Peter Doran Lawn & Landscaping Weblog

How to Winterize a lawn mower

Minnesota’s winter is almost here. Before you know it, the Twin Cities will be shoveling out from the first snow storm of the season.  Before that happens, take a day to winterize your lawn mower.

Start by:

1. Sharpening the mower blade(s) with a bench grinder, or use a bench vice with an angle grinder to sharpen both sides of the blades. If you don’t want to do the work yourself, you can take the blades to your local hardware store.

2. Clean the air filter with an air nozzle from your air compressor, or replace the air filter if needed.  

3. Change the oil and oil filter( if needed) following the manufactures specifications in your owners manual.  

4. Replace spark plugs.  Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug, then remove and replace plug with a spark plug wrench. Re-attach the wire to the spark plug.

5.  LAST AND MOST IMPORTANT:  add some stabilizer into the gas  tank, and run the motor a few minutes so that the stabilizer runs into the carburetor. This protects the gas from breaking down and becoming corrosive.  When spring comes, all you have to do is start your mower and mow all weekend. Or call Peter Doran Lawn & Landscaping, and go start the barbeque.

For more helpful lawn and garden tips visit http//www.peterdoranlawn.com