End of Gardening Season - Machine Maintenance

Cotta

Hi All,

I posted this within the gardening section, but there is not always a huge response there so I thought I would try here also.

On Saturday I completed the final grass cutting and hedge trimming of the season. The equipment now all needs to be checked and cleaned before being put into storage and I would appreciate some general advice.

1. Hedge Cutter - I have just planned to clean this down with a brush removing all garden greenery and to paint to blade with some engine oil. Is this sufficient and should petrol be left within the machine?

2. Lawnmower - This is the machine I'm not sure what to do with. I've been advised not to put it on its side, however underneath needs to be scraped to remove all grass and I also want to apply some oil to this area, how can this be done? On top of this is there anything else that should be done and again should the mower be left with petrol in it over the winter?

3. Ride-on lawnmower - First year with one and it's been used all season, I would appreciate any advice here.

4. Strimmer - There is not much to do here, the head needs cleaned to remove all the grass, I'm not sure if anything should be done to the engine side and again should fuel be left in it over the winter months?

Any help and advice would be great.

Thanks

stephenni1971

Get a house with a smaller garden for next year?

Cotta

stephenni1971 wrote: »

Get a house with a smaller garden for next year?

I love the garden, besides if I did that I would still need three out of the four items above.

What are you doing for lunch today?

stephenni1971

Cotta wrote: »

I love the garden, besides if I did that I would still need three out of the four items above.

What are you doing for lunch today?

Dont get me started... :-)

I opened the Sandwich thread as a wind up thinking no one in their right minds would contribute to a discussion about how to cut your sandwiches.

120 posts later....

warmhands.coldheart

Cotta wrote: »

Hi All,

I posted this within the gardening section, but there is not always a huge response there so I thought I would try here also.

On Saturday I completed the final grass cutting and hedge trimming of the season. The equipment now all needs to be checked and cleaned before being put into storage and I would appreciate some general advice.

1. Hedge Cutter - I have just planned to clean this down with a brush removing all garden greenery and to paint to blade with some engine oil. Is this sufficient and should petrol be left within the machine?

2. Lawnmower - This is the machine I'm not sure what to do with. I've been advised not to put it on its side, however underneath needs to be scraped to remove all grass and I also want to apply some oil to this area, how can this be done? On top of this is there anything else that should be done and again should the mower be left with petrol in it over the winter?

3. Ride-on lawnmower - First year with one and it's been used all season, I would appreciate any advice here.

4. Strimmer - There is not much to do here, the head needs cleaned to remove all the grass, I'm not sure if anything should be done to the engine side and again should fuel be left in it over the winter months?

Any help and advice would be great.

Thanks

1. On Fuel.... Don't leave petrol in the tanks of any equipment being left for long periods of time which aren't being started regularly, goes the same for Diesel., drain as far as practically possible.. reduces condensation in the tank which can cause damage..

Cotta

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

1. On Fuel.... Don't leave petrol in the tanks of any equipment being left for long periods of time which aren't being started regularly, goes the same for Diesel., drain as far as practically possible.. reduces condensation in the tank which can cause damage..

Thanks, is burning out the fuel via use the only option here?

forgotmyname

The opposite is true to the above comment. The less fuel you have in the tank the more room for moisture/condensation to collect.

Pour the fuel out of the tank or syphon it out. Attempt to start it as normal. It may run briefly or just chug a few times. This will clear the fuel lines.

Fresh fuel at the start of the year is always a good start.

You can get afterrun oil to put into the cylinders to prevent moisture causing an issue.

Cotta

forgotmyname wrote: »

The opposite is true to the above comment. The less fuel you have in the tank the more room for moisture/condensation to collect.

Pour the fuel out of the tank or syphon it out. Attempt to start it as normal. It may run briefly or just chug a few times. This will clear the fuel lines.

Fresh fuel at the start of the year is always a good start.

You can get afterrun oil to put into the cylinders to prevent moisture causing an issue.

You agree that the tanks should be left empty over the winter months?

steveymp

Cotta wrote: »

Thanks, is burning out the fuel via use the only option here?

It is if you don't like your shed :rotfl:

I would advise a trip to your local hardware store and buy a big syringe, handy for removing fuel from mowers etc.... Don't turn your mower on its side, oil and fuel will leak everywhere. I prop mine up on the outside BBQ to scrape clean and oil underneath.

Don't have a clue what to do with the ride on as I don't have that problem lock of WD40 on your trimmers will keep them dandy

BSladen

The less fuel you have , the more moisture and condensation will be there.:j

Cotta

BSladen wrote: »

The less fuel you have , the more moisture and condensation will be there.:j

So leave the fule in? :undecided