Store Lawn Tractor Outdoors

Was wondering if I could store my lawn tractor outside 24/7/365? I would keep it under the deck which has solid walls on 3 sides. And I would keep a cover on it.

Just wondering temperature wise (zone 6) if there's any risk. I always winterize it each season anyway. Looking to make more space in my garage and dont have a shed yet.

Not sure if this is a good idea or not?

 

My son keeps his riding mower outside 24/7 because he doesn't have a place to store it under roof. It's been that way for 2-3 yrs with no issues that I'm aware of. I guess he's too lazy to work at building a shed He is a little further south than you and I don't know if that would be an issue but I wouldn't think so.

 

I've kept my lawn tractor outside for three winters with no shelter and no cover. It still cleans up and runs as normal.
But I do abuse it.
So with yours covered and somewhat sheltered it should be just fine. Push it onto the tarp and cover it that way so that the bottom is also protected. Learned that from a post by a guy talking about car storage in buildings with dirt floors.

 

The problem is not the cold as mine is stored in an unheated shed in the winter (central N.H.). The problem with storing it outside is rust. Condesation can & will form under the tarp plus storing it on the ground you will get moisture from the ground rusting it from the bottom up. I have had many in my shop where the paint has peeled off and the deck lifts are rusted to the point of not working easily and the wheels are rusted on the shafts.
So, if you do have to store it outside for the winter, Take the wheels off the shaft and clean them, then grease them. And spray deck pivot points with a good spray such as LPS.

 

I've stored mine outdoors for years with no real problems. I have them under a long shelter now to help keep them from fading and help protect from the elements. It is definitely better to keep it off the ground and under a shelter, but it's not necessary.

 

Thanks. This is all great feedback and good to know you've had experience.

indypower1 - great point and makes total sense about the excess moisture. I didnt think about that but it could be a killer over the long haul.

Ok all, makes sense. very happy to be getting the garage space back!

 

I like the idea of driving your mower/tractor over a big piece of plastic sheeting and then folding the excess over the equipment to minimize the effects or rain, wind and condensation.

Some rope or rubber bungee cords should hold that together pretty easily.

 

Wouldn't the plastic cause condensation?

 

I included the idea of covering the bottom as well as the top based on a thread ecman had going where he talked about a car stored inside a barn with a dirt floor getting nailed by the moisture coming from the ground.

I do think it's a good idea to protect the underside from rain spatter under a deck.
If venting is neccassary perhaps that can be done by not folding in the front and rear?

 

Sure will. Storing your lawn equipment outside depends a lot on what part of the country you live in. Northern states with snowy winters storing outside is not recomended. Souythern states with little or no snow I suppose would be ok. The cold & snow does a number on them. Cause paint to peel and most moving parts to rust.

 

So, on a scale of 1-10, with one being equipment stored outdoors in the north with no protection, and ten being inside heated storage, how would you rate the following options?


1. Stored in an unheated outdoor shed with a concrete floor.

2. Stored outdoors wrapped in plastic sheeting

3. Stored under rain cover on the ground


Which of these might you consider unacceptable, adequate or good protection for winter storage?

 

I bought a lawn tractor from someone at a yard sale for $50 because they said the transmission was locked up. Got it home and found the brake was set in park position and had rusted up so bad it wouldn't release. I got it off and freed up and it ran and cut like a new one. Sold it for $400. So all I'm gonna say is this is what can happen when they're stored outside. If ya feel lucky, go ahead. I keep all my gas powered eqpt. under a roof at least to keep the rain off it. I used to live in SE Idaho and we had loong cold winters. I did the same there and never had any problems w/ OPE there either.
Mike

 

i live in the gulf coast area, so im sorta out of your loop of conditions.
i sorta like the drive the tractor over a largr tarp / & fold it up -with the pleats hanging down -for condensation drain.

MY idea-why not put a shop type drop lite under the eng( use a coffe pot type timer -(say 1 hour a day)-/ use a 25 watt bulb-will provide some heat to dissapate the condensation.

just MY idea.

 

I think the best way to keep one outside is to get the tires off the dirt (drive it up on treated 2X8s or similar), raise the deck fully to allow plenty of airflow underneath, and either drape a small tarp that does not contact the ground over it or lay boards across the mower to drape the tarp over, keeping the tarp off the mower and allowing open ends for cross-flow of air. I live in south Georgia where the humidity is killer and yet you can effectively store outdoor power equipment here in this manner.

 

1 other note on storing outside. Mice, chipmunks, squirals love to much on wires , gas hoses, seat edges and padding. And get the tires off the ground. Helps deferring dry rot.

 

Hmmmm. Maybe this isnt a good idea. I think the tarp idea, completely covering it, would help with msot or all condensation. but it does get cold up where we are. Maybe I'll keep it outside in the summer when im using it alot, then in the winter pack it away somewhere deep in my garage.

 

This is why I say don't store equipment outside especially in the northern wintee climates. This is a 1996 MTD that was stored outside year round in New Hampshire.