We all know the frustration of pulling out power equipment in the spring or summer to find that it won't start like it should.
It's so easy to push your wood chipper to the back of the garage when winter gets here and forget about it for a few months, but without properly winterizing it, you may have a bad time in the spring.
If you want to have an easy time starting and operating your chipper next season, here are a few tips on proper winter storage and maintenance that we recommend.
Electric Chippers
Electric chippers are a lot easier to take care of than gas
chippers, because there is no fuel or fluids involved; however, when it comes to
winterizing an electric chipper, there are a few simple things you should do.
- Clean out the unit as well as you can, all the way down to the chipper blades if you are capable, to insure that no leaves, dirt, or sap will sit in your chipper for months without movement. An air compressor can help accomplish this.
- Once you've finished cleaning it and putting it back together, it's a good idea to apply a small amount of grease or lube to all of the moving parts.
- Last, but not least, go and buy yourself an inexpensive universal cover to keep dust and rodents from making your machine their winter home.
Gas Chippers
Gas chippers require a couple of extra steps. The tips for electric chippers still apply, but the gas engine requires a few extra tips that should not be forgotten. The engine is the heart of your gas chipper, and just like you have to care for your own heart, it's important to care for your chipper's as well.
- Follow the same tips noted above for electric chippers. Then continue to follow the tips below.
- Drain all gasoline from your chipper and run the engine dry. If you don't want to waste the fuel or go through the trouble of draining it, you should at least add fuel stabilizer to prevent the fuel from spoiling.
- Change the oil and replace the spark plug. You can do this prior to storage, but I recommend doing it at the start of the next season. Changing your oil and replacing your spark plug at the start of the next season ensures that everything's fresh, and will assist an a much easier start-up.
Well I hope these tips helped, and stay warm this winter my
friends!
