Want to prolong the life of your outdoor power equipment and set yourself up for success when springtime comes around? Let’s talk winterizing.
What steps do you need to take to winterize your outdoor power equipment? It all depends on the machine. Let’s take a look at what you need to check off your list as you’re finishing up your fall tasks for your 4-stroke, 2-stroke and battery-powered equipment.
4-Stroke Engines
Change Your Oil
For gas-powered lawn mowers, edgers, rototilllers, and other 4-stroke engine machines, it’s imperative to change the oil before letting your equipment sit for the winter.
Start your machine to warm it up, drain the old oil into a pan and dispose of it properly. Then add brand new oil, start the engine, and let it run for a few moments so that everything has a good coat before the machine gets stored away.
Old oil contains gasoline, soot, moisture and particles that can corrode engine components.
For All Gas-Powered Equipment (4-Stroke and 2-Stroke)
Replace Your Fuel
If you’ve watched any of our YouTube videos, you have heard us talk about the issues with ethanol fuel. Ethanol damages and corrodes equipment because when it sits, the ethanol (made with water) separates from the gasoline and begins to break down and evaporate. Water in an idle engine leads to damage and costly repairs.
Take some time to burn through the old fuel in the gas tank and replace it with high octane, ethanol-free gasoline, Stihl MotoMix, or in 4-stroke machines, Aspen Fuel. Don’t have easy access to any of these? Then it is critical to add a fuel stabilizer like Startron to your ethanol blended gasoline.
Ditch the ethanol and opt for an optimally-blended fuel like Stihl MotoMix.
Swap Out Your Spark Plug
A good rule of thumb is to change your spark plug once a year. Winterization is the perfect time to check this off your list. A dirty spark plug hinders engine performance.
Replacing a spark plug only costs a couple of bucks but goes a long way towards protecting your investment.
Check Your Air Filter
Just like your spark plug, Carl’s Mower & Saw recommends cleaning or changing your air filter at least once a year so that the dust and dirt kicked up from yard work doesn’t prevent air from getting to the engine, causing it to overheat. Preventatively cleaning and/or changing the air filter is an inexpensive way to extend the life of your machine and keep your engine running efficiently. This maintenance step can also save you from engine issues down the road.
A dirty air filter can cause your engine to overheat and even be a fire hazard.
Battery-Powered Outdoor Power Equipment
Battery Care
If you own battery-powered outdoor power equipment, you have a low-maintenance piece of machinery on your hands. But the key word there is “low” because battery-powered equipment still needs maintenance before getting stored for the winter.
To preserve your battery, remove it from your equipment and do not leave it engaged in the charger. Doing this could ruin the battery. While you can give the battery a charge prior to hibernation, those with STIHL battery-powered equipment should maintain a charge of 40%-60%.
Once the battery is charged, store it in a cool, dry area that isn’t exposed to any elements or extreme cold temperatures.
Winterizing your battery-powered equipment is quick and easy!
Equipment Maintenance
Before you hang up your equipment for winter – regardless of whether your equipment is gas or battery-powered – make sure it’s clean and free of dust, debris and sap (looking at you chainsaw and hedge trimmer enthusiasts). For chainsaws, hedgers and trimmers, lubricate the chain, blades or gear box and replace the trimmer line.
Professional Outdoor Power Equipment Service
At Carl’s Mower & Saw we specialize in outdoor power equipment service. Our team has over 30 years of experience helping contractors and property owners extend the life of their equipment. If you run your equipment hard all spring and summer, it could need more than basic maintenance to keep it running optimally. Schedule a service appointment and we’ll make sure it’s ready to power you through 2023 come spring.
About
Carl’s Mower & Saw was founded in 1990 by Carl and Beth Levien. Today, Carl’s Mower & Saw continues to be family owned and locally operated. They’re committed to delivering a superior customer experience, serving contractors and homeowners alike. Whether you’re interested in sales or rentals, you’ll find the durable, dependable outdoor power equipment brands you can depend on. Have questions? Call at 360-384-0799, or email info@carlsmower.com
