Although it may not be true for some areas, the cold of winter has begun wreaking havoc on the frostier areas of the country, like the Northeast and upper Midwest, where a few storms have already dropped up to a few feet of snow. Some homeowners are currently dealing with the effects of ice and snow on their respective areas and what this type of weather will do to their homes and yards. During this season, many have a tough time finding places to cover up certain items, namely cars and trucks. However, there is certainly other smaller equipment that should not be outside.
If you haven’t yet found a place to store your small engine equipment (snow blowers, lawnmowers, etc.), here are some tips to do so safely and correctly:
Drain the Fuel – Due to the negative effects that stagnant fuel can have on your small engines, make sure you drain all of it from your lawnmower or other small engine equipment. You can do so following the instructions that came with your equipment. This will be important to the next step.
Add a Stabilizer – Once draining has completed, add a small amount of high octane fuel with a fuel stabilizer into your engine. There should only be enough added to run the engine for a few minutes. Run the engine until the gas is gone and the engine stops. Pulling the fuel cord a few times with help remove any remnants from the tank, helping your seals and lines to stay clean and unharmed during the off-season.
Finally, place your small engine equipment in a safe place, like a fully-covered economy shed, which can resist the effects of sleet, snow and other bad weather. Properly anchor your canopy or shelter and your equipment should stay safe all winter long.
Note: As with any procedures for dealing with your equipment, check your owner’s manual to ensure that the steps you take follow along with the appropriate suggestions from the manufacturer. The above steps may not be accurate for every engine.