Old lawncare equipment can be a lucrative source for recyclable scrap metal, but dismantling old lawnmowers, edgers, and other outdoor tools can be a real chore. However, with the right tools and know-how, the whole process gets a lot easier, and can even be a lot of fun.

Even if you aren’t a regular scrapper yet, getting rid of old lawncare and landscaping equipment can be tough, and the money earned from selling your old lawnmowers, weedeaters, and even tractors to a Dallas scrap metal recycler can help offset the costs of an expensive upgrade or replacement.

However, you will earn far more money for your equipment if you can dismantle it yourself. This holds true for virtually all other kinds of scrap as well. Because dismantling machinery allows for more precise weighing of recyclable materials and saves the recycling facility money, you can be paid more.

Safety is Our Number One Concern

Before you scrap your old piece of landscaping equipment, there are a few things you need to keep in mind with regard to safety. This advice also applies if you plan to sell parts of your lawnmower or other equipment individually, or if you want to fix it up and donate it to charity.

  • ALWAYS drain the gasoline from your small engines. Gasoline is highly flammable, making it dangerous to scrappers.
  • Wear safety glasses and work gloves when working with machinery, as most lawncare equipment features sharp blades.

Staying safe while scrapping is important, and it’s easy to do if you take your time and follow the rules. This helps keep you, our employees, and our community safer.

Getting the Most for Your Old Lawncare Equipment

Here are a few simple tips for getting the most out of your lawncare equipment:

  • Dismantle your equipment as completely as possible before bringing it in for scrapping
  • Be sure to clean all components as well as you can before bringing them in.
  • If your lawnmower has a running engine, consider selling the engine separately to a mechanic or do-it-yourself enthusiast. Because engines are highly contaminated, they often don’t fetch as much from the scrap yard as other parts like blades and decks.
  • Magnet-test your metal. If a magnet sticks to a part, it’s ferrous (meaning it contains iron). If the magnet doesn’t stick, the part is non-ferrous. Separating ferrous from non-ferrous metals will save you time and net you more cash at the scrap yard.

When dismantling lawncare equipment, look for easily removable parts. Most decks and blades are simply bolted on and can be removed with a wrench or impact driver. The handles for push mowers can even be removed by hand in most cases.

Removing plastic parts can also boost your final pay, as plastic parts cannot be recycled for profit. These parts can sometimes be recycled at any neighborhood recycling center for free, or even resold to small engine mechanics in some cases.

Always stay safe and have fun when dismantling old lawncare equipment!