12 Things To Remember When Winterizing your Equipment

Winter is coming, and that means winterizing your equipment so they're ready to go next season. Follow these steps, and you'll thank yourself when it comes time to pull the equipment out again.

Check Hoses

The off season is a good time to check all hoses on machine. Check hydraulic lines for wear and cracks. Check fitting that they are tight and not leaking. Check fuel lines that they are not cracked or weathered, check clamps as needed. Replace any lines that may be subject to beginning to leak.

Check Bearings

This could be wheel bearings, reel bearings, or roller bearings, ensure that the seals for the bearings are not damaged and no water intrusion has taken place and damaging the bearing. Make sure bearings spin free without any drag. Replace any bearing that does not pass these inspections.

Replace Parts

Service out machine, change all oils and filters, so units are ready to go in the spring.

Check Bushings

Check all bushings machines may have, make sure there is not too much wear or slope in the bushings. Replace any that do not pass inspection.

Clean Debris

Clean machines up as good as possible, this is a good time to pull the machine apart some and get all grass and stick build up blown and washed out of machine. This will help ensure the machine does not have areas that build up with corrosion from grass sitting in areas under the body panels. Also pull dash panels apart and clean these areas up. These areas are prone for mice and rodents to hide away and build nest in the winter time.

Check Electrical Connections

Check all electrical connections, making sure there is no corrosion. Clean up connections as needed and use dielectric grease to prevent moisture from causing any further corrosion. It is also a good idea to pull coils off of hyd valves and clean them well. Use some dielectric grease around the spool shaft to limit moisture from getting in these areas. This will also help in the event of a failed coil. It will keep it from becoming rusted to the spool.

Check Tires

Check all tires for weather cracks and holes. Repair or replace tires that could cause issues down the road.

Check Reel Components

On reel mowers go through the reels and make sure all bearings are in good shape, your cut is dependent on the quality of the reel bearings and the rollers. Check rollers for any movement or run out on them this can affect the quality of cut. Replace worn parts as needed.

Sharpen Blades

On rotary mowers sharpen blades and balance as needed, replace any blades that have more than half of the blade area ground away. These blades are unsafe and should not be used.

Check Fuel Tanks

Check fuel tanks for contamination that may have gotten into the system during the course of the year. We run into a lot of clogged fuel systems at the tank.

Check Fuel Storage Barrels

Have on sight fuel storage barrels checked for moisture and contamination, including algae in the diesel fuel barrels.

Use Proper Filters

Use correct and quality filters, just because the filter spins on does not mean that it is the correct micron rating for the system. Wrong filters can cause issues that are not needed in season.