Restoring a Zero-Turn Mower

Restoration is a great way to breathe new life into an old zero-turn mower. There are thousands of aging mowers out there that just need a little elbow grease to bring them back to full functionality. Follow this guide from PrairieLand Partners, and you’ll be well on your way to restoring your zero-turn mower.

1. Gather Your Tools

The first step of your restoration job should be to gather your tools. Generally speaking, you will need a continuity tester, a voltmeter, a welder, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, wire cutters, and sockets. If you want to clean up the mower’s exterior, you will need some primer, paint, brushes, sandpaper, and lubricants. Finally, having some type of jack on hand will make your work much easier. 

2. Analyze the Electrical System

Your zero-turn mower’s engine needs compression, a spark, and fuel in order to run. A fault in any of these systems will result in the mower not working correctly. Start your restoration by checking the electrical system. 

Make sure that your mower’s wires and terminals are not loose or rusted. You may also need to replace the spark plugs or ignition switch. In the latter case, you’ll need to wire it in yourself. If this happens, make sure that you are not bypassing any of the safety switches. 

3. Fix Your Fuel System

Once you have the electrical system all sorted, move on to the fuel system. If you need to remove parts during your repairs, we recommend taking pictures with your phone. This will make it easier to remember where each part should go. Take a picture of each part as you remove it so that you can simply scroll through the images when it comes time to reassemble the mower. 

4. Check the Cutting Deck

Raise up your mower on the jack and remove the cutting deck. Check the drive belt first, as it will usually need to be replaced. Next, remove and sharpen the mowing blade. Finally, check the deck itself to see if it has any tears that will need to be welded together. 

5. Remove Rust & Prepare to Paint

Now that the insides of your zero-turn mower have been dealt with, it is time to move on to the outside. Wire brushes and sandpaper can be used to remove the rust. Though this will take some effort, avoid scrubbing too hard as this can damage the metal underneath. 

Once the rust is gone, apply a rust-resistance primer. We recommend that you use an enamel or other temperature-resistant paint for your primary coat. Allow the paint to fully dry before storing your zero-turn mower. 

For more information or to view our selection of zero-turn mowers, visit PrairieLand Partners at one of our sixteen locations throughout Kansas. We also offer financing, trade-ins, parts ordering, and servicing.