Bears know what to do when the temperatures drop—they hibernate. So do birds, which fly south. As for homeowners? We usually need a little more guidance.
Take lawn equipment, for example.
You have a few options for the months when they don’t see much activity, from storing them to selling them. Or, it might be a good time for lawn equipment repair or replacement. We’ll discuss all of these scenarios in today’s article.
Long-Term Storage
If your lawn equipment is in good condition and you want to protect it from the elements, long-term storage is likely the best option. But, you can’t just leave it on the lawn or in a pile in the corner of the storage shed. To plan for what to do with lawn equipment in cold weather, it often includes proper storage.
When preparing your lawn equipment for long-term storage, consider the following:
- Thoroughly cleaning all equipment that will be stored
- Changing or topping off fuel and oil levels
- Using fuel additives to protect the quality of your fuel
- Replacing filters, blades or parts as necessary
- Properly covering the equipment
- Avoiding any dangerous storage situations (e.g. storing electrical components near water)
Lawn Equipment Repair and Tune-Ups
Another option for your lawn equipment in cold weather is to give it a tune up or take it in for repairs. (This might be a good idea even if you decide to store or sell it.) A professional will be able to inspect your equipment and give you advice about the next steps, but you likely know which of your tools need some attention and which don’t.
As an example, here are some steps for winterizing your lawn mower:
- Disconnect spark plugs and cords
- Remove, clean and sharpen blades
- Drain oil and/or fuel, if desired
- Cleaning the mower exterior
- Change any air filters or replaceable parts
- Keep any flammables safely contained and stored
Sell and Upgrade Lawn Equipment
Finally, you may want to sell or get rid of your existing lawn equipment for the season of cold weather and start fresh in the spring, which isn’t a bad thing. If you do sell, you may want to give your equipment a cleaning and tune-up first. Also, make sure you’ve done your research and identified a good lawn equipment upgrade or replacement option, as you’ll be missing your equipment once you sell, donate or trash it.
If you’re in need of new lawn equipment or lawn equipment repair, contact Classic Turf Equipment today.
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