The upcoming winter is the perfect time to carry out a periodic service of garden equipment. It is an extremely important element of the use of mechanical devices, as preventive checking activities ensure safety for the user. In addition, propermaintenance of the mower and other garden toolsguarantees their efficiency and proper operation.
Mower maintenance before winter
The question of how to properly prepare gardening equipment for winter is answered by Ryszard Wójtowicz, Service Manager at Husqvarna:
- A common feature of most machines and tools for the care of green areas is the seasonality of their use. Most often it is a short, intensive operation followed by a downtime period of up to several months. Taking this fact into account - the technical condition of machines, apart from the quality of their workmanship and correctness of construction, is the basic factor determining their proper operation. That is why it is so importantpost-season maintenanceMany preventive and repair activities can be carried out by the users themselves.
Husqvarna machine designers have prepared them so that an unprofessional user can easily get to selected mechanisms of the device. However, some parts are inaccessible to amateurs due to their particular importance for operational safety. In such cases, we recommendconsultation with an authorized serviceExperienced mechanics will help you and perform a professional inspection and maintenance of the equipment.The winter season is ideal for this, as the websites do not accumulate orders, as is the case in the pre-season.
Doing yourselfservice and maintenance , we suggest that you carry out these works in a safe manner, remembering to use protective gloves.
Caution!Before commencing any activities on the devices, they must be secured so that they cannot be started in an uncontrolled manner. On devices with internal combustion engines, disconnect the high voltage wire from the spark plug. In machines powered by electricity it is necessary to disconnect from the power source.
Next, clean the machines thoroughly from external contamination and from those from under the covers. To do this, remove all accessible covers and inspection covers. The next step isremoving grass residues , soil and other dirt. We can use water for cleaning, but remember not to direct the stream directly to electrical cables and systems, fuel and oil inlets.We advise against using pressure washers in the previously mentioned places, as well as for elements covered with sealants and flexible covers.
The next step istechnical inspection , which allows you to determine the degree of wear of individual components and the scope of necessary repairs and adjustments. Any damage should be removed immediately by repair or replacement of the part or unit with a new one. Regardless of the type and purpose of a given machine, the following procedures are recommended:
- check the condition of the main parts of the machine from the outside: cylinder, air filter, guide, inside of the clutch cover, etc.,
- checking all parts for cracks, scratches and signs of wear; some cracks may endanger the user's safety, so replace damaged parts and, if in doubt, visit the service center,
- tightening all bolts and nuts - each worn part must be replaced,
- checking the condition of electric wires and terminals,
- checking the air filter and the spark plug,
- gasoline rinsing the fuel and oil tank,
- sharpening of cutting parts on chainsaws, mowers and trimmers,
- cleaning the carburetor and muffler,
- pay attention to the condition of the guide bar - it is always subject to wear only on one side, therefore it is advisable to turn it regularly by 180 °,
- Lubricate and sharpen the guide bar chain until all damage to the cutter teeth has been removed.
Small toolssuch as rakes, hoes, claws and cutting elements for secateurs, grass shears and hedge trimmers should be soaked in boiling water for a few minutes or rubbed with alcohol. Thanks to this, bacteria, fungi and nematodes will be destroyed.
After finishing work , pour out the fuel and change the oil in the machine, and then bring it into the room before the engine cools down - this will prevent condensation on the metal parts.Gardening equipment should be stored in a place protected against moisture.
Otherservice and repairshould be performed only at an authorized service center. If the damaged part can be replaced by yourself, it must be done using original parts. Thanks to this, users can be sure that the machines will be properly prepared for the season, and thus work will be safe and more efficient.
