How to Start a Lawn Mower After Winter
There are many reasons why you may want to start your lawn mower after winter. Some of these include getting your yard ready for spring, saving money on gas and water usage, or just simply because it’s the time!
This blog post will outline the steps needed to start a lawnmower after winter so that you can get back outside and enjoy the warmer weather! So read this entire blog post to know how to start a lawn mower after winter so that you can make your lawn beautiful.
10 Reasons Why You Should Start a Lawn Mower After Winter:
1. Your lawn will be healthier if you mow it after winter because the grass is fuller and more robust.
2. Due to increased demand, you’ll save money on gas, which is often twice as expensive in spring than during the summer months.
3. It’s more likely that your store-bought lawnmower won’t come with an anti-freeze/lubricant in the gas tank, which will end up causing it to freeze and stop running.
4. You’ll be saving yourself money on tune-ups that need to be done at your local lawn mower repair shop.
5. Your lawnmower won’t turn into a single-stage snowplow if you leave it plugged in.
6. You’ll be able to properly prepare for weed growth next year.
7. You won’t have to replace your lawnmower engine because of corrosion.
8. Your neighbors will be impressed by the new layer of fresh-cut grass smell coming from your lawn.
9. You can give your lawnmower a thorough cleaning and tune-up in the spring, instead of waiting until the busy mowing season begins.
10. You will be able to enjoy your spring mowing instead of dreading it after winterizing.
Directions: How to Start a Lawn Mower After Winter
Step 1:
Winterize your mower. Follow the instructions in your owner’s manual for proper winterization of your mower. Most small engine mowers involve draining the gas tank and adding some fuel stabilizer to prevent gumming and corrosion of internal fuel system components during storage periods.
Step 2:
Remove all contents from your mower’s bagger. Most lawn mowers have a “bag” mounted to the back that collects grass clippings as you mow your lawn. Make sure this bag is empty by removing it from the lawnmower and tapping it with a stick outside of your garage or another storage area if necessary.
Step 3:
Bring out your mower’s battery. Most lawn mowers have a 12-volt lead-acid battery that powers the motor. If your mower has been stored in an unheated area, bring out the battery into a room with higher temperatures for at least two hours before attempting to start your mower.
Step 4:
Be sure to clean under your lawn mower regularly. Many people store their mowers on a piece of wood or brick for convenience. However, these materials can lead to rust and debris buildup underneath your lawn mower’s deck. Make sure you remove all dirt and debris from underneath the deck before starting your mower.
Step 5:
Check air filter condition. If your lawnmower has been stored for a long time, the air filter will likely become dirty and dusty. To prevent dirt from entering your mower’s carburetor and causing issues, remove your lawnmower’s air filter and clean or replace it if necessary.
Step 6:
Check engine oil level. Your lawn mower’s engine should be completely drained before you store it for the winter. However, if your engine has been stored for a long time and you haven’t checked the oil level recently, check to ensure your lawnmower does not have excess or insufficient oil in the crankcase.
Step 7:
Check sparkplug condition. If your lawnmower is hard to start when trying to start it first, check your sparkplug and make sure it is properly seated. If your mower has been stored for an extended period of time, you may also choose to replace this part.
Step 8:
Make sure that all screws holding together major components are tight. Lawnmower engine covers, carburetor covers, and air filter covers utilize screws to keep them in place. Over time, these screws can work loose and lead to significant problems if left unchecked. Please make sure they are tight before starting your mower.
Step 9:
Prepare a suitable area for mowing. To properly start your lawnmower after winter storage, you must choose an area that is flat and level. In addition, since your mower’s wheels will not be able to grip the grass while it is still wet, you will want an area of dry grass with no excess debris or large rocks. Finally, if possible, choose a day without wind conditions to make starting your mower easier.
Step 10:
Prepare fresh gasoline for your lawnmower. Before starting your mower, pour new gasoline into the clean and dry gas tank. Do not use fuel that has been sitting in the tank for an extended period, and never add fuel stabilizer or other additives to your lawnmower’s gasoline.
Step 11:
Prepare a blade-engaging bar. The motor turns your lawn mower’s blade-engaging bar to cut your grass. Trying to start your mower without ensuring this part is engaged can cause significant damage. Pull the lever located at the side of your lawnmower near the wheel down so that it locks into place and allows your pull cord to hang freely.
Step 12:
Prepare a suitable pull cord. Most lawnmowers require that their pull cord be in good condition and completely free of any obstructions. If you can, use a new piece of nylon string with no rough edges. Before pulling the handle to start your mower, ensure there are no other people or animals within 15 feet of your mower to prevent injuries.
Step 13:
Pull the handle of your lawnmower’s starting device. Depending on the model you own, lawnmowers have either recoil or electric start. Ensure no one is touching your lawnmower before attempting to pull the cord, as this may cause injury and damage to your equipment.
Some Tips and Suggestions:
We have mentioned the steps on how to start a lawn mower after winter above. Here we will give some tips to ensure your lawnmower starts again after being kept idle for a long time.
1. If the lawnmower has been idle for an extended period, check all fluids and replace them as necessary. Remember that when transferring liquids from one machine to another, you should always use new funnels and clean containers not to introduce any dirt or debris into the system.
2. Replace old fuel with fresh, high-quality fuel mixed in a 50:1 ratio (50 parts gasoline to 1 part 2-stroke oil)
3. Perform a general inspection of the lawnmower and replace any worn-out parts that could be causing problems, such as the starter cord, pull handle, or spark plug.
4. Store the mower indoors over winter to protect it from water damage and corrosion.
5. Clean the lawnmower before storage, removing any leftover grass or debris that could cause rusting or tarnishing during storage. Remove old gasoline and oil and dispose of them according to local waste disposal guidelines.
6. Keep the lawn mower in an excellent, dry location (preferably where the temperature does not go lower than 40°F or four °C).
7. If the lawnmower is equipped with a charger, keep it connected to avoid discharging through inactivity. Keep it plugged into an outlet not controlled by a wall switch. Be sure to unplug it before attempting any repairs on the mower.
Precautions and Safety Measures:
1. Always wear proper safety gear while working on your lawnmower, including goggles/glasses, heavy gloves, earplugs, or earmuffs, and ensure the lawnmower’s engine is excellent before touching it.
2. Be sure to clean up any spilled gasoline or oil after work is complete.
3. Keep children away from the lawnmower at all times.
4. Be sure to disconnect the spark plug wire before working on or around the engine.
5. Make sure that you know where your emergency stop switch is located in case an issue arises.
6. If you must store your mower indoors, choose a well-ventilated space and keep it away from any open flames or heated appliances.
7. Keep combustibles (lighters, gasoline, fuel oil, and the like) away from the lawnmower at all times to prevent fires or dangerous fumes.
8. Keep CO2 cartridges away from fire as they might explode when exposed to high temperatures.
Why Won’t My Lawnmower Start After the Winter?
In December and January, homeowners typically begin to put away their lawnmowers for at least a few months. Unfortunately, along with the snow comes cold weather and often frozen ground, making it difficult or impossible to start your lawnmower during this time.
Lawncare experts recommend waiting until late March before attempting to start your mower. There are a few reasons why your mower may have difficulty starting after being stored for months at a time during the winter. For starters, most lawnmowers use oil or gas for lubrication, which can spoil when not used in cold temperatures. In a few sections above, we have already mentioned how to start a lawn mower after winter. So be sure to check that out.
Conclusion:
With these tips, you can quickly get your lawnmower started after winter. Now that it’s springtime and the grass is beginning to grow again, ensure your equipment is ready for use by following our simple instructions on starting a lawn mower after winter.
After all those months outside in storage, there are bound to be some kinks here and there that will need fixing before you can put any serious work into maintaining your yard. Follow the checklist mentioned above, so you don’t miss anything important!
