I'm not currently using a Tru-Cut here in Jersey, but owned a number of Trimmers, Tru-Cuts, and McLanes when I lived in Los Angeles.

I assume you are talking about home usage, perhaps 30 to 40 mowings a year, about 1 hour each.

I'd get a decent grease gun and use a lithium based chassis lube. There are maybe six or eight Zerk fittings. These need to be shot once a year minimum. I'd recommend the two reel bearings be shot every ten hours or so.

I use plain motor oil on the chains, but many people prefer the spray-on motorcycle chain lube. Once or twice a season is sufficient, and don't use too much as you'll simply attract dust. Also, a drop or two down the throttle Bowden cable will also help. DO NOT lube any other parts of the governor or throttle mechanism.

Once a year you should go around every fastener and check for tightness. Don't over tighten, just make sure nothing has worked loose.

Some Tru-Cut have a Zerk for greasing the front caster wheel (use the grease gun), others need to be disassembled and manually greased (a once-a-year job).

The clutches may or may not need adjustment. The reel clutch is properly adjusted when the rod is able to go past the detent and stay engaged without too much pressure, yet not slip. The drive clutch is normally adjusted more tightly. You want the drive to engage with thumb pressure, but not go past the detent and stay "always on". Once a year is plenty.

Lastly, I recommend a back lap once a year, and a professional sharpening on a relief grind machine every three to five years. Back lapping can be done with Clover compound and minimal tools, although you need to know what you're doing and how to set the reel to the bedknife. Sharpening is a professional job and I strongly recommend a "relief" grind. Some guys do a "spin" grind, which I think is inferior. A spin grind is harder to back lap, uses more horsepower to rotate the reel, and also removes more metal from the reel. Whether spin or relief, don't resharpen unless you need to. Don't rely on chronological time. Rather, if you can't get the reel-to-bedknife where you want it by lapping, then you sharpen.

I assume you'll perform any engine maintenance per manufacturers schedule, since I don't know whether you have Honda or Briggs.

thanks ggoyeneche!

Appreciate the thoughtful and detailed post. Lots of things to think about.

I'll look into a grease gun. Any suggestions?

The mower came with a Honda and I plan to adhere to a proper maintenance schedule.

thanks again.

thanks ggoyeneche!

Appreciate the thoughtful and detailed post. Lots of things to think about.

I'll look into a grease gun. Any suggestions?

The mower came with a Honda and I plan to adhere to a proper maintenance schedule.

thanks again.

You should have several choices at an auto supply store like Pep Boys, Advance Auto, Auto Zone, etc. Get one which uses cartridges rather than bulk fill. A little more expensive, but infinitely less dirty and time consuming than bulk filling. I'd also get a gun with a flex hose and/or a swivel coupling to get in tight spots. Often the Zerks on the reel are obstructed and hard to get to.