subsidiary of the Husqvarna Group.  Husqvarna Group is the world's largest producer of outdoor power products including robotic lawn mowers, garden tractors, chainsaws and trimmers. The Group is also the European leader in consumer watering products and one of the world leaders in cutting equipment and diamond tools for the construction and stone industries. Founded in 1689 and celebrating over 325 years of engineering innovation, the Group's products and solutions are sold via dealers and retailers to both consumers and professional users in more than 100 countries. Net sales in 2014 amounted to 32.8 billion SEK, and the Group had 14,337 employees on average in more than 40 countries. High-resolution images and Web images are available at www.husqvarna.com/us.

Media Contact
Kate Thacker, Ketchum, 404.879.9194
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SOURCE Husqvarna

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