Off-season storage checklist: protect your equipment until spring

Equipment that sits for months can suffer as much wear as equipment that works, if it is stored carelessly. A few hours of preparation in the fall can prevent rust, seized parts and dead batteries in the spring.

Start by cleaning everything thoroughly. Dirt and crop residue hold moisture against metal and attract rodents. Pressure wash, let machines dry completely and touch up bare metal with paint or a rust inhibitor.

Grease every fitting until fresh grease pushes out the old, and coat exposed cylinder rods to prevent pitting. Add fuel stabilizer and run the engine long enough to circulate it, then top off tanks to limit condensation.

Remove or maintain batteries, relieve hydraulic pressure and store implements off the ground where possible. Covering machines or parking them indoors protects seals and tires from sun and weather.