Winterizing Your Outdoor Power Equipment

Proper winter storage prevents costly repairs in spring. Follow this guide to protect your mowers, tillers, and other belt-driven equipment during the off-season.

General Winterizing Steps

1. Fuel System

• ☐ Add fuel stabilizer to remaining gas
• ☐ Run engine for 5 minutes to circulate stabilizer
• ☐ OR drain fuel completely (carburetor too)
• ☐ Never store equipment with untreated fuel

2. Engine Care

• ☐ Change oil while engine is warm
• ☐ Remove spark plug, add tablespoon of oil to cylinder
• ☐ Pull starter slowly to distribute oil
• ☐ Reinstall spark plug (don't reconnect wire)

3. Belt Inspection & Care

• ☐ Inspect all belts for wear
• ☐ Note any that need spring replacement
• ☐ Release belt tension if possible (reduces set/memory)
• ☐ Clean debris from belt paths and pulleys

4. Battery (if applicable)

• ☐ Remove battery from equipment
• ☐ Clean terminals
• ☐ Store in cool, dry location
• ☐ Use battery maintainer/trickle charger

5. Deck & Body

• ☐ Scrape all grass from deck underside
• ☐ Clean entire machine thoroughly
• ☐ Touch up any paint chips to prevent rust
• ☐ Lubricate all grease points

Why Belt Tension Matters for Storage

V-belts can develop a "set" or permanent bend when stored under tension for months. This causes:

• Vibration when first started in spring
• Shortened belt life
• Uneven wear patterns

If your equipment has an adjustable tensioner, backing off tension for winter storage extends belt life.

Order Spring Parts Now

While winterizing, note any parts you'll need for spring:

• Replacement belts (order now, install in spring)
• Air filter
• Spark plug
• Oil and filter
• Blades

Having parts on hand means you're ready to go on the first nice day of spring.

Stock up for spring - order replacement belts now.