How to Winterize Riding Lawn Mower | Step by Step Process

You have just finished your last cutting of the season, and you are wondering how to winterize riding lawn mower. If you failure to winterize your riding mower in a proper way, you will end up with a very expensive repair bill for the next year when you get ready to use your mower again. So, read through this article and learn how to winterize riding lawn mower. Here is a quick refresher on some steps you can take to ensure that your mower will be ready for next year.

Step 1 – Change the oil and filter:

Once you have finished your last mow, it is time to change out the old oil for new. Whether you use synthetic or conventional oil, make sure that you follow any special instructions listed on the manufacturer’s instruction manual. Some manufacturers recommend using a small amount of fuel stabilizer in the engine during storage to prevent gum up, so check the manual. After you have replaced the oil and filter, remember to dispose of the old oil properly.

Step 2- Add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank:

Use fuel stabilizer in your last fill up before storage to help prevent gumming and varnishing. Fuel stabilizer is available at any outdoor power equipment dealer, as well as auto supply stores. The exact dose you will need will vary by manufacturer, so check the instructions on the product that you are using.

Step 3 – Add an oil treatment to the crankcase:

Use an oil treatment in your last fill up before storage. Most riding lawn mowers are equipped with crankcases that do not have a protective coating on them. If you store your mower for several months, without using this kind of product, it will rust. A high-quality oil treatment can prevent this from happening and will also act as a lubricant for the engine during storage. It is especially important to use an oil treatment if you are storing your mower in an unheated area.

Step 4 – Change the spark plug:

If you are storing your mower for longer than 30 days, change out the spark plug as well. This will help ensure that your lawn mower will start on the first pull. If you are using a lawn mower with an electric start, check to make sure that it is charged and ready for next season.

Step 5 – Clean it up:

It is time to clean it up for storage. Remove all accessories from the deck and clean them off or place them in an area where they will stay dry until spring. Be sure to remove any leaves and other debris from under the mower deck and clean off the underside of the mower. It is essential to make sure you get all of the leaves out of the undercarriage for safety reasons. You can use a hose, leaf blower, or broom to clean these areas.

Step 6 – Pack it up:

Once you have made the above preparations, it is time to put your riding lawn mower away for winter. You will want to place your mower in an area where it can get some protection from rain and snow, yet still have good ventilation. Many manufacturers recommend storing their riding lawn mowers outside on the concrete patio to protect them against moisture and temperature. Whatever space you use, make sure that you cover the mower with a thick tarp or tarpaulin during storage.

Step 7 – Charge battery:

When you are storing your riding lawn mower for the winter, the battery should be removed from the machine. If you are storing the riding lawn mower plugged in to an outlet, then it is still a good idea to charge your battery and then move it into storage so that corrosion is not a problem.

Step 8 – Stow hardware:

However, it is often tempting to leave all of the nuts and bolts on the machine., it is best to take them off for storage. Most riding lawn mower deck hardware can be placed in an area where they will stay dry and not corrode during the winter.

Step 9 – Store the lawn mower properly:

Once you have finished using your riding mower and storing it away, make sure to place it some place where rain or snow will not damage it. You do not want to store you riding lawn mower under a tarp or in a poorly ventilated area that could trap moisture inside. A garage is usually high on most lists of ideal places to store your lawn equipment during winter months.

What to Check:

1. Check for any loose bolts, nuts and screws:

When you pull out the mower after storage, you may find some areas where things got worked loose over the winter. Do not operate the mower until you have checked and tightened any loose bolts, nuts or screws that may have come undone over the year. This is an important step for safety reasons as well as to prevent damage to your mower.

2. Check the blade:

Remove all dirt or debris from around the blade, and if the blade needs sharpening have a professional do it for safety reasons. Sharpening blades is not an easy task, but you can certainly use help from an expert to ensure that everything is done correctly.

3. Tires:

Check the air pressure in all of your tires to ensure proper inflation before you store them away for the winter. Be sure there is no debris that may fall into or block airflow through your tires.

When storing a riding lawn mower for the winter you also need to:

1. Store the area where the mower is kept dry:

The storage area where you place your riding lawn mower must be kept dry. Store the mower in an area that is well ventilated: Your riding lawn mower should not be stored in an enclosed building or shed as this may trap moisture which could cause rust and corrosion to occur over the winter months.

2. Place a cover over top of the machine:

A cover over top of the machine will help to prevent rain or snow from getting into the engine and other areas on the mower. You may want to consider putting plastic under the tires if they are not in a dry area (This prevents dirt build up).

3. Put some weight in all 4 corners:

Some people like to put weights like cement blocks in all four corners of the mower when storing it away. This will keep the machine from totally changing positions during the winter months, and will help to prevent corrosion as well.

4. Avoid parking your riding lawn mower near trees:

If you are going to park your riding lawn mower beside a tree or other wooden structure, make sure to protect your machine from any tree peeling or sap coming into contact with the mower. If you see any tree peeling or sap coming down from the trees, make sure to clean it off of your mower right away.

Conclusion

If you keep up with these few simple steps before storage and again after your mower comes out of winter hibernation, your mower will be ready to go for the next mowing season. Remember, your lawn mower is a sizable investment and taking good care of it now can mean the difference between buying another riding lawn mower or saving yourself hundreds, if not thousands.