The winds of winter have begun to blow. And unless you offer snowplowing as part of your landscaping services, your business has paused. However, this doesn’t mean you simply put your landscaping machinery in the garage and forget about it. Now is the time to do those small and large maintenance tasks so you are ready when the season transitions and spring arrives.

While you use various lawncare equipment to maintain your clients’ yards, you use one item more than the others. If you immediately thought of your lawnmower, you would be correct. So, as one of your most vital pieces of machinery, it is necessary to use the winter season to be sure your mower is ready.

Off-Season Lawncare Equipment Maintenance

Mower Maintenance

• Empty out the gas. Today’s fuel contains additives, which can wreak havoc on small engines. To clean your engine, contact a local AMSOIL dealer, Buy Great Oil, and purchase the gasoline stabilizer. Then, run your mower(s) for a few minutes until you have emptied them of fuel. Doing this will keep the carburetor from gumming up during the cold months.
• Clean it up. Spend a few minutes cleaning the blades, removing any debris buildup. Be sure to clean the mower deck. You may need a putty knife to scrape the back of the mower deck to get it thoroughly cleaned.
• Change the air filter and spark plugs. Install new spark plugs to ensure your mower is ready to go next season. And getting a new air filter will help it run more smoothly.
• Drain the oil. Should you have a 4-stroke engine, take a few minutes to drain out any remaining oil so it doesn’t break down during the off-season. Just don’t forget to add new oil next season! Make it easy to remember by ordering a supply from AMSOIL.
• Take off the blade. You must wear heavy gloves and use the correct tools, making sharpening easier.

Hedge Trimmer Maintenance

• Add stabilizer – Like the mower, the hedge trimmer should have a fuel stabilizer added. Then, allow it to run through the fuel lines and carburetor.
• Thorough cleaning – Remove the spark plugs should be removed and clean all surfaces. Don’t forget to wipe down all intake and exhaust vents, then spray a coating of machine oil or solvent on the blades.
• Hang it up in a clean, dry area.

Tiller Maintenance

• If you have a gas model, disconnect the spark plugs.
• Clean the outside surfaces. Don‘t forget the tires!
• Add fuel stabilizer to the fuel, and let it distribute through the machinery.
• Store according to manufacturer’s instructions.

These are just a few of the tools that require maintenance during the winter. Do the task now so you are ready to work when the first days of springtime weather begin. Be sure to contact Buy Great Oil for the maintenance items you need. Then, start planning for a successful season ahead.