The Mower In Winter
by
Alex Russel, All About Lawns Columnist
Once mowing season ends, it may be extremely tempting to just bury your lawn mower in the garage to be forgotten until Spring. Leaving your mower out in the cold like that, without any prevention measures, will have the same consequences as leaving your car alone for that long. Those consequences could be expensive. Looking after your lawn mower should be no different than caring for your family car. Maintenance is key.
Don't Neglect The Lawn Mower If you're not the fix-it type then late fall is the best time to take your mower to the repair shop. For $75 or less, you should be able to get a thorough check-up. Once completed, you're safe to store the mower away for the cold winter season.
Here are some pointers on preparing your mower for seasonal downtime:
Clean Your Lawn Mower The first step is to get all the grass and mud off of the mower machinery and blades. This lawn residue can carry moisture and will damage your mower over the long-term. A putty knife does this job well.
Remove the mower cover and check the belt or chain drive system. A good motor belt lasts about two years, depending on usage.
Lower Mower Tire Pressure Keep an eye on tire pressure. If you let your lawn tires get too low, they bulge out and crack against the rims. Once you're up and running these cracks will eventually turn into tire punctures.
Check any fuel or drive engagement cables. These should be cleaned and lubed with WD 40. On walk behind mowers, the drive system on the hind wheels should be similarly cleaned and lubed.
Clean Lawn Mower Filters Check for dirty air filters. Like all motors, the air/fuel ratio will be affected if the filter is dirty and clogged. If dirty, clean it, or replace the filter with a new one. Also check the spark plug. If it looks cracked, replace it.
If your mower has a fuel shut off valve then winter is the time to use it. Fuel that remains in the carburetor will slowly turn into sludge.
Oil, Oil, Oil! This is the most important detail. When leaving a mower for a long period of time, your oil should be changed otherwise your engine may be severely damaged. Just like the family car!
About the Author
Alex Russel is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Since
graduating from Syracuse University he has worked at many different
media companies in fields as diverse as film, TV, advertising, and
journalism. He holds a dual bachelor's degree in English and History.
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