Revving Up for Spring: Bringing Your Lawn Mower Out of Storage

The birds are beginning to chirp a little bit louder, the flowers are just poking their heads out of the ground, and your lawn is begging for a quick clean-up…what do you know, it’s yardwork season again. And if you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering how to get a lawn mower ready for spring.

Maybe you’re new to the chore and using a secondhand machine, or maybe you’re pulling your lawn mower out of storage and ready to hit the ground running. Regardless of the details, you want to know everything there is to know about lawn mower maintenance before you prime the engine and get to work. And we’re here to help!

Below, we’ve got two comprehensive resources: a lawn mower inspection checklist and a lawn mower maintenance checklist. We also link to helpful articles throughout the piece to help you get going and stay going. Put on your eye protection goggles and gloves—it’s time for business.

Pre-Start Inspection: Getting Lawn Mower Ready for Spring

The first step towards getting your lawn mower ready for spring is to pull it out to a space you can comfortably work in. Next, gather all your tools and supplies. According to CNET, you’ll need a power drill, blade sharpening kit, torque wrench, and a wooden block, along with a plastic drip tray, rag, motor oil, and a container to hold the old oil.

Once you’ve collected your gear, it’s time to start carefully examining your mower. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Lawn Mower Inspection Checklist

1. Check for Rust and Corrosion

First, you’ll want to disconnect the spark plug ignition wire and switch off the fuel valve, so the mower won’t start up unexpectedly. Next, tip the mower on its side and carefully check underneath its deck and all around for signs of rust and corrosion. If you have any rust holes, it’s probably time to recycle the machine and get a new one. There are a few ways to patch rust holes, but none that will hold up over the long-term.

2. Examine Belts and Cables

Second on the list is to carefully examine the belts and cables for damage. If anything is amiss, replace the affected belts and cables before using the mower. Unless you’ve got a foreign or extremely old lawnmower, you’ll be able to find the right parts at most hardware stores.

3. Inspect Spark Plug

Spark plugs provide the spart necessary for your engine to ignite. If they are dirty or worn, or if you’re having problems starting the lawn mower, it’s time for a replacement. Check out this video for a step-by-step guide.

Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist

Once you’ve inspected your mower carefully, you can move on to the next set of tasks related to how to get a lawn mower ready for spring. Below is a lawn mower maintenance checklist to get you started.

Fuel System Inspection and Oil Change

Messing with a lawn mower’s fuel and oil can seem pretty intimidating the first time you do it, but it definitely gets easier with practice. First, drain and replace any fuel that was left over from last season. Next, measure the oil level. If it’s too low (or if it’s dirty), you’ll need to replace it with the type of oil recommended by the lawn mower manufacturer. Read the instruction manual carefully for advice on how to get the correct gas/oil ratio.

Battery Recharge: Powering Up

If you’re using a cordless or riding lawn mower, power up the battery after you take care of the fuel and oil. Batteries that have sat stagnant over the winter and are only partially charged can cause a mower to run inefficiently. A dead battery will cause the engine to stall (if you can even get it started in the first place). Consult your owner’s manual for more specifics.

Air Filter Examination: Clean Air for Efficient Operation

Next, remove your paper air filter, brush off any loose dirt, and hold it up to a light source. If you can’t see the light shining through, it’s time for a replacement. If you don’t know what type of filter to buy, take it to any hardware store or home and garden center and they’ll likely be able to guide you towards the right purchase.

Blade Maintenance: Sharp and Ready

Sharp blades are a must for good-looking lawns. Dull or nicked mower blades can tear the grass and make it look ragged and torn rather than neatly sliced. There are a number of different ways to sharpen the blades. When you’re done, you’ll need to balance the blade precisely and then reinstall it. Note: This is generally where people decide to get a professional involved, which is what we recommend for anyone unsure of how to tackle blade sharpening and reinstallation.

Tire Check: Rolling Smoothly

Next up: the tires. This type of maintenance is more important for a riding mower, but you’ll want to make sure your tires are in good condition and filled to the proper pressure even if you use a push mower. If you find any holes, patch them with tire sealant specifically made for mowers. (Automobile tire sealant won’t work as well.)

Engine Start: Cranking Up the Power

Bring your lawn mower out to the yard and give it a few pulls to get it started. If it won’t start even after you’ve done all of the above, the Family Handyman recommends you “remove the air filter and pour a teaspoon of gasoline down the intake port of the carburetor.” Then replace the filter, make sure the ignition is in the “on” position, and pull the cord.

Test Run and Adjustment: Fine-Tuning Performance

The last step in the “getting the lawn mower ready for spring” process is to give it a whirl and see how things feel. If anything seems amiss (e.g., stalling, shaking, smoking, etc.) or the grass blades look poorly cut, take it back inside or to a qualified professional for another maintenance session. There may be an issue with the fuel system that would require a carburetor replacement.

FAQs  

How to get a lawn mower ready for spring?

Easy! Follow the steps in our lawn mower inspection checklist and lawn mower maintenance checklist above. You should also consult your owner’s manual and/or a maintenance technician.

Why won’t my lawn mower start after storage?

If your lawnmower won’t start at all after going through the steps outlined above and in other articles, it may be because of a simple reason (the gas you used is too old) or a complex one (you need a whole new carburetor). In this case, we recommend seeking out the help of qualified professionals.        

How do you start a lawn mower in the spring?       

Roll it outside and fire it up. If it won’t start, you’ve either got a mower that needs you to go through the lawn mower maintenance checklist one more time or is in need of repair or replacement. 

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