Your lawn mower has been a faithful fair weather companion. So at the end of the mowing season, give it the attention it deserves. Spend just a little time prepping your mower for storage over the winter, and you’ll enjoy a happier reunion in spring. Here are some tips on what you can do now to be sure your mower will start easily next spring. Make sure your operator's manual is on hand for quick reference when you work on your mower.
If your mower has a battery it's a good idea to remove it for the winter and store it in a cool, dry place. Be sure to store it away from petrol cans, the water heater or furnace. If you have an InStart® engine, just take out the battery and store it in a cool, dry place. If you have a rider mower 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 the battery terminal using a metal brush.
Brush or hose off leaves, grass and mud from your mower. Our UltraCare™ range of cleaning products includes everything you need to make the maintenance of your garden and outdoor power equipment easier. 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.
If you have a mower with our Mow N’Stow® feature, just fold the handle bar and flip the mower to get easy access to the underbody. If your mower doesn’t have this feature gently tip it on its side to spray the underbody. If debris is caught on the blade, use a stick or tool to remove it - never use your hands.
Top off the fuel tank before storing. Filling the tank helps prevent moisture from condensing in your fuel tank, and stops rust and scale before it starts.
Petrol 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. Using FuelFit® fuel stabilizer eliminates the need to drain fuel prior to storage and ensures quick easy starts next season by keeping the carburettor clean, protecting against the corrosive effects of ethanol and maintaining fuel stability for up to 3 years.
Before you the tank up, add FuelFit® to the fuel*, then run the engine for a few minutes to circulate the additive through the carburetor. The fuel stabilizer will help prevent gum from forming in the fuel system or on essential carburetor parts.
* Note: if you choose not to use FuelFit®, or if the engine is using fuel-containing alcohol, such as gasohol, remove all fuel from the tank and run the engine until it stops from lack of fuel.
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.