Winterizing your Lawn Mower: Lawn Maintenance Tips
As the weather turns cooler, we may be getting closer to the last mow of the season. But instead of just shoving your lawn mower into the back corner of your garage or shed when the frost hits, with a little bit of preemptive work, you can make sure it’s ready to go come spring. Winterizing your lawn mower is an essential part of lawn maintenance throughout the winter season.
Winterizing your Lawn Mower: Gas Edition
If you have a gas mower, it is important to drain or siphon the gas out of the tank. This is because the alcohol in the fuel will dissolve the plastic and rubber parts on your machine. The fuel could also attract moisture, which will corrode the metal components. It could also clog the carburetor.
As long as you’ve added a fuel preservative, you can store the gas until spring. If not, you need to use it soon, or the ethanol will separate and the other chemical components will degrade. Consider adding it to your vehicle’s gas tank. Alternatively, you could consider using it in your snow blower. Once the gas is out of your mower, run the machine for a little bit. This will burn off any remaining fuel.
Spray some oil into the cylinder and pull the recoil handle a few times to make sure the oil is spread evenly inside. Consider replacing the spark plug, and check the filters to see if they need to be cleaned or replaced. In addition, check the oil and see if it needs to be changed. Use a quality spray lubricant on all exposed cable-movement and pivot points.
With those few tasks taken care of, you should be done winterizing your lawn mower!
Winterizing your Lawn Mower: Battery-Powered Edition
If you have a battery-powered mower, remove the battery before you store it for the winter.
Whether you have a gas or electric mower, be sure to clean it thoroughly before you store it. That includes using a wire brush to get into all of the nooks and crannies on the underside of the deck. When winterizing your lawn mower, it is a good idea to check for any loose screws, damaged lines, and other small repairs to be made. Remove the blade, sharpen it, and coat it with a thin layer of oil before you put it back on.
Consider adding a few mothballs near the engine to prevent any nesting rodents. With a few steps in the fall, you can make sure your mower is ready come spring.
Additional Lawn Care
Beyond winterizing your lawn mower, it is essential to prepare your lawn for winter too! Growing a gorgeous, green lawn in the spring takes a bit more than caring for your lawn mower. The best way to make sure you have the healthiest lawn is by taking good care of it, including annual fertilizing, aerating, and overseeding.