Off-Season Lawn Mower Maintenance

Ah, the good old off-season. The time when grass enters its dormancy, snow begins to fall, and the lawn mower is able to rest its tired and weary blades until spring dawns and grass grows once more.

If you’re like me, it’s exceedingly tempting to just store the trusty old lawn mower in the garage and call it a day until spring—in fact, I would be lying if I said I had never done this. While this may certainly be a tempting option, doing so astronomically raises the chances of having a lawn mower that won’t come to life in spring. Rest assured, being a little proactive now will save you from a headache when the weather starts to turn.

In order to get started, you’ll need a couple of things handy:
• Fuel stabilizer
• Gloves
• Pan (not the cooking kind)
• Screwdriver
• Ratchet wrench
• Putty knife

Ready? I promise, it won’t be too bad. Scouts’ honor.

Clean Your Mower
A season of yard work can leave your mower looking a little worse for wear. A quick and easy way to clear off loose debris and grass clippings is to use a hose or a leaf blower. For any mud or debris caked onto the mower or the undercarriage, have a putty knife handy to scrape it away.

While you’re here, it may also make sense to remove and sharpen the blade, depending on how old your mower is. To do this, be sure to wear gloves. A good lawn mower blade sharpening guide can be found here.

The Gas Tank Conundrum

The main culprit of a non-starting lawn mower in the spring is a gas tank that was never addressed. There are a few different things you can do here, but before you do any of them, be sure to check your lawn mower owner’s manual to see what is recommended for off-season storage. It’s likely they’ll suggest one of two options:
– Adding fuel stabilizer. You can think of fuel stabilizer as a gas tank protectant for periods of non-use. It helps prevent corrosion and clogging and greatly extends the life of gasoline—sometimes for as long as 24 months.
– Draining the fuel tank. While slightly more inconvenient, your mower may require the tank to be drained completely. Have a tarp and a pan ready to catch the fuel, and tilt your lawn mower on its side to drain the tank. Once drained, run the engine until it shuts off to ensure there is no fuel remaining in the tank or fuel lines.

Drain and Change the Oil

Lawn mowers typically require an oil change every 50 hours or so. If you’re due for one, this is a good time to take care of it. Be sure to recycle used oil according to local regulations and replace it with oil recommended by your mower’s manufacturer.

Remove the Battery for Safe Storage

To help extend battery life, remove it and store it in a cool, dry place away from anything potentially flammable during the winter months. When it’s time to reinstall the battery in spring, a standard 120-volt battery charger can be used to restore it to full capacity.

Spark Plug

Spark plugs should generally be replaced once per season. If you’re already in maintenance mode, this is another simple task worth checking off the list.

Your lawn mower is an investment. While it may survive without following every one of these steps each winter, taking a little extra time now to ensure proper storage will pay dividends when spring rolls around.