How to Winterize Your Exmark Lawn Mower
We are nearing the end of the lawn mowing season, and now is the time to store the Exmark lawn mower. You will avoid further problems when you use your mower next mowing season when your grass grows. Do not skip it.
The proper way to keep your zero-turn mower in proper working order is to keep it out of the frigid winter elements and free of moisture. Below are the steps I follow to ensure that our Exmark mowers are properly maintained and stored for the Michigan winter.
Falling leaves and crisp air indicate that the mowing season is ending. Although your first instinct may be to park your mower and hunker down for the winter, make sure it is ready for spring. Another way to put it: How to Winterize Your Exmark Lawn Mower
How to Winterize Your Exmark Lawn Mower
The brush
Deck scraper or putty knife
Grip rubber
Runners (rags)
Optimum fueling
When emptying the fuel tank, use a gas container
Protect your work surface with cardboard, newspaper, etc.
Changing your engine oil now requires:
Filter
The drain plug socket wrench or spanner wrench
A filter and a tool for it
About 2 to 3 quarts. Please refer to your owner’s manual.
Your Exmark Engine Oil Needs to be Changed
Engine oil. This is a good time to change your oil if your oil is dirty or it has been 50 hours since your last change.
Turn on the engine and allow it to run for a few minutes. Before you start changing your engine oil, disconnect the spark plug lead from the spark plug(s).
You need to drain the oil, remove the old filter, replace it with a freshly replaced filter, and fill the engine with oil.
The fourth technique involves changing the hydraulic oil and filter on the Exmark machine.
In most Exmark models, the hydraulic drive system can be serviced. You can find more information on how to replace your hydraulic oil and filter on the Exmark website titled “How to Change an Exmark Zero Turn HydraFilter.”
Your lawn mower deck needs to be scrapped
Take your mower’s deck off and access the underside. Make sure your blades are in proper shape. Remove them with a sturdy pair of work gloves to allow easier access to the deck or to replace or sharpen them.
Make sure all debris is removed from the deck by scraping it with a deck scraper or putty knife. Wire brushes are also helpful. Make sure you reconnect the spark plug boots once you are finished working underneath the mower.
My article “Inspect Your Lawn Mower Blades to Save You Time and Money” delves into additional detail on how to examine and replace your lawn mower blades.
Find out what items on your Exmark mower deck you should inspect in “Fix Your Exmark Mower Deck Problems”.
Spark can’t boot if it’s disconnected
It is likely that you already disconnected the spark plug boot(s) if you changed the engine oil a few weeks ago. For safety purposes, disconnect the spark plug boots if you skipped changing the engine oil.
It is not a wise idea to start the engine while working under your deck. Take this step seriously!
The battery needs to be removed and the terminals cleaned
The next step is again your choice. Make sure the battery is fully charged before you store it, or remove the battery and store it in a dry, cool place.
Having a fully charged battery will not cause it to freeze. These steps will help you maintain your lawn mower battery if you decide to remove it for storage:
By wearing protective eyewear and gloves, you can prevent yourself from getting harmed by battery acid.
When the mower is switched off, remove all brackets connecting the battery to the mower.
You can loosen the cable by turning the black negative terminal counterclockwise with an adjustable wrench. In the same way, you should follow the same procedure for the red positive terminal.
Cleaning terminals and cables with a wire brush after inspecting and removing corrosion is recommended.
Batteries should be stored away from combustible products in a cool, dry place.
How to Winterize Your Exmark Lawn Mower
Drain your fuel tank or add a fuel stabilizer
Most Exmark owners drain their fuel tanks when winterizing their mowers. The fuel can be removed by using a siphon and removing as much fuel as possible. Let the mower run until it stops restarting after shutting off.
In my Exmark lawn mower, I never drain the fuel. I instead take precautions when storing the mower to prevent fuel degradation.
It is necessary to use a fuel stabilizer to store your lawn mower with fuel. Your mower may not start in the spring if you don’t apply a stabilizer. Using old fuel can cause gum buildup.
This brand is my favorite: Sea Foam. Sea Foam fuel stabilizer will stabilize fuel and reduce moisture in fuel systems.
Adding a stabilizer to a full tank of fuel is straightforward. Turn on the mower and let the stabilizer work its way into the fuel system. Two years is the lifespan of these additives.
See “Why Use Sea Foam Fuel Additive in a Lawn Mower” for more details about its benefits.
Add rodent prevention
Rodents can damage your lawn mower. Many of our wires are coated with soy products, as manufacturers use more environmentally friendly products. It’s an edible material that rodents enjoy chewing on.
Prevent rodents from building homes in your lawn mower when storing it for an extended period.
It is possible to deter rodents with many items. Pets should not be harmed by the product. Around the mower, place mothballs. You can find Grandpa Gus’s Mouse Repellent on Amazon.
This smells so much better than mothballs and is all-natural. Spray and extra strength packets. I spray the wires and wrap the packets around anything I’m storing.
Save thousands of dollars on electrical repairs with rodent control.
Overhanging Your Deck
Some Exmark owners do not have extra garage space. The most convenient way to store the mower is in a garage, pole barn, storage shed, or other indoor location.
Unlike other homeowners, I do not have space to store my lawn mower indoors. Lawnmowers are stored under the deck year-round. During wet weather, waterfalls between the boards and onto the mower.
A lawn mower gets covered in snow in the winter.
I use a heavy-duty mower cover made from marine-grade fabric to protect my mower from getting wet outside and to shield it from the winter elements. In addition, I cover some small items I store in my garage to keep them dust-free. : How to Winterize Your Exmark Lawn Mower
Conclusion
Winter chores are overwhelming for many homesteaders and farmers! Keeping up with snow removal, ice removal, and freezing weather? It’s a busy time! That’s why it’s so easy to neglect your lawn gear Winterize Your Exmark Lawn Mower.
