If your brush chipper or stump cutter will be shut down for winter, be sure to take the proper maintenance steps so your tree care equipment is ready to pull out of the shop and go to work as soon as spring arrives.
“In addition to this maintenance checklist, winter is also a good time to look at the areas that may not have caused operational issues and were overlooked in the summer when your were busy,” says Jay Sarver from Vermeer Corporation. “Trailer lighting and connections to your tow vehicle are two good examples.”
Be sure to check the maintenance manual that was provided with your tree care machine for service intervals. If you own a Vermeer machine and cannot locate your unit’s manual, contact [email protected] to order a free manual. Also at the time of purchase, you can sign up for the dealer’s preventive maintenance program, which will ensure timely inspections and service.
Jay Sarver, Vermeer environmental, offers these suggestions:
- Install a new fuel filter, fill the fuel tank and add a fuel stabilizer. Then run the engine for 10 minutes.
- Clean the machine so it is free of dirt and debris, and remove anything that could corrode over the winter.
- Change the hydraulic oil and filter to remove any water from the hydraulic system. After putting in new oil, operate the machine for five minutes to cycle the oil through the system.
- Grease all grease points well, making sure to have a good build-up of grease for winter and don’t forget the axle hubs. Vermeer® chipper models have bearings that rotate the cutter mechanism that need to be purged; grease while bearings are at their normal operating temperature.
- If you have a model of stump cutter that has a gear box, drain and replace the oil.
- At work temperatures below -15 degrees F (-26.1 degrees C), consider using a lower-weight engine oil, as long as it is approved by the engine manufacturer.
- Remove, clean and store the battery. Put it on a trickle charger.
- Make sure the air pressure in the tires is at the recommended psi.
- Check the coolant ratio to insure proper 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water.
- If you plan to use your machine at times during the winter, be sure to set aside time for springtime maintenance before beginning a full-time schedule.