Wintry nights are about to cover up the skies, and the gardeners countrywide are putting away their gardening gloves and lawn mower until spring arrives. But wait a second. Isn’t there a way to store your electric lawn mower in winter when it is no longer in use?
Like every machine or power tool, an electric lawn mower has to be maintained and stored in a way, so that it does not rust or die out on you when you bring it out in spring. You do not want to leave your lawn mower outside the house as it is a cold invitation for rust to settle in. If this happens, your pricey lawn mower may never cut another blade of grass ever again, along with many other issues you will need to troubleshoot. Sounds daunting, doesn’t it? This is a really expensive mistake, but it can be avoided by taking some key, yet simple measures.
We have put together a few essential tips for you to keep in mind whenever you are packing away your lawn mower for the winter.
Best Electric Mowers
Before diving into the tips, if you do not have an electric lawn mower, and you are planning to get one to replace your gasoline mower, treat yourself to a brand new one from the following. These are ready to go all year round without the added burden of checking or keeping gas handy in the cold.
EGO Power+ 20-Inch Cordless Lawn Mower: This mower is all about power and precision cuts with just a push-button start. It has the versatility and creates 30% less noise during use so that you don’t end up disturbing your neighbors. Though this is an electric model, power is not compromised and leaps ahead of any gas-powered mower in terms of functions that allows you to mulch, bag, or use the side-discharge chute.
Greenworks 20-Inch 12-Amp Corded Lawn Mower: This is a feature-rich power tool. It is a budget-friendly electric lawn mower but still packs plenty of bells and whistles under its hood. The handles are foldable for easy storage and it also comes with a height-adjustable mechanism if you are too short for your good. You’ll cut up to 1.5 to 3.75 inches of those leafy menaces in your backyard.
3. Snapper XD 82 V Max Mower: This is one of the highly recommended electric lawn mowers on amazon today. You will get the lowest cutting height settings from this beast. Its affordable price tag does not compromise in terms of quality. You will get industry standard battery life and reliability compared to Black and Decker (for now).
Back to where we were. Lawn mowers are a nifty little machine that helps you control overgrowth in your lawn. However, you need to take care of them, so that they last for many years without any hiccups and this article will show you the way.
How Do You Winterize a Riding Lawn Mower?
Electric lawn mowers do not have the same mechanical needs as a gas-powered lawn mower. Therefore, they have not winterized the same way. There are, of course, a few things you need to do to make sure to store your electric lawn mowers in the best condition for extended periods without use, especially during winter. Read the following for a comprehensive idea.
- Clean it up
Clean your electric lawn mower thoroughly before storing it away from the season. If there is any grass, dirt, or moisture left behind, mold and rust will begin to set in. This will spread into the internal components during future use. Therefore, get a brush and a rag to clean away all the visible grass and debris from the blades and around the wheels. Also, pay proper attention to brush out any dirt in areas that are difficult to reach. Remember to unplug your lawn mower or remove the battery before you attempt to clean it, or you might mow your fingers by accident.
- Check the Blades
It’s good to sharpen your blades once a year for precision grass cuts. Blades usually stay sharp for about 20 hours of use. If you find chips and dents on the blades, it may be time for a replacement or you could take the blade to the local dealer to have it sharpened for you if you can’t do it yourself.
The blades usually have a lifespan of about 100 hours of use to about 4-5 years approximately, but it depends on how you take care of your machine. Cleaning wet grass or grime from underneath your electric lawn mower after every use will extend the life of the blades.
Replacement blades usually cost from $15 to $35 depending on the requirement of your lawn mower. But be sure to unplug your lawn mower or remove the battery before you attempt to change the blades. This will prevent the mower from accidentally spinning while you replace them. Make sure your blades are cleaned or replaced before you put it away.
- Fold it Down Properly
You need to fold your electric lawn mower to make it easier to store. Electric lawn mowers should come with adjustable handles and can either be folded forward or backward. This enables the mower to take less room in storage and simple to prop it up against the wall.
You can also think about detaching the grass collector altogether. This will help store the separate parts, which can be tucked away in several spots.
- Remove the Battery
Cordless lawn mowers are really popular today. You can take your lawn mower anywhere you want like a baby stroller. They are powered by one or multiple detachable batteries. Bear in mind that maintaining those batteries is critical, as a replacement battery may cost as much as a brand-new lawn mower. You already know that batteries hate cold, hot, or damp weather. A place that is dry and that mostly stays cool is perfect. Therefore, finding an appropriate spot in your humble adobe is probably the safest option to store your electric lawn mower in winter. Avoid keeping them in sheds as they are not frost-proof.
Also, clean the battery with a dry cloth before you store it away. Do not use cleaning liquids or water, as it can damage the internal electronics and prove to be very dangerous.
- Choose the Right Spot
Every house is different. Therefore, every lawn mower owner has their spot where they store a lawn mower when winter arrives. Some people may think a shed or a garage are obvious places to store the lawn mower indoors.
However, keep your electric lawn mower away from wooden sheds as they do not provide proper insulation from moisture. Also, keep your lawn mower away from electrical appliances that generate a lot of heat. It can cause damage to your lawn mower.
If you do not have a shed or garage to store your lawn mower, the best way to cover it up during winter is with a waterproof tarpaulin, that is if you need to keep the machine outside.
Things to Remember
Keep your lawn mower as far away from outside elements as possible, as it can significantly deteriorate your electric lawn mower’s life-span. They are not designed to be waterproof at all, but they are a little water-resistant and that’s it.
Temperature fluctuations can mess with your mowers internal parts leading to condensation build-up inside the motor. Besides, condensation takes a long time to evaporate as sunlight is usually absent on winter days. Heavy winds can also be a bit of a concern, whether it is winter or summer, as they bring in flying debris into the mechanism and damages it. Therefore, it is recommended that you keep your lawn mower indoors at all times, especially away from being exposed to outside elements.
For the late fall mowing, or mowing in times of early spring, the temperature can hurt the battery performance and lifespan. Be sure to store the batteries in a covered shelter if you use your mower within that time as the temperature below 40F is not healthy for the machine overall.
Final Thoughts
So, this is how you completely store your electric lawn mower for winter. This process is not that difficult. Just cleaning the machine, checking the blades, disconnecting the battery, and folding it away into a safe corner will do the trick.
Following these care tips will optimize the mower’s performance in every season. It is also recommended that you follow a user manual that specifies the care requirements for your equipment. Just like you need to maintain your car, anything that has a motor needs maintenance for smooth and seamless operations. So, take the time during winter to care for your equipment. Electric mowers are not cheap at all and following these instructions will extend the life of your lawn mower for years to come.
Check out other popular electric gardening tools!