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With fall upon us, what are some of the things you do to prepare your lawnmowers for winter? Are there any tricks of the trade that might be helpful to all of us here?:biggrin:

Since I have a lot of yard work in Fall and Winter, I do my second complete service. Next one will be this Spring after an approximately two months rest.
Have a Wheel Horse that is 32 years old and runs good as new.:thumbsup:

bakerg said:

With fall upon us, what are some of the things you do to prepare your lawnmowers for winter? Are there any tricks of the trade that might be helpful to all of us here?:biggrin:

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About a year ago I started a thread here about what I do to prep a push mower for storage, will try to locate it and post a link.

bakerg said:

With fall upon us, what are some of the things you do to prepare your lawnmowers for winter? Are there any tricks of the trade that might be helpful to all of us here?:biggrin:

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Do a search here for Mower storage by JDgreen

My thread on the subject was posted here on 9/24/10

Change oil in equipment with more than fifty hrs on oil and filter, if applicable.
Clean and dry mower deck, top and bottom. Spray underside with metal protectant.
Add fuel stabilizer of choice.
Sharpen blade(s).
Leave a wedge of D-con nearby as a rodent tell-tale.:wink:

Here's the link to JD's thread: http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/general-mower-discussion/1144-mower-storage.html

He has quite a list of ways to prep your mower for winter...

Briana said:

Here's the link to JD's thread: http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/general-mower-discussion/1144-mower-storage.html

He has quite a list of ways to prep your mower for winter...

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Thank you, Briana, I do not know how to post a link here....THANKS AGAIN....:thumbsup:

JDgreen said:

Thank you, Briana, I do not know how to post a link here....THANKS AGAIN....:thumbsup:

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Sure thing. :wink:

How about we get some real answers instead of just some hags telling us to go out looking for a link. It's a new thread, let's treat it as such. I too would like to know some inside tips on how to prepare a mower for winter.

I don't believe we could "write a book" on fall Preparation:laughing:
Other then routine maintenance--as in spring---what else is there.
Now if the OP was for storage--
(1)Change oil and grease entire machine.
(2)Either drain or completely fill tank with TREATED FUEL. And don't forget to run the engine until dry or until gas in carb is renewed.
(3)Remove spark plug/plugs and add Sea Foam or motor oil and spin the engine a couple of revolutions
(4)In the extreme, you could place jack stands under machine to remove weight from tires And remove all drive belts to prevent "belt set" especially where a belt has a twist.
Now---personally I never do any of the above because I use my Lawn tractors practically year round.:thumbsup:

See? How hard was that.

Thanks for the info! My baby :tractor: is brand new so I think I'll do an extreme Winterize to her this year just for the hal of it. A tip like using Sea Foam is what I was looking for!

I really do appreciate it. :drink:

JimmyTheGlove said:

How about we get some real answers instead of just some hags telling us to go out looking for a link. It's a new thread, let's treat it as such. I too would like to know some inside tips on how to prepare a mower for winter.

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You INSULT BRIANA AND ME BOTH with your sarcastic post....I suggest you go look at my method to prepare your equipment foir winter...and that was a TERRIBLE thing to call Briana, you TURDFACE!!!!

How do you like it when someone insults you here?????!!!!!! GO LOOK AT THE LINK AND YOU TELL ME WHAT I LEFT OUT !!!!

Giles said:

I don't believe we could "write a book" on fall Preparation:laughing:
Other then routine maintenance--as in spring---what else is there.
Now if the OP was for storage--
(1)Change oil and grease entire machine.
(2)Either drain or completely fill tank with TREATED FUEL. And don't forget to run the engine until dry or until gas in carb is renewed.
(3)Remove spark plug/plugs and add Sea Foam or motor oil and spin the engine a couple of revolutions
(4)In the extreme, you could place jack stands under machine to remove weight from tires And remove all drive belts to prevent "belt set" especially where a belt has a twist.
Now---personally I never do any of the above because I use my Lawn tractors practically year round.:thumbsup:

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IS THIS ALL YOU CAN THINK OF DOING????? GO LOOK AT MY METHOD AND SEE WHAT YOU LEFT OUT !!!!

JDgreen said:

IS THIS ALL YOU CAN THINK OF DOING????? GO LOOK AT MY METHOD AND SEE WHAT YOU LEFT OUT !!!!

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Wellllllllll--Big shot---I have probably prepped more equipment in my 50 years of work then you have seen:laughing:
If you don't have something good to say---other then personal brag--keep it to yourself at least when it is directed at me when I am trying to be of help to someone
Oh, by the way, did you know your capital key is locked??

JDgreen said:

IS THIS ALL YOU CAN THINK OF DOING????? GO LOOK AT MY METHOD AND SEE WHAT YOU LEFT OUT !!!!

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Charming isn't he. If he's not complaining about something he's yelling at people trying to be helpful. Go back to pickin your nuts old man.

JDgreen said:

You INSULT BRIANA AND ME BOTH with your sarcastic post....I suggest you go look at my method to prepare your equipment foir winter...and that was a TERRIBLE thing to call Briana, you TURDFACE!!!!

How do you like it when someone insults you here?????!!!!!! GO LOOK AT THE LINK AND YOU TELL ME WHAT I LEFT OUT !!!!

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You're right. I was in a hurry the other day and was looking for a quick answer before I headed off. I should have clicked on Briana's link to your thread and bookmarked it for later. I looked at it just now and wow, that's an excellent list. More than I had hoped for! :thumbsup:

Please excuse my lack of patience before, I was a real turdface. I appreciate you mentioning that previous thread and am grateful Briana knew how to link to it.

Some things you mentioned that were particularly helpful:

Remove the air filter and cover the carb opening with a plastic bag.
Reinstall the wheels, use chassis grease on the wheel spindles, not oil.
Lube any linkages and cables.

Thanks again Briana and JD! :smile:

JimmyTheGlove said:

You're right. I was in a hurry the other day and was looking for a quick answer before I headed off. I should have clicked on Briana's link to your thread and bookmarked it for later. I looked at it just now and wow, that's an excellent list. More than I had hoped for! :thumbsup:

Please excuse my lack of patience before, I was a real turdface. I appreciate you mentioning that previous thread and am grateful Briana knew how to link to it.

Some things you mentioned that were particularly helpful:

Remove the air filter and cover the carb opening with a plastic bag.
Reinstall the wheels, use chassis grease on the wheel spindles, not oil.
Lube any linkages and cables.

Thanks again Briana and JD! :smile:

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Ha,ha,ha,ha,hah!

JimmyTheGlove said:

You're right. I was in a hurry the other day and was looking for a quick answer before I headed off. I should have clicked on Briana's link to your thread and bookmarked it for later. I looked at it just now and wow, that's an excellent list. More than I had hoped for! :thumbsup:

Please excuse my lack of patience before, I was a real turdface. I appreciate you mentioning that previous thread and am grateful Briana knew how to link to it.

Some things you mentioned that were particularly helpful:

Remove the air filter and cover the carb opening with a plastic bag.
Reinstall the wheels, use chassis grease on the wheel spindles, not oil.
Lube any linkages and cables.

Thanks again Briana and JD! :smile:

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THANK YOU...it is nice to know my information helped someone...and they TOLD ME SO.

I don't mind so much that you ignored my list, but to refer to Briana as a "hag"....THAT was what ticked me off. Apology accepted by me, not sure about her though....

Parkmower said:

Charming isn't he. If he's not complaining about something he's yelling at people trying to be helpful. Go back to pickin your nuts old man.

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I am scratching them right now and laughing my a-- off becuz Jimmy APOLOGIZED to me.....:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

JDgreen said:

THANK YOU...it is nice to know my information helped someone...and they TOLD ME SO.

I don't mind so much that you ignored my list, but to refer to Briana as a "hag"....THAT was what ticked me off. Apology accepted by me, not sure about her though....

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Well it truly is a good list.

Let's wait, and let Briana speak for herself.

JDgreen said:

I am scratching them right now and laughing my a-- off becuz Jimmy APOLOGIZED to me.....:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

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Make yourself useful and learn how to include links in your replies.

:laughing:

Jimmy, you had better apologize for that!

I seriously doubt Briana is anything close to a hag, now me on the other hand well...but I've been called much worse! As for J.D. bragging , hey it's only bragging if you can't back it up!:laughing:

JDgreen said:

I am scratching them right now and laughing my a-- off becuz Jimmy APOLOGIZED to me.....:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

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Meant your walnuts. Get your mind out the gutter

Well, I don't know whether to laugh, be embarrassed, or say thank you at this point (lol). :laughing:

But while reading, it went something like this: :ashamed: ... :smile: ... :laughing:

You guys are too much... Thanks for stickin' up for me JD. :thumbsup:

And, uh, by no means can we not talk more about winter mower prep. The more information the better.

By the way, @Giles mentioned you can "Either drain or completely fill tank with TREATED FUEL", just out of curiosity, which method is preferred and are there different results for each method after a few months' storage?

Thanks. :smile:

Parkmower said:

Meant your walnuts. Get your mind out the gutter

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You said NOTHING about walnuts....."Go back to picking your nuts, old man" Get YOUR mind out of the gutter. :biggrin::biggrin:

Briana said:

Well, I don't know whether to laugh, be embarrassed, or say thank you at this point (lol). :laughing:

But while reading, it went something like this: :ashamed: ... :smile: ... :laughing:

You guys are too much... Thanks for stickin' up for me JD. :thumbsup:

And, uh, by no means can we not talk more about winter mower prep. The more information the better.

By the way, @Giles mentioned you can "Either drain or completely fill tank with TREATED FUEL", just out of curiosity, which method is preferred and are there different results for each method after a few months' storage?

Thanks. :smile:

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For smaller equipment I prefer to drain as it is easy, for equipment that holds several gallons which complicates draining fuel, I prefer treated fuel. I have a motorhome with a 75 gallon fuel tank, can you imagine trying to drain all that?

Briana said:

Well, I don't know whether to laugh, be embarrassed, or say thank you at this point (lol). :laughing:

But while reading, it went something like this: :ashamed: ... :smile: ... :laughing:

You guys are too much... Thanks for stickin' up for me JD. :thumbsup:

And, uh, by no means can we not talk more about winter mower prep. The more information the better.

By the way, @Giles mentioned you can "Either drain or completely fill tank with TREATED FUEL", just out of curiosity, which method is preferred and are there different results for each method after a few months' storage?Thanks. :smile:

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The preferred methoid for me depends on construction of fuel tank. If tank is plastic, I usually drain and run the engine until all gas in carburetor is burned. I do this to all my chainsaws, trimmers, and blowers. I do this if they are not to be used for two months or longer:thumbsup:
Now if the machine has a metal tank, I fill completely full to prevent RUST!
I always go out of my way, to purchase ethenol free gas and I immediately treat the gas and mark it:thumbsup:
Sad thing is---today's gas can go bad in as little as four to six weeks, so with a full tank, problems can occur:thumbdown:
Over the years, I have stored gas for several months without problems --especially 2 cycle mix but not with today"s gas.

Sad thing is---today's gas can go bad in as little as four to six weeks, so with a full tank, problems can occur:thumbdown:
Over the years, I have stored gas for several months without problems --especially 2 cycle mix but not with today"s gas.

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Hm, that's really interesting. I wonder why?

I have a motorhome with a 75 gallon fuel tank, can you imagine trying to drain all that?

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Haha, yeah, I see your point!

JDgreen said:

You said NOTHING about walnuts....."Go back to picking your nuts, old man" Get YOUR mind out of the gutter. :biggrin::biggrin:

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I was originally referring to your WALNUTs you've been goin on about pickin lately

Briana said:

Hm, that's really interesting. I wonder why?

Haha, yeah, I see your point!

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May people feel it is better to store a machine with fuel in it as the gasoline helps keep the gaskets in the fuel system from drying out. There are pros and cons to either draining or adding stabilizer.

My feelings are, for the price of gasoline today it should NOT BE REQUIRED to drain fuel or treat it with stabilizers because it should have a longer storage life than it does. I store about 15 gallons of gasoline and 12 of diesel over the winter months but I treat the gas with Sta-Bil and gas antifreeze. For $4 per gallon that should NOT BE REQUIRED.

I put mine in the shed (just like I do every weekend) and get it back out in 4-5 months.

RobertBrown said:

I put mine in the shed (just like I do every weekend) and get it back out in 4-5 months.

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That's what I plan to do also... but most of mine stay out almost all spring through fall... only put away for the winter.
Oil changed in the spring... fueled when needed and the only additive is for the diesel fuel... and that is to add 2 to 5 percent bioDiesel ...
gasoline has never failed to burn with nothing but what came from the pump... everything gets greased as it is used... filters changed once a year...
Mower blades sharpened at the start of the season, replaced as needed. May get at least one or two sharpenings During the mowing season.
I have a cub F model that has gasoline that is over 6 mts old, starts immediately, never a problem... Gas in my dump truck is a few Years old... isn't driven much, it will be another Year before it needs more... Battery goes dead between uses but it has not failed to start after a charge, regular pump gas.
I know gasoline will not last like Diesel but isn't too bad,
There just isn't a Lot of Fall preparation, Spring has more for me ...:smile:KennyV

Over the years the main winter prep for my tractors ( back north) involved basically pulling the battery, draining the gas ,making sure the deck is clean of old grass , putting it in the shed and covering it with a old bed sheet.

In the spring, as Kenny V mentions, i do a full service on the tractors, charge the battery, fresh oil and gas, check it totally over, sharpen the blades then mid summer or so i do another full service, then before last mowing i do another oil change.

Down here in Florida, i just maintain em all year long actually, they only sit between mowings and rotation of use.....my tractors get to sit in one of those Auto shelters, i dont like them sitting outside under a tarp or uncovered.

Dangeroustoys56 said:

Over the years the main winter prep for my tractors ( back north) involved basically pulling the battery, draining the gas ,making sure the deck is clean of old grass , putting it in the shed and covering it with a old bed sheet.

In the spring, as Kenny V mentions, i do a full service on the tractors, charge the battery, fresh oil and gas, check it totally over, sharpen the blades then mid summer or so i do another full service, then before last mowing i do another oil change.

Down here in Florida, i just maintain em all year long actually, they only sit between mowings and rotation of use.....my tractors get to sit in one of those Auto shelters, i dont like them sitting outside under a tarp or uncovered.

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Many times I wish I was in your situation, it is somewhat of a PIB here in Michigan to have to store equipment, the deck furniture, get the vehicles ready for winter, swap tires, etc.

While I don't want to move I would much prefer being able to use things year around like you southern dwellers can.

RobertBrown said:

I put mine in the shed (just like I do every weekend) and get it back out in 4-5 months.

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BTW, what's with the new avatar? Is that going to be your Halloween look? It scares me in the daytime....:laughing:

I clean them thoroughly , spray under decks with rust preventer , take the batteries inside, put them in my building with a lot of moth balls sprinkled around them and hope for the best! I always use Sta-bil and Marvel Mystery Oil in the fuel of all the mowers.:smile:

jamesslcx said:

I clean them thoroughly , spray under decks with rust preventer , take the batteries inside, put them in my building with a lot of moth balls sprinkled around them and hope for the best! I always use Sta-bil and Marvel Mystery Oil in the fuel of all the mowers.:smile:

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I am a proponent of leaving treated gas in a tank for the following reasons:
1. It's easy.
2.A carb will sometimes oxidize inside the small passageways, clogging up the works when it's exposed to 5 months worth of air.
3. If the "little darling" doesn't start up quickly, I can always feed the fuel to my truck, which doesn't seem to mind older, treated fuel, and put a fresh load of fuel in whatever weedeater, chainsaw, rototiller, rider, or walkbehind as needed.

So far so good on my routine, it has been quite a while since I've had any repair issues, knock on wood!

just try to keep inside,with ethanol in the gas it doesnt get bad in a few months.clean under the deck and spray with silicone.spend 5 or 6 bucks at harbor frt for a float charger and put it away

bakerg said:

With fall upon us, what are some of the things you do to prepare your lawnmowers for winter? Are there any tricks of the trade that might be helpful to all of us here?:biggrin:

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put some 90 percent alcohol in your tank to keep gas from varnishing, and going bad. it is also helpful to remove water, and prevent your lines from freezing in winter.

Murry Furry said:

put some 90 percent alcohol in your tank to keep gas from varnishing, and going bad. it is also helpful to remove water, and prevent your lines from freezing in winter.

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With ethanol gasoline you do Not need to add alcohol ... it is already there and will do that without adding anything.... :smile:KennyV

KennyV said:

With ethanol gasoline you do Not need to add alcohol ... it is already there and will do that without adding anything.... :smile:KennyV

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i would love to agree, but then again i used ethanol gas the last few times that i stored my atv before storing it. it always had bad gas when i tried to start it. but to give you credit gas went bad in it if i let it set for two week. the freezing i only experianced one. that was 2 years ago when we had those record lows. i live in the part of the mid west were we see the worst of the weather. the heat and the cold. both ruin gas and cause problems quickly so i erro on safty and say adding a little exstra liquior is fine, just don't add to much if you like your engine block.

I'm just glad to hear that most of us care about our equipment enough to do something in the way of fall and winter prep. It strengthens my hope for humanity and all is not lost after all!:laughing::ashamed: