How to Winterize Your Lawn Mower in 9 Easy Steps
You have been a faithful companion to your a Riding Mower for Winter throughout the seasons. You should give it the attention it deserves at the end of your mowing season. In the spring, you will be able to enjoy a happy reunion with your mower if you simply spend a short time preparing it for storage over the winter.
The mowing season is ending, and it’s time to winterize your lawn mower. As a result, when the grass creeps back up in the spring, it will start right up without any issues when the grass grows back up. Once again, it is the time of year that we all look forward to.
In preparation for winter, it’s time to put our lawn tractors and zero turn lawn mowers away for the season. You may not know much about gasoline engines or fuel systems for outdoor power equipment if you are a new homeowner or new to outdoor power equipment. Before you put it away for the offseason, follow these steps to prepare and store it properly.
Perform a Proper Cleaning Prior to Your Riding Mower and Lawn Tractor Storage
- Remove any grass clippings or debris from the mower by hosing it down
- Remove any grass clumps inside the deck by scraping them with a long flathead screwdriver or stick.
- The driveway is a suitable place to begin
- Use the mower deck wash-out port to attach your garden hose to loosen build-up on the mower deck and blades (feature varies by model).
- Mower should be cleaned with a cloth
- Spark plugs should be removed from the ignition system
1. You need to clean.
Your lawn mower needs to be thoroughly cleaned after every mow – the sooner, the better. It is critical to keep your deck and engine clean because grass, dirt, and debris can get into the engine, drive shaft, and other critical parts. This can cause problems the next season. If the moisture from the cut grass remains for a long time, it may cause the grass to corrode and rust.
The most effective way to remove grass clippings and dirt from your mower is to spray it down with a garden hose. Using the sprayer, blast away debris under the deck at the highest pressure. Debris will dry over time if you don’t do this regularly. To thoroughly clean the deck, you need to use a plastic paint scraper or a bristled pot scrubber with a bristle on the end. If you want to stay safe, wear heavy work gloves and take care to avoid blades.
As well as cleaning the chute and bagger, if you have them, you should also clean the inside. Dry the belts and pulleys of your lawn mower after it has been washed for at least 5 minutes.
2. If repairs are necessary, make them.
It takes a toll on the mower during the mowing season. Make sure your machine is in proper shape by looking for wear and damage, loose hardware, and scratches. If any of the parts need to be replaced, then replace them. The screws and bolts should be tightened to make sure they are secure.
It is recommended that you repair any minor nicks, scratches, and chips on the surfaces of the metal. In addition, you should also put a light coat of engine oil on pivots and wear points to help prevent rust from developing in the future. When the tires are underinflated, it is vital to lubricate the grease points and fill them with air.
3. The oil needs to be changed
Over the winter, old oil can cause inside engine components to corrode due to the presence of gasoline, moisture, soot, and acids. Ensure that you change the oil in your lawn mower and that all the internal parts are coated with clean oil before you run it for a few minutes. For optimal lawn mower performance, make sure you choose lawn mower oil that is the correct type for your equipment.
4. How Long Does Gas Last?
You could end up corroding the carburetor and clogging the fuel system if there is still gas left over after winterizing your lawn mower. Don’t forget to check out our tips on how to tune up a lawn mower in order to make it ready for the spring season. Honda and John Deere, two of the largest manufacturers of lawn mowers, recommend different ways to store your mower. These ways include draining the gas completely or filling it with fresh, stabilized gasoline. For more information on the proper way to maintain your engine, you may refer to your owner’s manual.
5. Taking out gas from a lawnmower
The mower’s fuel tank will need to be empty by removing the cap from the tank and then tipping it over into a drain pan. On the carburetor bowl, look for a drain valve or bolt that can be used to bleed off the fuel. Remove the bolt or open the valve and drain the gas into a container by opening the valve or removing the bolt. Running the engine until it stalls is the preferred way to drain the carburetor if it lacks a valve or bolt. You should then restart the engine several more times by pulling the starter rope or operating the electric starter. Once it can’t be started, it can be stored. Your local recycling facility will accept old gas.
6. Spark plugs need to be replaced
Even if it appears to be working fine, your spark plug needs to be replaced at least once each season. A mower’s efficient operation depends on the small spark plug, which is often overlooked.
Due to carbon buildup and weakened electrodes, spark plugs’ performance degrades over time. Fuel consumption increases as a result of this. This affects engine performance.
There is no need for a gapping tool when installing spark plugs since they are sold pre-gapped. An alternative spark plug can damage the engine if it is used instead of the one recommended by the engine manufacturer.
7. Air filters should be cleaned or replaced
The mower’s engine and carburetor are protected from debris and dust through air filters. Using water and a small amount of detergent may be used to clean foam filters, but they are susceptible to tearing. In order to maintain proper air quality, it is recommended to replace pleated paper air filters on a regular basis.
8. The oil needs to be replaced
It is recommended to replace the oil in a mower after 50 hours of use. It should have a golden or amber color when you check it, which indicates it has been used, and will darken with time due to carbon from fuel combustion.
Keep in mind that the oil you use for your engine should be the one recommended by the manufacturer. There are a number of engine tune-up kits available on the market, many of which include replacement oil. These kits are easy to locate. Recycle old oil, whether from small engines or cars; you can find out if there are any programs available at your local auto parts store or small engine repair shop.
9. Locate the right location for your storage needs
In order to keep your lawn mowers in proper working condition, you need to keep them somewhere that is dry and covered, such as a garage, warehouse, or shed. This is away from cleaning supplies or other chemicals that could potentially damage them if spilled.
Final Remarks:
You can easily winterize your lawnmower by following a few simple steps. The purpose of this service is not only to provide a yearly check up on your machine, but to also prepare it to be used for the upcoming season. This will save you both time and money by having your machine ready to trim your yard for the next season.
By performing this task yourself, you will not only save money but also give yourself the confidence you will need to deal with any additional complications you may experience in the future relating to your lawnmower, or, in this case, any other machine that you may use in the future.
