Prepping Your Lawn Mowers for Winter Storage
With the summer mowing season coming to an end and the winter months quickly approaching, now’s the time to prepare your lawn mowers to be stored away. You’ll need to perform some cleaning and maintenance with the help of Repower Pros’ replacement engine parts before storing them for a Pennsylvania winter. Properly preparing your mowers for storage will ensure they are in working order when you need them again in the spring. Forgetting to do these can result in more costly damage to your mower. Here are the steps to take when prepping your lawn mowers for winter storage.
Clean the Mower
You should always clean equipment before storing it for the winter season. Clean the deck of the lawn mower by removing grass, dirt, and debris. This will make sure no moisture from the grass blades will cause the deck to rust. Clean the engine, wheels, and body of the mower as well to ensure optimal performance. You can use a hose or a pressure washer on a low setting for general cleaning, and use a plastic paint scraper for stubborn grass or dirt. Ensure the mower is completely dry before storing.
Drain or Stabilize the Fuel
Fuel can go stale quickly, especially if left unattended for a few months. You need to drain or stabilize the fuel in your lawn mower so it doesn’t go stale and be unusable in the spring. If there’s a lot of fuel left in the tank, add a fuel stabilizer. However, if there is not much fuel left, run the engine until the fuel tank is completely drained to make sure there is no gas in the fuel lines, carburetor, and gas cap. We recommend using a fuel stabilizer, as it will prevent the fuel from degrading and extend its lifespan.
How to Use Fuel Stabilizer
If you store your fuel without a stabilizer, it can go bad, get gummy, and clog up the fuel lines and carburetors. To add fuel stabilizer to your gas tank, first determine how full the tank is, then fill the tank with the stabilizer until it is full. You should have a full tank of stabilized fuel so moisture doesn’t build up inside it and cause rust to form and clog the carburetors. Once the tank is full, we find it best to run the engine for 5-10 minutes to let the stabilized fuel circulate through the system.
Maintenance
Engine
Engine maintenance is one of the most vital parts of preparing your lawn mower for winter storage. You should change the engine oil at least once a year. This can be done in the spring before the mowing season or in the fall when storing it for winter. Check the air filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. If you have a gas model lawn mower, check the spark plug. The spark plug should be disconnected before doing any maintenance, so if you notice that it’s old, replace it. If you see any components that are damaged, they should be repaired or replaced. Repower Pros has engine rebuild kits and replacement parts to help you repair your lawn mowers.
Blades
To maintain the mower’s blades, safely remove and clean them. Sharpen them to ensure they cut properly. Use a file or bench grinder so the blade has a cleaner cut. If you see any damage on the blades or if they’re too worn down, replace them. In our experience, you should replace a lawn mower’s blades when they are dented, chipped, bent, or cracked.
Batteries
If your lawn mower is battery-powered, remove the battery before storing it for the winter. To remove the battery, disconnect the negative cable, then the positive cable. If you notice the battery is old or damaged, we recommend replacing it. If the battery is in good condition, then clean it with a cloth rag, then store it away. Store the battery in a cool, dry location that is away from any heat sources like gas cans, water heaters, and furnaces.
Storing Your Lawn Mower
Ideally, you should store your lawn mower in your shed or garage to protect it from Pennsylvania weather elements. Your garage or shed should be insulated and weatherproof. The storage area must be dry so rust and further damage don’t occur on the lawn mower. If you don’t have a shed or garage and need to store the lawn mower outside for the winter, cover the mower with an all-season cover to protect it from dust and moisture.
Find Engine Replacement Parts with Repower Pros
Maintaining your lawn mower, especially the engine, is vital to ensure it will be in good working condition for the spring season. Repower Pros has all you need to maintain your lawn mower engine, providing high-quality new and used parts for homeowners. We work with multiple small engine models, including Kawasaki, John Deere, Briggs & Stratton, and more. Check out our available replacement engine parts, engine rebuild kits, and replacement engines to help you get started. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.