Fall Tips for Your Mower and Tractor
8/25/2026
Fall is prep season. A little attention now saves you a headache, and possibly a repair bill, when spring rolls back around. Here's what's worth doing before you park your equipment for the winter.
Clean it out. Grass clippings, dirt, and debris trap moisture, and moisture plus metal over a long winter is never a good combination. Clear out the underside of the deck, the engine area, and anywhere clippings tend to build up.
Hold off on the oil change. It's tempting to change it before storage, but we actually recommend waiting until spring instead. Oil left sitting over winter is prone to condensation buildup, so changing it in fall just means moisture has all winter to work its way back in. Save the oil change for spring, right before you start using the mower again.
Deal with the fuel. Gas left sitting for months can go stale and gum up the fuel system. Either run the tank dry before storing, or add a fuel stabilizer if you'd rather leave it full. Either way, don't just let it sit as is.
Save the blade sharpening for spring. It might seem like a fall task, but we recommend waiting. If you plow snow over the winter, some land leveling tends to happen by spring, so a blade sharpened in fall can be dulled or knocked out of true before you even get to use it. Hold off, get through your first couple of spring cuts, and sharpen after that instead.
Inspect the tires. Check for wear, cracking, and proper pressure. Winter cold affects tire pressure more than people expect, so it's worth a check now and again partway through the season.
Check fluids. Oil, coolant, and hydraulic fluid should all be at proper levels and in good condition before the machine sits for an extended period. Make sure coolant is rated to handle the temperatures you'll actually see this winter. Not just topped off, but rated for the cold.
Don't forget the fuel. Same as with mowers, fuel left sitting all winter can go stale and gum up the fuel system. Run the tank dry before storage or add a fuel stabilizer if you're leaving it full.
Grease the fittings. Moving parts that go dry over winter wear faster once you're back in use. A quick grease of the fittings before storage keeps things moving smoothly when you need it again.
Get ready for snow, not just storage. If your tractor is pulling snow removal duty this winter rather than sitting idle, make sure the right attachment is on and functioning, and that the machine's been checked over for winter use. Be sure to check any hydraulic hoses on your attachments.
Store it right. A dry, covered space beats sitting out in the elements. If a fully enclosed space isn't an option, at minimum keep it off wet ground and covered.
Questions about prepping your specific equipment for fall? Reach out to your nearest Wolf Kubota location, we're happy to help.