Winterizing Heavy Equipment
As the weather starts to take a dip and winter fast approaches, you will soon need to put your heavy equipment into storage. But you can't simply park your equipment in your garage or shed and call it a day. Heavy equipment winterization is an important process to ensure your heavy machinery is ready to go come spring. We created the following beginner's guide to help you through the process. If you want more advice or want to explore heavy equipment for sale, head over to FMI Equipment. Our dealership is located in Spokane Valley, Washington. We also proudly serve those in Spokane, Washington, and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
Read the Owner's Manual
The first step to heavy equipment winterization is giving the owner's manual a read. Sure, it's not the most interesting piece of literature in the world. But it will provide you with useful advice on what maintenance tasks you need to, how often you need to do these tasks, and any product recommendations for those tasks.
Engine Maintenance
Start with your engine. Make sure the fuel tank cap and vent are working well. If you see signs of water or sediment in the fuel, these are red flags signaling a problem. If you don't address it, you could face damage to the fuel injection system. Check out the fuel filter and see if it needs to be replaced. You'll also want to use a winter-appropriate fuel, such as #1 diesel or a quality gasoline mix. You may also need to change the engine oil depending on when you last did it.
Replace the Oil and Coolant
Overheating is still an issue for heavy equipment in the winter. You'll want to look over the coolant reservoir and hoses for any signs of leakage. Make sure the coolant is filled to the cap. It helps prevent corrosion, adds lubrication, and inhibits cavitation. It's crucial to replace these fluids according to the schedule found in your owner's manual.
Engine oil is also important in preventing overheating. You'll want to check your heavy equipment oil as you do with your car engine. Make sure the oil still has its viscosity and light color. If it doesn't, you are likely due for an oil and filter change.
Care for the Battery
Start by cleaning away any dirt and debris from around the battery posts. All you need is baking soda and a small brush. This step helps ensure the cables and posts have a clean point of contact.
If you won't be using your heavy equipment and the battery is going to sit for a period of time, you will want to connect the battery to a battery tender or trickle charger. This will help ensure the battery is ready come spring.
Care for the Tires
The cold weather can result in the loss of air pressure on your heavy equipment tires. You will want to measure the air pressure and adjust accordingly. All you need is a tire pressure gauge and to match the measurement against the manufacturer's recommendations. While you are measuring the air pressure, inspect the tires for even wear, look for signs of cracking, and remove any foreign objects stuck in the tread.
We hope you found our heavy equipment winterization guide helpful! If you have any questions or want to check out heavy equipment for sale, visit FMI Equipment. Our expert staff can help you with whatever you need, so stop by and visit us near Coeur d'Alene, ID, and Spokane, WA today!