After the last cut in late autumn, your lawnmower probably deserved its winter storage. But before you winter it, you should make it winter-proof first. With a small amount of winter lawnmower care and maintenance, it not only stays in shape for the next summer, but also the service life is extended.
Lawnmowers, like cars, should go to the specialist retailer every autumn for inspection and maintenance. This is important for winter lawnmower care and maintenance and extends their service life – and in gasoline engines, emissions can be reduced by 50 percent and gasoline consumption by up to 30 percent.
After the first five hours of operation, later after 25 hours of mowing time, the “minor” inspection is due, which can also be carried out by oneself: air filter and spark plug are easy to renew, and even an oil change is not hard work as part of winter lawnmower care and maintenance.
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Basic winter lawnmower care and maintenance
First, it’s the mower housing: remove spark plug cables and turn over the mower. Sweep out the casing and remove all grass residues with a spatula.
A plastic or wood spatula is the best way to do this. This does not damage the paint of the lawnmower. Finally, wipe clean with a damp cloth. Cleaned spark plugs can be reused.
The same applies to air filters. Only heavily soiled parts need to be replaced. Finally, the oil change follows.
As far as tank filling is concerned, there are two opinions. One is to empty the tank because the gasoline is emptying. Briggs & Stratton says this could lead to rust and boiler stone.
With additive, the gasoline remains durable and the engine starts in spring. For self-maintainers, kits for different engine series are available in specialist retailers or DIY stores. They contain spark plug, air filter and engine oil.
Four simple steps are necessary before wintering
You should check the oil level and the quality of the oil before each mowing process. A change is due by the end of the season at the latest. With an oil extraction pump, this is done cleanly and comfortably by hand.
Gasoline evaporates over time. That’s why many empty the tank in the fall. But it is better to fill the tank and add a motor-care additive that prevents resinification.
Electric and cordless mowers can be upside down to clean the mower housing. Place gasoline so that the spark plug points upwards so that oil does not run into carburetors, air filters and silencers.
Before cleaning petrol lawnmowers, remove the spark plug cables. Then you can immediately take out the plug and free it from soot. You should replace heavily soiled specimens with new ones.
