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Spring Lawn & Garden Battery Maintenance Tips

Power - by Joe Weber - updated on 2/13/2024

A person on a riding lawn mower kicking up grass

It's chilly and there may still be snow on the ground in many parts of the country but it's time to start thinking about dusting off the riding mower and prepping it for the spring. Get a jump on your spring lawn and garden prep early with these helpful Lawn Mower battery maintenance tips.

Why Is It Important to Maintain Lawn and Garden Batteries?

There's nothing worse than going out for the first cut of the spring and your trusty riding mower is dead on arrival. You turn the key and you get nothing. This is why it's important to maintain lawn and garden batteries. Not just when you tuck them away for the winter, but all year round.

  • Prevents Battery Failure
    The most obvious reason for mower battery maintenance is to prevent battery failure. Over time, batteries can lose their charge, especially if they are not used regularly. By performing maintenance in the spring, you can catch any issues before they become a problem and ensure that your battery is ready to go when you need it.
  • Extends Battery Life
    Regular maintenance can also help extend the life of your riding mower's battery. By keeping the battery clean and properly charged, you can prevent corrosion and other issues leading to a shorter battery life.
  • Improves Mower Performance
    A well-maintained battery can also improve the overall performance of your riding mower. A fully charged battery provides the necessary power to start the engine and run the electrical components of the mower. This means your mower will start more easily and run more smoothly, making your mowing experience more enjoyable.

Performing routine maintenance and storing your batteries properly in the off-season will save you time and money in the long run.

What Are the Different Types of Riding Mower Batteries?

Riding lawnmowers and power landscaping tools used to be mostly gas-powered or powered by a 120V wall outlet with an extension cord. Today you can still get gas-powered mowers and tools, but instead of a corded electric, the popular option now is lithium battery powered.

When it comes to your riding mower, if you have a gas-powered mower you more likely have a lead-acid battery or batteries to get it started. If you have a new lithium battery-powered riding mower (or a push mower), you guessed it, you've got lithium batteries.

Spring Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist

When the weather warms up and it's time to dust off the lawn tools from their winter slumber, you should make sure to do a few things before their first use to ensure a great start to the season.

  •   Inspect the batteries for signs of damage or corrosion.
  •   Add distilled water to the lead-acid batteries if they require it.
  •   Charge the battery before the first cut.
  •   Check all electrical connections and make sure they are secure.
  •   Clean the battery terminals with a terminal cleaner and wire brush.
  •   Test the battery voltage and capacity.
  •   For gas-powered lawnmowers, inspect the spark plugs to make sure they are still in good condition.

We know that only some have the tools or the know-how to test their battery themselves. If you need a helping hand, the team at your local Batteries Plus is ready and willing to help make sure you have a healthy battery. Just bring it in and we will happily test it for you, for free.

Consider Adding A Battery Maintainer

If you have a riding mower that you only use occasionally, you may want to consider investing in a battery maintainer. A battery maintainer is a small, yet very important battery charger that connects to your battery and keeps it optimally charged and healthy when not in use.

This can be especially helpful for those who live in areas with long winters or those who only use their riding mower for a few months out of the year.

Other Maintenance Tips for Your Riding Mower

While maintaining your battery is critical, there are other areas that you should also be focusing on before the first cut to keep your mower running smoothly all season long.

  • Change the Oil
    Just like a car, your gas-powered riding mower needs regular oil changes to keep the engine running smoothly. Check your owner's manual for the recommended oil change schedule and be sure to use the correct type of oil for your mower.
  • Replace the Air Filter
    A dirty air filter can affect your gas-powered mower's performance and fuel efficiency. Check the air filter regularly and replace it if it's dirty or clogged.
  • Sharpen the Blades
    Dull blades can make lawn mowing more difficult and harm your grass. Sharpen your mower's blades at least once a year to ensure a clean, even cut.
  • Check the Tires
    Before using your riding mower, check the tire pressure and make sure they are properly inflated. This will help your mower run more efficiently and prevent damage to the tires.

Benefits of Electric Riding Mowers

Electric riding mowers, powered by lithium batteries, are gaining momentum as an alternative to gas-powered mowers. Below you will find a small sampling of reasons to switch to a lithium-powered electric lawn mower.

  1. Electric riding mowers are great for the environment.
    Electric motors do not create any harmful emissions. There is nothing that will be released into the atmosphere. No exhaust, no pollution.
  2. Electric riding mowers have little maintenance.
    With no oil, pulleys, filters and other maintenance areas that you would see on gas-powered mowers, lithium batteries are virtually maintenance-free.
  3. Electric riding mowers have a lower cost of operation.
    Lithium-powered mowers don't have filters, gas, oil and other things that need to be replaced occasionally, other than the extremely minor cost of charging the batteries, you have no other costs associated with your mower.
  4. Electric riding mowers are quieter.
    Other than the electric motor spinning the blades, lithium lawnmowers are virtually silent so you can cut grass early in the morning without bothering your neighbors.
  5. Electric riding mowers are more comfortable.
    There are no vibrations from an engine to shake the mower, making it a much more comfortable ride.

Benefits of Gas Mowers

That being said, gas-powered mowers still have their perks. Below you will find a few of the reasons to stick with gas if you are still on the fence.

  1. Lower initial cost
    Gas-powered lawn mowers are considerably less expensive than lithium-powered mowers. This is in part because they haven't been around long enough to "get cheap" and that lithium technology is still fairly costly to manufacture.
  2. Access to parts and experts
    Gas-powered mowers and lead-acid batteries have been around for so long that replacement parts and batteries are readily available at your local hardware store.
  3. Better for commercial use
    When you have dozens of lawns to mow on any given day, you can't afford to sit and wait for the batteries to charge after each property. Gas mowers are better suited for businesses that need to get from home to home with little downtime.

Batteries Plus is Here to Help with Your Spring Lawn & Garden Batteries!

Whether you own a gas-powered mower or lithium, bring in your batteries for our battery experts to test to make sure your batteries are in good shape for the season. We carry a great selection of high-quality Duracell Ultra Lawn & Garden batteries for your riding mower.

If you would like to learn more about lawn and garden battery maintenance and tips, take a look at another helpful blog, "How to Get the Most Out of Your Lawn Mower Battery".

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