Since the winter is officially over, it is time to start freeing up space in your garage and placing your winter equipment into storage. But, before you just toss your snow blower and skis into your storage unit, you need to know that they will be in good condition when you return next year. Below, we will go over some tips to help you properly store your winter equipment.
Clean the Equipment
The first step you need to take to properly store your winter equipment is to clean the equipment. Mud, water, and other debris that is left on your equipment can ruin it, especially while the item is sitting in storage. For example, if there is water left on the chains or any metal pieces of your equipment, it can cause rust to form and this can damage your equipment when you go to use it next.
Look at the User Manual
The next thing you need to do is read the user manual for the piece of equipment that you plan to store. The user manual is going to provide you with a lot of useful information that you can use. Many times, the manual will let you know the steps you need to take to prepare your equipment for storage. In addition, you can use the manual to guide you when it comes to caring for your equipment.
Remove the Fuel and Oil
If you plan to store your winter equipment in a storage unit, you need to make sure that you handle the fuel and oil. You have two options when it comes time to store the equipment. First, you must drain out all of the old fuel and oil. This will ensure that the contaminants in the old fuel and oil do not damage your equipment.
Your first option is to refill the gas and oil tanks. When you refill the gas tank, you want to make sure that you fill it all the way up and add a fuel stabilizer to the mix. This will prevent the fuel from freezing or evaporating too quickly.
Your second option is to leave both the fuel tank and oil tank completely empty. This will prevent any condensation or mold from forming within the tanks.
If you do allow fuel and oil to remain in the tank and water or condensation enters the tank, you can ruin your equipment when you turn it back on. You also run the risk of rust forming in the tank and eating a hole through it.
You also need to make sure the equipment is sitting or standing upright to prevent any leakage of fuel or oil within your storage unit.
If you are getting ready to store your winter equipment, you need to take the proper steps to ensure you preserve your equipment. If you are worried about how to drain the oil or fuel, check out the user manual for more information.
