Lawn Equipment Winter Storage (12-12-11)

Lawn Equipment Winter Storage

Our lawns are now in dormancy for the winter and we probably will be letting our lawn care equipment sit idle for a few months. Some simple and easy winter storage preparation will ensure that this equipment will perform when needed next spring.

A thorough cleaning of equipment to remove dirt, grass clippings etc. will prevent rust and corrosion and will reveal any damaged or worn parts that may need replacing.

Changing the oil, cleaning the air filter, and even replacing the spark plug on gasoline engines before storage will have them ready to go when needed. If these engines will not be run for at least two months, it is recommended that the fuel tank be drained and the engine run until all fuel is out of the carburetor or to add a gasoline stabilizer (Sta-Bil) into the tank to prevent the gas from separating and leaving gum and varnish deposits to clog the fuel system. Another alternative is to simply put a small amount of fresh fuel in the tank and run the engines for about 10 minutes at least once a month.

If you have equipment that has seen its better days and you doubt that it will make it through another season, now is a great time to purchase new equipment as many dealers have some great year-end bargains available.

Published December 12, 2011

Dr. Wayne Wells is an Extension Professor and Turfgrass Specialist. His mailing address is Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mail Stop 9555, Mississippi State, MS 39762. wwells@ext.msstate.edu