7 Winter Storage Tips for Equipment
Winter is tough on heavy equipment—not to fail to mention the people who operate the machines in extremely cold weather. For the business owners who aren’t operating their equipment for the months when the outside temperature is too chilly to be productive, or those who only do seasonal work and need to put their equipment to bed for the off-season, Equipment Trader put together a list of things you can do to keep your equipment safe. These pointers will help maintain your heavy machinery while it rests, enhance its lifespan, and ensure it operates at its peak capacity when you pull it back out of hibernation.
For best results, consult your machine’s operating guide to see what the manufacturer suggests for each specific piece of equipment you own.
Find new and used Caterpillar equipment for sale online.
1. Cleanliness
Unless you have an indoor facility for cleaning and inspecting your heavy-duty machinery, give it a good wash before it gets too cold and do a thorough inspection to see if any parts are worn or broken, then replace items as needed. Be sure to give the machine ample time to dry before putting it away, and lubricate all moving parts as recommended. Also be sure to coat any spots where paint has chipped or been gouged to protect it from rust.
2. Temperature Control
Even if you’re only storing your equipment overnight, the best place to keep your machinery during the colder months is inside an environmentally controlled building, if possible. This not only prevents the fluids from freezing up—which can create ice crystals or gumming that will block fuel, oil, and hydraulic lines and damage gaskets and other seals—it protects the vehicle from humidity which can cause rust and corrosion over time.
If you do not have an environmentally conditioned facility big enough for your equipment, at the very least, try to find a secure area that’s covered and protected from the elements, especially snow, ice, and freezing rain. These efforts will help extend the lifespan of heavy equipment with proper winter storage and prepare your machine for immediate use when it warms up outside.
3. Fluids
As the temperatures drop, you’ll need to switch to a winter-grade oil, increase the amount of coolant in the antifreeze mix, and replace the hydraulic system fluid with a cold-weather type. Even if you won’t be operating your equipment during the colder months, upgrading the fluids will help protect all of the lines from freezing temperatures, especially if the equipment will be stored outside.
Keeping the fluids topped off to the proper level, especially the gas tank, will also help prevent moisture from getting into the different systems. Additionally, there are additives you can drop into the fuel tank to help prevent moisture from forming in the lines that you should consider with your essential winter fuel and engine maintenance for equipment. There are different additives for gasoline-powered engines and diesel, so be sure to choose the correct type. Just remember that when the warmer temperatures return, you’ll need to switch back to the higher viscosity fluids.
4. Battery Care
To protect your vehicle’s electrical system, remove the battery before putting your equipment away for the winter. To protect the battery after it has been removed, store it in a cool, dry environment where it will not freeze. Be sure the battery is fully charged before removing or put it on a trickle charger to keep the chemicals inside active, which will help extend the life of the battery. Be sure to clean the battery terminals and the connecting wire with a wire brush to prevent corrosion from building up and so you have a good, clean connection when you reconnect the battery.
5. Inflate Tires
Inflate the tires to the pounds per square inch (PSI) recommended by the manufacturer. Monitor the pressure periodically throughout the time the machine is inactive to keep flat spots from forming and add pressure as needed.
6. Ignition
Many manufacturers may also suggest that if your machinery is going to be inactive for a long period of time, it’s a good idea to reconnect the battery and start it up every two weeks or so. Be sure to let it get up to full operating temperature before shutting it back down to allow all of the fluids to fully circulate. This will not only help to keep the engine lubricated, it helps to avoid potential issues with seals and gaskets that can deteriorate over time if not moistened.
7. Filters
If you’re going to run your machinery periodically over the winter, it’s also a good idea to replace the oil, fuel, air, and hydraulic filters when you change the fluids so you’re not circulating clean fluids through potentially dirty filters.
Compare prices online for new and pre-owned Bobcat equipment for sale.
Keep Building
When winterizing your heavy-duty equipment for the off-season, it’s a good time to take inventory of what you have to see if there is something else you may want to add to your fleet. When you’re ready to make a new purchase, Equipment Trader has the largest selection of new and used vehicles for almost every industry. Count on us to help you continue to build and move forward.
Barrett Baker
You might also like
