Like most suburban kids, at least when I was growing up, one of my jobs around the house was to mow the lawn. This was back in the day, before organizing your garage was a thing so I just shoved it where ever it would fit and called it a day. Of course back then my parents had VWs so there was tons of space left over. Garages haven’t necessarily gotten bigger but cars have. So let’s talk about all the ways you can store your lawn mower, tractor and/or snow blower.
Store the lawn tractor, lawn mower, or snow blower:
- in a full sized shed
- in a medium sized shed
- in a mini shed
- under a canopy
- in a fabric garage
- under an overhang
- under a tarp or cover
- under shelves
- on a shelf
- from a wall
- from the ceiling (last resort)
- on a lift
- in the attic or basement
If you are making the transition from apartment dwelling to owning your own home, you may be excited about the idea of having more room and maybe a yard for the first time. But remember that with great yard comes great responsibility. Unlike living in an apartment, your neighbors can see your yard. So unless you plan on living behind a wall like a celebrity hacienda you're gonna need to make it presentable. Trust me. You don’t want to be “that neighbor”.
Remember that with great yard comes great responsibility.
Free Up the Garage from Bulky Equipment
When I was a kid I had to mow the lawn. Even though we had plenty of room, it was a weekly struggle to finagle the Craftsman out from the back of the garage and squeeze it out between the cars. Getting it back in was no fun either. Lawn mowers, tractors and snow blowers compete with cars for garage floor space. One solution is to store the machinery somewhere else..
Even if you only have a walk-behind mower, there is a lot of benefit to to freeing up garage space for its intended purpose. But don't leave it outside. The battery might corrode, the fuel might separate, the oil might get gummy. I do know people who leave their lawn tractor outside, but it's not something I would do.
When measuring sheds, us the interior dimensions. This is how much room you actually have to store your equipment. Be sure the outdoor storage area has ventilation. Mold might grow if moisture forms on the storage material. Condensation can rust metal as well.
Before putting away a machine in outdoor storage:
- wait for it to cool off if any fabric will come in contact with it (such as a tarp)
- ensure ventilation keeps condensation from forming
- clean off any snow or grass that will add to the moisture in the storage area
Store Yard Equipment In the Garage
Garage storage is more protected from rain and cold. It's more secure than outdoor storage, so your mower is harder to steal. A garage is meant for cars, but many people store their yard equipment in the garage, and leave their cars on the driveway. It's easier to lock up a car, so this make a bit of sense. But it is funny that the less expensive machine gets the garage, when the more expensive one is exposed to the rain or snow.
#1. Store the Tractor or Blower in a Full-Sized Shed
A shed is a house for your stuff. Storing equipment in a shed is a great idea if you have enough room in your yard. The shed keeps the motors safe from rain, snow, ice, and freezing weather. While you are at it, make sure to store all of your toxic, flammable and corrosive chemicals in there as well. It's good to keep that kind of stuff away form the house.
The shed need to be on a level surface. It helps to put concrete pavers underneath. Although it's the most expensive idea, it gives you significant value in return:
- freedom to walk about your garage without running into things
- the choice to protect your car from the elements
- storage away from the house for fertilizer, gas, and other dangerous items
- a place to put your family's bicycles
- a nice looking building
#2. Store Lawn Tractors, Mowers and Blowers in a Medium Size Shed
A lmedium sized shed can accomodate a lawn tractor, lawn mower, or snow blower, and there should be room to spare. For example, this 1800005 shed is 52 in. wide x 72 in. deep (interior). That's more than enough to store the lawn mower in the previous example. A medium size shed can hold a lawn tractor, a snow blower, with room for gas cans and pesticides. Just keep all items separate, as that combination is dangerous.
#3. Store the Walk Behind Mower in a Mini Shed
Use a mini shed to store a walk behind mower or a small snow blower. Most machines will not fit in a pool shed or deck box. But you might be able to store a folding mower in a very small shed. For example, this Greenworks lawnmower is 27 in. wide by 16.1 in. deep x 18 in. tall when it's ready to work. If you're willing to take the time to fold it for storage, it's much smaller. Measure the machine as you will store it, and leave room in the shed for tires, bags, and other things that stick out.
#4. Store the Lawn Tractor, Mower or Snowblower Under a Canopy
A canopy is a portable, fabric shelter. The fabric protects storage from what's above, but not what's blowing in from the sides. Canopies protect from sun, rain, snow, and ice, so long as they're coming from above. Because a canopy has open sides, the mower or snowblower is still subject to windy rain, snow and sleet. You can use a good canopy in the winter, so long as the snow does not get too heavy. Cheaper canopies should only be used in mild weather. Secure the canopy to the ground, as they like to fly away. Beware that sun exposure can degrade fabric over time. A UV coating prolongs the life of the canopy fabric. Higher end canopies are treated with antimicrobials because condensation can form, allowing mold to grow.
#5. Store the Tractor, Mower or Blower in a Fabric Garage (Shelter Logic)
A fabric garage is a framed outdoor structure. It's not quite a building, but it's more than a tent. It's a fabric garage. Flatten the ground before installing. Shelters come with anchors to prevent them flying away with the wind.
A good shelter has a zipper door, and UV protection on the fabric. The interior ribbing prevents this type of garage from losing shape under snow, but snow should always be cleared off. Owners often line the floor with tarp and concrete blocks to create stability. A fabric garage is prone to condensation buildup, which leads to mold. Spray the interior with a hose-based mold killer if things get rank. Aways clean off the mower or blower before storing it in a fabric structure to avoid more moisture buildup.
#6. Store Yard Equipment Under an Overhang
Some houses have eaves or decks that have enough room to store mowers or blowers. You can add to this protection with an awning that extends the protection a few feet further. The tractor will still be subject to some of the elements, especially from the sides. An overhang does not provide much protection.
#7. Store the Yard Machines Under a Tarp or Cover
A tarp is a tent without the pole. Whatever you store under it comes in contact with the material. Manufacturers often make covers designed specifically for the machines they sell. A good tarp or cover will be waterproof but still be able to breathe so that condensation doe not build up. Condensation can lead to mold. Never put a machine under a cover until the machine has fully cooled down. The engine heat could melt the tarp, and perhaps start a fire. You can make a lean-to out of a tarp, some nails, and the side of your house. It's not going to be that attractive, but it will provide some protection for your machines.
#8. Store the Mower/Blower in a Corner or Under Shelves
You need access to your equipment, so garage storage still needs to leave you some room to maneuver. If you have wall shelves or an unused corner, you might be able to store the equipment there. You might need to pull your car out to get to the machines. I know that hitting my car door on a tractor tends to put me in a bad mood. (See below to see how we store our tractor and snow blower.)
#9. Store the Mower on a a Reinforced Garage Shelf
Some mowers are light enough to lift. You can put a mower like this on a FlexiMounts shelf like the ones I recommend (The Best Garage Fixed Wall Shelves).
It's easier to lift a mower onto a shelf than it is to get it down again. This is why it's better to store heavy objects on low shelves. A collapsible or folding mower is easier to store than a full-length design.
#10. Hang a Vertical Mower From a Garage Wall
If you have a vertical mower, you can hook it to the wall. You'll need straps firmly screwed into the wall studs, and designed to take on the mower's weight Do not store non-vertical mowers in a vertical position. The oil will leak.
#11. Hang Lighter Equipment from the Garage Ceiling
I need to state upfront that this is a solution, but not one I like. I'm not a fan of storing anything heavy on the ceiling. I don't like the odds of surviving the mower falling on my head.
You can place a winch on the ceiling to carry the equipment up after use. I may just be paranoid but I think I’d be laying awake the first few nights listening for the sound of creaking ceiling joists. At the very least I’d be keeping an eye on cracks in the sheetrock.
My favorite winch: The Best Ceiling Hoist Winch (for ladders and bicycles)
#12. Store the Mower on a Lift
There are two kinds of garage lifts. One lifts the machine for maintenance. The other lifts the machine for storage. You want the storage kind.
You park the mower on the platform, then allow the motor to lift the platform into the air. This gives you space underneath and keeps the machinery off the garage floor.
It's difficult to find a mower or snow blower lift on the internet. If you search for “garage storage lift” or “garage storage mower lift,” you will get some devices that I wouldn't use in a million years.
The ones I do not like lift objects with pulleys, not platforms. They have multiple points of potential failure. Very few if any are as safe as I would demand.
Searching for a “garage car storage lift” will get you the right product, though a car lift is bigger than what you might need.
I found several interesting items under “garage motorcycle storage lift.”
This will give you some great choices for a garage lift that handles mowers, blowers, and tractors.
#13. Store Heavy Equipment in the Garage Attic or the Basement
If you have a garage attic, you can store heavy equipment there using an elevator platform called “Versalift.” Versalift is a platform elevator designed for this purpose. In old-fashioned homes this was called a “dumb waiter,” except this waiter lifts hundreds of pounds. You will need talent or a contractor to install a Versalift. It's not a DIY project for a newbie. If you have a walkout basement in your home, you might be able to instal the Versalift from ground level to the basement level. You'll need an entrance that is wide enough for the platform and cargo, or you'll need to make it wider to work.
Where Do I Store My Tractor?
My tractor is in a Shelter Logic shed. My push mower is in between the cars in the garage. My snow blower is under the stairs to the garage attic. In the winter, the lawn mower and snow blower switch places. The snow blower sits between the cars, and the push mower sits under the stairs.
