Winter is creeping upon us, so it’s time to consider the health of your garden machinery.

Cold weather and dampness can wreak havoc with our machines: Tools that are put away encased in the dirt will not cope with winter well, and those that are left dripping in sap will rust and degrade. It’s therefore important you find ways to look after your garden machinery during the colder months. Below, we’ve listed some top tips to ensure your machines are in working order when the weather starts to brighten up again:

Lawn Mowers

Garden machines are the key to a beautifully manicured lawn and now that the cutting season has come to an end (for most!) it’s important you make sure that all remains of weeds, thatch and grass are removed from the mower. A good tip is to use a stiff hand brush. Before you clean your mower, you need to ensure that it is safe by disconnecting any electric cables or spark plugs and take extra care of the blades. You should also clean the air filters and make sure the mower has the required level of oil in the engine. Consider that petrol mowers need to have the fuel drained, as it can ruin your machine over the winter. If you have a ride-on mower, remember to fully recharge the battery at some stage during winter so you can have a flying start to the new season!

Tools and other accessories

Ensure that all your tools and small machinery are in tip-top condition. Spades should be well cleaned and if they have a wooden handle and shaft, it’s a good idea to rub them with an oil that nourishes wood, such as linseed. This will help to keep it lubricated (dry wood has a tendency to fracture or split). Pruning equipment such as knives should always be sharp and clean to help reduce the risk of passing on diseases from different plants and to make sure cutting is more efficient.

Service your garden machines

Before the winter season descends upon us, now would be an ideal time to give your mower or another garden machine a service. Why not check out our range of service kits and spares at Machine Direct? We offer a wide range of products including, oil, spark plugs and much more. We even stock replacement mower blades to ensure you get the sharpest of cuts when the mower comes back out again. Service your machinery now and you can ensure that your machine is in top condition for the new season.

Follow all these tips to ensure your garden machines survive the winter!