How to Strip a Riding Mower

A riding mower is a complex machine made of many parts.

A riding mower is a collection of mechanical and electrical parts. Some of those parts hold hazardous materials. Some of them have sharp or pointed edges. All of the parts that make up a riding mower must be removed with extreme care. This must be remembered when disposing of a riding mower. Stripping a mower means removing each one of those parts, cleaning it thoroughly, and disposing of it in a legal and environmentally friendly manner.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench set
• Socket set
• Screwdrivers
• Plastic containers with lids
• 5 gallon bucket of kerosene
• Small wire brush
• Plastic tarp
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses

Instructions

1. Remove the steering wheel, seat, pedals and other control mechanisms from your riding mower. Remove each piece with the appropriate socket, wrench or screwdriver.

2. Inspect the outer body of the mower. Locate the retaining screws or bolts holding the outer shell to the frame of the mower. Remove each of these fasteners. Lift off each piece of the shell as soon as it is disconnected.

3. Remove each of the engine parts. Start at the top of the engine and work your way down to the bottom. Remove the pieces one at a time. Dump any oil, fuel or other contaminant into a plastic container.

4. Place each engine part into a bucket of kerosene. Scrub each engine part with a small wire brush. Place each piece on a plastic tarp to dry before disposal.

5. Remove each of the wheels and suspension parts from your mower. Dispose of any grease or other contaminants from the suspension parts into a plastic container.

6. Disassemble the frame of the mower. Haul the load to the local recycling center for immediate disposal once all of the parts are dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Work gloves and safety glasses are required when using hand tools.

• Engines and suspension parts contain fuel, oil and other contaminants that may cause damage to the environment. Carefully remove these chemicals from the mower and store them immediately in a plastic container with a tight- fitting lid. Dispose of these chemicals in a legal and environmentally friendly manner as soon as your project is complete.

• Use extreme caution when working with kerosene. This is a flammable liquid. Never smoke or allow an open flame near the area when working with this chemical.

References

• WeedEater One: Operator's Manual, 26" Riding Mower