We’re not completely done with the lawn care equipment just yet, but winter is bearing down on us. It’s time to start thinking about winterizing your mower, garden tractor or walk-behind.
If you don’t normally perform a thorough winterization process, it’s a great habit to adopt this year. It’s not all that difficult to make sure your mower is stored correctly for the winter months, and you’ll see the benefits once spring arrives and it’s time to rev up and cut down that fresh lawn.
Here’s a thorough checklist of what all you should do once you’re ready to put that mower away for the winter.
Clean it up
Mower debris and build-up can cause rust and erosion, cutting down on the life of your mower. Remove the spark plug and hose down your mower to clear away grass and debris. If you have a power washer, you can use it with caution so long as the PSI isn’t too much. You don’t want to push dirt or water into bearings or wash away lubricants.
Then, scrape down the deck and clear out any clumps. Finally, wipe down the mower with cloths.
Do an inspection
Check the deck, belts and blades to make sure nothing is broken or worn. If you find anything that needs replaced, plan to do so in the next few months. Also, check the blades to see if they need sharpened, if they do, do sharpen them.
Oil Change
Make sure to check if the oil level is ok. If it looks fine, start the engine and allow it to warm up. This not only makes it easier to change, but stirs up any dirt that might be in the oil pan. Drain the oil and refill it with the proper type. Also, if the engine has an oil filter, change it.
Engine Care
It’s a good idea to change the fuel filter and either clean or replace the air filter.
Empty the gasoline by the running the engine till it’s gone, or add a fuel stabilizer. Gasoline should not be stored for more than 30 days without a stabilizer. If you add a stabilizer, run the engine a few minutes to circulate it through the engine. By emptying the tank or treating the fuel you are protecting from winter erosion.
Next, remove the spark plug, put a teaspoon of oil in the spark plug hole, and replace it with a new one. Go ahead and crank the engine so the oil spreads inside the cylinder.
The final step
Remove the battery and store it someplace warm. If you can, charge the battery before storing it. Finally, find a cool, dry place to store the mower.
These steps will help you put together a fairly thorough mower winterization. However, it’s always a good idea to read your owner’s manual before starting your process.
Remember, if you don’t want to winterize your mower, Snappy’s Outdoor Equipment Sales and Service is only a phone call away at 419-879-1196. Stop by our store at 2120 N. Dixie Highway and we’d love to winterize your mower before winter hits. Our hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
