How To Store Electric Lawn Mower For Winter
When winter starts, snowfalls slow down the growth of grass. This effectively eliminates the need for your electric lawn mower. Unfortunately, the new season creates another need: how to store your electric lawn mower for winter.
Electric lawn mowers are machines with systems and several moving parts. These internal components are vulnerable to external factors like snow, moisture, and dust. This makes it essential to store the machine where you can control the external factors.
This article discusses how to store your electric lawn mower for winter so that external factors don’t affect it.
But first, let’s discuss how to prepare your electric lawn mower for winter storage
Preparing Your Electric Lawn Mower for Winter Storage
The process of preparing your electric mower for winter storage is known as ‘winterizing.’ This involves the following steps:
1. Cleaning the Electric Mower
Clean off the grass clippings from the mower to prevent corrosion. But make sure you disconnect the lithium-ion battery as a safety precaution.
2. Clean Off Grease or Dust from the Battery
Clean off any grease or dust from the battery. If you see any sign of corrosion, clean it off with a corrosion cleaner and a wire terminal brush. You may also use a baking soda and water solution instead of a corrosion cleaner. When you are done, apply anti-corrosion spray to both battery terminals.
3. Store the Battery in a Cool, Dry Place
Ensure you store the battery in a dry and cool place with zero chance of freezing. Keep it away from flammable sources or substances.
When winter is over, and you need to reuse it, you have to charge the 120-charge lawn mower battery to its full capacity. You will need to wound up the cords – if you use a corded electric mower. Remove your mower’s blade and wheels and wash them properly.
How to Properly Store an Electric Lawn Mower for Winter
Two storage options exist for electric mowers: outside storage and indoor storage.
Outdoor Storage Option
It is not advisable to store an electric lawn mower outside during winter. There are many reasons for this, but the most vital is blatant exposure to the elements.
Subjecting your electric mower to extreme pressures day in day out makes the paint job start chipping off. Moreover, water and electronic components don’t mix, even if they are ‘water-resistant.’
Water or melted snow affects corded electric mowers when it collects in sockets. This can hinder optimal performance and create a high risk of electrocution for you.
Snow and rain can also affect blades, decks, and other metallic components. This can result in rusting and corrosion.
Exposing your electric lawn mower to extreme cold weather will disrupt some of the machine’s electronics and mechanics. Freezing and thawing may not be immediately detrimental to your electric mower. But the long-term effects will impact everything, including batteries, wire casings, etc.
However, if you have no space for storing your electric mower indoors, the best way to protect the machine outdoors is by covering it with a waterproof tarp. This helps to keep rain, snow, small animals, and insects away.
Use a solid chain to secure the mower, so thieves don’t haul it off your property. This also prevents the machine from tipping over – which could damage its internal mechanism or harm the external frame – due to heavy winds.
If snow has accumulated around the machine or on it, shovel it away as soon as possible.
Indoor Storage Option
This is the best storage option for an electric lawn mower. You can store the machine in a temperature-regulated garage or a secure storage facility with sufficient moisture control. This protects the lawn mower from moisture, extreme temperature, theft, and accidents.
- Conduct Checks Periodically
Carry out periodic checks on the electric lawn mower. This makes it easier to spot unforeseen consequences and make amends before it’s too late. - Take Care of the Cables
Make sure you don’t wound the cables too tightly. Wounding the cable too tightly can strain it, causing fraying and eventual breakage of the cable. - Lubricate Moving Parts
Your owner’s manual should have specific lubrication advice that you must follow to extend the lifespan of your electric lawn mower.
Axles and wheels are typical locations where dirt or debris can get trapped. They can cause severe damage and the onset of corrosion if not tackled immediately. - Build and Use a Frost-Proof Shed
One of the best places to store your electric lawn mower is your garage. The next best place is a frost-proof shed that you can build if you have no garage. It is very easy to assemble and helps increase storage spaces when required.
Frost-proof sheds will protect your electric mower from the elements, especially the battery. The latter will remain cool and dry until winter is over. - Don’t Store Your Electric Mower Alongside Corrosive Materials
Examples of corrosive materials include salts and fertilizers. These materials affect the atmosphere around them. Your electric lawn mower will start degrading quickly if you store it alongside corrosive items for extended periods.
Conclusion
Storing an electric lawn mower in winter takes some preparation. But the best way to go about it is to read the owner’s manual. Every lawn mower manufacturer has a unique design, tips, etc., regarding component maintenance and battery storage.