Lawn Mower Winter Maintenance Tips for Virginia Residents

The best way to guarantee year-round performance from your lawn mower is to have a routine maintenance schedule in the winter. The winter season in Virginia’s climate can bring chilling temperatures that could damage your equipment. However, by taking the proper precautions, you can ensure your mower will be protected from the elements and ready to take on work in any conditions.

Prepping Your Mower For Storage

If you have plans to store your mower for the entire winter season, be sure to follow these steps to keep it safe and sound during its resting period.

Clean Your Mower

Over time, dirt, grass clippings, and debris can build up on your mower, potentially causing corrosion or clogging critical components. Use a power washer or a hose to eliminate all the dirt and grime, paying special attention to your deck and blades to make sure all clippings and debris are removed.

Drain or Stabilize Fuel

Proper fuel management is one of the most important steps in winterizing your lawn mower. Leaving fuel sitting in your mower for extended periods can cause degradation, leading to issues including clogged carburetors, gummed-up fuel lines, and difficulty starting the engine. To avoid this, you can either drain your fuel completely or add a stabilizer. Stabilizers prevent this breaking down process, allowing you to store your mower for a couple of months and use it again without any issues. Draining your fuel may only be necessary if you plan on storing your mower for several months without use or if you plan on storing it inside a basement, as fuel in the tank could be a fire hazard.

Change Oil and Filters

Changing out your oil and filters is another crucial step of winter maintenance. Putting clean oil in your engine ensures smooth operation while reducing wear on engine parts, and clean filters prevent contaminants from circulating through the engine.

Inspection and Key Maintenance

Sharpening Blades

Your mower’s performance heavily relies on sharp blades for efficient, even cuts. When servicing your mower, take time to sharpen dull blades for successful mowing in the spring. Begin by disconnecting the spark plug to prevent accidental start-up from your engine, then use a wrench to loosen and remove bolts holding the blades in place. Once the blades are removed, clean off any dirt, grass, or debris with a wire brush or old cloth. You can use a metal file, bench grinder, or rotary tool to sharpen the blade’s cutting edge, making sure to follow the blade’s original angle. Once sharpened, place blades on a blade balancer and file down until evenly balanced. Finally, reinstall the blade, securing it tightly with bolts.

Check Belts and Cables, Replace Filters

There are some things you’ll need to take care of under the hood to complete winter maintenance. Check your belts and cables for wear and tear, looking out for anything that requires immediate attention like cracks, holes, or leaks. It’s also a good idea to replace the air and fuel filters to keep contaminants from reaching the carburetor.

Battery

Cold weather is known to significantly drain your mower’s battery. To preserve power, safely remove it by unplugging the negative lead and then unplugging the positive lead. Once removed, clean it thoroughly to remove corrosion buildup with a wire brush. Choose a cool, dry space to store your battery for the next couple of months until it’s ready to power up your mower again next season.

Tips for Active Use

If you plan on bringing your mower out a couple of times in the winter to handle snow or take care of other landscaping tasks, follow these tips for full efficiency and protection:

Regular Maintenance Checks: Your mower needs extra attention in extreme weather conditions. Frequently check key components like fluid levels, filters, and tires to ensure proper functioning.
Winter-Grade Fluids: For those who frequently use their mowers in the winter, consider opting for winter-grade fuel and oil to withstand freezing temperatures.
All-Season Tires: Gain better traction on snow and ice with all-season tires or opt for tire chains when navigating slippery pathways.
Battery Life: As we mentioned earlier, cold temperatures can drain your battery quickly. Ensure your battery is fully charged before starting winter work, and keep it charged to prevent it from dying on the job.

Whether you’re storing your mower for next year or getting ready to tackle heavy snow, being proactive about winter maintenance is essential to your mower’s health. By following these tips, you can extend your lawn mower’s longevity and enhance its performance for any season. Take care of maintenance on your John Deere mower easily with a Home Maintenance Kit or contact our service department at Virginia Maryland Tractor to let our expert technicians take care of it for you.