Storing tools for winter Just as we’ve cleaned up our lawns and got rid of debris and dead shrubs, roots and flowers, it’s time to start cleaning up our outdoor tools and equipment and preparing them for storage. I wrote about it last year at this time, but there is always new ground to cover. And no matter how thorough I try to be, I always wind up forgetting something important. Last season it was forgetting to empty the gas from one of my chainsaws. It turned out to be a big mistake when I tried to start it in the spring. The chainsaw didn’t start. Possibly, gum deposits formed in the fuel system. Some chainsaw manufacturers recommend not keeping gas in a machine longer than 30 days. I disagree. A couple of months are another issue. As a general rule, it’s best to drain the gas from all outdoor power tools before storing them. This is not a big job I’m guessing, but the average suburban homeowner has a mower, usually self-propelled, and possibly a weed whacker. You can either drain the fuel system or use a fuel stabilizer. Stabilizers keep gas fresh. Rather than turning mowers over and emptying gas, I let them run until they’re out of gas. The average mower doesn’t hold that much gas. Rider mowers are another story. By mid-fall start partially filling the tank every time it’s used so you’re using just enough gas to get the job done. By the end of fall, I use my rider to crunch remaining leaves and by the time I’m ready to store it for the winter, the tank is practically empty. I’ll pour a little stabilizer in the tank to keep the remaining gas fresh. I pretty much use the same strategy with all my power equipment, which includes chainsaws, a weed whacker, push mower and blower, which I use until first frost to clear my culverts so they’re free of leaves and twigs. Clean your mower and frame so it’s free of grass clippings and dirt. I usually clean my mower outside on the grass. First I hose it down thoroughly, flipping it over on its side and back so I can remove the accumulated dirt. A metal scraper or small compound knife can be used to scrape off hard-to-remove grime and dirt embedded in the mower’s underside. Also, remove and clean the spark plugs. I often forget, but it’s also re good idea to change the oil as well. Lastly, check the blades to see if they need sharpening. They ought to be wiped clean and then sharpened with a heavy file, which will remove dull edges. It doesn’t take long and it’s worth the effort because the mower will cut so much better when you use it again the spring. It doesn’t hurt to clean up all your tools — axes, knives and shovels. I wrote about axes, specifically the chopping mall in my column about splitting wood. Only a small percentage of North Americans split wood either for wood stoves or fireplaces. But axes are used for other purposes other than splitting wood. Axes, like knives and shovels, ought to kept clean and sharp. The sharpening implements are different, but whether it’s sharpening steel, whetstone or file, keep your tools clean and sharp. Make sure they’re stored separately and safely. I built a special rack to hold my axes, and sturdy hooks and clamps for propping shovels and utility knives so they can’t accidentally slip loose and they’re out of reach of children. This period is also a good time to rearrange your storage area so tools are easy to get and space is used creatively so there is little space to spare and also a place to work. Each year I discover new ways to store tools and materials so that I know where everything is and I don’t have to waste time searching for something. It’s important to have a designated storage area that has plenty of room to store your equipment. It could be an outdoor shed, basement or garage. It doesn’t matter where you store your equipment, as long as it’s dry and you have enough room to effortlessly find and retrieve whatever you’re looking for.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 13:35:31 +0000
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