How to winterize a lawnmower? John Deere, Honda, & Husqvarna

Even though a majority of lawnmowers are designed in such a way that they can be put to use in all seasons, this is, however, not as easy and simple as it sounds. Some products require care and maintenance as per the season you are working in. Is your lawnmower not keen to start working in winter? Read on to know what went wrong and learn the points you probably might have missed out on.

Empty the gas tank: Winterizing your lawnmower is meaningless without having to either drain the tank or topping off and stabilizing the fuel. This is because the gas that is left in the tank might get stale and also end up corroding the carburetor thereby clogging the fuel system. Out of the two methods (draining and stabilizing), which method is suitable for your mower can be best understood by reading the user manual provided.

1. 1. Draining: Start by tipping the mower up and emptying the tank into the drain pan. The next step would be to open the drain valve or remove the bolt and drain the fuel out of it. Finally, the starter rope has to be pulled and the engine has to be run till it finally stops.
  2. Stabilizing: Start by adding a fuel stabilizer to the empty gas can be followed by filling the can with fresh gas. Now is the time to fill the mower tank with fresh gas and screw on the gas cap. Lastly, run the mower for about 10-12 minutes and you are good to go!

Needless to say, it is important that the spark plug is disconnected and the battery removed before you go ahead with other maintenance aspects so that even the least chance of the mower starting accidentally is avoided.

Removing the blades and cleaning the deck: Removing the dirt and debris from the mower after a long mowing season is probably the next best thing to do. However, make sure to remove the battery (if your lawnmower has one) before you start scraping off the dirt and mud and also the blades as it now becomes easier to change the oil as well as clean the underside of the mower.
Change the oil and sharpen the blades: Replace the old oil with the one as recommended by the manufacturer. The blades can be sharped at least once a year thereby ensuring sharper cuts and a nicer finish. However, if the blades are bent or cracked, it is always advised to get them changed.
Cleaning, lubricating, and storing: The last step would be to clean the mower’s wheels, handle, etc. using a damp cloth and using a good lubricant for lubricating the pivot points. Try storing the mower indoors keeping it away from dust.