There’s no denying it. Winter will be here soon enough. That’s not to say we can’t take time and enjoy the rest of fall. It just means it’s time to think about getting ready to put things away until spring. You may have already gotten your lawn sprinkler system ready for winter. It’s also time to store your power equipment.
So what needs to be done?
- First, determine what power equipment needs to be stored for winter. Your power equipment might include things like a lawn mower, generator, gas lawn trimmer, hedge trimmer, chain saw, leaf blower and power washer.
- Make sure all winter storage work is done in a safe area.
- Check the owner’s manual. It should include instructions on how to properly winterize and store the individual equipment.
- If it’s got fuel, you need to drain that fuel. Equipment that is going to be stored should not have fuel in the tank. If there is any fuel left over in the tank that could not be properly drained, start the engine and let it run until the tank is dry. Also, if the fuel tank happens to have a primer bulb, pump the bulb until dry, then tighten the cap and start the engine. Monitor the equipment while the engine is running. This is not the time to go out and get a bite to eat.
- It’s also a good idea to clean all your power equipment before winter storage. Any air filters can be cleaned with an old toothbrush. On a chain saw, remove the sprocket cover and clean away any wood chips and sawdust. On a hedge trimmer, clean and lubricate the cutting blades. It should go without saying, but make sure all power equipment is turned off before doing any cleaning.
- Check the spark plugs. With any equipment that has a spark plug, it’s usually a good idea to replace that spark plug once a year. This is another area where you want to consult the owner’s manual first.
- If possible, store this stuff in a dry area. A garage or a shed would be ideal.