If you are planning on going away this summer, storing your lawn mower is likely on your list of things to do. But, did you know that you can actually store it improperly? Many people do not realize this and they think that it will be fine sitting in the garage for three months, six months, or longer than that. Below, we will go over some of the most common mistakes that are made when storing a lawn mower.
- Forgetting to Drain the Fuel
One of the biggest mistakes that owners of lawn mowers make is that they forget to drain the fuel from their mower when they place it into storage. If you plan to store your mower for a single month or two, you do not have to remove the fuel, but if you plan to store it for more than 90 days, you need to.
If you store your mower long-term and forget to drain the fuel, it will corrode within the mower and also form a gummy substance that can clog the mower’s lines and damage the engine.
- Leaving the Battery Connected
While you may think it is okay to leave the battery connected in your lawn mower, you should avoid doing this. The reason you need to disconnect the battery is because sometimes a small amount of power is sucked out the battery even when it is not in use. This drains the battery and upon your return, your mower may not start up. Always disconnect the battery from the mower when you plan to be away for 90 days or more.
- Tossing Out the Owner’s Manual
If you thought that owner’s manual was just a booklet of information you already knew, you may find yourself scrambling for some of the information it contains at some point. The owner’s manual contains information that you need about storing your lawn mower and taking care of it. For example, if you need to drain the fuel from your mower, the owner’s manual will walk you through the steps on how to do it properly.
- Leaving the Same Oil in the Mower
Leaving and not changing the oil in your lawn mower is another big no-no. The reason behind this is because the oil will begin to clump up and there are contaminants within the oil that can cause problems with your mower later on down the line. If you plan to be away for a while, you should drain the oil and then add brand new oil to the mower. Avoid filling it only half way as this can allow condensation to form, which will also lead to more complicated problems.
If you are planning on storing your lawn mower this summer, you should follow the steps above to help you store it properly. These four mistakes are the most common mistakes made and they can lead to damage of your lawn mower.
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