Prepare Your Tools for Winter

After a year of hard work in the garden, it’s time for some basic care procedures. Our tips will keep your petrol-powered and hand tools in good condition through the cold months, and ready for use in spring.

Inspection

It is essential that you take good care of your faithful garden tools if you want them to be usable immediately in spring. Before storing them away in winter, you should carefully inspect your tools for damage or wear-and-tear, and address these issues now. STIHL Shop Geebung’s Service and Repairs Team will be able to inspect, service and sharpen your tools for you.

Cleaning

The months of chopping of wood, trimming hedges and cutting lawns is sure to have left traces of plants, dirt and debris on your tools, so a thorough cleaning is important. Try using a wooden or plastic spatula to remove grass from the blades, housing and exhaust areas of your lawn mower (keep your hands clear!). Then clean the mower with a brush and water. A hose can help with this, but avoid hitting the gaskets and engine parts with powerful jets of water.

Remove the saw chain and guide bar of your chainsaw before cleaning sawdust and wood shavings from the housing.  You should also clean the chain of your chainsaw, the cutting tools of your brushcutter, and the knives your of hedge trimmer.

Finally, don’t forget to clean the cylinder fins and air filter of your petrol-powered tools; you can  buy a special cleanser for the air filter if needed.

Lubricating

After cleaning your garden tools, it’s time to grease them to perfection with a few drops of machine oil. This will keep the springs and joints in prime condition. Use a special lubricant for the gears of your clearing saw, brush cutter and hedge trimmer. You can do this yourself, or request it to be done by the Service and Repairs Team when they inspect your equipment.

Draining

Before putting your petrol-powered machines into storage, you should drain the tanks in a well-ventilated place. The reason for this is because the fuel can evaporate in the tank over winter, causing it to lose its combustibility. As a result, your tools may struggle to start up in spring.

To empty the fuel, pour the contents of the tank into an insulated canister. Then start up the engine and let it idle until it stops of its own accord. This means the tank and suction hoses are completely empty. Check for dirt and allow it to dry completely.

Storing

Be sure to store your tools in a dry place, protected from dust and frost. Store tools in their normal positions (though your brushcutter is best stored hanging up). And of course, keep the equipment away from children, pets and ignition sources.

Note: Remember to read the instruction manual for further specific instructions. You can also head into STIHL Shop Geebung for more information and advice.