How to Winterize your Lawn Mower
You can winterize your lawn mower by replacing its oil, removing the battery, and storing your lawn mower in a cool, dry place. Once the weather hits below 50℉, it may be a sign to hang up the lawn mower for the season and store it until April next year. You can just place your lawn mower in the shed and call it a day, but proper lawn mower winter storage is essential to increasing the longevity of your mower.
Learn how to winterize a lawn mower with help from our team at Mowrator. We've outlined why winterizing your lawn mower is essential and a step-by-step process for winterizing and storing your mower safely over the holidays.
Key Takeaways
- Winterize your lawn mower by cleaning it thoroughly, servicing the engine, removing the battery, and storing it in a dry, ventilated area to prolong its lifespan and ensure smooth operation in spring.
- Follow essential steps like disconnecting the spark plug, stabilizing or removing fuel, lubricating parts, and sharpening blades, or opt for an electric model for easier maintenance.
What is Winterizing your Lawn Mower?
Winterizing your lawn mower involves preparing your equipment for long-term storage over the winter months. Since you're not using your lawn mower, there are several steps you need to follow to ensure your mower is ready to go come spring. Not only can winterization save on time in spring, properly maintained electric lawn mowers can also save you 3 to 5 times more on lifetime costs, according to a sustainability report by Williams.
While preparing your lawn mower for winter sounds tedious, it's pretty easy - you can finish in an hour and save plenty in the long run.
How to Winterize a Lawn Mower | Step-by-Step
Winterizing your lawn mower involves thoroughly cleaning your lawn mower deck and critical components, servicing the engine and removing the battery, then storing it in a cool and dry location. We've outlined the process in detail to help you every step of the way.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Service your Lawn Mower Engine | Prepare your lawn mower for winter by either obliterating the fuel if stored indoors or stabilizing the fuel if stored in a shed or garage, ensuring the engine is emptied, cleaned, and properly treated. |
| 2. Remove your Electric Lawn Mower Battery | Store your lawn mower battery in a cool, dry place between 32℉ and 80℉ to maintain its lifespan and avoid freezing temperatures. |
| 3. Clean your Lawn Mower | Clean your lawn mower for winter by hosing it down, using car wash detergent for tough stains, scraping off grass clumps, and using a pressure washer for stubborn buildup. |
| 4. Store your Lawn Mower for Winter | Store your lawn mower in a dry, ventilated area away from hazards, sharpen blades, lubricate parts, and elevate it under a tarp, or consider a convenient electric model like Mowrator's S1 4WD. |
How to Service your Lawn Mower Engine for Winter
You have two options when servicing your lawn mower engine for winter: you can stabilize the fuel or remove it altogether. If you're planning to store your lawn mower in the basement, removing the fuel is better, as it can be a fire hazard. Storing your mower in a shed or garage should be fine as long as it has stabilized fuel.
- Removing Fuel from your Engine. To remove the oil from your engine, place it on a solid surface and lean the lawn mower on its side. Disconnect the carburetor and siphon the fuel from the tank into a storage container until it is empty. You can either dispose of the old oil safely or add it to your car's fuel system if it isn't filled with debris.
- Adding Fuel Stabilizer to your Engine. Once you've removed the oil from the tank and run the mower dry, you can add new oil until the mower has a full tank and a stabilizer. Some gas already comes with a stabilizer, which can be worth keeping an eye out for. After you change the oil and stabilize it, run the mower's engine for a few minutes to let the fuel coat the carburetor.
Disconnect the Spark Plug
Before working with it, you should always disconnect the spark plug from your lawn mower's engine. Over 37% of lawn mower injuries in the USA took place between July and September, according to Public Health Reports, when people begin winterizing their lawn mowers after the summer season.
- To disconnect the spark plug, first find it at the side of the engine.
- Remove the wire connecting the spark plug to the engine by hand or a pair of pliers.
- Turn the spark plug counterclockwise to loosen it and remove it.
Once removed, examine the spark plug for any oil residue or marks that may have gathered. If you find any, please replace your spark plug immediately.
How to Remove your Electric Lawn Mower Battery
Turn off your lawn mower and remove the battery. You need to store your electric lawn mower battery in a cool, dry place with minimal temperature fluctuations. Temperature severely impacts your battery's capacity and lifespan, making it crucial to control at all times.
- The ideal temperature for battery storage is between 32℉ and 80℉
- The best performance temperature for running your lawn mower is 77℉
- Don't keep your lawn mower battery exposed in freezing conditions
How to Clean a Lawn Mower for Winter
The best way to clean your lawn mower for winter is to clean the deck and housing, degrease the lawn mower, and then do what you can to prevent rust. Here's the best way to clean the exterior of your lawn mower:
- Spray the lawn mower down with a garden hose
- For any stubborn pieces of dirt or stains, you can use car wash detergent
- Remove any grass clumps utilizing a putty knife and scrape the inside of the undercarriage thoroughly
- If you still have buildup, a pressure washer is your most excellent tool to store your lawn mower cleanly away for the winter.
How to Degrease your Lawn Mower
To degrease your lawn mower, apply it to any oil stains that may be present. Let it stand for between 10 and 15 minutes, and wipe it clean with a cloth afterward. You can rinse the rest with a hose.
How to Store Lawn Mower for Winter
You must store your lawn mower in a well-ventilated, dry, and cool area. Certain conditions, like a dusty shed, frosty floor, and items like fertilizer, should be kept well away from your lawn mower. Before you store your lawn mower, also be sure to complete the following steps:
- Sharpen and replace any lawn mower blades
- Lubricate its moving parts (wheels, ball bearings, etc.)
- Store your lawn mower underneath a tarp
- Elevate the mower off the ground if possible.
Certain lawn mowers are far easier to store than others. Why replace the oil and complete engine maintenance when you can use an electric lawn mower. Mowrator's S1 Remote Control Lawn Mower 4WD boasts the blades of a traditional lawn mower with intuitive controls. Shop today.
FAQs on How to Winterize your Lawn Mower
Do all lawn mowers need to be winterized?
Yes, all lawn mowers must be winterized if they won't be used for several months during cold weather. Proper winterization prevents issues like starting problems in spring and protects the mower from damage caused by fuel degradation, battery deterioration, and moisture accumulation.
How long can a mower sit unused?
A lawn mower can sit unused for up to 30 days with untreated fuel before the gasoline degrades and potentially damages the engine. With properly treated gasoline using a fuel stabilizer, a lawn mower can safely sit unused for up to one year without causing damage to the fuel system.
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