How to Get Rid of a Lawn Mower or Tractor

When your push mower coughs out a cloud of blue smoke, or your lawn tractor has more rust than paint, it might be time to finally make that decision you’ve been putting off for years. Is it time to finally get rid of ol’ reliable and get a new mower that starts easily without having to jiggle the key, pump the throttle, and whisper encouragement while you “try it one more time.” If you’ve decided to move forward with getting something new, you may be wondering how to dispose of your old lawn mower or tractor.

Whether you have a push mower, a zero-turn, or a lawn tractor that’s the size of a small car, here’s what our junk removal experts think you should know about each method, from the most recommended to the least. (Spoiler: The easiest method involves us doing the heavy lifting for you. Book now if you’d rather just skip to the end.)

Lawn Mower Removal Services for Working or Broken Mowers

If your first question is, “Who can I get to haul this thing away?” and your second question is, “How soon can they get here?” then start here. The Junkluggers’ local teams offer lawn mower removal and removal of similar equipment in any condition – including things you haven’t been able to start since 2019. Lawn tractors, zero-turns, larger tractors, and push mowers, basically anything that’s cluttering up your yard is fair game. You’ll need to drain the fluids out of it, but that’s all. You don’t have to take it apart, air up the tires, or drag it to the curb. We’ll lug it from the garage, the shed, or the back corner of the property where it’s been slowly rotting away, and we’ll find the most eco-friendly place for it to go next.

While our tractor disposal and lawn mower disposal service isn’t free of charge, it is free of complication. We include a free estimate up front, so you can approve the cost before you opt-in. Lawn mower disposal can cost as little as $99 (depending on location, plus the space it takes up in our truck), and it’s an even better deal when you bundle it with a garage cleanout, a shed/barn cleanout, or hauling some miscellaneous junk. If the mower still works, we’ll donate it if possible and send you a donation receipt; otherwise, we’ll recycle everything we can. Either way, you never have to worry about it again. Book online or call (313) 547-4798 to schedule your free, no obligation estimate with a locally operated The Junkluggers.

Lawn Mower Recycling for Broken or Old Mowers

Can you recycle lawn mowers? Absolutely! Recycling is the best answer for what to do with old lawn mowers that no longer run. A mower is mostly steel and aluminum, which metal recyclers are happy to take. The catch is that you can’t just throw it in neutral and push it out to the curb. It’s going to take prep work to get it ready to recycle.

Here’s how to recycle old lawn mower equipment the right way:

Prep the mower: Nearly every recycler and scrap yard requires a drained mower. The simplest way to empty the gas tank is to run the engine outdoors until it runs out of gas. Otherwise, you’ll need to safely siphon the fuel into an approved gas can and drain the oil into a pan. Take both to a household hazardous waste drop-off. Next, disconnect the spark plug wire and remove the spark plug. Then remove the battery from electric or riding models.

Find a recycler: Not sure where to dispose of lawn mower equipment? Start with your city or county waste management website, which often lists metal recycling drop-offs, transfer stations, and bulk-item pickup days. Local scrap metal yards often accept drained mowers too. If nothing turns up, a junk removal company like The Junkluggers will handle recycling lawn mower parts for you. Once you’ve found a provider, confirm that they accept your mower type.

Match your method to the type of mower: Different mowers require different types of handling. Use the guidance below to choose the best, and safest, route for your situation.

• Gas push mowers: Once the fuel and oil are drained, most metal recyclers and scrap yards will accept a gas mower as-is. Some may ask you to remove plastic parts first.
• Electric and battery-powered mowers: These contain motors, circuit boards, and lithium-ion batteries, so they’re better suited for an e-waste recycling program than a typical scrap yard. Wondering “How do I dispose of lawn mower batteries?” You can take them to an e-waste recycler or a retailer battery drop-off bin. Never put a lithium battery in the trash or recycling bin, as it’s a potentially dangerous fire risk.
• Riding lawn mowers and lawn tractors: If you’re researching how to get rid of a riding lawn mower or larger tractor, the rules are basically the same as a push mower, with one big difference: weight. Riding lawn mower disposal almost always means a pickup, because a riding mower or lawn tractor can weigh 400 to 600 pounds or more. Unless you have access to a trailer with a ramp, the most realistic way to recycle a riding lawn mower is with a pickup service.

If you decide to take the DIY approach, make sure that you load and transport your old lawn mower safely. Wear gloves, since old mower decks have sharp edges and rusty hardware. Ask a friend to help you lift, keep the mower upright so any leftover fluids don’t leak, and strap it down in the trailer.

If the mower is too heavy, too rusty, or just too inconvenient to transport yourself, that’s exactly what lawn mower recycle pickup from The Junkluggers is for. We handle the heavy lifting and the recycling, offering the safest option for anyone who’d rather not wrestle 400 pounds of steel onto a trailer. Find the nearest location to get started.

Donating or Selling a Working Lawn Mower

If the mower still runs, donating or selling it keeps a perfectly good machine out of the recycling stream. The challenge is finding a taker. Non-profit resale shops, community gardens, schools with grounds crews, and organizations that support veterans or seniors are good places to start, but many donation centers won’t accept anything with a gas engine, so call ahead. If you would like to sell it, online marketplaces and neighborhood apps are the fastest route; even a mower that doesn’t run may still interest a small engine repair shop or hobbyist who may want it for parts, though don’t expect more than a few dollars (if anything).

Before you hand it off, make sure that it starts, all components are intact, and the safety features still work. Clean off the caked-on grass, empty the bag (if applicable), and include any manuals or attachments that you still have. If you discover that it’s in worse shape than you thought, recycle it instead.

Skip the phone calls to find a donation spot: If you choose a professional junk hauling service like The Junkluggers, all these donation logistics will be handled for you, and you’ll receive a donation receipt for your records. Skip the hassle by booking today.

Scrapping a Lawn Mower

Can you scrap a lawn mower? Absolutely. Metal recyclers typically pay by the pound. A push mower yields a few dollars at most, and a riding mower yields a bit more, so think of it as a free drop-off rather than a windfall.

Before you scrap lawn mowers or lawn mower equipment, the yard will require that you drain all gas and oil. Some also ask that you remove the tires, battery, and any plastic pieces or housings. Call ahead to confirm requirements and hours, and note that a scrap yard is not the same as a junkyard that sells used parts. If that sounds like more work than a few dollars are worth, we totally get it; The Junkluggers will recycle the metal for you as part of our standard mower disposal.

Throwing Away a Lawn Mower

If you are considering the “trash it” approach to old lawn mower disposal, please reconsider. The best case scenario is a fine, and it can definitely get worse than that.

Let The Junkluggers Handle Your Old Lawn Mower Disposal

Learning how to get rid of tractors is way more complicated than mowing the lawn. If you’re still asking, “How do I get rid of this old lawn mower without the headache?” the answer is as simple as a phone call or online form. The Junkluggers near you will lug away push mowers, riding mowers, and lawn tractors from wherever they’re sitting. No effort required. If it works, we’ll even find a good home to donate it too and send you a donation receipt from one of our trusted charity partners. If it doesn’t run, we’ll recycle it properly so that you can feel good about minimizing your environmental impact.

Our Green Guarantees ensure your satisfaction with our exceptional customer service, free estimate, and hassle-free approach. Ready to reclaim the garage? Book online or call (313) 547-4798 today, and we’ll take it from here.