How do you prep your mowers for Winter storage?

[Gym123]

I don't have enough space in my garage and the city wanted too much $ for permits and inspection to build a bump-out, so I need to store my mower on the slab behind my garage, covered. I stored my snow blowers there, under a tarp, and they're fine.

I have serviced boats for a long time and working for dealers, we always used some kind of corrosion inhibitor, but some of those are just Silicone and I really don't want to use anything like that. I did polish and wax the shroud because it looked like crap and I know that will provide protection for the paint, but it does have some bare metal (not worried about the Aluminum so much) and I'm just curious about how others store these when they can't keep them inside of a garage or larger shed. I plan to build the shed, but it won't happen immediately.

Thanks.

 

[7394]

Recommend taking battery inside @ give it a charge every so often,. I overinflate tires by 6 lbs or so over spec. Helps them from flat spotting too badly.

A waxer, my way as well. Makes cleaning it off easier in season. Either drain gas, or use 100% gas ,,

 

[Gym123]

Recommend taking battery inside @ give it a charge every so often,. I overinflate tires by 6 lbs or so over spec. Helps them from flat spotting too badly.

A waxer, my way as well. Makes cleaning it off easier in season. Either drain gas, or use 100% gas ,,

I removed almost all of the gas and ran it dry, but I do add StaBil for gas with Ethanol. It's really not hard or time consuming to do this stuff and I had lubed everything when I got it. Battery is out, tires are up, engine is fogged. Twice, since I had to start it in order to go over the edge of the slab.

Not sure who worked on it before, but the complaint from the previous owner was "White smoke" and when I looked in the tank, I saw tiny grass clippings and parts from a spout from a CA compliant gas container. Since it requires removing a whole two bolts and a hose clamp to disconnect it from the filter, I drained the tank and let the gas settle- it went into a 1 liter water bottle and it was very cloudy. No phase separation, but I saw more than 1/2" of water at the bottom after it settled. The rest looked fine and smelled fresh. The white smoke ended as soon as I ran it with fresh gas. OTOH, the blue smoke that couldn't be seen before, was pretty dense.

 

[7394]

No phase separation, but I saw more than 1/2" of water at the bottom after it settled.

That is phase separation

 

[slomo]

I run in then fill tank 100% full with Sta-Bil Storage Formula and 100% unleaded. For me keeps the fuel lines from drying out over the winter compared to dry storage. Used to replace lines all the time. Little fogging oil in each cylinder. Wax the deck and apply used motor oil to the underside of the deck. Slather it on the blade and all. Great way to recycle used oil. Breathable waterproof cover or no cover. If you Ziplock bag it, it can and will rust. Sheet of plywood or something to keep Mother Nature off of it. Need some airflow under there to slow the rusting down.

 

[7394]

leave deck in highest position..

My Z is up on the wheel dolleys I made so long ago.. Makes it easy to push sideways or whatever..

 

[Gym123]

That is phase separation

Nope. Phase separation is a milky layer of mixed Ethanol and water. This was just water that settled out of the temporary mixture. For all I know, they may have used gas without Ethanol and it was exactly the same as what I used to see before we had to use that crap.

 

[Gym123]

I run in then fill tank 100% full with Sta-Bil Storage Formula and 100% unleaded. For me keeps the fuel lines from drying out over the winter compared to dry storage. Used to replace lines all the time. Little fogging oil in each cylinder. Wax the deck and apply used motor oil to the underside of the deck. Slather it on the blade and all. Great way to recycle used oil. Breathable waterproof cover or no cover. If you Ziplock bag it, it can and will rust. Sheet of plywood or something to keep Mother Nature off of it. Need some airflow under there to slow the rusting down.


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I plan to build some kind of structure for the slab with enough height to allow me to put the push mower over the rider's shroud. That way, I can store it lower and prevent me effing up my shoulder, like I did a week ago Sunday. I haven't decided on the exterior, but I think T-111 may be a possibility- that will make adding vents easy. Having shrink-wrapped and uncovered a lot of boats, I know that moisture inside of a cover is a big problem. I may add a fan on a timer to it, to circulate the air.

 

[slomo]

I plan to build some kind of structure for the slab with enough height to allow me to put the push mower over the rider's shroud. That way, I can store it lower and prevent me effing up my shoulder, like I did a week ago Sunday. I haven't decided on the exterior, but I think T-111 may be a possibility- that will make adding vents easy. Having shrink-wrapped and uncovered a lot of boats, I know that moisture inside of a cover is a big problem. I may add a fan on a timer to it, to circulate the air.

Think the fan deal might be overkill. Simple daily wind should suffice. Your mower so build it up if you like. As you are doing, build some kind of lean-to shed deal'io.

 

[7394]

Nope. Phase separation is a milky layer of mixed Ethanol and water. This was just water that settled out of the temporary mixture. For all I know, they may have used gas without Ethanol and it was exactly the same as what I used to see before we had to use that crap.

In fuel storage, phase separation occurs when enough water contaminates the gasoline, causing the ethanol to attach itself to the water molecules and leaving two distinct layers in the storage tank.