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I just got my first zero turn this year. It is a Raptor Sd 54". I am looking to jack up the mower to store it for the winter. Where is the best place to put the jack stands in the rear of the mower. Is the back guard strong enough? It looks like that is attached to the chassis. Im not really sure if that is a good place to put the stands for the whole winter. Any thoughts?

Rico31286 said:

I just got my first zero turn this year. It is a Raptor Sd 54". I am looking to jack up the mower to store it for the winter. Where is the best place to put the jack stands in the rear of the mower. Is the back guard strong enough? It looks like that is attached to the chassis. Im not really sure if that is a good place to put the stands for the whole winter. Any thoughts?

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By chance have you looked in your owners Operator Manual section under "STORAGE" and read up on how to store your mower? On mine the STORAGE section is located in back of the Operators Manual with very informative info on storage, etc. but under General Mower Preparation for Storage reads as follows:

#6.) Block mower up so weight is off tires. Check tire pressure and inflate to proper operating pressure.
NOTE: Do not deflate tires.
IMPORTANT: Do not store the mower with the deck in the service (flipped-up) position.

The last part is if you own the Raptor Flip Up model (which I have).

But nothing about how exactly where the points under the mower on setting the blocks and or jack stands? I would examine the underside very carefully and go with the strongest points?

Under your drive axles.

Seems like a ton of overkill to me. If the dang mower sits on its wheels 9 months out of the year why can't it another 3? I've never blocked a mower up in my life and never had a problem. I don't know ANYONE who does or has had a problem.

kraky said:

Seems like a ton of overkill to me. If the dang mower sits on its wheels 9 months out of the year why can't it another 3? I've never blocked a mower up in my life and never had a problem. I don't know ANYONE who does or has had a problem.

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Ditto on that. I'd never go to that much trouble.

RDA.Lawns said:

Ditto on that. I'd never go to that much trouble.

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Same here.

Same here.

I noticed that this was the only post the original poster has done. Bet he never even read the replys.

I agree to a point. I guess it all depends as to where you are going to store it. I would think in a dry environment I really don't see any problems storing it on the tires themselves. Now if you are going to store it on a dirt floor, wet environment, or outside I can well understand jacking it off the ground. I guess the owner manual is covering itself on all bases? I would put jack stands under the axles if I was to store it off the ground.

My WB is standing on all fours till April. It's in an abandoned cube van.

Been cutting grass professionally for 28 years and never jacked up a mower,are you worried about flat spots on the tires??If so just roll the mower 1ft in either direction once a month.
When I store my mowers I will treat whatever fuel there is in tank with Lucas Ethanol stabilizer,then Ill pinch off the vacuum or fuel line and run the bowl dry,then slap a tender on the battery.
Usually make sure the oil is on the clean side but not even that.

For my trimmers and blowers i just treated half of them with Lucas and ran it into the bowl,the other two got ran dry..this is the first time Im leaving fuel in a couple of my two strokes,Id like to see if that Lucas really works well on those type engines.

Here in jersey we usually finish up doing out last leaf blow in December,so about 4 months off 8 on.

I never go by any manufacturer recommendations for anything after warranty is up,,heck even before its up

577 and I’m out....

The reason we store our pulling tractor tires outside in a harsh environment is to make the rubber harder so they don't flex as much when pulling. This is also the reason we always buy used tires. The only reason I can think of to jack the tires off the ground on a lawn mower to keep the rubber soft and flexible so the tires last longer over many years of use. The mower will wear out before the tires????

Tire Dressings such as Armor-All will make tire rubber harder as well. Draws out the oils. But not water-based tire dressings.

Back in my race car days. I'd store my dirt track car on Jack stands under the frame. To allow the suspension to drop. With the racing shocks and the coil springs made them stay stiffer longer.

kraky said:

Seems like a ton of overkill to me. If the dang mower sits on its wheels 9 months out of the year why can't it another 3? I've never blocked a mower up in my life and never had a problem. I don't know ANYONE who does or has had a problem.

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+1
I have never blocked a mower up over the winter. Don't really see the gain.
I bought a 1978 Wheel Horse garden tractor used back in 1986. Still have it, never been blocked up for decades with no issues.

Asked this same question in the past with the manual stating to "Store for long term" blah, blah......

You know what I ended up doing was just to start it up and let it heat up for a few minutes and move it out into the drive way then back in the garage. I did it about every 2 to 4 weeks. Probably not necessary after all but made me feel better.

For me its only a mild Florida winter all of about 3 months. I just like to keep things running and not to sit too long.:smile:

Grass Whisper said:

Asked this same question in the past with the manual stating to "Store for long term" blah, blah......

You know what I ended up doing was just to start it up and let it heat up for a few minutes and move it out into the drive way then back in the garage. I did it about every 2 to 4 weeks. Probably not necessary after all but made me feel better.

For me its only a mild Florida winter all of about 3 months. I just like to keep things running and not to sit too long.:smile:

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Same here
I use mine to pull a utility trailer around during the off season which is short here in Florida

My stuff may get a month max of no use. I just park it all in the shop and forget it .

I have a Woods 660 rear mount mower.

Believe it or not, I have taken to resting it on blocks to keep weight off the semi-pneumatic tires because they WERE getting flat spots.