The Perth sun isn’t just harsh on your skin — it’s brutal on your lawn mower too. At Sanderson Engineering, we regularly see machines come in with cracked belts, faded covers, and brittle plastic components — all caused by prolonged UV exposure. If you store your mower outdoors or near a window, you’re likely shortening its lifespan without realising it. Here’s what UV damage actually does, how to spot it, and how to prevent costly repairs.
☀️ How Perth’s Sunlight Wrecks Mower Covers
Most lawn mower covers are made of plastic, vinyl, or polyester blends. Under Perth’s intense UV radiation, these materials degrade quickly. The result?
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Fading: Once-bright colours turn pale and patchy
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Brittleness: The material stiffens and cracks with movement
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Tears and Frays: Weakened fibres split from minor contact
Long summer days mean more hours of direct exposure. If your mower sits in a backyard, carport, or open shed, it’s baking from morning to night. Even supposedly “UV resistant” covers fail if they’re cheap or thin.
🔄 The Daily UV Cycle: What Happens from Sunrise to Sunset
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Early Morning: Dew on covers intensifies UV refraction
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Midday: UV index peaks in Perth between 11am–2pm
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Afternoon Heat: Surface temps on covers exceed 60°C
This daily cycle causes rapid material fatigue. Within a season, you’ll see the difference: cracked vinyl, torn seams, and belts drying out faster than normal.
🔧 Mower Belts: Silent Victims of UV and Heat
Your mower’s belts — especially on ride-ons and self-propelled models — are just as vulnerable.
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UV rays break down the rubber polymers, causing them to harden, crack or warp
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Heat softens and deforms belts, making them slip or fray under load
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Humidity and temperature swings lead to expansion, contraction, and internal fibre weakening
Signs of belt damage include:
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Squealing during operation
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Jerky or inconsistent movement
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Visible cracking or splitting on the belt edge
Neglect this and you’ll face snapped belts, gearbox stress, or worn pulleys — all costly repairs.
🛠️ What We See in the Workshop (Real Perth Cases)
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Masport 4-Stroke from Innaloo: Belt snapped mid-mow. Stored under a patio, cover was brittle and split. Belt showed UV cracking.
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Rover ride-on from Morley: Drive belt slipping. Surface had fine cracks; cover faded white. Owner used a cheap tarp instead of a proper UV cover.
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Honda HRX from Balcatta: Self-propel system jammed. Cover had holes, rubber belt swollen from heat.
🧰 Preventative Measures That Actually Work
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Use a UV-stabilised cover: Look for marine-grade vinyl or polyester with a UV resistance rating. We stock them.
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Store in shade: Garage or enclosed shed beats any tarp. If not possible, elevate the mower and cover it properly.
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Apply rubber conditioner: Use a silicone-free belt conditioner every 2–3 months. We apply this during routine services.
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Clean debris regularly: Dirt and dust increase friction and accelerate belt wear. Blow down belts after mowing.
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Service seasonally: Book in before and after summer to catch early wear signs.
🧪 The Science Behind UV Decay (Simplified)
UV rays break down carbon bonds in polymers. In Perth’s dry heat, this process accelerates. Ozone and nitric oxide — both common in our air — react with sunlight to create compounds that attack rubber and vinyl. Think of it as slow-motion acid rain for plastics. That’s why cheap covers crumble and why belts fail without warning.
🔁 Don’t Wait Until It Snaps
UV damage is silent and progressive. Most homeowners don’t notice until a belt snaps mid-job or the cover tears beyond repair. By then, you’re already looking at $200+ in parts and labour. Prevention is cheaper — and easier.
📞 Need UV Protection That Works?
At Sanderson Engineering, we’ve spent 40+ years keeping Perth’s mowers running in peak summer conditions. We supply and fit UV-rated covers, belts, and storage solutions that actually last.
✅ Ride-on belt inspections
✅ Fixed-price servicing
✅ UV-stabilised covers in stock
✅ Free pick-up & delivery available
Call (08) 9444 1284 or visit us in Osborne Park to protect your equipment properly.
