Take these steps before winter hits to ensure your lawn mower is in top shape for next spring .
Getty Images / Christa Boaz
Throughout the spring , summertime , and former fall months , alawn moweris an essential creature thatkeeps your grand looking trimmedand presentable . Without a work lawn lawn mower , grass can quickly become tall and unruly , giving the appearance of a poorly - keep nursing home . depend on where you live , continue your lawn well - manicure involvesmowing on a unconstipated basis .
Credit:Getty Images / Christa Boaz
However , when wintertime roll around , the lawn no longer needs a hebdomadal clipping to keep it under controller . During this period of disuse , the lawn lawn mower should be winterized and stored in a safe location so that it ’s quick to go when you need it in the outflow . apply this guidebook to learn how to winterize a lawn lawn mower andhow to properly lay in your mowerfor winter .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Store Your Mower for Winter
Drain the Gas
When gas is lead in the mower throughout the winter season , there is a risk that it could make rust fungus or that it could twist stale and gum up the carburetor or fuel line . To avoid this issue , we recommend draining the gas pedal after your last mow of the time of year .
you could debilitate the gas by removing the fuel tank and tipping the lawn mower over a drain pan . Another option is to utilize a siphon heart to siphon the gas out of the mower without tipping it over .
After drain the fuel armored combat vehicle , start the drain valve or the bolt on the carburetor bowl to run out any remaining petrol out of the carburetor . If the mower does not have a drain valve or bolt , simply start the mower until it stalls , then get down up the lawn mower several more times until it will no longer start .
ensure to salt away any fuel that you remove in a alloy or charge card gas container . Keep the container in a come away garage or shed , and place it at least 50 feet away from all inflammation source .
Check and Replace the Spark Plug
Before store the lawn mower for the winter , it ’s a good idea to check the spark plugs to assure it ’s in good condition . Otherwise , the mower may not start up when you need it in the spring .
turn up the sparkle plug on the side of the locomotive engine , then use a set of pliers to unplug the thick wire at the end of the light plug . When the wire is disconnected , carefully deform the electric arc plug counterclockwise to loosen and take away it .
audit the spark chew for any planetary house of equipment casualty , knockout clothing , or black deposits of carbon . supersede it with a new spark plug if necessary . Otherwise , you’re able to reinstall the spark plug before legal proceeding .
Remove the Battery
keep the barrage fire in the lawn mower all winter can bear upon the life of the battery , so it ’s best to remove it and lay in it in a cool , dry place , away from any warmth seed .
situate the bombardment on top of the engine , under the seat , or under the hood of the lawn mower . If you ca n’t find it , check the owner ’s manual of arms to set where it is installed .
After locating the battery , polish off the negative cable length first ( it should be stigmatize with a negative sign ) , then transfer the irrefutable transmission line . utilize a stiff wire brush and amicrofiber clothto clean the stamp battery terminals before putting the battery into storage .
Empty and Replace the Oil
replace the oil will facilitate ensure the mower will start without issues in the leaping . start up by removing the rock oil capital and dipstick , then bung the mower over a drain pan to empty the honest-to-god vegetable oil . or else , an easy method is to use a siphon pump to siphon off the old oil out of the mower .
When the fossil oil has been enfeeble , you could go forrader and add the raw vegetable oil . Just make indisputable to check the proprietor ’s manual to determine the right type and amount of fossil oil need for the mower . supersede the dipstick and fossil oil cap after changing the oil .
Clean the Undercarriage and Inspect the Blade
Tip the mower up on it ’s side to gain entree to the undercarriage and the mower blade . Take some time to thoroughly pick any dirt , locoweed , or other debris that may be adhere to the undercarriage .
Next , inspect the lawn mower blade for any signs of damage or severe habiliment . If it demand to be removed , use a blade removal puppet to hold the blade in place , then loosen the vane bolt with a socket twist .
The brand may need to be exchange if it is too damaged , but if the blade is just dull , you’re able to either point it yourself with a grinder blade or take it to a local hardware computer memory to have it professionally sharpened before reinstalling it .
Check and Replace the Air Filter
Lawn lawn mower melodic phrase filter should be replaced about once per mowing season or every 300 hours of use of goods and services . If you have n’t replaced the zephyr filter in a while , audit the filter for dirt and detritus human body - up .
If the filter is dirty , then it should be supervene upon . However , if the zephyr filter is washable , then you may just need to wash it , rinse off it , and rent it dry out before reinstalling it . Check the eccentric of filter and the manufacturing business ’s directions before deciding on the best option .
Inspect the Mower for Broken or Worn Parts
Before storing the mower for the wintertime , comport a abbreviated inspection of the entire political machine , including the discharge chute , travelling bag , mulch plug , tyre , cables , and more .
If there are any part that are broken or show foretoken of stern clothing , consider replacing them yourself or having a lowly engine technician accomplished repairs . Additionally , it ’s a well melodic theme to expend a lubricating oil or grime to lube all move parting before storing the lawn mower .
Store the Mower
With the mower ready for winter , set it in a light , teetotal locating with good ventilation , like a shed or garage . insure that the mower is not set near any corrosive material , ignition source , or pissed area . Also , it ’s a sound musical theme to protect the mower from dust and moisture by using a lawn mower cover .
