Booo, it’s officially winter, which means it’s time to put the lawnmower away until the nicer weather returns.
It’s highly advisable you take some precautions to reduce likelihood of mower damage during the winter and ensure a smooth start next spring.
You can follow our steps below or contact your local dealership
1. Clean
The mower should be thoroughly cleaned before it’s placed into winter storage. Generally, this breaks down into three key areas:
– The Engine: Cleaning the engine should be done by hand, with a damp cloth and a mild detergent. The engine should be dried off as soon as the cleaning process is finished, in order to prevent corrosion that could limit its longevity.
– The Grass Bag: Storing clippings all summer can leave behind quite a bit of dirt. Clean and spray the bag with a garden hose and hang it up to dry. Only reinstall the bag when it has fully dried.
– The Cutting Deck: Turn the fuel valve to “off” and disconnect the spark plug, then spray the cutting deck until any remaining clippings and residue have been removed from the surface. Dry the cutting deck to prevent corrosion.
2. Charge
Many Honda push mowers come with a battery, as well as a charger for the battery, and the company recommends that this battery be charged both before and after an extended period of storage. Use a wall outlet and give the battery several hours to sufficiently charge before reinstalling it.
3. Fuel
Given here in Ireland we have such a long winter it’s best to turn on the lawnmower and allow it to run out of fuel. If it will be used within 3 months then a simple fuel stabiliser should be added to the fuel so that it does not oxidize or deteriorate over that time period.
4. Engine Oil
Prior to storage, a full engine change should be completed. Drain all oil from the mower into an approved disposal container. Refill the oil to the recommended “fill” line on the dipstick, using only the type of oil recommended in your owners manual.
5. Engine Cylinder Maintenance
The engine cylinder can suffer a significant amount of damage if it’s not properly maintained before long-term mower storage. Before starting cylinder maintenance, remove the spark plug to ensure safety. To make sure that no damage occurs during the winter, pour approximately 2 tablespoons of regular engine oil into the cylinder. To ensure that the cylinder is properly lubricated and protected, pull the starter grip several times. This will distribute lubricant throughout the cylinder and reduce the risk of sticking or corroding during the winter.
Reinstall the spark plug properly, and then pull the starter grip again. Pull the grip only lightly, until resistance is felt. This process will ensure that the valves within the cylinder are closed, further safeguarding the cylinder and keeping distributed lubricants in place until the spring mowing season.
6. Handlebar Folding
Handlebars should be folded downward so that the mower can be easily stored in a compact space without being overly intrusive. Before folding the handlebars, make sure to remove the grass bag from the mower completely. Push the handlebars forward, but also make sure that the cables attached to the handlebars aren’t getting caught on the engine or any other mower parts.