Time to Winterize Your Lawn Mower

Soon, the leaves
will change color, the birds will fly South, squirrels will hide acorns
and the grass will slip into a dormant state of rest.


Once this pattern begins – in late September in the Northern
climates, mid to late October in the Central states – you can throw the
cover over your lawnmower and call it a season.

It’s going to be several months before the grass needs cutting again.



But when it does, you want to be ready. So take the time now to do
a little maintenance on your lawnmower. Here’s a checklist to follow:


* Drain oil from the engine and replace with new oil. Old oil
contains moisture and acids that will pit bearings and other engine
parts, so it’s important to change oil prior to storage. Run the engine
to warm the oil first. More of the dirty oil and contaminants will come
out if it’s warm. Replace with new oil of the type recommended in your
owner’s manual. Most (or many) recommend Straight S.A.E. 30W.



* Stabilize Fuel. Fuel can deteriorate in as little as 60 days,
causing gum and varnish build-up in engines and resulting in hard
starting, poor performance and reduced engine life. To prevent this
from happening, add STA-BIL Fuel Stabilizer to your tank.


It keeps fresh fuel from oxidizing – forming gums and varnishes
that clog fuel lines, injectors and fuel filters. It also prevents rust
and corrosion in the fuel system by dispersing water so it doesn’t
collect in the bottom of the gas tank.



After adding the fuel stabilizer, you should run the engine for a
few minutes to get treated gas throughout system. Running the engine
also circulates the new oil.



* Clean or replace air filter. Foam filters can be washed with soap
and water and reused. Soak a cleaned foam filter in fresh oil and
squeeze out the excess oil. If your engine has a paper filter replace
it with a new one.



* Check drive belts. Tighten loose belts. Replace belts that look worn or cracked.



* Lubricate. Find any grease fittings and apply lithium grease. Lubricate other parts as instructed by your owner’s manual.



Fall is also a good time to remove and sharpen the mower’s blade,
and to clean grass build-up off the bottom of the mower deck. Take care
of these maintenance issues now and come Spring, all you’ll have to do
is lift the cover off your mower, turn it on and drive away.
.