Protect Your Investment: The Essential Winter Storage Guide for Your Garden and Estate Machinery

The growing season may have officially wound down, but for anyone who relies on professional-grade garden and estate machinery, the work is never truly over. The period between November and February until early spring is often referred to as the "quiet season," but for your valuable equipment, it's a critical time that determines its performance and lifespan in the year ahead.

Improper storage leads to rust, seized components, pest damage, and frustrating, costly downtime when the busy season returns. This guide will ensure your equipment is protected, and ready to go for the first job of spring.

1. The Pre-Storage Mechanical Checklist

Before parking any machine for the winter, you must prepare the internal systems. Neglecting these steps is the single biggest cause of spring-start failure.

Clean it Thoroughly

Remove all traces of grass clippings, mud, dirt, and debris from the machine.

• Deck and Undercarriage: Residual grass clippings hold moisture and acids that rapidly accelerate rust on mower decks and frames. Use a hose with a soft brush to remove unwanted debris.

• Air-Dry: Allow the machinery to completely air-dry before moving it into storage.

Service the Engine

It might seem premature, but winter is the ideal time to perform routine maintenance.

• Change the Oil: Old, used oil contains acidic contaminants that can corrode internal engine components over months of storage. Change the oil now to ensure clean lubricant protects the engine all winter long. You should be cleaning the air filter after every use of your unit.

• Inspect Belts and Hoses: Check for cracks, fraying, or excessive wear. It’s better to replace them now than to suffer a breakdown next season.

Manage the Fuel System

• Fuel is the most common storage culprit. Modern fuel can degrade quickly, leaving gummy deposits that clog carburetors and fuel lines. We recommend draining the fuel tank completely and run the engine until it runs out of fuel. This ensures no stale fuel is left to cause blockages.

2. Optimising the Storage Environment

The location itself plays a key role in protection. A shed or garage is best, but if machinery must be stored outside, special precautions are required.

Protect from Moisture and Humidity

The storage area must be as dry as possible. A temperature-controlled workshop is ideal, but a standard shed works if kept ventilated.

• Avoid Earth/Dirt Floors: Concrete or gravel floors are far better for moisture control.

• Outside Storage: When outdoor storage is unavoidable, ensure you use a high-quality cover featuring integrated ventilation to prevent moisture build-up.

  

Care for Tyres and Hydraulics

• Inflate Tyres: Top up tyres to the recommended pressure. Cold weather can reduce pressure, and low tyres left sitting for months can develop flat spots.

• Lifting: For very heavy machinery (like tractors) being stored for more than six months, consider placing the equipment on blocks to take the weight off the tyres and prevent flat spots, as well as protecting the bearings.

3. Dealing with Hidden Threats: Batteries and Pests

The two silent dangers of winter storage are battery drain and nesting rodents.

Battery Maintenance

Cold weather significantly reduces a battery's power and life.

• Remove: The best practice is to remove the battery entirely. Clean the terminals and store the battery indoors, ideally on a wooden pallet or shelf (never directly on a cold concrete floor).

• Trickle Charge: Connect the battery to a trickle charger. These units maintain a full charge without overcharging, keeping the battery in peak condition all winter.

Pest Control

Mice, rats, and other pests love to find a warm, sheltered spot inside machinery, and your wiring harness is their favourite material for building a nest.

• Block Entry Points: Stuff exhaust pipes and air intake openings with steel wool (which pests can’t chew through) as a temporary measure. Always check under the seats and bonnets for signs of nesting before starting the engine in spring.

• Deterrents: Natural deterrents like peppermint oil will prevent pests from using your unit as a home.

Taking time to do the above, is an essential form of insurance. You will save yourself significant repair costs and eliminate frustrating spring start-up delays.