Franklin County Horticulture
Before winterizing mower, make one more pass over yard
Sunday,
Dec. 14, 2003
Since
it's the middle of December, it might be safe to say that the lawn-mowing
season is about over. As mild as the fall's been, however, we've been mowing
much longer this year than normal and I'm planning one more pass over my yard
when the weather cooperates.
Before you put the mower away
for the season, you might want to make that final pass, too. It’s okay to
lower the mower height one notch – but don’t go any further. If you mow too
close, you may end up scalping the lawn, and that’s not good!
Mowing a notch shorter in the
late fall helps prevent the grass from slumping over and matting down during the
winter months. This late season mowing will also help reduce the potential of
winter or early-spring turf diseases.
Another reason to give the lawn
one more pass is to mulch those tree leaves into the turf to keep them from
shading the grass. Mulching leaves back into the turf doesn't cause a problem
unless the leaves are so thick that they cover the grass blades.
Once
you have finished mowing, go ahead and take a little time now to perform some
lawn mower maintenance work now.
First, change the oil to prevent engine sludge that can cause the internal engine parts and seals to deteriorate. Add fresh oil of the proper viscosity. The owner's manual will list the appropriate oil.
Check the air filter. Now is a
good time to change or clean the air filter if you've not done so during the
mowing season. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow into the engine and cause
the engine to run rich.
Also check the spark plug to be
sure it's not fouled and is properly gapped.
You shouldn't leave gasoline in
the fuel tank at the end of the season, because residues can form that might
plug the small fuel jets in the carburetor. There are two approaches to remedy
this situation. One is to drain out the fuel. The second option is to use a gas
stabilizer. You can do this yourself, or have a professional do it as part of an
annual service.
If you opt to drain the fuel,
start and run the engine to remove gasoline from the fuel lines and carburetor;
then, let the engine cool, take the spark plug out of the cylinder and put about
one tablespoon of oil into the cylinder. With the spark plug wire off, pull the
starter cord or use the starter to turn the engine over several times to
distribute this oil over the cylinder and piston's internal surfaces.
If you decide not to drain the
fuel, the addition of a gas stabilizer will keep gas fresh up to two years. If
you use a gas stabilizer, it is necessary to run the engine for a few minutes in
the spring to ensure fresh gas gets into the carburetor.
Now also is a good time to
sharpen or replace the blade. Mowing with a sharp blade is more efficient and
uses less power. A dull blade tears and chews at grass.
Also, lubricate wheel bearings
and throttle cables; grease height-adjuster brackets, tighten all nuts and
bolts, and check belts, filters and safety shields. Clean the outside of the
engine and deck area because caked grass can trap moisture, causing metal mower
decks to rust. It also reduces a mower's service life.
If possible, store your lawnmower in a dry, open area indoors to protect it from the weather. Otherwise, loosely cover it with a waterproof cover.
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