The ultimate guide to winterizing your mower

Posted on:Oct 26, 2023

Your mower works hard during grass-growing season to deliver a high-quality cut. Imagine the acres of mowing your riding mower accomplishes spring through fall. As the season winds down, it’s time to consider winterizing equipment to keep it in top condition so you’re ready to roll once #MowDay begins anew. 

While there are some mower maintenance tasks you could save for spring, checking these off your to-do list in the off-season frees up time once grass and gardens start growing to manage other lawn care needs. Why not get a head start? 

Following these steps will help you winterize your mower, but you can also visit your local Grasshopper dealer for end-of-season servicing. Dealers provide a thorough inspection to identify any wear and tear or possible part replacements. By taking a preventative approach, you can avoid more costly repairs in the future.

Ready to wind down for the season? Here are seven mower winterizing steps.

Disconnect The Spark Plug And Charge The Battery

For gasoline-powered engines, disconnect the spark plug before considering a fuel stabilizer or cleaning stuck debris from the mower undercarriage. This is a safety measure to prevent the mower from accidentally starting. If a mower sputters and the blade turns slightly, it can cause serious injury. 

Now is also an ideal time to remove the battery and charge it. You should recharge the battery monthly and store it in an area warmer than 40 degrees (i.e., indoors in many regions).

Clean Your Mower

Caked mud, grass clippings and debris can build up on and under the deck, even if you’re diligent about maintaining your mower. Before storing it for winter, give the undercarriage a thorough cleaning. 

First, remove the mower blades. Then, use a scrub brush or plastic putty knife to remove debris. 

It’s important to clean clippings from underneath and on top of the deck because it could lead to rust if left all winter. We recommend using compressed air for best cleaning practices. 

Protect The Engine: Mower Fuel Stabilizer And Oil

Today, most gasoline is blended with ethanol. Over time, the ethanol can separate from the gasoline which can cause trouble for your engine if you let unused fuel sit in the tank and the engine all winter long. 

You can either empty the fuel from your mower’s tank and run the engine dry before winter, or fill up the tank and add a fuel stabilizer. By adding a fuel stabilizer, you won’t need to drain the tank before storage, and your fuel will stay fresh for up to two years (refer to the label on the stabilizer you choose) because fuel stabilizer bonds with fuel molecules and prevents what is called “phase separation.” 

Phase separation occurs when water contaminates the fuel, generally in the form of condensation in the fuel tank when the mower sits unused for an extended period of time. Ethanol will separate from the gasoline attach to the water molecules and drop to the bottom of the tank, leaving a gasoline-only layer at the top and an ethanol-water “cocktail” at the bottom. The engine draws fuel from the bottom of the tank, and introducing water into the engine will lead to engine performance issues and possible engine failure.

After adding the fuel stabilizer, turn on the engine to circulate the fuel. (Remember, the spark plug must be reconnected to start the engine; then remove and store it.)

This is also a good time to change the engine oil and oil filter.

Sharpen Mower Blades

Since you’ve removed the blades to clean the mower undercarriage thoroughly, take an opportunity to sharpen them during the off-season so your mower is ready for #MowDay. 

Remember, safety comes first. Wear gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges. Use a file or grinding wheel and follow the blade’s angle as you work up and down the side of the blade. Inspect to ensure the sides are balanced; otherwise, you’ll have an uneven, poor-quality cut, and your mower might vibrate while running. 

Replace The Mower Air Filter 

You could wait until spring, but like blade sharpening, replacing your mower’s air filter before winter sets you up for the next mowing season. Ensure you don’t over-service the air filter and service the pre-filter more frequently. 

Refer to your owner’s manual for the proper air filter type and replacement instructions. Buying the correct air filter for your mower will keep it running at its peak. Remember always to use OEM filters.

Check Mower Tire Pressure 

When the temperatures drop, so does the mower’s tire air pressure. Tire pressure can drop up to one pound per square inch for every 10-degree air temperature decrease. Low pressure causes the rubber material to bear more weight, which can damage tires.

Generally speaking, mower tires should be maintained at 10 to 14 psi, while the low-pressure tires on many Grasshopper Mowers should be maintained at 8 to 9 psi. Fill the mower tires to the recommended pressure in your owner’s manual and check your tires periodically throughout the winter. 

Stow It Away: Mower Storage 

Whether you keep your Grasshopper indoors or outdoors, it will benefit from being stored in a shelter or under a cover. 

When choosing a cover, look for a breathable material like polyethylene or canvas. Plastic traps moisture which can contribute to rusting. You can also opt for a marine-grade fabric that is water-resistant. The cover should be large enough to fit completely over the machine.

When stored indoors, your Grasshopper should be in a secure, dry, protected area. If this is a shed, storage unit or outbuilding, be sure you can lock access points to prevent theft. 

The Maintenance Mow-Down With Grasshopper 

There are maintenance activities you can do and some essentials that should be left to the pros. You can depend on your loyal Grasshopper independent dealer to support your pursuit of a beautiful lawn, your landscape business and your love of the great outdoors. 

Interested in more mowing tips from the pros at Grasshopper? Check out our library of how-to videos, or sign up for our newsletter. Thinking about a new mower? Our team can help you choose the best model for your needs.