How to treat your mower right this winter
- mowersuk
- Dec 12
- 5 min read
Winter is the perfect time to give your mower the attention it deserves. With the grass not growing and the workshop quieter, it’s the ideal opportunity to prepare your machine for spring and ensure it’s running at its best. While routine upkeep can go a long way in
preventing the typical causes of mower deterioration, an annual service is the best way to ensure your mower is lasting and running efficiently for years to come.
In this article I will outline why it is so important to properly maintain your mower during winter, and tips for how to store your machine properly.
Why winter servicing matters
Ensures machine is ready for spring
By getting your service done in winter, you:
Avoid any unexpected breakdowns at the busiest time of year
Detect any worn parts before they fail
Ensure your mower is cutting at peak performance for a cleaner, healthier cut
Many people tend to wait until the mowing season begins before getting their machine serviced, only to face long wait times and weeks without a working machine. Winter servicing prevents this and ensures the mower is ready the moment the grass starts growing.
Prevents winter damage
Without proper preparation, storing a mower can cause issues that effective maintenance or a service would otherwise avoid. The most common causes of damage to a mower over winter are:
Fuel Deterioration
Most fuel will deteriorate within 1-3 months, which creates sticky residues that can gum up the carburettor jets, clog fuel passages and corrode metal components. It is crucial that you drain the fuel tank before you store a mower for winter, ideally letting the engine run until it stops.
To avoid these issues altogether, we recommend using ASPEN fuel rather than standard petrol, as it remains stable for up to 5 years, making it safe to store inside the fuel tank over winter. It is also significantly less likely to cause damage to the machine when it is running.
Moisture build-up
Residue and grass clippings left on the mower will trap water, leading to problems like rust and blocked jets. Unwashed residue can harden like glue, sticking to the blades and deck surfaces, lowering cutting efficiency and airflow under the deck. If the trapped moisture freezes, it can expand and further cause damage to moving parts.
Damage from inactivity
Without regular movement, many parts can dry, shrink or become brittle, and without lubrication, metal parts can weaken due to rust.
A winter service addresses these issues by ensuring that the machine is cleaned thoroughly and left with a tank full of Aspen fuel, which will help prevent moisture build-up.
VIP benefits
When you bring in a machine for service in November, December or January, you automatically receive VIP status with us, which provides the following benefits:
Free hire machine if yours breaks down
Priority repair
Free collection/delivery
Avoids the spring rush
Our wait times can get extremely long during spring and summer, and despite often working overtime to keep up with demand, it is difficult to keep wait times to a reasonable timeframe. Getting your machine serviced in winter avoids this rush and offers additional benefits:
Better part availability
Faster repair turnaround
Easier access to advice and support
Support a local business during quieter months
Reduced fuel use
A well-serviced machine uses less fuel because:
Sharp blades give a cleaner cut and require less engine power.
A serviced engine burns fuel more efficiently, helping components run smoothly and last longer.
Extends machine life
Regular servicing, especially after the mowing season, is the key to ensuring a long-lasting machine. Most manufacturers recommend getting your machine serviced at least once a year, and many warranties are only valid under this condition. Regular servicing will:
Detect faults before they become a problem or become irreversible, preventing larger problems and expenses.
Keep the machine clean, preventing overheating and reducing wear.
Prevent the engine from being overworked, since a mower with sharp blades, correct belt tension, good spark plug and clean filters require less effort to cut grass.
Safety Benefits
In the UK, around 6,500 people suffer “lawn-related accidents” per year. Many of these accidents could be prevented with proper mower maintenance. Servicing provides safety by:
Ensuring all safety features such as blade brakes, cutoff switches and cable interlocks are running as they should.
Reducing starter cord injuries caused by a hard-starting engine, a worn pull cord or violent kickbacks.
Ensuring all electrics are safe and function correctly.
Preventing fuel leaks, oil leaks and faulty spark plugs.
Can save money long term
Maintenance is cheaper than repair. Regular servicing protects against costly repairs like carburettor rebuilds, belt replacements and damage from stale fuel. Small issues that are found early cost only a few pounds to fix, whereas a major breakdown may require replacing large parts of the mower or replacing the machine entirely. A service also decreases fuel use and strain on the engine and other parts of the mower, decreasing the risk of damage or wear over time.
Keeps your warranty valid
Most mower warranties are under the condition that the machine is serviced once yearly, and a valid warranty will safeguard against unexpected breakdowns should there be any. Manufacturers require proof of servicing, and so without documentation, your claim may be refused.
Better for lawn health
A serviced mower contributes significantly to lawn health by ensuring a clean, efficient cut. Here’s why:
Sharp blades ensure that the mower will cut grass cleanly rather than tearing it which leads to a healthier lawn.
Prevents an uneven cut due to misaligned decks or faulty height adjusters.
Clean decks ensure strong airflow under the deck for even dispersal of clippings.
How to store your mower for winter
Regardless of whether you have your mower serviced this winter, proper storage prevents costly damage. These are the most essential steps to take before you store your mower this winter:
1. Remove and store batteries
Exposure to moisture and temperature fluctuations will affect battery health, so they are best kept somewhere cool, for example in a house cupboard or utility room.
It is best to avoid leaving them in the garage or outside where freezing could cause permanent internal damage
Lithium batteries last longer when they are stored at 40-60% charge because at this level, the battery has enough energy to avoid deep discharge, but not so much it suffers from high-voltage stress associated with being full.
2. Drain petrol
If you are using non-aspen fuel, it can deteriorate in as little as 30 days and cause damage to the machine.
It is important to ensure the machine is completely empty of fuel, running the engine until it stops.
3. Change or check Oil
Although it is recommended to leave clean oil in the mower over winter to protect surfaces from moisture and rust, it is important to check your oil periodically to ensure it is clean and isn’t running low, as this can cause overheating and major damage.
4. Clean thoroughly
Any grass clippings or residue left on the mower can trap moisture and lead to rusting and reduced airflow, so it is important to give the mower a thorough clean before it is put into storage.
Summary
Winter is the ideal time to service and prepare your mower, ensuring it stays protected during the colder months and is ready to perform at its best when spring arrives. From preventing fuel deterioration and rust to reducing repair costs and extending the life of your machine, early maintenance offers clear long-term benefits. A well-serviced mower runs more efficiently, keeps your lawn healthier, and helps you avoid the busy spring rush.
You can see full details on what is included in a service at Garden Machinery (Glos) Ltd here:
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