Preparing power tools for a long winter storage
Temperatures are lower, trees are changing color and the first snows are expected soon. This means fall is in the air, and it’s time to prepare our power tools for winter storage.
Lawn mowers, string trimmers, hedge trimmers and all outdoor equipment need to be cleaned of dirt and debris prior to winter storage. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute offers the following tips to help home and business owners prepare.
“Drain and change engine oil and dispose of old/used oil safely. Service the air filter and perform other maintenance activities directed by the service manual. Check and do the same with all winter equipment too. Recharge the battery. If any equipment has a battery, remove and fully charge it before storing.” Make sure batteries are charged and ready for any unexpected weather event. Keep charged batteries off of concrete floors where the battery’s charge can be drained. Do not leave a battery charger turned “on” and unattended for long periods of time.
Handle fuel properly. When filling gas containers, always place the container on the concrete pad at the service station, where any stray static electrical charge will be contained by the ground contact. Remember that gasoline left in tanks or gas cans can go stale over the winter, which can then damage equipment. Add a fuel stabilizer such as Sta-Bil to gas storage containers. Also add Sta-Bil to the gas tanks and then run the equipment to distribute the stabilizer through the fuel systems. Turn the engine off and allow it to cool, then run the engine again until the gas tank is empty. For gasoline-powered equipment, be sure to use the appropriate fuel. Note: Today’s homeowners are turning more and more to battery-powered equipment that requires less maintenance and are easy to store. I have tried both Black+Decker and Worx 20-volt string trimmers and blowers that retail for less than $100. For less than $180, Black+Decker and Worx both sell a 40-volt string trimmer for larger projects. The 20-volt and 40-volt equipment comes with a charger and a single lithium-ion battery. Batterypowered equipment is easy to maintain and will always be ready for use summer, spring and fall. C. Dwight Barnett is a certified master inspector with the American Society of Home Inspectors. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency