Proudly serving the industry for which it was named for more than 50 years, Outdoor Power Equipment provides dealers who sell and service outdoor power equipment with valuable information to succeed in a competitive market.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/588375
6 NOVEMBER 2015 OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT www.outdoorpowerequipment.com EPG Media & Specialty Information 10405 6th Ave. N., Suite 210 Plymouth, MN 55441 OPE STAFF Group Publisher David Voll Associate Publisher John Kmitta Editor Steve Noe Art Director Brian Snook Senior Production Manager Karen Kalinyak DIRECT MAIL LIST SALES MeritDirect, Jim Scova, (914) 368-1012; e-mail jscova@MeritDirect.com REPRINT SERVICE Robin Cooper, email rcooper@epgmediallc.com EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Founder and Owner OPE Consulting Services Jeff Sheets Senior Advisor Servantage Dixie Sales (retired) Jim Starmer President Plano Power Equipment Glen Whitt Director of Sales and Marketing Central Power Distributors, Inc. John D. Hedges CIRCULATION For subscription inquiries and customer service questions, please call (845) 856-2229 or fax (847) 763-9569 customerservice@epgmediallc.com business hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST Publisher's Notice: We assume no responsibility for the valid- ity of advertising claims in connection with items appearing in Outdoor Power Equipment. Commercial product names are used for the convenience of the reader. Mention of a commercial product does not imply endorsement by Outdoor Power Equipment or EPG Media & Specialty Information, or preference over similar products not mentioned. EDITORIAL OFFICES EPG Media & Specialty Information 10405 6th Ave. N., Suite 210 Plymouth, MN 55441 ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES: EAST Chris Pelikan Senior Account Manager Phone: (954) 964-8676 cpelikan@epgmediallc.com MIDWEST Peggy Tupper Senior Account Manager Phone: (763) 383-4429 ptupper@epgmediallc.com WEST Leslie Palmer Senior Account Manager Phone: (248) 731-7596 lpalmer@epgmediallc.com When it comes to knowing how to properly store a lawn mower for the winter, your cus- tomers desperately need your help, according to the recently released results of an online survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Briggs & Stratton Corporation. Among the 2,039 U.S. adults who partici- pated in the July 2015 survey and indicated that they lived in a climate that experiences a true winter season, nearly six out of every 10 (58 percent) noted that they simply park their push or ride-on lawn mowers in their garage or shed as-is during the winter. To be perfectly honest with you, I'm surprised that figure wasn't higher. "A few simple steps in fall can help keep your lawn mower in good working condition and make it last longer," said Carissa Gingras, marketing director for consumer engines and service at Briggs & Stratton. "Just like car owners routinely performing oil changes and tune-ups, homeowners need to take care of their outdoor power equipment." Before your customers put their mow - ers into hibernation for the winter, I strongly encourage you to share with them the fol- lowing five steps that Briggs & Stratton recommends they take to help extend the life of their mowers. #1 Run the gas tank empty or add fuel stabilizer There are two ways that mower owners can store their equipment. First, they can get rid of the gas completely by running the mower or draining the fuel. Second, they can add a fuel treatment and stabilizer. Gas begins to degrade and go stale only 30 days after pumping it, and stale gas can cause varnish and gumming that clog the fuel system and carburetor jets. Plus, more than 90 percent of fuel in the United States contains up to 10-percent ethanol, which attracts moisture and can cause corrosion. "We recommend mower owners get in the habit of treating their fuel every time they fill their red fuel can," added Gingras. And according to Briggs & Stratton, it's important to use a fuel treatment and stabilizer that does not contain additional alcohol. #2 Change the mower's oil Either in the fall before storage, or during a spring tune-up, it is important to change the oil to remove any dirt and debris that can prevent the oil from lubricating and cooling the engine. #3 Remove the battery if equipped On riding mowers, removing the battery during the winter season can help prevent potential damage from corrosion of the battery and battery terminals. #4 Clean the undercarriage and remove debris After a full season of cutting, dirt and grass can build up on the blades and get stuck on the mower's undercarriage. Cleaning it now can help ensure a quality cut and keep the mower running smoothly for the next season. #5 Store your lawn mower in a clean, dry place Leaving a mower outside can lead to dam - age caused by moisture. According to Briggs & Stratton's recently released poll, nearly 10 per- cent of homeowners leave their mower outside unprotected from the elements. Storing a lawn mower in a clean, dry place will ensure it is pro- tected from the damaging weather elements. By incorporating these simple steps, accord- ing to Briggs & Stratton, when it's time to take the lawn mower out of storage in the spring, those who said that they prepare their mower for storage may find it easier to start and operate their mower throughout the mowing season. And hopefully, your customers will thank you for providing them with these helpful tips for placing their mowers in hibernation for the winter, and return the favor by rewarding you with their business in the spring. Hibernation help needed UPFRONT Editor Steve Noe | snoe@epgmediallc.com OPE