Hazy Arc
join:2006-04-10
Greenwood, SC
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|  New Lawnmower Winter Maintenance
I bought this lawnmower over the summer (»www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p···age=none). It has been running like a dream, and I'd like to keep it that way. Now that it's getting colder, the grass has stopped growing so I no longer need it...what do I need to do to prepare it for winter? |
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dgilbert
Good Bye My Friend
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none
clubs:
| change the oil, add some stabilzer to the gas, run it for a little bit to get the stabil in the carb, then put her away.
do these in ADDITION to any maintenance listed in your manual.
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
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Hazy Arc
join:2006-04-10
Greenwood, SC
1 edit | Thanks for the info. Do I need to drain the gas tank after adding the stabilizer and running it through the engine? |
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dgilbert
Good Bye My Friend
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none
clubs:
| no need to drain it, though it don't hurt to do so. if you are going to drain it though, just drain it then run long enough to run out the gas still in the carb. you don't have to add stabil if you drain them.
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Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
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shdesigns
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Premium
join:2000-12-01
Stone Mountain, GA | reply to Hazy Arc
I would run it out of gas. Stabilizers help, but I find over th elast few years gas does not store well.
If you can get to the gas line easily, you can disconnect it and drain it. Then run the carb empty. |
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Snakeoil
Taxes are Armed robbery.
Premium
join:2000-08-05
Mentor, OH | reply to Hazy Arc
hope the deck lasts.. I had a Scotts mower from Lowes. It ran excellant and all that. The deck rusted out after 6 years.
make sure you clean under the deck as well... maybe coat it with a sealer of some type. |
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jack b
Gone Fishing
Premium,MVM
join:2000-09-08
Cape Cod
clubs:
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| reply to Hazy Arc
Some good advice above.
Change the oil: drain the crankcase after running it completely out of gas and while it's still warm.
Power wash the underside of the deck, repaint any bare spots.
Sharpen the blade.
Turn the mower so the spark plug is facing up. Pull the spark plug and pour in about a half-ounce of the same motor oil used, gently pull the starter cord to distribute the oil. Replace the plug and pull the starter cord slowly, leaving the piston in the compression stroke. (this makes sure the intake and exhaust valves are closed)
Come spring add fresh gas and fire it up. It may smoke a little bit at first but that will stop quickly enough.
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mityfowl
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX | reply to Hazy Arc
I have to run the mower about ever month here in Dallas to pick up leaves.
I don't do anything different in the Winter. |
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tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
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| said by mityfowl  :I don't do anything different in the Winter. Hard for us here in snow country to use the mower with two feet of snow on the ground.
I with the run it out of gas school, rather then use stabilizer. Found this is especially important with 2-cycle engines like chainsaws. When I forgot the engine would not start in the spring. Necessitating a trip the the repair shop.
Probably a good idea to change oil in fall a squirt a little oil in the cylinder, but winter always comes a surprise to me.  Wind up changing oil in the spring but I'm religious about running it out of gas.
/tom |
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mityfowl
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX | OP's in South Carolina I thought he may have the same leaf issues. |
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shdesigns
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Premium
join:2000-12-01
Stone Mountain, GA
·Atlantic Nexus
| reply to tschmidt
said by tschmidt :Found this is especially important with 2-cycle engines like chainsaws. When I forgot the engine would not start in the spring. Necessitating a trip the the repair shop. I found using synthetic oil make a huge difference in how well they store. Have seen chain saws that needed a new plug every year on regular oil. Regular oil breaks down and becomes conductive and shorts the insulator on the plug. It also does not gum up the carbs as bad.
Stay away from cheap 2-stroke oil (Poulan is one), have seen R/C engine bearings ruined by it.
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Scott Henion
Embedded Systems Consultant,
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Tarheels Fan
Premium
join:2006-01-05 | reply to Hazy Arc
I leave mine outside, uncovered... Started fine every year so far... |
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ttiiggy
Premium
join:2001-03-27 | Mowers last about 5 years if you baby them and try to do all the other right things.
They only last about 60 months if you leave them out.
 |
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Tarheels Fan
Premium
join:2006-01-05 | Damnit! |
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CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County
| reply to mityfowl
said by mityfowl :OP's in South Carolina I thought he may have the same leaf issues. They do get chilly in the Jan\Feb time frame - it can get to the 30's. Not quite as temperate as Texas...
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Brian
"It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain |
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Zupper
Premium
join:2002-12-28
Novelty, OH
| reply to Snakeoil
said by Snakeoil :....make sure you clean under the deck as well... maybe coat it with a sealer of some type. Any suggestions? I was cleaning the deck on my rider, and noticed there are some bare spots (missing paint), and rust areas. Is there anything that can be applied to neutralize the rust and prolong the life of the deck? |
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Snakeoil
Taxes are Armed robbery.
Premium
join:2000-08-05
Mentor, OH | sorry, I dunno.. I learned the hard way.. my deck on my push mower rotted away... |
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shdesigns
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join:2000-12-01
Stone Mountain, GA
·Atlantic Nexus
| reply to Zupper
said by Zupper :[Any suggestions? I was cleaning the deck on my rider, and noticed there are some bare spots (missing paint), and rust areas. Is there anything that can be applied to neutralize the rust and prolong the life of the deck? I just hit it with a wire brush and use cheap spray paint. It will come off again anyway 
The best thing is to go to an auto paint shop and get some rust neutralizer. It converts rust into a primer.
Rotted out decks are common especially since the grass sits on top an bottom usually wet.
Every deck I have worked on has has string wrapped around the spindle. Often hard to see. Be sure to get that off as it will overheat the spindle.
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Scott Henion
Embedded Systems Consultant,
SHDesigns home - DIY Welder |
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burgermeister
All Computers Are Junk
join:2000-10-23
Utica, MI
| reply to Hazy Arc
I never do anything to my mower and it's been running great. This summer it'll be 20 years old.
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"I've learned that depression is merely anger without enthusiasm." |
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coppertubing
join:2008-03-28
Chester Springs, PA
| reply to Hazy Arc
I have a Sears mower with Briggs and Stratton engine, which is now 30 years old. The only maintenance I've ever done is about 15 years ago I took it apart and cleaned everything. I also sharpen the blade every 5 years or so. I don't empty the gas tank, change the spark plug, or do anything else. I do store it inside for the winter. Every spring for 30 years, it starts on the third pull. |
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