Preparing Your Lawnmower for the Off-Season

Photo from thisoldhouse.com

I know some of you may not be excited about the weather turning cold.  However, others are looking forward to putting away their lawnmowers for a couple of months and not worrying about keeping their lawn at the perfect height.  Before you put those lawnmowers up for the season, I strongly recommend that you prepare it for storage first.

Lawnmowers really should be cleaned thoroughly with a degreaser or soap and water before it is stored.  Dirty engines and parts can potentially attract moisture that can lead to corrosion and rust.  Be sure to oil internal parts to prevent any rust that may cause the piston rings to seize and prevent the crankshaft from rotating.

Another pre-storage recommendation is to drain the fuel tank.  Gasoline should not be allowed to remain in a fuel system for a long time.  Oxygen in the air causes gas to oxidize, which can turn the gas into a thick gum.  Some equipment companies recommend a fuel stabilizer be added to the fuel to prevent any oxidation.  Fuel with this stabilizer does not have to be drained for short-term storage.  Also note that you should not store outdoor equipment with gasoline in the fuel tank in any heated garage or basement.

The last thing you should do before storing your lawnmower for the winter is to remove and evaluate the battery.  The battery should be kept in a warm, dry area on a wooden board.  It is not advised to store a battery on concrete because the dampness of concrete causes the battery to discharge.  Do not allow the battery to freeze.  Frozen battery electrolyte will break the battery case.  Before putting the battery away, be sure to check for any cracks or bulges in the case, leaks, damaged insulations on battery cables, corrosion buildup and loose or missing hardware.

Winter is also a good time to have blades sharpened so you may want to remove blades before storing your mower as well.

For more information on winter storage and preventative maintenance of outdoor lawn equipment, contact the McLean County Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.  Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.