Expert tips, prevention guides, and repair know-how to keep your outdoor power equipment running longer — written by a licensed engineer with 20+ years of troubleshooting experience.
49 articles
Is your riding mower blade not starting? Learn how to diagnose and fix a stubborn PTO clutch with this step-by-step guide from a pro mechanic.
Is your mower pulling to one side? Join me, Derick Dearmon, as I guide you through diagnosing and fixing hydrostatic drive issues on your zero-turn mower.
Is your generator running but not outputting power? Learn how to flash the field to restore residual magnetism and get your power back on.
Struggling to start your mower? Learn how to diagnose, remove, and replace your spark plug with these expert tips from 20 years in the shop.
Learn the professional way to mix fuel and oil for your two-stroke equipment to avoid costly engine damage and keep your tools running strong.
Struggling to get your chainsaw or trimmer running? I’m Derick Dearmon, and I'll show you how to troubleshoot and fix your two-stroke engine like a pro.
Is your string trimmer engine running but the head won't spin? Learn how to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair your clutch and flex shaft with these tips.
Is your ATV battery constantly going dead? I’ll walk you through how to troubleshoot your stator and regulator like a pro.
Is your leaf blower starting up only to stall moments later? I will walk you through the common fuel and carburetor fixes to get your machine running again.
Is your snow blower engine running but the auger won't spin? I'll walk you through diagnosing shear pins and drive belts to get you back to clearing snow.
Keep your pressure washer running for years with this expert guide on essential pump oil changes and foolproof winterization techniques.
Is your generator refusing to start after sitting in the shed all winter? Learn why it happens and how to get it running again with these simple repairs.
Wondering if your chainsaw chain is done for? As a mechanic, I'll teach you how to tell if you need a quick sharpening or a brand-new chain.
Learn how to properly winterize your riding mower from a veteran mechanic to prevent costly spring repairs and ensure your machine starts right up.
Struggling with a mower that won't start? Learn how to clean your Briggs & Stratton carburetor and get your lawn cut with these expert tips.
Is your string trimmer struggling to start? Learn how to tune it up for the season with these expert steps from a 20-year small engine veteran.
Struggling with a lawn mower that won't start? Learn how to diagnose and clean a clogged small engine carburetor from a professional mechanic.
Is your generator refusing to start? Discover why winter storage is the culprit and how to get your power back with these professional repair tips.
Is your pressure washer acting weak? Learn the common causes of pressure loss and how to fix them yourself with this expert guide.
Tired of your chainsaw chain derailments? I'm Derick Dearmon, and I'll walk you through the common causes and how to fix them for good.
Don't let your mower sit idle all winter and break down come spring. Follow these expert steps to protect your engine and save yourself from repair bills.
ATVs take more abuse than almost any other equipment. Here's a complete maintenance schedule — pre-ride, 25, 50, and 100 hours — to keep yours running for years.
UTVs work hard and take abuse. Here's a complete maintenance schedule — pre-ride, 25, 50, and 100 hours — to keep your side-by-side running for years.
Two-stroke and four-stroke engines power everything from chainsaws to mowers. Here's a practical comparison to understand the difference.
A clogged mower deck causes uneven cutting and rust. Here's how to clean your mower deck properly and prevent grass buildup.
Using the wrong oil in your small engine causes poor performance and damage. Here's how to choose the right oil for mowers, generators, and more.
A worn or jammed trimmer head makes trimming frustrating. Here's how to replace the trimmer head on any weed eater in under 15 minutes.
Changing your small engine oil is the single most important maintenance task. Here's how to do it right on any mower, generator, or pressure washer in 15 minutes.
A dirty air filter chokes your engine, reducing power and fuel economy. Here's how to inspect, clean, and replace air filters on any small engine.
A clogged fuel filter starves your engine, causing power loss and no-starts. Here's how to identify and replace a fuel filter on any small engine.
A broken pull cord leaves your equipment useless. Here's how to diagnose and fix a stuck or broken pull cord on any small engine in under an hour.
A worn deck belt leaves your mower cutting poorly or not at all. Here's how to replace the deck belt on a riding mower in about 30 minutes.
Inverter and conventional generators serve different needs. Here's a practical comparison to help you choose the right one for your situation.
A clogged carburetor is the #1 small engine problem. Here's how to remove, disassemble, clean, and reassemble a small engine carburetor in about an hour with basic tools.
Zero-turn mowers need more maintenance than push mowers. Here's a complete maintenance schedule — before every mow, every 25 hours, every 50 hours, and annually — to keep yours running for years.
A surging generator is almost always a fuel system problem. Here's how to diagnose and fix the most common causes — from stale fuel to a clogged carburetor — in order of likelihood.
Leaf blowers are simple but neglected. Here's a complete maintenance guide for both two-stroke and four-stroke blowers — fuel mix, air filter, spark plug, and the often-overlooked spark arrestor screen.
A dull mower blade tears grass and invites disease. Here's how to safely replace a mower blade in 10 minutes — including the critical step most people get wrong: blade orientation.
A snow blower that won't start in January is useless. Here's the complete maintenance guide — pre-season prep, during-season care, and end-of-season summerizing to keep yours reliable.
Rewinding trimmer line is a 5-minute job once you know the technique. Here's how to load both bump-feed and fixed-line heads correctly — plus tips to make your line last longer.
Water left in a pressure washer pump over winter freezes and cracks the housing. Here's how to winterize a gas or electric pressure washer in 15 minutes — including the critical pump saver step most people skip.
A dull chainsaw is dangerous, slow, and hard on your engine. Here's how to sharpen a chainsaw chain with a file guide in 10 minutes — plus when to replace it instead.
Pressure washers are workhorses that get neglected. Here's a complete maintenance schedule — after every use, each season, and before storage — to keep yours running at full pressure.
A bad spark plug causes hard starting, rough running, and power loss. Here's how to read your old plug, when to replace it, and how to choose the right one for your engine.
A dead battery is the #1 reason riding mowers won't start in spring. Here's how to maintain, test, and store your riding mower battery so it's always ready to crank.
Properly winterizing your lawn mower prevents spring start-up problems, extends engine life, and saves you from costly carburetor repairs. Here's the step-by-step process.
Fuel stabilizer is the cheapest insurance you can buy for your outdoor power equipment. Here's what it does, when to use it, and how to do it right.
Portable generators are expensive and finicky. Store one wrong and it won't start when you need it most. Here's how to store a generator so it's ready when the power goes out.
Before you fire up equipment that sat all winter, run through this checklist. Five minutes of inspection prevents the most common spring start-up failures.