There’s no doubt about it, even the most inexpensive lawnmower is still a major investment. When you put your hard-earned money down on a machine to help manicure your lawn, you want it to last long enough to give you a robust return on your investment, and then some.
Of course, basic maintenance like changing the oil and using high octane fuel for a gasoline mower, and carefully charging the battery of an electric mower is a key step in the right direction. Still, other basic maintenance and protection methods, like sharpening or replacing the mower blades also factors into the life of your new lawnmower.
Still, all of these things are quickly trumped by the basic need to protect your lawnmower from the elements. This includes during the warm summer growing season, as well as when you store your lawnmower away for the winter.
Unfortunately, not all of us have a climate-controlled garage or a secure storage locker to keep our lawnmower. Some of us are relegated to simple storage sheds with minor gaps in the ceiling trusses and a peculiar knack for developing random roof leaks. Let alone the very real possibility of a severe storm compromising your garage or storage shed at some point.
In times like this, a simple lawn mower cover can make all the difference between a total disaster and a properly protected investment.
Shop All Lawn Mower CoversLawn Mower Cover Materials Made Of?
You might be surprised to hear that lawnmower covers can be made from a lot of different materials. While some are little more than a glorified tarp, the best lawnmower covers tend to be made from heavy denier fabrics.
Ideally, you want to choose a lawnmower cover that is made from a high-quality Marine Grade polyester fabric. Preferably in the 300 to 600 Denier range. This will give the lawnmower cover both that’s both waterproof and mildew resistant properties as well as helping to protect it from long-term UV damage or photo-degradation.
However, marine-grade polyester isn’t the only material worth considering. There are some arguably lesser fabrics that have been impregnated with waterproofing agents or made from other materials that are inherently waterproof. So, if you don’t see 600 D polyester in the statistics, don’t immediately look away. Just be sure to comb through the fine print to make sure there is some type of water and mildew protection factored into the product.
Are Lawn Mower Covers One Size Fits All?
The only thing that will cover a lawnmower with a one size fits all ability is a tarp, and tarps are prone to ripping and falling apart. Sometimes in the course of a single season. Especially if your lawn is growing vigorously during the summer and you have to use the lawnmower more than once a week.
Ideally, you want the lawnmower manufacturer to offer some type of lawnmower cover that is specific to your model. Though this isn’t always the case, or the custom lawnmower cover is offered as an accessory purchase at a staggeringly high price tag, compared to a generic competitor.
The top criteria for any size of lawnmower cover are to make sure it’s large enough to properly cover your entire mower deck. It also needs to have some kind of fastening system to help hold it in place in case wind manages to assault your garage or storage shed.
Best Covers For A Zero Turn Riding Mower
Zero Turning radius riding lawnmowers tend to have a slightly different shape and profile than a riding lawnmower or lawn tractor with the same size deck. Since most zero-turn riding lawnmowers are commercial grade, for professional use, they also tend to be an investment that you don’t want to skimp on protecting.
Best Covers For Tractors & Riding Mowers
These days lawn tractors and riding lawnmowers can be geared for commercial or residential use. Regardless of if you are mowing a large suburban lawn or maintaining the landscaping of a large commercial property, a riding lawn mower or lawn tractor tends to have a large price tag. So, you will want to protect your investment.
These lawnmower covers tend to be a little longer to accommodate front-mounted engines and the suspension systems that come with them. If your riding lawnmower has a fixed bagger, you’ll also want to look for a lawnmower cover that accommodates this extra space in the rear, as well as the discharge delivery chute. You can usually find the dimensions for this in your owner’s manual.
Best Covers For A Push Mower
Yes, even the humblest of walk-behind push mowers are still a serious investment. The last thing you want to do is leave it at risk of storm damage. Especially if you will be keeping your lawnmower in an unprotected aluminum shed. Here again, you want to make sure that the lawnmower cover you choose will fully fit the push mowers cutting deck.
Where Should I Store My Mower In The Winter?
Ideally, you want to store your lawnmower in a place that is out of the elements. Especially if you have a high-value lawn tractor or zero turning radius riding lawnmower. If possible, a climate-controlled location that will keep it at or above 32-degrees Fahrenheit is preferable.
Even with proper winterization of the fuel system and removing the lead-acid battery, the rubber of pneumatic tires, and other softer materials on a lawnmower can be damaged by severe temperatures below 0-degrees.
Even if you don’t have room in your heated garage to store your riding lawn mower for the winter, you might be able to find very affordable heated seasonal storage options. This could be handy for also protecting other summer items like a jet ski or other water toys.
You should also take the get the lawnmower up off the ground. Even if it’s just driving it up on a heavy-duty commercial grade pallet. That way if there’s a surprise melting event in late winter or spring, your lawnmowers tires won’t be at risk of being damaged by ice.
