November 2007
Storing mowers and other power equipment for the winter
When packing lawn and garden gear away for the winter, you'll want to do more than toss it in the shed. Here's how to take care of your equipment so it's ready to go when spring rolls around.
Fuel
Gasoline-powered mowers and tractors can survive the cold months fine, but the fuel in them begins to oxidize quickly and can cause deposits that clog the carburetor and prevent starting. The best way to prevent that is to add a stabilizer to the fuel. Home centers, gasoline stations, and garden-supply stores sell it. Let the engine run for a few minutes to ensure the stabilized fuel reaches the carburetor. Stabilizer manufacturers claim their products keep fuel from oxidizing for up to 12 months.
When packing lawn and garden gear away for the winter, you'll want to do more than toss it in the shed. Here's how to take care of your equipment so it's ready to go when spring rolls around.
Fuel
Gasoline-powered mowers and tractors can survive the cold months fine, but the fuel in them begins to oxidize quickly and can cause deposits that clog the carburetor and prevent starting. The best way to prevent that is to add a stabilizer to the fuel. Home centers, gasoline stations, and garden-supply stores sell it. Let the engine run for a few minutes to ensure the stabilized fuel reaches the carburetor. Stabilizer manufacturers claim their products keep fuel from oxidizing for up to 12 months.
- If you store a mower or tractor in the basement or an attached garage, run it dry the day you mow your lawn the last time
for the season.
- If you store the mower in a detached shed, make sure the fuel tank is filled with stabilized fuel. This method has two advantages
over running the engine dry: In metal tanks, a full fuel tank prevents rust-causing condensation from forming and keeps the
carburetor float from sticking. It also means you minimize fuel use and air pollution.
Mower deck and blade
To prevent corrosion damage to the underside of the deck, use a plastic scraper to remove the dirt and grass clippings and follow up by spraying thoroughly with the garden hose. When it's dry, coat the deck with silicone spray to reduce clippings buildup next spring. Now is a good time to sharpen the blade.
Spark plug
Remove it, check the electrodes for wear and deposits, squirt a few drops of fogging oil in the cylinder, pull the starter cord a few times (or jog the engine with the key on an electric-start mower) then reattach the plug. (You can buy fogging oil at power-equipment and auto-parts stores.) Leave the wire off to keep children from starting the engine. If the plug's electrodes are badly worn, this is a good time to replace it.
Battery
For tractors or riding mowers with a starter battery, remove the battery, charge it fully, and store it inside for the winter (unless, of course, you'll be using the tractor to move snow during the winter). For added protection, charge the battery again one or two times while it's in storage.
If you have a battery-powered mower, bring it inside and follow the manufacturer's instructions for keeping it charged during the winter.
Routine maintenance
The end of the mowing season is a convenient time to perform those preventive-maintenance chores that keep a mower or tractor running longer. Check the owner's manual for specifics. Sharpen the blade (a dull blade shreds the grass, promoting disease), change the oil (four-stroke engines only), replace the air filter (or clean it if it's an older, foam type), and lubricate such moving parts as cables, levers, and wheels.
STORING OTHER POWER EQUIPMENT
Much of this advice applies to garden tillers, string trimmers, leaf blowers, edgers, and other power equipment. - Check all moving parts for damage. Cover any bare metal parts with oil or rust preventive.
- Clean caked-on grass and wipe debris from tillers, edgers, and trimmer housings.
- For battery-powered equipment, remove the battery and fully charge it before storing.
Getting winter tools ready to use: Before the first snowfall or ice storm, these steps can get your snow blower and chain saw ready for the cold weather: For your snow blower...
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