Preparing Your Lawn Equipment for Winter Storage

Fortunately, it is not difficult to prepare your lawn mowers, tractors, zero turns or other small engine devices for the winter months. If you are putting away your equipment for a period of 30 days or longer, the following are a series of steps that will ensure that the items will function just as well the following spring.

The first step is fairly obvious. Make sure that the equipment is thoroughly cleaned. This can be done using the basic water and soap. A pressure washer may also come in handy but ensure that you are not shooting the pressurized water in one area for long periods of time at the risk of damaging the equipment. Also, make sure that no dirt is forced into the bearings, air filter, carburetor or other parts of the engine. The pressurized spray could also wash any lubricant away. Therefore, after the equipment is cleaned, it is a good idea to use a hand held blower and completely dry the entire unit.

Next, you will need to inspect the deck belts, the deck, blades, and hangers. If anything has gotten worn or broken during the year, the winter is a wonderful time to replace these parts. If you have a tractor or zero turn jacked up, the blades need to be removed and sharpened. You can remove the blades by using a block of wood to block the blade. The blade’s nut or bolt can then be unscrewed. It is best to wear gloves particularly if you are re-installing new or sharpened blades. It is also beneficial to replace the deck belts that are worn. In this way, you will ensure that the belt does not need to be replaced the next season. If the deck has been removed, it is a good idea to lubricate the zerk fittings at this time. Make sure to follow the owner’s manual for direction.

Changing the oil is another essential step and the oil level should also be checked. If the oil level is as it should be, the engine should be started and allowed to warm. This will allow for the oil to be easier to change and will stir any dirt which may be present in the oil pan. This will ensure that the dirt will be removed with the old oil. After this is done, turn off the engine and drain the used oil.  Please dispose of your used oil at a waste oil facility and keep the environment clean.

Once this is done, change the fuel filter on the equipment. Clamp the fuel line and loosen the clamps in order to remove the filter. Make sure that no gasoline is spilled in the process. Make sure that the hose is replaced correctly after this process is complete. Remove the pre cleaner and the air filter as well. Clean them or, if they need to be replaced, replace them. After it has been cleaned, the air cleaner should be reinstalled.  If you have a foam air filter or pre cleaner it is recommended to soak the foam filter with oil, squeeze the excess out and install accordingly.  This will attract dirt and debris to the foam soaked filter and cause it not to get past it and in your fuel system.

The next step is to take care of the gasoline. Keep in mind that gasoline begins to break down over a short period of time and should never be stored over 30 days unless properly treated. Therefore, it is essential to care for the fuel system so that the equipment can withstand the winter. There are debates as to how to properly do this. The first is to drain the gas so that the fuel system is completely dry during the winter. The issue with this procedure is that it is possible for water to gather in the area due to condensation. This can lead to damage that even the gas would not cause. Another strategy is to fill the gas tank with gasoline which has been properly treated with a stabilizer, which serves to keep the gasoline fresh and prevents deposit buildup within the tank. When the tank is full of gasoline, the buildup of condensation is prevented. After the tank has been filled with fuel which has been stabilized, it is necessary to run the engine for approximately 10 minutes. This prevents the raw fuel from entering the carburetor.

Place the piece of equipment where it is going to be stored during the winter. This should be done because after the item has been completely winterized, you do not want to turn on the engine again. After the small-engine device has been parked, remove the spark plug from the equipment. Place 1 teaspoon of engine oil within the hole for the spark plug and replace the old plug with a brand new spark plug. After this has been done, crank the engine several times so that the oil can be spread throughout the cylinder. And, if it is possible, manually turn the engine until the compression stroke can be felt. This serves to close the valve and thereby prevent condensation from seeping into the engine.

And, finally, remove the unit’s battery and store the battery within an area that does not become too cold but remains at room temperature. Place the battery on a charger and maintain it weekly if possible.  We recommend a wall timer and battery charger.  Set the timer to maintain the charger at least once a week at a low voltage.  That way it will be ready for mowing season.