As mowing season winds down, it’s important to think about winter storage. Prepare your lawn mower for the winter before snow hits. At the end of mowing season, take your time tending to your mower. It will make starting and using the machine much easier next spring if it is well prepared for storage during the cold season. Follow this guide on how to prepare your lawn mower for winter storage.
Before performing any maintenance on your mower, refer to your owner’s manual for recommended maintenance and safety information. Maintenance instructions vary by model, so depending on your model our instructions may vary slightly. Check your owner’s manual to get instructions specific to your model, including information about the recommended oil type.
Clean Your Mower
Fully clean your mower. Dirt and debris, damp grass clippings, or leaf mulch tend to clump up underneath the mowing deck and inside the bag. To get rid of this, start the mower engine, engage the blade, then spray water in front of the rear wheels (make sure you’re standing behind the mower, so you stay clean and dry). When you see only clear water come out from under the mower, the deck should be clean.
Make sure the mower is completely dry before storing, and never spray water directly into the engine.
Remove Oil
Empty all fuel from your lawn mower. Most gasoline contains a substantial amount of ethanol, which breaks down over time and loosens deposits that have formed inside the engine. This causes gum-like material to move around inside the fuel system, which can clog the carburetor and other small openings.
While draining your gas tank may seem like a time-consuming task, it’s actually very simple and can save you a lot of time and maintenance costs down the road.
At the end of each mowing season, start by filling your fuel tank with just enough gas to run your engine for one last mow, trim, or tilling task. Once you’ve finished perfecting your lawn, let the engine run until it stalls out and there is no longer any gas in the tank. Next, try to start the engine again to rid of any fuel that may not have escaped during the previous run.
If you have trouble completely draining your tank or prefer to keep your small engine equipment stocked with gas, you can choose to use a fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel spoilage.
Check Tires
Inflate tires to their proper pressure to prevent damage as they can lose pressure over the winter. You should also protect your mower tires from cold concrete by parking the mower on cardboard or other insulating material.
Storage
Be sure to store your lawn mower somewhere clean and dry—ideally, a garage or shed that offers protection from rain, snow, and other winter elements. For additional protection, consider covering your mower with a tarp to block out possible moisture. Moth balls also help protect against pests that could nest inside the engine, while removing the battery and storing it in a warm, indoor location could help extend performance life.
Do not store your mower near fertilizers and other corrosive materials, as these can eat away at metal when airborne. Keep it away from items that can cause sparks.
Use our illustrated parts diagrams to locate any replacement parts you may need for maintenance for your lawn mower.
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Why Weingartz?
Weingartz, family owned and operated, began in 1945 as a farm supply store for local Michigan families. In the 1970s, we began to focus exclusively on outdoor power equipment. Over time, we morphed into the “power equipment superstore” that now defines all of our locations. The staff and experts at Weingartz work diligently to provide the best service possible and give honest and helpful advice to each and every customer.
Weingartz also sells parts for all outdoor power equipment at https://weingartz.com/parts-lookup.
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5436 Jackson Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 239-8200
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