Here are a few tips for storing your lawn mower:
- Store your lawn mower in a dry place.
- Keep the gas tank full.
- Keep the oil drain plug tightened and ensure it’s clean and dry before storage.
- Sharpen, clean, and inspect all moving parts prior to storage; replace any worn or broken parts before you put away your mower for the winter months (or even if you’re storing it for just a week or two).
- It's a good idea to remove your lawn mower battery for the winter and store it in a cool, dry place. ...
- Brush or hose off leaves, grass and mud from your mower. ...
- Store your mower in a dry, protected place such as your garage or a garden shed.
How do you store a riding lawn mower with a full tank?
Storing your mower with a full tank of fuel prevents moisture from condensing in the tank which can form rust that could break away and clog the carburetor. Add STA-BIL Storage, according to package directions, before filling your gas can with fuel.
How do you store fuel stabilizer for lawn mowers?
Use Fuel Stabilizer Correctly. You shouldn't store your lawn equipment with a partially full fuel tank. Either run the equipment out of fuel, or use fuel stabilizer in a full tank of fuel. Add the stabilizer (also called fuel preserver) according to package directions.
How to store a lawn mower outside during winter?
This will keep the fuel from degrading, the engine properly lubricated, and the mower dry. You can use a waterproof cover or tarp for storing your mower outside during the season, which will be very effective at protecting your mower from the elements. Additionally, you can also place your lawn mower under an overhang or eave.
How do you properly store your lawn equipment?
There’s a much easier way to properly store your lawn equipment. To avoid damage, simply use a quality fuel stabilizer and fresh fuel before putting equipment away for the season. Step 1: Buy and stabilize fresh fuel for maximum protection.
Can I leave petrol in my lawn mower?
Old petrol in your mower can go bad in as little as 2-4 weeks, so it's important to only put as much fuel in your mower as you need, and to drain it before putting it into storage over the winter months.
Should I leave gas in my lawnmower over the winter?
Leaving gas in your lawn mower over the winter can be very bad for your engine and tank. It can degrade and clog up your carburetor, as well as accelerate rusting within the tank, and can cause catastrophic engine failure if the fuel is not prepared.
How do I prepare my lawn mower for storage?
Winterize a Lawn Mower in 7 StepsStep 1: Empty the gas tank. ... Step 2: Disconnect the spark plug. ... Step 3: Remove the blade. ... Step 4: Drain the oil. ... Step 5: Clean the undercarriage. ... Step 6: Change the air filter. ... Step 7: Replace the spark plug. ... Step 8: Safely stow any combustibles.
Can you store a lawn mower with gas in it?
If you store gasoline for use in a lawn mower or other yard machines, here's how to keep and use it safely: Use only approved metal or plastic gasoline containers. Remove fuel containers from vehicles and place them on the ground before refilling. Fill containers slowly to reduce the buildup of static electricity.
Can I use 6 month old gas in my mower?
Pure gasoline can stay ok in the tank for as long as 6 months. Gasoline with ethanol goes bad earlier because of ethanol's oxidizing tendency. Ethanol blended gasoline can last in the tank for up to 3 months. Stabilizers can be added to gasoline to extend its shelf life.
How long can gas sit in mower?
How long can gas sit in a lawn mower? Depending on the gasoline formula it can degrade in as little of 30 days. Properly treated gasoline can stay good for up to a year. To prevent this from happening, you have two choices: empty the gas tank or add a fuel stabilizer.
How do I prepare my petrol lawnmower for winter?
Preparing Your Lawn Mower For Winter StorageDRAIN ANY FUEL THAT MAY BE LEFT IN THE TANK. It's never a good idea to store your lawn mower away when fuel is still left in the tank. ... TOP UP THE OIL LEVEL. ... GIVE IT A CLEAN. ... KEEP IT STORED ON LEVEL GROUND. ... REMOVE THE BATTERY. ... STORE IT IN A DRY LOCATION.
Is it OK to store lawn mower outside?
Cover the Mower This is the last thing to do when storing a lawnmower outside. It is important to cover the lawnmower so as to protect all the interior components from damages. You can make use of a tarp if you do not have a cover.
How should I store my lawnmower for the winter?
Storing your Lawn Mower for the WinterStep 1: Prepare your mower to be worked on. ... Step 2: Drain your fuel. ... Step 3: Replace the Spark Plug. ... Step 4: Remove the battery. ... Step 5: Change the oil. ... Step 6: Replace the air filter. ... Step 7: Clean the undercarriage of the mower + inspect the blade.More items...
Is it safe to store gas lawn mower in garage?
When home garages turn into storage units, lawn mowers become tripping hazards. Pinholes in the fuel tank can fill the air with unhealthy fumes. A small break in the fuel line can spill combustible liquid on the garage floor. It's hard to keep your space safe when you store lawn equipment in the garage.
Can you store a lawn mower in the house?
However, you need to be extremely careful when storing your lawn mower inside your home. Storing your lawn mower in your basement with a full gas tank can lead to dangerous or even deadly fumes released into your home. You should ensure you empty the gas tank and run the mower outside before storing.
How do I drain the gas from my lawn mower?
If you have a lawn mower like this, grab a container for the fuel and disconnect the fuel line from the carburetor. This will allow the fuel to flow from the tank through the line and into the receptacle. Once the tank is completely emptied, attach the fuel line back to the carburetor. That's it.
Can I use gas that's been sitting all winter?
The good news is that gas may already be a few days or a few weeks old, thanks to transportation time between six months and a year old won't harm your car's engine. Still, it can decrease your car's overall performance, and you may notice adverse effects like poorer gas mileage than usual.
How do I winterize my lawnmower?
How to Winterize a Lawn MowerIt's a good idea to remove your lawn mower battery for the winter and store it in a cool, dry place. ... Brush or hose off leaves, grass and mud from your mower. ... Store your mower in a dry, protected place such as your garage or a garden shed.
Does gas go bad over the winter?
Prevent water and varnish from making spring a big headache. Like a wine without a cork, gas can go bad when it sits around mingling with air. Fuel actually starts to turn nasty after 30 days.
How do you store a lawn mower for the winter?
Fill the mower tank with fresh gas and screw on the gas cap. Run the mower for 10-mins. to fill the carburetor bowl with stabilized gas. Top off the gas tank and store the mower. NOTE: Never add fuel stabilizer to old gas—it won't bring it back to life.
How to Store a Lawn Mower in Garage
Storing a lawn mower in a garage may seem simple. You bring it inside and park it wherever it fits—right?
How to Winterize Your Lawn Mower
When the temperatures drop, your lawn mower’s job is done, and it’s time to winterize your machine before storing it. Yet plenty of people skip this step.
FAQs
Not only is it safe to store your lawnmower in the garage, but it’s also probably the best place for most people to do so. Lawn mowers aren’t weatherproof, so you need to store them somewhere that’s dry and protected from the elements.
DO: Remove, Sharpen and Inspect the Blade
Winter is here, but that doesn’t mean you should not take care of your lawn blade. A sharp blade will not only cut the grass clean, but it will also reduce your lawn mowing time. Sharpening the blade is simple that even a novice can handle. You only need to master a few sharpening skills.
DO: Clean the Mower Before Storing It
Cleaning the mower will ensure you use it for long. It will also ensure you don’t struggle to get the equipment work efficiently at the beginning of every season. Always keep in mind that small pieces of debris and grass can accumulate between small spaces of the engine.
DO: Drain and Replace Engine Oil
Motor oil is a crucial requirement of all engines for sealing, lubrication, and corrosion inhibition. Your lawn mower engine is no exception. The oil inside the unit will get dirty over time, and as the season comes to an end, you need to drain the oil and replace it. Soot and metal particles can cause engine wear.
DO: Get Quality Fuel
Fuel is the propeller that makes your lawnmower function effectively. It boosts engine performance and determines its durability. However, you should adhere to the first rule of engine safety; fuel is extremely explosive and flammable. Always handle it with extreme care. Fuel for your lawnmower must have the following requirements:
DO: Replace Spark Plug Before Storing the Lawn Mower
Lawnmowers are usually fitted with lethal blades that spin while cutting grass as long as there is a spark plug that combust the fuel. If the spark plug is corroded and overworked, it will probably not fire up properly come next season. This is the time to replace it and get your unit prepared to cut grass after the winter.
DO: Recharge the Battery
One of the most crucial parts of a lawnmower (riding) is the battery. You need to ensure that it is charged or the energy remains, especially when you know you’ll store it for quite some time.
DO: Check for Damaged Parts
You have now cleaned your lawnmower, changed the oil, and recharged the battery, but you still have one more task to handle before storing your unit. It’s time to inspect your equipment thoroughly. Check if every piece is intact. Replace or repair the damaged parts as required.
What happens when gas tank is empty?
Where there is air, there is water (damage). Allowing your gas tank to sit empty for long periods leaves a huge area for water vapor to condense. When moisture collects, it can trigger corrosion in the tank, fuel lines, carburetor and cylinders, and can even cause catastrophic engine failure if a big “gulp” is taken into the engine all at once. ...
Why does my lawn mower have gum?
It’s impossible to get every last drop of gasoline out. When oxygen attacks the small fuel droplets left behind, it causes gum and varnish. If this debris settles in the wrong place, such as a needle valve tip, the carburetor will need cleaning to work properly.
How to keep fuel from spilling in warmer weather?
Step 3: Run the engine for a couple of minutes. This gets the stabilized fuel into the carburetor and fuel lines. That’s it!
How to stabilize fuel?
Step 1: Buy and stabilize fresh fuel for maximum protection. Adding fuel stabilizer to old fuel will stop it from degrading further, but the fuel may already have broken down. Step 2: Fill your tank 95% full with fresh, stabilized fuel. Leaving a little room prevents the fuel from expanding and spilling in warmer weather, ...
What happens if you don't have all three elements?
If you don’t have all three, your engine will not run: Clean air will always be available if you take time to clean or replace your air filter.
Can you drain a lawn mower tank to winterize?
Manufacturers sometimes recommend draining the tank to winterize a lawn mower because the worst thing you can do is leave old fuel in an engine during long periods of storage. You may have followed this advice in the past without noticeable issues, but that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
Does draining a lawn mower harm the carburetor?
Draining the tank harms your lawn mowers carburetor. Draining the tank harms the “heart” of your equipment. Think of one of the most important organs in your body: your heart. The lawn mower carburetor is, in many ways, your engine’s “heart.”. It blends air and fuel and circulates these elements into an engine’s cylinders.
Remove the Battery
It's a good idea to remove your lawn mower battery for the winter and store it in a cool, dry place. Be sure to store it away from gas cans, the water heater or furnace. Disconnect the battery cable from the battery, starting with the negative cable (it will have a minus sign). Remove the battery and wipe it off with a cloth.
Clean your Mower
Brush or hose off leaves, grass and mud from your mower. Always remove the spark plug lead wire from the plug before doing this or any other mower maintenance, and tape or tie it out of the way. Gently tip your walk behind mower on its side to spray the underbody.
Add Stabilized Fuel
Gas begins to degrade in as little as 30 days which can lead to your engine's fuel system clogging and your equipment not starting the following growing season.
Store your Mower in a Dry Place
Store your mower in a dry, protected place such as your garage or a garden shed. Never store it next to a furnace, water heater or appliance with a pilot light.
What happens if you put a pinprick in a gas can?
Over time, small pinprick holes in your gas can — especially if it’s made of plastic, or has a finicky vent nozzle — can lead to gas vapors escaping and building up in the area you store your fuel in.
How many Napa locations are there?
Check out all the lawn & garden products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on how to store gas, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
How many gallons of gas is in a portable fuel tank?
Most of the time it’s restricted to about 25 gallons, total, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem because most portable fuel tanks are only 5 gallons in volume. Another consideration sounds obvious, but bears repeating. No matter how you choose to store your gas, you need to make sure the containers are kept away from potential sparks ...
How long can you keep gas?
The longer you store your gas, the higher chance it has to break down chemically. Fuel that’s been stored for more than six months is typically watery once you open the container, unless you’ve mixed in the right additives ( such as STA-BIL) prior to storage. So if you plan to keep gasoline long-term, you’ll have to dose each can with STA-BIL prior to walking away for the season.
Can you use a gas can to store gas?
Best case scenario, the fumes make your eyes water, but worst case you could be looking at an explosion risk, especially if the storage space heats up in the sun. Always make sure you use a gas can that seals completely when considering how to store gas, and make sure not to fill it right to the brim, because you need to leave some room inside the container for the fumes to expand.
