How to Store Gas-Powered Equipment for the Winter
If you want to get more out of your gas-powered equipment, safely storing it during the fall and winter seasons is an absolute must. Read through advice from the team at Koenig Equipment, and double-check your instruction manual to keep gas-powered tools firing up year after year. You can also contact the service experts at our dealership locations in Indiana and Ohio just in case you need additional support for maintenance and repair services.
What are the steps to storing gas-powered tools?
Before doing any work with or on your gas-powered tools, please be sure to refer to the manual for detailed instructions and safety information. Continue reading for the basic steps in properly preparing your gas-powered tools for storage. If you ever reach the point of a question or uncertainty, don’t hesitate to contact your local experts at Koenig Equipment for professional help.
- Remove gasoline
Start in a well-ventilated area, outside and away from any open flames or sparks—like an empty driveway. Start by cleaning around the fuel to avoid having any dirt fall into the tank when removing the cap. If you are storing a chainsaw, you also want to clean around the bar and chain oil reservoir cap. Then, with a clean funnel, drain the contents from the fuel tank into a gasoline-approved container. Take extra care not to spill any fuel on the ground or yourself.
- Add small amount of fuel mix
If you've been using gasoline from the filling station, after you empty the tank, you'll want to pour a small amount of high-performance fuel mix, like Stihl’s MotoMix, back into the fuel tank. Re-install the fuel cap and wipe away any fuel left behind. After the gasoline has been drained and a small amount of fuel mix has been added, start the engine. As always, be sure not to start your power tool anywhere closer than 10 feet from where you were fueling/un-fueling your power tool. You never want to take the chance of a spark causing fuel or vapors on the ground or in the air to ignite.
- Run until completely out of fuel
Once you have started the power tool, you are going to leave it running at idle until it is completely out of fuel and the engine stops. This is going to burn up any fuel that was left in the tank, the fuel line, and the carburetor. The small amount of fuel mix that you added is going to leave behind a slight coating that is going to help protect the engine’s components while it is being stored.
After going through this process, your gas-powered tool is ready to be stored for the winter.
How can I store a chainsaw?
In the case of storing a chainsaw, fill the bar and chain oil reservoir. We don't want any internal parts of the tank that have been exposed to bar and chain oil to dry out while in storage. After the engine has had enough time to cool down, it is time to finish our storage preparation.
There are specific tasks that need to be done for the different types of power tools. For chain saws, start by removing the chain and guide bar. Next, clean both the chain and guide bar thoroughly, along with the inside bar rail with the groove tool. Then make sure the oil holes are clear. In a well-ventilated area, coat the bar and chain with corrosion inhibiting oil. This is going to reduce the chance that rust will form while these parts are in storage.
A carrying case is not only used for transporting your chainsaw, but also for storing it. In the case, you can store the bar, chain, tools and files along with power head in one place, safe and ready to be used when you need your chainsaw again.
How can I store a hedge trimmer?
With hedge trimmers, you want to start by thoroughly cleaning the blades. Once again, in a well-ventilated area, coat them with a steel resin solvent. Remember, always wear gloves when doing this—these blades are extremely sharp. Next, reinstall the blade scabbard.
For a string trimmer, take off the cutting attachment, clean it thoroughly, and then reinstall it. For all products, clean off the power head. Next clean the air filter. You'll want to check the power tool instruction manual for proper procedures, as not all air filters are cleaned the same way. Clean around the air filter and remove any loose debris before removing it. You don't want any material falling into the throat of the carburetor when taking the filter off. Remove the filter, knock off any remaining debris, and then re-install the filter. Finally, give the unit one more look over. Make sure all fasteners are tight and no parts are missing or broken, and then give it a final wipe it down.
Finally, store it in a dry, high or locked location, out of the reach of children or any unauthorized persons.
Where can I find service for gas-powered equipment?
Do you have gas-powered lawn & garden equipment that didn't want to start after the long winter? Let the team at Koenig Equipment get your leaf blower, lawn mower, or hedge trimmer functioning like it should. Schedule a service appointment down below with our experts and get your equipment running again.
