As the mowing season winds down, now’s the best time to give your mowers the attention they deserve. Proper post-season maintenance reduces winter damage, prevents corrosion, and makes spring start-up fast and trouble-free — for Kawasaki engines and others. Valley View Agri-Systems is a certified Kawasaki Engines dealer and carries a full line of lawn mower parts, so we’re here to help keep your equipment running strong.
Why post-season maintenance matters
Neglect over the off-season leads to stale fuel, gummed-up carburetors, weak batteries, and seized components. For agri mowers and commercial lawn mower fleets, those small issues can quickly become costly downtime in spring. A few focused steps now will extend engine life, protect warranties, and keep performance sharp.
Quick post-season checklist (what to do right after the last mow)
- Run the engine until warm, then stabilize the fuel — add a fuel stabilizer and run for 3–5 minutes so treated fuel circulates through the carburetor.
- Change the oil & oil filter — warm oil drains faster and removes contaminants. Use the oil grade recommended by the engine maker.
- Replace the air filter — dirtier filters restrict airflow and wear engines faster.
- Replace the spark plug or check gap and condition. A fresh plug helps reliable cold starts.
- Drain or treat fuel in the tank if you won’t be running the mower over winter (carburetors are sensitive to varnish).
- Inspect & sharpen blades — balanced, sharp blades reduce load on the engine.
- Check belts and pulleys for wear and tension.
- Clean cooling fins and deck — remove grass, dirt, and debris to prevent overheating and corrosion.
- Remove or maintain the battery — store in a cool, dry place on a float charger if possible.
- Lubricate moving parts per your operator’s manual.
- Store in a dry, sheltered spot and cover to keep pests and moisture out.
Kawasaki-specific maintenance notes 
While Kawasaki small engines are rugged, they benefit from a few manufacturer-focused checks:
- Use the recommended oil type and interval. Kawasaki commonly specifies modern multigrade oils (check your engine plate or manual). Regular oil changes (seasonal or every X hours per your manual) are one of the best ways to protect internal parts.
- Air filter care for Kawasaki overhead-valve (OHV) engines. Kawasaki OHV engines depend on clean intake air — replace paper filters if dirty and foam elements should be washed and oiled per the manual.
- Valve clearance inspection. Some Kawasaki engines require periodic valve clearance checks/adjustments to maintain power and fuel efficiency. This is a precision task — if you’re unsure, let a trained technician handle it.
- Fuel system attention. Kawasaki carburetors can be sensitive to stale fuel. Using fresh gas with stabilizer and replacing inline fuel filters prevents varnish and clogs that cause hard starting.
- Cooling system cleanliness. Kawasaki air-cooled engines dissipate heat via fins and shrouds — keep these areas free of debris to avoid overheating.
- Genuine Kawasaki parts. When replacing wearable items (filters, spark plugs, fuel screens), using genuine or OEM-spec parts helps maintain performance and longevity. As a Kawasaki Engines dealer, Valley View stocks many of these components.
(If you have a specific Kawasaki engine model, refer to its owner’s manual for exact oil grades, service intervals, and torque specs — or bring it by Valley View Agri-Systems and we’ll help.)
Storage & long-term shutdown tips
- Stabilize or drain fuel (stabilize if leaving fuel in tank; drain for long-term storage).
- Fog the engine (manufacturer-approved fogging oil) if storing for many months — this coats internal surfaces to prevent corrosion.
- Protect fuel lines and carburetor by running stabilized fuel through or by emptying the carburetor float bowl.
- Elevate or block tires to avoid flat spots if storing a commercial lawn mower for an extended time.
- Cover, ventilate, and keep dry to avoid condensation and rust.
Basic troubleshooting after storage
- Engine cranks but won’t start → check fuel (old or varnished), spark, and carburetor.
- Rough idle or stalling → dirty air filter, clogged fuel filter, or carburetor issue.
- Overheating → cooling fins/debris or low oil.
- Loss of power under load → dull blades, dirty air filter, or valve issue.
For Kawasaki-specific troubleshooting, Valley View’s technicians can quickly diagnose and repair issues using genuine parts.
Valley View Agri-Systems is proud to be a Kawasaki Engines dealer serving local commercial and agricultural customers. We stock lawn mower parts and replacement components for agri mowers and commercial lawn mower fleets and can source genuine Kawasaki filters, spark plugs, belts, and more. Whether you need a seasonal tune-up, a parts order, or professional service for Kawasaki engines, our trained team is ready to help.