winterizing

[tcalvin48]

Winter is approaching and I'm wondering what you might suggest for implements that live outside. Would it be wise to cover them with tarps or should I just let them sit? indoor storage is not an option.
Tom Stoltz
in Maine

 

[85Hokie]

Tom,

Cover whenever possible - tarps, or whatever - lay bricks around to keep the rain and wind off too.

before covering - spray everything down with WD40 - it will keep moisture at bay.

I would also stack the implements on something - if a rotary mower, place on a set of blocks, same with a rear blade.

 

[fried1765]

Winter is approaching and I'm wondering what you might suggest for implements that live outside. Would it be wise to cover them with tarps or should I just let them sit? indoor storage is not an option.
Tom Stoltz
in Maine

I would suggest covering implements with tarps.
I may not be the best source of advice though.
Everything I own, lives in an enclosed building of some sort.

 

[fried1765]

Tom,

Cover whenever possible - tarps, or whatever - lay bricks around to keep the rain and wind off too.

before covering - spray everything down with WD40 - it will keep moisture at bay.

I would also stack the implements on something - if a rotary mower, place on a set of blocks, same with a rear blade.

Pallets will work too!

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

around here we would tarp (more like tent) but not tightly to help keep sun / weather at bay.
Want stuff to breath to keep rust / corrosion down to min. (and vermin).
A pole or board used over the top to keep water from pooling on top helps.

 

[Tughill Tom]

I keep my stuff in a 20ft sea box. Chipper, skidding winch, rotary cutter and box blade as well as the Deere lawn mower.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

All good advice above.

Keeping it off the deck, and covered, yet allowing some air flow to keep condensation away sounds like a plan.

Many places give their old pallets away btw.

I would use that "fluid film" stuff instead of "wd-40", but if that's just my personal preference (I have no idea if one is actually better than the other, although I do prefer the smell of WD-40 more, and Ballistol is strictly forbidden due it smelling like a "nasty dog fart"......... )

Edit: If something has a hydraulic cylinder, try to keep it in the retracted position when practicable.

 

[Yotekiller]

Fluid Film is some absolutely amazing stuff and I would choose it any and every day over WD40. I am pretty sure it was derived from the spaceship crash in Roswell 1947

 

[fried1765]

Fluid Film is some absolutely amazing stuff and I would choose it any and every day over WD40. I am pretty sure it was derived from the spaceship crash in Roswell 1947

Fluid Film is OK , .....but I prefer LPS-3,

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Fluid Film is OK , .....but I prefer LPS-3,

Hahah you are bringing me back a to when I was an A@P....We used LPS all the time.

Great stuff for sure.

At 30 buck a can though....it's a cost vs. benefit thing.

For me, Fluid film is "good nuff" for something that doesn't leave the ground

 

[fried1765]

Hahah you are bringing me back a to when I was an A@P....We used LPS all the time.

Great stuff for sure.

At 30 buck a can though....it's a cost vs. benefit thing.

For me, Fluid film is "good nuff" for something that doesn't leave the ground

LPS-3 by the gallon, is available on E-Bay for $87 + $20 shipping.
5 gal. $373, free shipping
I have bought it in 5gal. quantities in the past .

Though I was not an A&P, all our airline new aircraft, had their cargo compartments sprayed with LPS-3, prior to being put in service.
I would assume that is still being done.
I was told that it was done primarily to protect the aluminum from animal urine corrosion.
"Fluid Film" was never mentioned!

We often carried all sorts of animals,.... both large and small.
I know of two specific loads of gilts to China.
One A/C carried 1,000 gilts.
The second A/C carried 800 gilts.
Mighty stinky I was told!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

tent tarps and skids if implements have powder coat 'paint' on them. Spray thick 'rustcheck'(grn can) on 100% of the implements.
My implements are 5-7 decades old,so REAL paint and easy to repaint and they stay outside 24/7 on double high skids and NO tarping..they're going to outlive me..

 

[kcs]

I have my backhoe stored in a lean too. But some of the hydraulic cylinder are exposed. And I can’t retract them due to the way it’s stored. What can I put on them to protect them Thanks

 

[fried1765]

I have my backhoe stored in a lean too. But some of the hydraulic cylinder are exposed. And I can’t retract them due to the way it’s stored. What can I put on them to protect them Thanks

LPS-3 first choice, Fluid Film 2nd choice.

 

[kcs]

LPS-3 first choice, Fluid Film 2nd choice.

Awesome thanks. Do I need to wipe it off before I use the backhoe again?

 

[fried1765]

Awesome thanks. Do I need to wipe it off before I use the backhoe again?

Wipe off is not necessary........unless noticeable dirt has accumulated.

 

[tcalvin48]

I keep my stuff in a 20ft sea box.

That's a neat idea. Where did you get yours?
Tom Stoltz
in Maine

 

[tcalvin48]

Thanks for all the ideas. Looks like tarps and Fluid Film is the way to go for my situation. Everything is already up on 2 in blocks, but I'll bet I should get them higher.
I learned long ago to use milk bottles filled with water attached to the tarp with shower curtain hangers.
Thanks again,
Tom Stoltz
in Maine

 

[Tughill Tom]

That's a neat idea. Where did you get yours?
Tom Stoltz
in Maine

I have a friend that gets them in from Port Newark if the price is right. I have 2 of them and paid about 2K for each of them. Well worth it, I paint them to blend into the woods.

 

[Plant 175]

LPS-3 by the gallon, is available on E-Bay for $87 + $20 shipping.
5 gal. $373, free shipping
I have bought it in 5gal. quantities in the past .

Though I was not an A&P, all our airline new aircraft, had their cargo compartments sprayed with LPS-3, prior to being put in service.
I would assume that is still being done.
I was told that it was done primarily to protect the aluminum from animal urine corrosion.
"Fluid Film" was never mentioned!

We often carried all sorts of animals,.... both large and small.
I know of two specific loads of gilts to China.
One A/C carried 1,000 gilts.
The second A/C carried 800 gilts.
Mighty stinky I was told!

You didn’t bring back some Pandas on the return trip