We look at how to prepare and store your lawn mower for winter. Whether you're storing a petrol, electric, or manual mower, our guide will help you safeguard your investment and prolong its lifespan.

Remove the Battery

When winter draws near, it's time to store your lawn mower for the colder months. Here's how to prepare and store your lawn mower for winter. The first step is to remove the battery. This step is essential as the cold temperatures during winter could cause your mower battery to drain faster, potentially causing irreversible damage.

To begin, make sure the mower's engine is cold, and the spark plug is disconnected for safety reasons. Then, locate the battery usually situated at the rear of the machine.

Use a spanner or adjustable wrench to loosen and remove the battery clamps, always starting with the negative post (usually marked with a minus sign). Once the clamps are off, carefully lift the battery out of the machine. It is important to remember to handle the battery with care as they contain harmful acids.

Once you've safely removed the battery, clean the terminals using a brush with a mix of baking soda and water to remove corrosion. After cleaning, dry properly and apply a thin coating of petroleum jelly or grease to prevent further corrosion. During the winter months, store your battery in a cool, dry place and make sure to charge it fully before storing it to maintain the battery life for the spring season.

By removing the battery, you safeguard its lifespan and efficiency, ensuring your mower is raring to go when the new grass-growing season arrives.

Clean your Mower

Making sure your mower is clean is just as important as looking after its internal mechanics. When dirt, cut grass, and debris start to amass inside its components, this can speed up the rusting process, disrupt smooth movement, and even create a favourable habitat for insects and critters over time.

You ought to kick off by brushing away any loose groups of grass and dirt residing on the exterior surface of the mower. After that gets sorted out, shift your attention to underneath the machine, specifically the deck. This is the part of the mower where cut-up grass tends to accumulate.

To remove this entrenched dirt, use a power washer or a powerful stream of water. During this cleaning phase, it's paramount that the spark plug lead is protected to prevent any water from seeping in and damaging the engine.

After the washing, ensure the mower is thoroughly dry to stop any potential rusting. The next task is to unload the oil tank. Old engine oil often contains moisture and impurities that might damage your engine, particularly during winter storage.

Once it's fully drained, refill it with fresh oil. Always remember to consult the user manual to identify the correct type of oil for your lawn mower. Regular cleaning exercises not only extend the lifespan of your machinery but also make it easier to pinpoint any parts that might be busted and need replacing.

Furthermore, they ensure your mower is prepped and ready for the first round of springtime lawn trimming. With these cleaning steps, your mower will be able to perform at its best and provide you with a well-kept lawn. It's certainly a worthwhile task, ensuring the longevity and optimal performance of your mower. After all, the effort you lend in taking care of your mower today will help save time and money over time.

Add Stabilised Fuel

One crucial area to pay attention to when preparing your lawn mower for winter storage is the fuel. If you leave fuel in your mower over the course of winter, it can deteriorate, leading to the creation of a varnish-like substance that can clog up the carburettor.

To avoid this potential problem, it's advisable to drain any excess fuel from the mower. You can do this simply by running the mower until the fuel tank is completely dry. After doing so, fill the fuel tank with a small amount of fuel that has been stabilised. Fuel stabilisers act to stop the ageing of fuel, which could cause damage to the mower's engine.

Once you've added the stabilised fuel, run the engine for a few minutes. This lets the stabilised fuel circulate all the way through the system, ensuring that every part of the engine is protected. However, it’s vital to be sure you know the correct proportions of stabiliser to add to the fuel.

You will typically find this information in the stabiliser product's instructions. Storing your mower with stabilised fuel is an effective way to prevent issues with the engine starting up when winter ends. Once spring returns and the grass-cutting season kicks off again, you'll be glad you took these precautions.

Store in a Dry Place

When it comes to the winter months, finding a suitable storage location for your lawn mower is extremely important. You should ensure that the chosen location is dry, out of reach, and provides sufficient protection against harsh winter weather. Why does the dryness of the storage location matter? If your lawn mower is stored in a place that is wet or damp, the excessive moisture can result in the metal parts of the mower becoming rusty.

Additionally, moisture can seep into the engine, causing significant damage. For these reasons, it's recommended to utilise locations such as garages, sheds, or storage units for stowing your mower during the winter months.

These spaces typically provide the necessary shelter and dryness. Another key consideration is the safety aspect. To avert any potential accidents, your mower should be kept well out of the way. This not only ensures safety but also prevents your mower from becoming a trip hazard.

Furthermore, the surface on which the mower rests can also affect its condition. If you plan to place the mower directly on a bare concrete floor or any other unshielded surface, there's a risk of moisture creeping up from the ground. To minimise this risk, it's advisable to place a sheet of plywood under the mower.

This acts as a protective barrier, guarding the mower against any potential moisture damage. In conclusion, proper storage of your mower during winter is crucial for its longevity. A secure, dry, and protected location can help maintain your mower's performance and longevity.

Check Condition of Blades

Taking care of your mower blades before you store them for the winter season is a step that must be given utmost importance. This task, which may seem insignificant, has a huge impact on the quality of mowing and the health of your lawn. A sharp blade cuts cleanly through the grass, whereas a dull one rips through it. This essentially means that when you mow your lawn with a sharp blade, it leaves neat, uniform cuts, making your lawn look neater and well-maintained.

On the other hand, using dull blades can leave your lawn looking ragged, with uneven edges. This non-uniformity is not just visually displeasing but also may lead to significant health issues for your lawn. Tear cuts by dull blades expose a larger surface area of grass to the external environment, making it highly prone to the risk of pest infestations and bacterial disease.

If upon examination, you find that your blades are blunt or have suffered any nick, it is best to have them professionally sharpened or replaced if necessary. A trained professional would ensure that your blades are sharply honed, guaranteeing the high efficiency of mowing next season.

By investing in the maintenance of your mower blades, you save yourself from potential lawn problems. Before putting your mower away for the winter months, it is crucial to apply a thin coating of oil to the blades. Castor or vegetable oil can be used for this purpose to coat the steel blade of the lawnmower.

This protective layer acts as a barrier and blocks the moisture content from reaching the steel structure, thereby preventing rust during storage. Understanding and implementing this smart practice of caring for your mower's blades ultimately sets you up for a bright start to the next mowing season.

A well-maintained, sharp blade ensures optimal mowing and contributes to a healthy, visually appealing lawn when spring arrives. Remember, a happy and healthy lawn starts with a well-maintained lawnmower, and a well-maintained lawnmower has sharp blades.

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