Putting mower to bed for the winter

[bmg88201]

Maybe I go a little over board tucking my mower in for the winter.

change oil an filter
replace both foam and paper air filter, old foam filter was shot
new plugs - old ones were 2 years old
grease all zerts on chassis and deck
clean all debris from deck
inspect deck and drive belts
sharpen and balance blades
remove wheels and grease axels
adjust deck height
remove battery and put on trickle charger indoors
clean all debris from under mower and engine
fill tank to the brim with non ethanol premium with a little sea foam added
clean exterior of mower
I made some stands to keep weight off the tires for the next 5/6 months

Do I have a little OCD, ummmmmm maybe

 

[grsthegreat]

Just a bit…..

mine gets a cleaning, oil change and grease. Sits indoors all winter in carriage barn, but sits on its own tires. Battery removed and kept in heated tackroom with other summer batteries. Gets switched onto trickle charger over winter.

 

[bmg88201]

I keep it out of the weather too. Oh I did change transmission fluid this Spring, only put 75 hours on it since then. Won’t do that again till end of next year. And I put a couple of mouse glue traps under the mower too, dang mice !!!

 

[BravoXray]

My JD430 has been relegated to snow blower duty for the last couple of years. I got tired of switching from mower deck to cab, blower, weights and chains every year, so I bought a BX2230 that does lawn duty and wet, sloppy snow removal when necessary.

 

[4570Man]

I might wash mine. The battery is already shot and due replacement. I’ve been jumping it to get by until next spring.

 

[i7win7]

Leave hood open

https://www.grandpagus.com/products/mouse-repellent-1#:~:text=Grandpa%20Gus%E2%80%99s%20use%207%25%20Peppermint%20and%20Cinnamon%20to,irritating%20to%20mice%20only%20with%20its%20special%20blend%E2%80%A6

Bought my bottle at Menards

 

[beenthere]

Mouse poison, not wasting money on repellant. They just go elsewhere or get used to the smell. No net gain, IMO.

 

[Amvcane]

I have had extremely good results using mint oils to deter mice.
My technique is to take a small medicine bottle, drill a bunch of 3/32" holes in it, put some cotton balls in the bottle, soak with oils, cap and place.
Since I started using this system I have zero mice in my cars and equipment.

 

[LD1]

Good maintenance regiment. Cleaning is important for winter storage. Dont let the nasty grass decompose on the deck, and stuck to the underside. It rots out the deck.

I also apply a coat of paint to the underside. Just whatever color I have enough of to spare.

BUT.....I save all the fluids and filter changes for the spring.

No point in letting fresh fluids and filters start their decomposing lifecycle with a 6-month head start. The condensation that will form from temp swings in the oil, potential bugs and mice getting in new filters that NEVER even saw use, etc etc.

Good cleaning and deck calibration, greasing, etc in the fall. Fluids and filters in spring

 

[seville009]

I wait until I'm ready to use it the next summer before replacing the air filters because critters sometimes get in them snd chew them up over the winter. Rather have them wreck a dirty one instead of a new one.

 

[beenthere]

Never in 60 years have had an air filter "molested" in any way. Seems there must be a problem elsewhere that could use some attention. But I may be missing something.

 

[seville009]

Never in 60 years have had an air filter "molested" in any way. Seems there must be a problem elsewhere that could use some attention. But I may be missing something.

I have; both in my tractor and my truck. Not every year, but enough to know to check it before I start it if it has been sitting for awhile.

they don't touch the skidsteer and mower filters though.

 

[gtunney]

Leaves dropped late here in my part of Massachusetts. Had to go out one last time yesterday to clean the lawn up. First, we had to move the last of our firewood in the house and then I did the lawn. Ended up doing half of it in the dark just with the tractor headlights. Neighbors probably thought I was nuts. Next week I'll put away the mower deck and throw on the snow blower.

 

[MossRoad]

Since out winters only last about 3 months now (used to be 5-6 months), I just park it in the back of the garage. Nothing different from any other day. It'll get a check over before first use in March, but that's about it.

 

[5030]

Mossy... I pull the starting batteries and top off the fuel tanks with gas and Marine Stabil. I do the RV too. All my batteries get stored in the shop on a battery tender. Being cheap, I use one Tender for all of them with jumpers between them. 5 batteries total.

In the spring, the oil gets changed, batteries re-installed, greased and good to go once again. Of course this year with gas prices what they are, lawn mowing (I mow 4 acres) will be an expensive adventure.

Never sharpen blades. I replace them every year.

 

[5030]

I wait until I'm ready to use it the next summer before replacing the air filters because critters sometimes get in them snd chew them up over the winter. Rather have them wreck a dirty one instead of a new one.

Never an issue here. 2 barn cats that are 'professional' mousers.

 

[seville009]

Never an issue here. 2 barn cats that are 'professional' mousers.

keep mine outside though. Doesn't happen every year; just once in awhile

 

[MossRoad]

Mossy... I pull the starting batteries and top off the fuel tanks with gas and Marine Stabil. I do the RV too. All my batteries get stored in the shop on a battery tender. Being cheap, I use one Tender for all of them with jumpers between them. 5 batteries total.

In the spring, the oil gets changed, batteries re-installed, greased and good to go once again. Of course this year with gas prices what they are, lawn mowing (I mow 4 acres) will be an expensive adventure.

Never sharpen blades. I replace them every year.

My mower is a 21" Huskee Moss-propelled walk behind big wheel mower with a Honda engine. It mows an area of about 900 square feet.