Preparing Your Equipment for Winter

Temperatures are beginning to drop and soon you will need to store your Bobcat® equipment away for the winter. But you don't want to simply park them in a shed and walk away for several months. Proper heavy equipment winterization helps prevent the cold weather and weeks of disuse from harming your Bobcat machinery. It also helps ensure your equipment is ready to go come spring.

We've created the following beginner's guide to heavy equipment winterization. Remember you can always stop by the Bobcat of York/Frederick/Adams County service department to get assistance winterizing your equipment. Our dealership is located in York and Hanover, Pennsylvania, and Frederick, Maryland.

Consult the Owner's Manual

Before you get started, you will want to look over the owner's manual for all your Bobcat equipment. After all, who better knows the machinery than those who created it? Here you will get the manufacturer's recommendations on everything from maintenance schedules to the supplies and parts to use.

Maintain Your Engine

Take a look at all the engines on your machinery. Make sure the fuel tank cap and vent is working well. Check the fuel for signs of water or sediment, which often indicate a problem requiring a visit to a service department. See if the fuel filter needs to be replaced. You'll also want to switch the fuel to a more winter-appropriate one, such as #1 diesel or a quality gasoline mix.

Take Care of the Battery

Another key step in heavy equipment winterization is tending any batteries on your Bobcat machinery. Clean out any debris on the battery since this can interfere with the conductivity and can drain energy. If you spot corrosion around the battery posts, take some baking soda and a small brush to clean it up. If you won't be using the battery for a long period of time, you will want to hook it up to a battery tender or a trickle charger. This will help ensure the battery is ready to go when spring rolls around.

Maintain the Tires

The cold weather can be tough on tires, causing issues such as affecting the air pressure. You will want to check the tires every so often to ensure they are still inflated to the manufacturer's recommendations. You will also want to examine the tires before winter storage. Make sure the tread is getting worn down evenly. If it is not, this can indicate an issue with your equipment and you will want to visit a service department to get it checked out.

Replace Oil and Coolant

An important part of heavy equipment winterization is inspecting the coolant reservoir and hoses for signs of leakage. The coolant helps prevent corrosion, helps lubricate, and inhibits cavitation. It's important to keep the coolant filled to the cap and you will want to replace the fluids as your owner's manual suggests.

The engine oil is also an important factor in preventing overheating and ensuring the moving parts stay lubricated. As you engage in heavy machinery winterization, you will want to check the engine oil to ensure it holds its viscosity and the right color.

We hope you found this guide helpful! If you want professional assistance with heavy equipment winterization, stop by our service department. Our expert staff can help you get your equipment ready for winter. We also have a wide selection of Bobcat heavy equipment for sale if you are looking to add to your fleet. We proudly serve those throughout Pennsylvania.