Total Landscape Care Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/96863
equipment matters equipment matters Get it clean Start the winterizing process with a thorough cleaning. You can simply blow off the unit with compressed air. Then wash the unit, but avoid pressure washing since this can force water into areas where it shouldn't go. Be thorough. Remove guards and clean under them. Get into the nooks and crannies – the battery box, under the seat, the corners of the mower deck, the cooling fins on engines and transmissions. Next, do the usual preventive maintenance tasks for the engine. Replace air, oil and fuel filters. Change the oil. Replace the spark plugs. On water-cooled engines, replace the coolant every year and the thermostat every two years. Check the condition of the hoses, clamps and radiator. Make sure engine controls, such as throttle and choke mechanisms, are working properly. Managing fuel www.kawpower.com Every Kawasaki handheld has the highest commercial-grade Emission Durability Period (EDP) rating possible: 300 hours, minimum. That's six times the durability of lesser engines. You Most experts suggest gasoline should be treated before storage. If you store equipment for more than 60 days it may be best to use a fuel stabilizer to prevent gumming and residue. Mix the stabilizer well with the fuel and run the machine long enough to ensure the mixture runs through the carburetor. Stabilizers are recommended for storage of up to six months. For longer storage, the fuel system should be drained. Other experts argue fuel should be removed from stored equipment because of ethanol, which is alcohol that attracts moisture from the air. During storage, phase separation occurs when this alcohol and water mixture settle to the bottom of the fuel tank. When you fire up your engine it can cause damage. Large, 4-stroke engines in ride-on mowers are more accepting of crummy fuel than small, 2-stroke engines. Still, draining fuel may be a good idea. If you choose to do so, be sure to pump the purge bulb, if there is one, and run the engine until the system is dry. Diesel fuel is less volatile than gasoline and can be stored for longer periods without treatment. Inspect the fuel occasionally for algae; if the fuel is contaminated, it will look and smell bad. Drain the water separator and replace or clean the diesel fuel filter. Inspect the entire system closely. Look for cracked lines, loose clamps, brittle O-rings and other problems. Remember to check the tank vent. can't own a tougher tool. And Beyond the engine you don't want a weaker one. Inspect tires for cuts, ply separation and other damage. Repair or replace wheels if they have suffered heavy impact damage or are heavily rusted. On mechanical transmissions, check the linkages for wear or damage. On hydrostatic drives, check the pumps, wheel motors and hydraulic lines for leaks. Change the fluid and filter as 40 TOTAL LANDSCAPE CARE / December 2012