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Winterizing your lawn mower isn’t as simple as stowing it away. Instead, there are a few steps you should take to prepare it for chillier temperatures and months of dormancy. Here’s what you should do to prep your equipment before the season turns.

How to Winterize Your Mower

1. Drain Remaining Fuel

The most important thing you should do to prepare your mower for winter is emptying your tank of remaining fuel. Allowing gasoline to sit dormant during the colder months causes its ethanol to separate and spoil, which leads to bigger issues like a clogged fuel system and premature corrosion.

An easy way to remove it from your tank is emptying it as much as possible and burning through the rest of it when you start your mower up for one last time before putting it away.

2. Remove the Battery

Cold temperatures drain your lawn mower’s battery significantly. Remove it and keep it warm indoors if you have electric-based equipment. Before storing it away, clean off any remaining dirt, grease, or debris. Then, store it in a dry location away from heat sources and flammable substances.

3. Check Your Blades

lawn mowersWhile it’s important to sharpen your mower’s blades at least once a year, you should also check them to see if they’re bent, cracked, or chipped. If this is the case, replace your damaged blade with a new one.

Otherwise, use this time to sharpen your dull blade. Before doing any work, though, remove the spark plug to prevent your engine from abruptly starting.

4. Replace or Clean the Air Filter

Instead of forgetting about it until spring, switch out or clean your air filters before you put your mower away for the season. If your mower relies on a paper filter for proper air circulation, simply discard it and insert a new one. If it’s a sponge-based filter, wash it with soap and water and leave it to dry before inserting it back in.

 

Prep your lawn mower for every season with some help from Lawn Care Equipment Company. Servicing outdoor power equipment in the Greater Saint Louis area since 1958, the family-owned and -operated business is well-stocked with new and pre-owned products and parts from trusted brands and manufacturers. Their skilled team can also walk you through financing and warranty options that are right for you. To request servicing, visit them online or by calling their Webster Groves location at (314) 961-5700 or DeSoto location at (636) 337-0000.

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