Maintain your mower going into winter and it’ll be ready to roll when spring rolls around.
When it comes to extending the life of your mower, nothing is more important than maintenance. Right now is an opportune time to get any mower maintenance done, as you want your mower to be prepared for the rigors of winter storage. And perhaps more importantly, you want it to be ready to go next spring when your lawn comes out of its hibernation.
Clean and Lubricate
Perhaps the most important aspect of storing a mower properly is starting the period of storage with a clean, well lubricated machine. Give your mower a thorough cleaning: the frame; deck; under the seat; behind the wheels — everything. The cutting deck should also be cleaned to keep any accumulated grass or debris from holding onto moisture that would lead to rust of the cutting deck and its components.
Never use cleaning solvents and minimize the use of water when you clean your mower. Moisture invites steel components to rust, so use compressed air from a compressor or leaf blower to blow off debris, then follow-up with rags to clean up any remaining dirt or grime.
Consult your owner’s manual to locate the areas that need to be greased on your mower and verify the type of grease that should be used. Be sure to use fresh grease and don’t hurry through your work. How you grease your bearings is extremely important, and don’t take shortcuts.
Be sure to remove the load from your bearings before greasing. If you don’t, you’ll end up only greasing half the bearing, says Exmark Customer Service Manager, David Martin.
Verify the oil and hydro fluid you’re using are the correct ones for your machine.
“It’s worth your while to take your time and remove any belts and springs before employing the grease gun. If the bearing is moveable, we recommend you move it three to four times to get a nice coating of grease on the entire bearing.
“This is also a good way to inspect the bearings for any wear and tear, making sure they move freely without any grinding or tightness.”
Change the Oil
It’s a great idea to change your mower’s oil, hydraulic fluid and all filters prior to winter storage. You don’t want any contaminants from the old oil to sit in the engine or hydraulic system over the winter. Be sure to run your mower for at least five minutes after the oil, fluid and filters have been changed to circulate the clean oil and fluid through the machine.
Consult your owner’s manual, MyExmark.com, or your local dealer for the correct filters, hydro fluid and oil for your machine.
Inspect and replace any frayed, worn or damaged belts.
Other Winter Maintenance Items
- Fuel — Drain your machine of its fuel, or add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel. If you go the fuel stabilizer route, be sure to run the machine for several minutes after adding the stabilizer to circulate treated fuel throughout the fuel system.
- Blade(s) — Sharpen and balance mower blades to ensure the mower is ready to go next spring.
- Belts and pulleys — Inspect all belts and replace any that appear frayed, cut or damaged in any way. Also inspect pulleys for bark or other debris that may have gotten wedged into them over the season.
- Battery — The best thing you can do is remove the battery from your machine and keep it in a climate-controlled area that’s between 50 and 70 degrees.
Storage
Rodents are enemy #1 when storing your mower. Whether you’re storing it inside, under a tarp or in a trailer, you want for your machine to be clean and free of any debris or organic material critters could use to build a new home. You can also employ traps, chemicals, or natural deterrents such as Osage oil or oil of peppermint. Note that peppermint candies won’t work here. They will actually attract rodents and insects — only real peppermint oil will do. And if you choose to use chemicals, contain them to ensure none get on the mower itself, as they could cause damage to the machine.
Your local pest control office or extension agency can be helpful as you decide which options will work best to control the critters in your area.
Finally, ensure moisture from rain, snow or ice isn’t getting to your mower during storage. As mentioned earlier, moisture on steel invites rust, so you want moisture to stay as far away from your mower as possible.
Taking time to maintain your mowers today will keep the harsh winter at bay and ensure they’re ready to get back to work with you right away in the spring.
For more tips on maintaining your mower, visit Exmark.com.
SHARE
