HOW TO GET YOUR MOWER READY FOR WINTER STORAGE (Less Than 1% Do Step 9)

[@GarageGear]

Here is a LINK to the LAWN MOWER BLADE SHARPENING VICE used in this video! Thank you for supporting the channel! 👍 👉 amzn.to/4eZu4WH

[@douglaslippertindy]

@@GarageGear Ordered from your link, arrived and awaiting its first use next week after we return from a quick trip to Lisbon. Thanks!

[@GarageGear]

@ have fun with it Douglas! 👍

[@larryshipley7645]

How about if you have a rider

[@GarageGear]

@@larryshipley7645 this works for all types of blades!

[@kirkthebeerslinger]

Noice mower! 😁...I do all the same things exactly...only added comment is to let ppl know with these awesome machines and some Toros to shoot in a couple pumps of grease to those grease zerks AND on almost every mower I spray some lube on the springs/cables/down the cable housings...boo to the end of mowing season! Cheers JB!

[@GarageGear]

@@kirkthebeerslinger Hey Kirk! I had a feeling you’d be commenting on this one! lol! Great tips my friend! On to the next best thing… snowblowing! 👍

[@TheLawnLover]

Great advice JB! Running gas out of your mower in the fall and changing your oil is such and easy step to extend the life of your mower. I do this every fall and next season the mower always fires right up. 💪😤

[@GarageGear]

@@TheLawnLover that’s how we roll Justin! Thanks for watching brother!

[@Thelawnmower278]

My favorite way to clean spark plugs, carburetors, and even small tools, is to find an old pickle jar and spray some carb cleaner in there then put old gas in it whether it has oil in there or not it will work great if you put a zip tie on the part then you can fish it out easy and let it sit in the solution for 1 day, it works on rust and oil, after 1 day take it out then dry it off and use a wire brush on it. Works like a charm

[@GarageGear]

@@Thelawnmower278 RIGHT ON my friend! Like this idea

[@douglaslippertindy]

I figure I have one more mow, mostly to mulch the leaves, prior to ending the season. J.B.'s advice is spot on...THIS is how you take care of your mower to make it last decades. P.S. (J.B.: I used the last of my Fluid Film yesterday when I put the winter tires on my car (and coated what I could reach on the suspension with FF). The young person at the hardware store where I purchased the FF had never heard of it, so I sprayed a little on my hand and had him smell it while I told him what a great product it was. With a little luck, he'll remember and be able to help other customers.)

[@GarageGear]

@@douglaslippertindy awesome Douglas! Passing on good information to future DIY guys! Thanks for being a cool fan!

[@tonym6920]

Great video. I do one more thing. I spray fogging oil down the spark plug hole to lube the piston and cylinder during winter storage. Thanks for the video.👍👍

[@GarageGear]

@@tonym6920 thanks for watching and sharing Tony!

[@jayrichman6266]

Another tip: after putting the Bounce sheets or whatever brand of smelly sheets I use around the places I feel mice like to crawl into, I stick a piece of painter's tape onto a very noticeable part of the machine with the number of sheets written on it that I snuck into spots on the mower, blower, tiller, etc. Until I did this a few years ago, I would find old sheets blowing out of a piece of equipment weeks or months after bringing it out of storage. Fog the cylinder also.

[@ChicagoSirens]

Just put my JX85 and 14SX away for the winter! Only one left is the Honda HRC216 which is on leaf duty! Sadly I decided to sell my Toro commercial mower. The handles being unable to fold made it difficult to store in my garage.

[@GarageGear]

@@ChicagoSirens sometimes we gotta part with something! I know your pain

[@ChicagoSirens]

@@GarageGear Seeing that you also have about three "keeper" mowers, I was wondering how you rotate them throughout the season? I have four mowers that are my keepers, and am always worried that something will go wrong if they are barely used. My primary mower is a Honda HRC216 at my house, and I also have a JX85 and 14SX. I will use each Deere maybe 3 times each during the season. My lawn is about 700 square feet so I am not dealing with many hours. How often should I change the oil and such on these "collectable" mowers? Just wanted to see what your procedure was!

[@GarageGear]

@ hey chicago! I just rotate through each every week. I also change the oil on each on at the end of the season. Keeps them clean!

[@yves-mariesellin6026]

Bon conseils 👍je vais les suivre pour ma tondeuse cet hiver

[@GarageGear]

@@yves-mariesellin6026 thanks for watching 👍

[@DavidStauffacher]

Do you add oil to spark plug hole?

[@GarageGear]

No never really found that to be necessary. Did it before but these are beginner friendly steps

[@xsiveone]

I put SeaFoam and Stabil in it and then run it out of gas. If there is any residuel gas in the carb it will be treated.

[@GarageGear]

@@xsiveone thanks for sharing

[@BigDaddysGarage]

Love the dryer sheet trick!

[@GarageGear]

@@BigDaddysGarage works surprisingly well! Thanks for watching flint!

[@greentjmtl]

I've occasionally done the add some motor oil through the spark plug hole and pull a few times to coat the cylinder and tiston. Not sure it actually makes any difference though, my old B&S engine worked just fine for 20+ years before I retired it for a Honda. It did make an impressive smoke show during first start in spring however.

[@GarageGear]

@@greentjmtl good tip green! Thanks for sharing

[@timpmuldoon736]

JB you become part of Saturday morning routine ☕️📱Garage Gear Video..👍🏼 For years I away topped off fuel with Stable Fuel Stabilizer after … A neighbor of mine is small engine mechanic he said run dry & drain carburetor if can..👍🏼 Great Job ..JB

[@GarageGear]

@@timpmuldoon736 RIGHT ON Tim! Thanks for being a cool fan!

[@paulmysliborski4832]

Good stuff, JB. I do all 9 steps!! Only thing I would add is to spray down the engine and/or any electrical connectors/starters/solenoids etc. with something like CRC 656 or WD-40 to prevent corrosion. Cheers, Bud!!

[@GarageGear]

Good thinking brother! Like where your head is at! Enjoy your weekend! Gotta work my other job later as a professional zip tie installer! 👍

[@paulmysliborski4832]

@@GarageGear 🤣🤣🤣

[@PeadarBoc]

ain't nobody got time fo dat..but seriously, good tips

[@GarageGear]

@@PeadarBoc thanks for watching pea!

[@ChuckP25.]

Great video JB. Thumbs up from Iowa. Peace.

[@GarageGear]

RIGHT ON Chuck! Enjoy your weekend

[@dang5553]

Alright great video. I’m in Florida so I’m exempt from most of it. Fill the tank with mostly Ethanol free fuel I learned something. With your favorite fuel stabilizer. January February slow cuts to non in Florida. To the mostly ethanol free fuel. If your gas station has the ethanol free on the same pumps with E10,15 or worse E85. Good chance you have a 5-6 percent. Make sure your ethanol free is its own pump

[@GarageGear]

@@dang5553 RIGHT ON Dan! 👍

[@PatrickFaricy]

Hey JB, the way I got my mower ready for winter storage.....folded it up and took the batteries out. lol Was looking for a new mower for several years trying to figure out what to get. Honda pulled out of the market completely, Toro discontinued making their mowers with an optional Honda motor......looked at almost all of the gas options out there, then started looking at the battery options on the market and finally picked one up last spring.

[@GarageGear]

@@PatrickFaricy thanks for sharing patrick

[@minnesota-hk1vp]

Awesome!

[@GarageGear]

@@minnesota-hk1vp thanks for watching Minnesota! Have an awesome weekend! 👍

[@stevepelino5986]

Great video. I agree 100 percent with all of these steps. I read the comments and there’s a lot of great additional steps that will help maintain your machine. Thank you for sharing. GO BILLS!!

[@GarageGear]

Appreciate you Steve! Thanks for being a cool local fan!

[@WhitieInVermont]

100,000 subscribers is right around the corner JB. Looking good buddy.

[@GarageGear]

@@WhitieInVermont coming up soon WHITIE! Awesome to have you along for the ride all the way from 1! 👍 have a good weekend bud!

[@thomase6751]

Put some Marvel Mystery Oil in the fuel ⛽️ and if you want, run the mower dry.

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing

[@edrodrigues5623]

All done except oil change and blade sharpen ..Hope to get the snowblower out and dust it off. Told guys at work what I've done with wd40 under deck and wheels.. I just get a look like 😲 They'll be calling be in the spring.

[@GarageGear]

@@edrodrigues5623 haha they sure will! Good work my friend

[@DavidStauffacher]

Where did you get that bendable funnel?

[@DerekGH]

Amazon

[@GarageGear]

Here is a link amzn.to/3C4cu5t

[@wayneessar7489]

If it is a Honda engine and your off season is short, drain the fuel, fill and run with Aspen 4 alkylate fuel. Perfect start in March.

[@GarageGear]

@@wayneessar7489 thanks for sharing Wayne

[@alkelenson648]

I picked up a lithium ion mower after my old one started leaking gas. Holding on to it and fixing it over the winter so will use the tips!

[@GarageGear]

@@alkelenson648 thanks for sharing al

[@smallblock412]

All good stuff. The bounce dryer sheet trick is a great idea. I've never heard of that before.

[@GarageGear]

@@smallblock412 thanks for watching Smallblock! Definitely helpful for those that park their mower outside. Have a good weekend bud!

[@jerryq1000]

Didn't know that about the dryer sheets...I'll use that on my boat, too (along with other things)...hate those little monsters!

[@GarageGear]

@@jerryq1000 they’ll terrorize your equipment! They’re not welcome lol!

[@DavidStauffacher]

Thoughts to get riding lawnmower ready for winter?

[@GarageGear]

Same procedures apply here my friend. Just larger areas to clean really!

[@JohnCardillo]

Hey JB! Great how to video! Are you planning a winterize video for electric mowers? (EGO) 🤙

[@GarageGear]

@@JohnCardillo hey John! Appreciate you my friend! I dont have any battery equipment and don’t plan on getting any anytime soon. Many maintenance procedures here will carry over though. 👍

[@liljoeii6091]

I do do the dryer sheets and I do empty the bowl I actually take it right off the motor and dry it out I got that stuff you were talking about to spray underneath the mower I never thought of pulling a piston forward so I'll do that thank you for the video

[@GarageGear]

RIGHT ON JOE! 👍

[@justinkolan5500]

Thank you Jb. This really helps because i have a riding mower. Thanks

[@GarageGear]

@@justinkolan5500 RIGHT ON Justin! 👍

[@kanyeeastlolz]

This the jx75? You replaced the engine?

[@GarageGear]

That is the jx75. It has its original engine on it. 👍

[@nickh5049]

I've never seen a walk behind mower with an oil filter before...

[@GarageGear]

@@nickh5049 these John Deere and some other commercial mowers have them! 👍

[@mikeschlup5279]

I run no alcohol gas...I let it sit half a yeear...started first pull

[@GarageGear]

Thanks for sharing

[@gabrielqcredneck7634]

I feel like your favorite Saison is coming back? You gonna have so much fun whit the Arians resto-mod project

[@GarageGear]

@@gabrielqcredneck7634 it’ll be here soon my friend! Got five snowblowers in the garage!

[@gabrielqcredneck7634]

@@GarageGear haha can't be more ready then that haha, I got mine grease up and check and ready to go yesterday 😁

[@cwcole]

Thanks for the tips. That JX75 is in great shape. What year is it? Mine is a 1997 and is definitely showing its age.

[@GarageGear]

@@cwcole you got it CW! I think it’s around 2000. You could always buy another one and swap parts on it. 👍

[@cwcole]

@@GarageGear I have replaced the wheels, pinions, belts, drive cable etc. and greased the transmission. It is a solid machine. It's just not pretty 😃

[@GarageGear]

@@cwcole RIGHT ON CW!

[@jaybooth4815]

Another great informative video JB! Getting ready to put the HRX to bed for the winter. After i run the gas put of course. I've only started a few time but never used it yet. Haha. Enjoy the weekend my friend! Until next time...cheers!

[@GarageGear]

@@jaybooth4815 wow you haven’t used it yet!?!?!? Wow! Next season you can have fun with it! Try to stay out of trouble this weekend with the grandkids! 👍

[@jaybooth4815]

I tried too! Haha

[@williamwelch7]

Thanks JB

[@GarageGear]

@@williamwelch7 thanks for watching william

[@darrenk3433]

I’m guessing you don’t like filling the fuel tank to the top and adding fuel stabilizer? Empty is better?

[@GarageGear]

@@darrenk3433 hey Darren! In my experience yes! Tayrl fixes all here on KZbin even did a video comparing stabilizers and the only engine that ran fine was the one with ethanol free gas. All the stabilizers failed.

[@thebird36]

I have a can of krown from the place I get my undercoating. I wonder if that would work like the fluid film?

[@GarageGear]

Yep that will work great too

[@BarryPettit-t7k]

Excellent video.

[@GarageGear]

@@BarryPettit-t7k thanks for watching Barry!

[@DavidStauffacher]

Recommendation for “riders”…nothing big, just a 34”deck Simplicity.

[@GarageGear]

@@DavidStauffacher I don’t review riders on here. I don’t have room for them in my garage unfortunately david

[@brettpearce687]

Great video. Now copying your success.

[@GarageGear]

@@brettpearce687 ROCK ON Brett!

[@brettpearce687]

​@@GarageGear. After your video I serviced the 2 X mowers, the edge trimmer/Wippa snipper, and the Hedger. All petrol 4 stroke mowers but 2 stroke everything else. I am from Australia. After air filter clean and wire brush to spark plug, everything started first pull where most were taking 5 or 7 pulls. I just went crazy after your video n thought let's just do everything at once. So thankyou for being so confident cause it makes us viewers think hey I can give that a go. Thankyou and have a great Christmas and a great 2025. Watching all your videos. Great content. Just excellent. You have fans all over the world !!

[@GarageGear]

@@brettpearce687 awesome Brett! I’m very fortunate to have cool fans like you! 👍👍

[@infoimolaza]

Hello, are you interested in trying out the smart irrigation controller? Just provide honest feedback.😊

[@GarageGear]

@@infoimolaza no thank you

[@kencurtis228]

TY for Sharing

[@GarageGear]

@@kencurtis228 thanks for watching Ken! Have a good weekend bud

[@stephenrickjr.7519]

Right on. This really works.

[@GarageGear]

@@stephenrickjr.7519 appreciate you sharing Stephen! Have a good weekend bud! 👍

[@LL-mt2nz]

Another thing I do is drain the carb bowl just in case any fuel is left in there.

[@Salmomlox]

Great tips, JB. I even thought the dryer sheet trick was amazing. Sharing that with my sister. 🥰🥰🐭🐭

[@GarageGear]

@@Salmomlox Thanks for watching Salmomlox! Spread the knowledge! 👍 have an awesome weekend!

[@seanphann7531]

Always putting out good info go bills

[@GarageGear]

@@seanphann7531 you got it Sean! GO BILLS👍

[@jeffreycaban5107]

Some great storage tips here JB. That JX75 will last another 20 years with that great care.

[@GarageGear]

@@jeffreycaban5107 you got it Jeffrey!

[@MikeV607]

Most manufacturers recommend adding an ounce or two of oil to the cylinder after removing the spark plug. I'm using fogging oil. After application, you distribute by cranking a little, then reinstall the plug and set the piston to top dead center if you can.

[@GarageGear]

@@MikeV607 thanks for sharing mike

[@czechmate6916]

I live in south Texas and pretty much mow year round. But I do some of these tips you mentioned. Thanks JB always love watching your channel.

[@GarageGear]

@@czechmate6916 awesome my friend! Thanks for being a cool fan! 👍

[@swampyankee72]

Great annual video JB!

[@GarageGear]

@@swampyankee72 got to keep this info fresh for these new homeowners out there! Have a good weekend swampy!

[@swampyankee72]

@@GarageGear Absolutely!!!

[@bc454irocz89]

JB when should we WNYers stop mowing and how low to cut on the last cut?

[@GarageGear]

@@bc454irocz89 hey bud! Once the grass stops growing pretty much up until the first snow fall for me. Usually cut her down to about two inches. Normally mow at about 2.5.

[@ecttreker9816]

Sound advice 👍👍

[@GarageGear]

@@ecttreker9816 RIGHT ON ECT!

[@billfleming8281]

Excellent , I learned a few things this am . I was actually running mine right now to get the gas out when this popped up . Gotta lube those wheels !

[@GarageGear]

@@billfleming8281 you got it my friend! 👍

[@mikezags0816]

love the bounce idea! i will use that method in the next two months!

[@GarageGear]

@@mikezags0816 works well my friend! 👍

[@zlm2032]

Great tips!

[@GarageGear]

@@zlm2032 thanks for watching zlm!