It's Just that Simple! - Mrs. FIXIT

If you just shut the door on your yard and garden equipment without prepping it for the off-season you could be in for some costly repairs and replacements next spring. Any equipment with a gas engine should either be drained or run out of gas; IF you leave gas in the tank it can clog the carburetor in storage. So do a last run around the yard and run that gas out. This is especially important if you store the equipment in a basement over the winter. Another option is to fill the tank and add a fuel stabilizer to the tank. This additive will keep the gas and carburetor clean. Just make sure that once you add it you run the machine for several minutes to work it into the engine. If your machine has a two-cycle engine that uses a gas oil mixture you can also use a stabilzer. These additives are a good idea all year long – they will keep the machine running well and the engine cleaner. You should also check or change the oil and be sure oil is at the correct level. Use a stiff bristled brush to clean dirt, dust and grass from the outside decks, intakes and blades of blowers, trimmers and mowers. Then lubricate moving parts with a spray lubricant to protect them from freezing.