What to do with an Old Lawnmower. Tips from professionals

There is a point when your Lawnmower starts to malfunction and at times completely stops working. You realize that it has been too long using that machine, and it’s time for an upgrade. While considering upgrading, you also ask yourself what to do with your old machine. It would help if you got rid of that to have a space for your new machine. Luckily there are various things you can do with your old Lawnmower. 

What to do with an Old Lawnmower:

• Method 1: Recycling a Lawnmower
• Method 2: Donate it to a charitable organization if it works  
• Method 3: Sell it if it works  
• Method 4: Gift it to someone in need
• Method 5: Get a junk removal service to pick it up   

Various reasons could motivate a person to shift or upgrade to a new lawnmower. One such reason is that the old lawnmower has an antique engine that does not work correctly anymore, even after many repairs. A bad functioning engine can also be harmful to the atmosphere due to certain gases’ production and makes the machine less efficient.   

We will discuss various other reasons and signs that force a person to upgrade the equipment but first, let us discuss methods one can adopt if he decides to dispose of his old Lawnmower. 

Methods what you can do with an old lawnmower.

● Method 1: Recycling a lawnmower

The first step in this regard is to understand whether your Lawnmower is recyclable or not. The reason for putting this question is that all of us are well familiar with the everyday recycling of paper, metals, plastics, and glass. Still, a lawnmower consists of various other parts made up of other materials whose recycling remains a complete mystery. A lawnmower mostly consists of plastic and metal parts, which are considered recyclable materials. Still, recycling is a bit complicated in an old lawnmower than sampling dumping it in a bin. Following are the steps you need to adopt.

– Step 1: Remove all the fluids

Before you recycle your Lawnmower, you need to drain out all the fluids and fuel from your machine at least 24 hours before. The engine oil can be drained by removing the oil drain plug below the engine’s block. Let the oil pour into a container (plastic or metal). After removing the engine oil, you need to remove the gasoline present in the tank. To remove it, use a siphon and store the entire gasoline in a container. 

It would be best if you did not directly dispose of the fluids but must use a container to seal them. Later on, you can either dispose of them or reuse them after adopting the recommended steps and procedures.

– Step 2: Dispose of the fluids

After you have collected the fluids (engine oil and gasoline) in sealed containers, you are ready to dispose of them. For disposing of, contacting a local hazardous waste disposal facility is recommended. You can look up the internet for such facilities and either drop off the containers or ask them to pick up from your house. You can also contact local dumps as they also have such facilities.

On the other hand, the gasoline you drained can also be used in other engines like that of your car’s as Lawnmower use the same fuel. But it is recommended first to stabilize the fuel and then to use it. 

– Step 3: Remove non-metal parts

In this step, we are gonna use our Lawnmower as scrap metal. For that purpose, we need to remove all the non-metallic parts. Start by unscrewing all the rubber and non-metallic parts on the handle. Remove the plastic bins that are meant for grass collection. Strip away the wires from the engine via wire cutters. It is recommended to use a scrap metal recycling facility if you are having trouble performing the above-mentioned steps.

Parts like rubber tires and plastic grass bins are also recyclable. You can recycle them by following the instructions at the relative facility.

– Step 4: Take the Lawnmower to the scrap metal facility

Once you have made the Lawnmower free from any non-metallic parts, the next step is to take your machine to a scrap metal recycling facility for disposing of. After taking the Lawnmower to the facility, could you place it in the scrap metal bin? Make sure that before going to the facility, bring the fee or payment needed for recycling.

– Step 5: Recycle electric mowers:

Recycling of an electric lawnmower is somewhat different from a gasoline-powered mower. The reason is that the electric Lawnmower, like other electrical appliances, is enlisted as electrical waste. To recycle, take the Lawnmower to a respective facility that deals in such pieces of equipment. Always remember that an electrical lawnmower can not be recycled in a scrap metal recycling facility. 

Following reference, a video has been added to understand better the steps necessary for recycling a lawnmower.

● Method 2: Donate your Lawnmower  

Another method to utilize your old Lawnmower is to look for a credible charitable organization and then donate it to them if it is still working. You need to check online or call various charities and thrift shops located close to you. After getting in touch with them, please drop off your Lawnmower at any place that is willing to accept it.

Sometimes charities avoid taking Lawnmower because of the harm they do to the atmosphere, but organizations like Salvation Army offer to pick up services to such equipment pieces. Other than that, thrift shops are more than welcome to pick up such equipment as they can sell them for lower prices, ultimately making a reasonable profit.    

● Method 3: Sell it if it works  

If your old Lawnmower is in working condition, then you might have an opportunity to monetize. You can sell the old one and make some cash to assist you in purchasing an upgraded version. To sell a lawnmower, posting ads on various classified sites is one of the most reasonable ways. You can get an idea of the price by viewing similar adds like that of yours. Every country has there on sites for running such ads. Facebook Marketplace, eBay, OLX, and Craigslist are a few well-known sites for posting ads. 

Moreover, a yard sale is a yet another method to get rid of your old Lawnmower. To get the best rates for your machine, it is suggested to set it up for sale in summers and spring when people are more likely to buy them out of necessity.  

● Method 4: Gift your Lawnmower

If your Lawnmower is in good condition and is working, another method to get rid of it is to gift it to a neighbor, friend, or someone in need. Helping someone out is a good gesture, and you can post a status on your social media handles affirming a free give away of your old equipment.

You can always leave it outside your house with a free sign on it if you don’t get to find any relatives interested. This method will help you get rid of a lawnmower and be extremely helpful for someone in dire need of such equipment. 

● Method 5: Junk removal service

If your Lawnmower is not in working condition, contacting a local junk removal service to come and pick it up is yet another method to get rid of that garbage. You can look up the internet for junk removal service providers and then schedule a time for them to pick it up.

Make sure that you ask for any charges beforehand.

When to upgrade your Lawnmower:

Suppose your lawn is not getting the proper trimming because of a faulty lawnmower; it’s time for an upgrade. A lawnmower’s lifespan can range up to 10 years, but it’s more dependent upon the climate one lives in and the average usage of the Lawnmower. Following are a few signs which are when visible in your machine, you need to upgrade it. 

• Transmission issues: If your old Lawnmower has transmission issues, it’s better to buy a new one as changing transmission is costly.
• Engine problems: If your Lawnmower shows engine problems, it’s better to upgrade as it’s expensive to replace the motor, but this affects the machine’s efficiency. 
• Out of warranty: When your Lawnmower goes out of warranty,it’s better to upgrade as repairing expenses are enormous.
• Damaged crankshaft: If the crankshaftgets damaged, the machine stops, and thus upgrading is better than a costly repair.
• Environmental issues: If your Lawnmower is old and a hazard to the environment, it’s better to buy a new environment-friendly version.  

Final Remarks:

Getting rid of an old lawnmower can be done via various methods. While doing so, keep in mind that your acts help your environment achieve sustainability and help others who can be helped by a simple giveaway. Moreover, via scraping and selling, you can also make some money out of your machine.