Putting Your Lawn Mower to Bed for the Winter/Getting a Winter Service- Allett

Another Summer has come and gone and another Winter is on the horizon. If you're based in the Northern Hemisphere it's time to take off your gardening gloves and store your lawn mower away for the winter. But what are some important tips to keep in mind before putting your lawn away to hibernate ready for spring?

Power Down

Before doing anything to your mower the first thing to do before putting it away for the winter is to make sure the mower is properly powered down. This includes removing any batteries if you have the Allett Liberty aswell as the safety key, draining the fuel if you have a petrol machine and wrapping up the cables tightly out of the damp. Making sure your batteries are kept in good condition is vital. Keeping them in an area which is either too hot, cold or damp for the batteries will only affect their health and could lead to you having to invest in replacement batteries once Spring comes. So make sure to remove your batteries/charger and store them somewhere safe over winter- ideally in the house. Leaving petrol to sit around in the tank of your lawn mower for a few months can only lead to the petrol becoming stale and the engine possibly getting clogged so make sure to drain your tank using a siphon hose so you don't have to deal with fuel tank issues the first time you come to cut your grass in Spring. You can also use ASPEN or a fuel stabiliser. You can find advice on how to drain your engines fuel tank in your mower's manual. The oil should then be changed every 50 hours or at the end of each season before storage, whichever is sooner.

Winter Cleaning

Now that the batteries/petrol have been removed from your mower it is time to take a look at your mower and give it a good clean to keep it both looking fresh but also protecting its most important components. This could include brushing away any mud from the underside of your mower to very gently remove any blades of grass which are stuck to the blades of the cylinder. Completing these essential steps help keep your mower running effectively. A soft brush or cloth would work well for the paintwork- we would recommend against using water ideally however if you do make sure you keep it away from the electrical components. Pay particular attention to the cooling fins on the end of the motor and charger. If the grass box or interchangeable cutting cartridge are removed from the lawnmower they may be cleaned with water from a hose. Lubricate the cutting cylinder with a light oil (WD40) to displace any water after cleaning and when storing at the end of the season. Remember to wear gloves. Now might be a good time to check you have all of your screws and they are tightened well. You can also make sure your cable clips are still keeping your cables tidy. Check for obvious defects such as a loose, dislodged or damaged blade, loose fixings, and worn or damaged components. Check that covers and guards are undamaged and correctly fitted. Remove all debris, especially from around the motor. Check your cylinder is cutting paper all the way across the blade- if it doesn't you may need to check your cylinder to bottom blade adjustment or get your blades sharpened- this is recommended every 2-3 years or as required. Blunt or dull blades will adversely affect cutting performance and battery life. Get your mower serviced by your local Allett dealer who will also sharpen your cylinder for you ready for next spring

Store it in a Safe Place

Over winter, keeping your lawn mower outdoors will allow rust to settle in, putting your mower at risk of major issues that will need fixing. It's a costly error that can be avoided by taking a few very easy steps. Thankfully most people would already know not to leave their mower outside all winter long to develop rust. So opting for the more popular choice of a shed or garage can greatly reduce the risk of causing damage to your cylinder lawn mower. However if you were to choose between the two a garage would be a much safer option and guarantee protection against damp which is more common to develop in a shed. Want more season tips on mower and lawn care? Take a look at Allett’s Lawncare calendar for all the latest seasonal tips and tricks when you need them.

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Stuart show's what's involved in an Allett Homeowner service