Crisp air and falling leaves are tell-tale signs that mowing season is coming to an end. While your first instinct might be to park your mower and hunker down for winter, you’ll want to first ensure it’ll be ready, come springtime. Put another way, you’ll need to know how to winterize your lawn mower.
Proper mower winterization is a critical step in protecting your investment over the long haul. Extended periods of inactivity can wreak havoc on mowers, and the added effects of cold weather makes properly winterizing them even more important.
Whether you own a simple push mower or an entire fleet of zero-turns, you’d be wise to follow these winterization basics.
Full Cleaning
If you perform only one lawn mower winterization task this fall, make sure that’s fully cleaning it. Any debris left on a mower’s exterior or interior can result in moisture. And, this can cause rust, or a freezing/thawing cycle that’s bad for metal. Take any normal steps you would to clean other power equipment. This includes spraying the deck out, removing blades, and removing clumps of grass. When done correctly, your machine should be free of any grass, clippings or dirt.
Regular Maintenance
The next step in mower winterization involves changing the oil, spark plugs and air filters. Additionally, either empty out the fuel system or add a fuel stabilizer designed for winter storage. For more comprehensive maintenance, lubricate all friction points.
Once these steps have been performed, simply run the engine for a few minutes. Doing so will confirm that everything has been changed properly, and ensure that new fuel has been injected into the engine.
Battery Prep
Care for your battery properly throughout the winter by either charging it periodically, or removing it, altogether. If kept connected, make sure your battery doesn’t sit too long between cranks.
Tire Care
If your mower has pneumatic tires, park it on a non-concrete surface. If this isn’t an option, place a piece of cardboard on top of cold concrete to serve as insulation. Finally, rotate the tires so they don’t bear too much pressure on any one side.
Storage
The last step in winterize your lawn mower involves properly storing it. A garage or other covered structure are ideal places to protect mowers from cold and moisture. For added defense against the elements, try covering your mower. Finally, store it away from appliances, fertilizers, or any other corrosive materials known to compromise metal.
Follow these time-tested mower winterization tips and your mower will be as ready to go as you are, come spring!
More Mowing Tips:
- When To Stop Lawn Mowing for the Season
- Lawn Striping: How to Mow Stripes and Patterns
- Lawn Mower Mistakes to Avoid
