How To Dispose Of Old Unneeded Lawnmowers
What do you do with your old lawnmower when its time to update to a newer model or it simply stops working? Leave it in the shed or garage to rest and gather dust? If so, youre not alone plenty of homeowners hold onto their old lawnmowers simply because they do not know what else to do with them. You can use this guide, however, to decide on the best way to dispose of yours:
- Give it away: just because you no longer have a need for the lawnmower doesnt mean that no one else will. Give it to a friend who could use it, advertise it in the classified of your local paper or online, or even give it to a not-for-profit organisation, such as the Salvation Army.
- Recycle it: plenty of your lawnmowers parts will be recyclable, so give your local recycling centre a call and find out whether theyll take it. You may have to pull the mower apart to get to the recyclable parts, but its beneficial for the environment.
- Scrap it: similar to recycling it, the difference between the two is that you will make a little cash when selling your old lawnmower for scrap. The junkyard will recycle all the metal parts and anything else that is reusable and will throw out the rest.
- Throw it out: you could also take the lawnmower to your local rubbish tip and simply throw it away. You should, however, always call in advance to make sure that the tip will take the mower, as not everything can be thrown into landfill.
The Method Of Disposal
One thing to keep in mind while disposing of a lawnmower is to do it according to your preferences.
This way, you wont be stressed if you cant commit to your preferred disposal options amount of complexity.
Choose a method that will cause you the least amount of stress that fits your money, timeframe, area, and ability.
What is the extent of the damage? Is it still possible to repair your mower? Is the wreckage truly that large that you need to get rid of it quickly?
Are you ready to put up with the hassle of having it fixed at the nearest manufacturing facility or repair shop?
If it cant be mended, its time to get rid of it. However, if the damage is minor and it may still be used, you should reconsider giving it away.
What Can I Do With An Old Lawn Mower Engine
Here are some ways to reuse that lawnmower engine which has been lying unused in your garage.
4.10.2018
Also Check: Aerator Rental Lowes
Power Heavy Lifting And Towing Equipment
As a budget conscious prepper, you might think that you will only have simple devices such as rope hoists and levers to move heavy equipment around.
On the other side of the equation, the spinning shaft of a lawn mower can be used to power hoists and pulley systems. Just convert the motion of the lawn mower shaft so that it wraps the rope around a reel, then youll have to work out a method to release the rope once the weight is removed from it.
Unless you feel like creating some type of transmission, it will be very difficult to create a reverse motion with the lawnmower engine.
You may be surprised at the number of times you will need to haul something big and heavy from one place to another. For example, if you are clearing trees or need to move bulky logs, you could create a cart and then attach a pulley system to it.
From there, you can attach the lawn mower engine to the cart, and then use the pulley system to drag the object from one place to another. As with any other moving device, you must also be able to stop the cart from moving forward, and you must also be able to lock the wheels in place for stationary use.
Is It Worth Repairing A Lawn Mower
So expensive, you may want to purchase a new mower instead. Many lawn mower owners go by the three-year rule. Of course, the easy repairs are not considered a problem and even some expensive repairs may be worth it if your mower is less than three years old, but not worth it if the machine is older.
Don’t Miss: Cub Cadet Made In Usa
How To Dispose Of Old Gas & Oil From A Lawn Mower
As mentioned above, regardless of how you choose to dispose of your old lawnmower, youll need to remove the gas and oil before proceeding.
If youre wondering where to take your old lawnmowers to drain, visit a mechanic or repair shop to pay them to drain the gas and oil if you are unsure whether to do it yourself.
However, this is a fairly simple process to drain oil or gas from a mower. Lets see how you can do it yourself
Heres how to drain oil or gas from a lawn mower:
- First, use a siphon hose to drain the gas from the tank and place it in a clean container. It is best to use a siphon hose with a connected hand pump.
- Then disconnect the spark plug cable and tilt the mower with the carburetor up into the air.
- Next, remove the center screw or screws that secure the blade and carefully slide the blade out of the mower.
- Place an oil sump under the mower and remove the oil reservoir cap to drain the oil into the sump. The location of the oil reservoir cap can vary from mower to mower but is usually located under the blade in the center of the deck of a push mower.
If you own a riding mower, the connector should be on the side of the engine block. Then you can take the used oil to an auto parts store or a mechanic. Because they can recycle the oil on your behalf for a small fee.
You will also need to dispose of the gas as well. However, in this case, you may use your municipal household hazardous waste disposal facility to take the gasoline and the oil too.
Power An Air Compressor
If you have ever worked with hand tools, then you were sure to be amazed at the ease and convenience associated with power tools. While you may need to go back to hand saws and other simple devices in a time of need, chances are you still love jig saws, circular saws, drills, and rotary tools.
As wonderful as these tools may be, many people that have used compressed air tools tend to think of conventional power tools as nice, but primitive. If you are serious about repairing cars or working materials that require a lot of force to manage, you are likely to want to use compressed air tools.
One of the most disappointing things is an air compressor connected to a tiny tank that wont give you compressed air or time to get much of anything done. The most useful air compressors with big tanks or the capacity to deliver air without going to a tank can be expensive and bulky, so it makes sense to make an air compressor from an old lawn mower engine.
As with generating electricity, you will find that just about anything that spins can be combined with other parts and materials to compress air.
This smart device will help you slash an excess of 70% off your power bill overnight
You May Like: Ace Hardware Lawn Mower Blade Sharpening
Can You Recycle Your Lawn Mower
Since it is made of metal and plastic parts, your old lawn mower can be recycled.
Some cities and towns offer pickup of your large items for recycling, as long as you request a pickup well in advance. However, most areas require that you haul your items to a local recycling facility or drop-off event.
You can expect to pay a fee when dropping off your old lawn mower to be recycled, and you should take it to a professional to remove any gas or oil residue before it can be recycled.
However, recycling your old lawn mower and any other tools you have means keeping them out of landfills where they leach dangerous chemicals and fumes into the air, soil, and water.
Everything You Need To Know About Recycling Old Lawn Mowers
Blog Home Eco-Friendly Living Everything You Need to Know About Recycling Old Lawn Mowers
Figuring out how to dispose of an old lawn mower is difficult, but finding a safe way to take care of lawn mower recycling can take up a Saturday that should be spent relaxing.
Luckily youve come to the right place to learn about recycling old lawn mowers. From the best ways to recycle old lawn mowers and where to bring lawn mowers for recycling, to donating your lawn mower and how to dispose of the old gas, keep reading to learn everything about easily recycling your old lawn mower and other lawn equipment.
Also Check: Trugreen Packages
How To Get Rid Of An Old Lawnmower
You can get rid of an old, weakened, and damaged lawn mower in several ways. And be sure that all the processes are easy to do. However, you can face certain problems without having the proper information on how to do them.
Letâs have a look at the processes that will help you to get rid of an old lawnmower.
Now, take a breath and keep reading. Because we are going to discuss every process in-depth for your convenience.
Disposing Of Old Gas & Oil From A Lawn Mower
As mentioned before, no matter how you decide to get rid of your old lawn mower, you have to remove the gas and oil from it before going any further.
If youre wondering where to take old lawn mowers to be drained, visit a mechanic or a repair shop to pay them to drain the gas and oil for you if you dont feel confident doing it yourself.
However, this is a fairly simple process that you can do yourself if youre handy.
Also Check: True Green Cost
Local Auto Repair Shop
While these locations often deal with the battery that comes with your car, they may also be able to take a lawn mower battery as well. The disposal process is similar and in some smaller areas where the other options are not as easy to do, you may be able to ask them to help you out with this for a small fee. Always call ahead to see if they do offer this service and to see what steps you need to take to make that happen. They may have some limitations on the type of battery you can drop off with them and any of the other rules that they may ask you to follow.
Can You Leave A Lawn Mower Outside
Can I store my lawn mower outside in the winter? You can store your mower outside in winter, but it isnt ideal. If you must store your lawn mower long-term in your yard, make sure it is elevated, so that it doesnt sit directly on the ground. This will allow air to circulate in order to keep it more dry.
You May Like: When To Aerate Lawn Mn
How Do You Get Old Gas Out Of A Lawn Mower
Here are the steps that you can take to get excess gas from your lawn mower. If your mower comes with a fuel connector, you can make use of the following method as described below:
If your lawn mower does not come with a fuel connector, you will need to use an alternate method. The steps for removing old gas from your mower can be described below in the following manner:
Pros Of A Used Lawnmower
- You can find a powerful brand-name mower for a far cheaper price than if you bought it new.
- The prior user can provide you with first-hand information beyond the product descriptions about how the lawnmower works.
- If youre looking for a specific model, an older used mower of the same type can usually be found for a considerably lesser price.
Don’t Miss: Aarons Lawnmowers
Is John Deere Better Than Husqvarna
In comparison more than 30% of Husqvarna lawn tractors will need repair. For zero turn mowers, John Deere wins again. John Deere ZTRs come in at a 30% chance of necessary repairs in 4 years, and Husqvarna proved the least reliable ZTR on the list, with 55% of mowers requiring repair by the fourth year.
Does Old Gasoline Go Bad If It’s Been Sitting For A Few Weeks
A few weeks, no it will be fine. Typically it takes a long time for gas to actually become old. One mechanic told me gasoline takes a significant amount of time for it to actually be classified as old gas thats no longer useable. At that point, he would put the old and no good gas into a recycling tank specifically for gasoline.
Read Also: How To Keep Canadian Geese Off Your Property
Donate Old Lawn Mower
If your old lawn mower is still in good enough condition for someone else to use, you can probably donate it to a local charity.
Some nonprofits offer pickup of donated items for a fee, but youll probably need to find a way to haul it to a donation center yourself. However, donating your old riding lawn mower or push mower is much more eco-friendly than just throwing it away.
Landscaping Equipment Can Be Recycled
If you simply want to be rid of your old equipment, but don’t want to contribute to the waste stream, having a professional junk hauling firm pick them up can be a true eco-friendly option.
Lawn mowers and other landscaping equipment can be broken down into metal and plastic parts, cleaned free of gasoline or other substances and recycled industrially. This includes appliances like lawn mowers, leave blowers, wheelbarrows, hedge trimmers, edgers, weed trimmers and even chainsaws. While it’s not exactly a landscaping tool, even your old barbecues can be picked up and recycled!
There can often be other types of metals in an old tool. The question often comes up regarding what types of metals actually can be sold for scrap. Non-ferrous metals, such as copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel and bronze, generally bring more money at scrap yards. While ferrous metals, like steel and iron, are not as valuable, the scrap yards will still accept these metals for recycling.
The website at Earth911.com notes that,
“The most common metals accepted by scrap yards include copper, steel, aluminum, brass, iron and wires. But your local scrap yard may accept additional metals for recycling and give you cash payouts for your scrap metals. Call a few scrap yards in your area ahead of time for a list of scrap metals they accept for recycling”
If you choose to sell your old equipment and tools as scrap metal keep in mind how scrap is purchased by the scrap metal reclamation companies.
Read Also: Teenager Lawn Mowing Business
Easy Tips To Start A Lawn Mower With Old Gas
Posted on Last updated:
Home » Easy Tips to Start a Lawn Mower with Old Gas
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.–
The lawn mower is one of the most essential pieces of equipment that you will want to keep in your shed, especially if you like to carry out landscaping work on the lawn from time to time.
Most people keep their lawn mowers in the shed during the winter season, and start taking them out after the spring season ends. However, taking your lawn mower out after a period of hibernation is not as easy as you might think.
Usually, getting the lawn mower going after a period of hibernation is a bit difficult, but you can usually get the lawn mower working after a bit of pulling with the pull rope and a considerable amount of swearing.
But, if you cant get the lawn mower going properly, the reason is probably due to the humidity in the environment. Sometimes, its difficult to get the lawn mower started because of the humidity.
In areas with higher humidity, water begins to condense inside the fuel tank and the carburetor, and this eventually mixes in with the gas. This also affects the spark formation of the plug.
To get the mower started, the best solution is to replace the gas and clean the plugs. In some situations, your only option might be to replace the plugs altogether.
