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End-of-Season Mower Maintenance Checklist

Nov. 16 2021 Homeowner By Prairie State Tractor

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Most people know you should change the engine oil, but you may be wondering what else do I need to do to make sure my lawn mower runs strong year after year? Just follow our 5-step mower maintenance checklist to help prepare your mower for winter storage.

  1.  CHANGE OIL - Change annually or every 50 hours, whichever comes first.
  2.  REPLACE AIR FILTERS AND SPARK PLUGS - Replace annually. By doing this now, you'll be guaranteed a quick start in spring.
  3.  CHECK BLADES - Yard debris will cause your mower blades to dull and pit. A good rule of thumb is to replace your blades annually, or Prairie State Tractor can help you determine if your blades need to be sharpened or replaced.
  4.  CLEAN MACHINE AND MOWER DECK - Be sure to clean all dirt and yard clipping off your the mower deck. Not only will it work more effectively, doing so will help extend the life of you deck.
  5.  DRAIN FUEL - You have two option here. 1. Add a fuel stabilizer like John Deere Fuel Protect. 2. Drain your gas tank. If you add a stabilizer, run for 5 minutes then turn off. If you drain the tank, run the mower until it stops to make sure all the fuel lines are empty. Old gas can cause issues come spring.

Service by the Pros

Let the professionals at Prairie State Tractor take care of your lawn mower maintenance for you. Our lawn mower service specials include all the maintenance needed to make sure your mower is operating at peak performance. Click here to view pricing and sign up for service.

DIY with Home Maintenance Kits

If you're more the Do-It-Yourself type, John Deere offers Home Maintenance Kits that contains most of the items you need to complete this checklist, including oil, an oil filter, an air filter, a fuel filter, air precleaner, and spark plug(s).  Prairie State Tractor carries Home Maintenance Kits at all of our eight Illinois locations. Stop in or call us to get yours ordered.

Regardless of which option you choose, performing end of season maintenance is critical in ensuring your mower runs great year in and year out. Be sure to contact Prairie State Tractor for all your lawn mower parts and service needs.