Petrol mower overwintering help

 
Hi,

I was hoping someone could help us avoid some trauma next year!  

For the first time, we've invested in a petrol mower (mountfield) and a
strimmer (ryobi) - 4 stroke and 2 stroke respectively.  As it's coming
to winter,  is there Anything special needs doing to these to prepare
them for a long period of no use.   Do I run the mower till it runs out
of fuel? Should there be a fuel drain somewhere?  

Any help or ideas that will ensure they start next year would be
greatfully appreciated.

Regards,

mark&victoria




--
Mark Heptonstal

 
Read the owners manual. I think it goes like this,  NOT positive for
winter storage.
Two countries separated by a common language :)
Assuming "petrol" is the same as "gasoline" :)
 
if the machine uses gasoline only, I keep the tank full. Gasoline should
act as protective coating to keep the gas tank from rusting. Most lawn
mowers are gas only. An oil change with fresh oil may also help it start
easier in the spring. I change my oil and air filters in the spring, but
may not be best for winter storage. One should sharpen and oil the
blades to keep from the blades from rusting.

If the machine uses a mixture of gas and oil, drain or run the machine
until it runs out. Most string trimmers use oil/gas mixture. The oil/gas
mixture can gunk up the machine and make it hard to start in the spring.


Some machines have a drain plug some do not. I use a simple hand pump
drain tool, about $10 US for changing the oil. I use a dremel power tool
$100 with a blade sharpener.

My line trimmer is gas only, my chain saws are oil/gas. My lawn mower is
a commercial mower that cost as much as a small car, I take that in each
year for a turn up in the spring. My lawn is around six acres. Some
people also have their small powered lawn equipment professionally taken
in for service each spring.
    
--
Enjoy Life... Dan L  (Garden in zone 5a Michigan)

 On 10/24/2010 3:44 AM, Mark Heptonstal wrote:

Usually best to run dry.  My Honda 4 stroke mower has a fuel shut off
valve so I can leave tank full but run carburetor dry.  Two stroke
string trimmer seems OK to leave gas in but I do drain my 2 stroke chain
saw.  There are gas stabilizers and they may or may not help as if gas
evaporates in carburetor it may leave gunk.  I had this problem with my
4 stroke snow thrower and now store dry.

 

Here in N.America the idle winter period lasts 5-6 months. We:
1.  Run these motors until dry.  This is mainly to avoid petrol
additives gumming up the carburettor during the winter.
2.  Remove spark plug, add a few drops of motor oil and
pull the starter gently to lubricate piston and crank.
3.  Drain the sump of 4-stroke motors.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

 

Here in New England I've been doing nothing.
2 stroke, 4 stroke, it doesn't matter.
Just don't try to mow the snow.