Posted on October 18th, 2016
As the days get colder and the leaves fall harder, the days of lawn mowing in 2016 are quickly coming to a close. But, before you retire your good old mower for the last season of the year, make sure you prepare it properly so you can store it away with confidence this fall.
Step #1: Empty the tank.
You don’t want to pack your mower away with residual gas left in the tank. Why? Because over time it can corrode and gum up the works. Plus, it will be stale and unusable come spring anywho.
Step #2: Remove the spark plug.
Before you start any maintenance on your lawn mowers inner-workings, turn it off — and we mean all the way off. We don’t want it to kick on and cause any accidents while you’re working, do we?
Step #3: Sharpen the blade.
Your mower blade has likely dulled down after the long mowing season. Why not sharpen it up now, so it’s good to go again in the spring? Carefully unscrew the bolts and remove your blade, handling it with care. Then bring it to your local home improvement store for a professional sharpening.
Step #4: Drain away excess oil.
You’ve emptied the gas tank, but that’s not the only liquid left in your lawn mower that can cause trouble if left stagnant. Every lawn mower is different, so consult your instruction manual to locate your oil reservoir plug. Make sure you have a pan ready and a tarp to catch the oil as you drain.
Step #5: Scrub away debris.
Grass and caked on mud can build up on the undercarriage of your mower. With the blade removed, now’s the perfect time to scrape it all away so your machine is sparkling clean.
Step #6: Change the air filter.
Finally, it’s time to swap out the old for the new. The dirtier your filter, the worse your mower will run. Like sharpening your blade, this can be done in the spring if you choose, but we’d rather get it all out of the way now.
Step #7: Replace the spark plug, and store.
Once your mower is clean and prepped for hibernation, pop a new spark plug on and hide it away in the shed for the winter!
Turf Unlimited is the #1 lawn care company in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and the surrounding areas. While you prep for winter, start thinking about spring. Give us a call at 888-649-9919 for a complimentary estimate today and experience the Turf Difference for yourself!
