Look, I’ve been fixing up lawn mowers for over three decades at my shop, and if there’s one thing I can’t stress enough, it’s this: never let gas sit all winter in your mower. Sound familiar? You stash the mower in the shed, think you’re done for the season, and then spring rolls around. The engine sputters, won’t start, or just plain dies on you. What’s the worst that can happen? Besides a wasted Saturday and a trip to GardenAdvice for parts, you’re staring at a repair bill that could’ve been avoided.
Today, we’re talking about the nitty-gritty of storing your mower for winter — and doing it right. From engine maintenance to blade sharpening, I’ll walk you through everything you need for solid end of season maintenance with a special focus on how to use STA-BIL for mowers to gardenadvice.co keep your fuel fresh and your engine happy.
Pre-Season Mower Prep: The Foundation of Winterizing
Before you even think about chucking your mower into the shed, there are a few things you’ve got to do. Think of this as giving your mower a proper send-off to prevent corrosion, gummed-up carburetors, and nasty engine problems come spring.
1. Freshen Up Your Fuel
Ever wonder why that old gas smells like paint thinner after six months? It’s degraded, lost its good stuff, and now it’s cracking up your carburetor - that mower’s lungs. The solution? Use a trusted fuel stabilizer like STA-BIL that’s specially formulated for small engines. Before you shut her down, add STA-BIL to a fresh tank of gas, run the engine for about five minutes to circulate it, then empty the tank or leave it stabilized if you don’t want to drain it. This keeps the fuel fresh and prevents varnish buildup inside.
2. Change the Oil
Oil is like the lifeblood of your mower’s engine. Old, dirty oil will cause parts to wear and cause headaches by spring. Drain the old oil and refill with the right type - your owner's manual will say what’s best, but usually, a synthetic SAE 10W-30 works for most walk-behinds. Don’t skimp on quality here; cheap oil is a shortcut to expensive damage.
3. Check and Replace the Spark Plug
The spark plug is the small, mighty spark that gets your mower roaring. If that plug’s fouled or worn, you’re asking for trouble. Pull the plug, inspect it for corrosion or carbon build-up, and replace if necessary. You’ll need a proper spark plug gapper tool to make sure the gap is right — typically between 0.030 and 0.035 inches, but check your manual. Too big or too small a gap affects combustion efficiency and starting reliability.
Blade Sharpening and Balancing: Don’t Let a Dull Blade Drag You Down
A lot of folks think just sharpening the blade is enough. I say, that’s only half the job. A dull blade tears grass instead of slicing it clean, causing your lawn to look ragged and vulnerable to disease.
1. Remove and Sharpen the Blade
Safety first — disconnect the spark plug wire to avoid accidental starting. Remove the blade and sharpen it evenly on both sides with a bench grinder or a good file. Keep the angle consistent for the best cut.
2. Balance the Blade
Here’s where most homeowners drop the ball. An unbalanced blade will beat the mower apart with vibration. Use a blade balancer tool to check balance. Place the blade on the balancer; if one side dips, remove some metal from that side until it stays level. Balanced blades protect your deck and bearings and make cutting easier.
Cleaning the Mower Deck and Body: Scrub the Dirt Away
Grass clippings and debris love to build up under the deck and around moving parts — it’s like inviting rust and corrosion to move in. Before storing for winter, make sure you:
- Disconnect the spark plug wire. Use a putty knife or scraper to remove caked grass from under the deck. Wash the deck with a garden hose, but avoid wetting the engine. Let it dry completely. Wipe down handles, wheels, and body to remove dirt and grime. Apply a coat of WD-40 or spray lubricant to metal parts to prevent rust.
A Step-by-Step Winterizing Checklist
For those who like to tick off things as they go, here’s the rundown:
Add STA-BIL fuel stabilizer to fresh gas and run mower 5 minutes. Drain or leave tank stabilized (your choice, but fresh fuel is best). Change oil to recommended type and fill to proper level. Remove and inspect spark plug; clean or replace. Set spark plug gap with spark plug gapper tool. Sharpen mower blade evenly. Balance blade using blade balancer tool. Clean mower deck and body; remove all grass and debris. Wipe metal parts with anti-corrosion spray. Store mower in a dry shelter, cover if possible.Why Bother With All This? The Price of Neglect
Let’s get back to that old gas sitting in your tank all winter. It turns into varnish and gum inside your carburetor — clogging jets and passages. Come springtime, your mower either won’t start or runs rough. You cough up $100 or more to fix a carburetor that could’ve stayed clean if only you used fuel stabilizer.
And those dull blades? Think of them like a butter knife instead of a chef’s knife – your mower’s just tearing up the grass, inviting disease, and stressing you out mowing twice as long.
The truth is, spending an hour or two on proper winterizing saves you hours of frustration and hundreds in repair bills come spring.
Where to Get Trusted Supplies Like STA-BIL and Tools
If you want to cut the guesswork and get what works without wandering the big box aisles confused, check out GardenAdvice. They know their stuff and stock top-tier products like STA-BIL specially designed for mowers. Plus, you can snag those essential tools — spark plug gappers and blade balancers — all in one place.
Trust me, having the right tools and quality supplies is half the battle. Don’t roll the dice with cheap plugs, generic fuel treatments, or skip the blade balancer. Your mower’s going to thank you.
Final Thoughts: Treat Your Mower Like a Friend, Not a Toy
These new battery-powered “toys” getting popular? Fine, but your gas mower needs TLC or it’ll be a paperweight next season. A few well-done maintenance steps at season’s end — using stabilizer like STA-BIL, fresh oil, correct spark plug gap, and a sharp, balanced blade — is not rocket science. It’s common sense that keeps your mower humming and your lawn looking sharp.
So don’t be that guy or gal staring at a frozen carburetor this spring. Winterize your mower the right way, and next season will run as smooth as your first cut of the year.
Now wipe your hands on that rag, get your tools out, and get to work.
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