I love spring, if only because it’s the end of winter. But it also signals that summer will soon be upon us. A seasonal chore, such as mowing the lawn has a couple of extra wrinkles after your riding lawn mower has been sitting all winter.
Hopefully, you winterized your machine properly before storing it. Removing the fuel from the tank and the carburetor successfully eliminates 90% of the problems you’ll encounter come spring.
Tools Needed (Commissions Earned)
The first time that your start your riding lawn mower after winter is a good reminder for basic maintenance.
Engine Oil
Since you drained the tank and the carburetor, we’ll want to start by adding fresh fuel. I also recommend this time to do an oil change. Ideally, you’ll want to run your machine for a few minutes to heat up the oil. This allows it to flow easier and helps remove any sludge or contaminants that have formed.
I recommend doing it in the spring with this first start up because it’s just easier to remember. Every spring, change the oil. At least, it’s easier for me to remember that.
While you’re at it, take a look at the fuel filter and replace it if necessary.
Grease
This is also a great time to grease your riding lawn mower. Get at those wheel hubs and axles; grease the spindles of the deck. Again, I like to do the annual maintenance at the same time.
The first start up of the year is always fresh and exciting. If you’re like me, by the end of the year you just want to put the thing away, let alone do the maintenance on it.
So get it all out of the way while you’re invigorated.
If you have a water cooled engine, now would also be the time to inspect the coolant. Make sure that it’s full and not contaminated.
Battery
Ensure that the battery is fully charged. Sitting over winter isn’t great for a battery. Since they typically only last 3-4 years, in order to get the most life out of it you’ll want to charge it up after sitting all winter.
Transmission Oil
Depending on your maintenance schedule, you’ll want to take a look at replacing your hydraulic filter and changing the hydraulic fluid (for a hydrostatic) or the transmission oil.
Once all of the routine maintenance is done, you can go ahead and start your machine. Since we drained all the fuel, it might take a bit for the engine to start. You can help by priming the fuel system.
This isn’t necessary, but it can make start-up quicker. Your fuel pump needs to evacuate the air that’s trapped in the fuel line. We can assist by removing the fuel line and backfilling it with fuel. This gets fuel to the pump faster. Again, this is optional.
Recap
Once your battery is charged and you’ve got fresh fuel, now is the time to do your annual maintenance. Engine oil and filter, greasing, transmission oil and filter, coolant, etc. Other than that, start up after winter is just like any other time.
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