Winterization is a key approach to save you time, prevent costly repairs, and keep your operators safe in unpredictable winter conditions.

What is Winterization?

Winterization is a process of protecting your equipment from harsh weather conditions that jeopardize its functionality, efficiency, and safety.

Why Winterize?

When you winterize, you invest in your equipment’s longevity and overall performance; helping your equipment run longer, require fewer repairs, and save you time and money.

Effective winterization prevents:

• Part failure
• Costly repairs
• Thickening of fluids, like oil and coolant
• Malfunctioning engines
• Poor battery life

Key Winterizing Points

Make sure you’re focusing on these five key areas when winterizing your equipment this year.

Inspections

Remove any dirt, debris, or harmful substances that may have accumulated over the year. After cleaning, look over your equipment for cracks, leaks, or loose fittings. Pay close attention to your belts, hoses, and seals, as these parts are especially prone to wear and tear.

Also be sure you’re lubricating hinges, chains, and bearings to ensure your equipment operates smoothly. Check your coolant to see if you’re using the recommended anti-freeze/water mixture.

Batteries

Maintain your batteries by removing and cleaning cables, maintaining cable ends, and tightening the terminals. Cold weather causes batteries to drain, making it harder for operators to start the engine. If you’re working in sub-zero temperatures, storing a battery indoors at room temperature when it’s not in use can help with this.

Tires

Before starting work, make sure your tires are filled to the proper pounds per square inch (psi).

Visibility

Everything becomes harder to see in the winter, which can jeopardize your operator’s safety. Make sure you’re keeping your windshield fluid tank full of a winter blend to prevent freezing – also, install winter wiper blades to help keep snow and ice off the windshield.

Safety Equipment

Keeping your equipment protected is just as important as keeping your operators safe. Be sure to keep an emergency survival kit in the truck that includes extra hats, gloves, flashlights, batteries, matches, emergency flares, and other first-aid items.

Winterize with Owen

Interested in learning about more ways you can protect your equipment this winter? Give us a call, and our Winterization experts will gladly answer any questions you may have.