Lawn Mowers and Other Gasoline Powered Equipment Need Yearly Maintenance

Gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment need some special treatment when it comes to long periods of storage, like in the winter months. Here are a few of the tasks you need to see to, so you can be sure your equipment will function properly when you need it next spring!

It is possible to buy a fuel stabilizer to pour in the fuel tanks when winterizing your lawn and garden equipment, simply follow the directions on the container for the amount to use.

The other option is to drain the fuel system.

Drain the gas tank of fuel. Simple enough in theory, but very much a necessity if you want your engine to function come spring. Smaller equipment like edgers and chain saws can be drained by tipping them to empty the tanks, lawn tractors are a different story....

As long as you are sure to avoid sparks or ignition sources, it is possible to disconnect the fuel line and drain the tank into an approved gas can. If the tank is nearly empty, go ahead and start the engine and run it till the engine stalls. Any fuel left in the tank or carburetor will gel, leaving a varnish that will clog up the small passages and cause major repair bills to get the engine running again.

Grease all the fittings on the larger equipment like tractors, usually they are found on steering parts, find all you can and fill them till the grease flows out of the fittings.

Spray lubricant on any moving parts that don't have grease fittings, WD-40 works well and are a moisture evaporator as well. Try not to get it on the belts or it will cause problems next time you use your lawn and garden equipment. Wipe up any excess spray or grease with a rag or shop towel.

Cover any equipment you don't have the room to store out of the weather. A tarp is pretty cheap compared to parts and labor costs from leaving your lawn and garden equipment out in the weather.

Clean them up, washing dirt and mud off the equipment will add years to their lives and save deflation from the wallet area! Remove all dead vegetation from the tops of mower decks and brush debris buildup off of all your lawn and garden equipment while you are winterizing it.

Don't forget under the mower decks, get rid of any built up grass or other various flora to allow your equipment to function next year when the time comes for it to earn its keep!

Sharpen all the blades or replace them, remember that the blades are how the engine is balanced; bent blades can ruin the engine so if you have hit any objects while mowing check the blades!

Check your belts and hoses, replace faulty lines and belts now, not when you need to use the equipment....

Keep an eye out for broken or badly worn parts, replace them if necessary. Now is a great time to change spark plugs and the oil so all you need to do in the spring is add fuel and put that mower to work.

Once all this maintenance stuff is out of the way, you can focus on the important things in life, staying warm in front of the TV, watching the game and enjoying a brew.... A little bit of winterization on your lawn and garden equipment now or a lot of repairs later.