Winterizing Your Riding Lawn Mower
As the snow is just around the corner and you get your motorcycle winterized and put away for the winter, there's still one thing left to do. You've cut your grass one last time this fall, and you need to get your lawn mower ready for winter, as well. Winterizing your mower is just as important as your motorcycle to protect it from the elements and be ready when Spring rolls around.
The first thing you should do is make sure you have a quality lawn mower lift. The TurfBuddy Lawn Mower Lift for riders and tractors is compatible with all makes and models of lawn mowers. A lawn mower lift will allow easy access to all parts of the mower and ensure the user's safety, too.
Once you have your tractor up on your lawn mower lift, you are ready to begin your winter maintenance.
- Scrape off all clippings and debris underneath the mower deck. Spray underneath and the rest of the mower with a garden hose to remove all dust and grime.
- Change the engine oil and oil filter. Replace the paper air filter, if applicable,
- Add fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank. Siphon the remaining fuel and restart the mower. Run until the engine runs out of gas. This ensures the tank is empty and the fuel stabilizer is evenly distributed.
- Remove the blades. If they are not damaged or too worn, sharpen them and reattach. If needed, replace with new blades.
- Grease all of the fittings on your lawn mower. See your instruction manual to ensure you have lubricated all the necessary parts.
- Remove and charge the battery completely. Store in a cool, dry place over the winter.
- Store your lawn mower in a dry, covered place. If you do not have a garage or a shed to store it in, a tarp will help protect it from the elements.