Normally, people that have lawns and gardens in their homes make use of their weed eater during summers and spring when the leaves and vegetation grow. In some part of the world especially in the tropical region of Africa, it is during the rainy season that people normally have a need to cut their garden. But during winter, dry season and harmattan as the case may be, there is no more vegetation and trees and flowers, as well as gardens, begin to shrink and die. There is no need to cut them or make use of the weed eater or lawn mowers again. As the winter approaches, people normally move their gardening tool including weed eaters into store. If you have any, you should also keep it into storage. But it is advisable that you prepare it before sending it into store. Here are some tips to prepare your string trimmer before moving it into store.
The tools that you will require
Here are some of the tools that you may require when you are preparing your best weed eater for winter storage:
- Metal scraper
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Garden hose or pressure washer
- Stiff bristled brush (like an old toothbrush)
- WD-40
- Air and fuel filter (if applicable)
- Sta-Bil gasoline stabilizer
Do not begin or do anything on your weed eater without first getting all the tools ready. You may not use all of them but it is good to get them ready so that you will not lack anything when you need it.
First go through the user manual and note the manufacturer’s instructions. Start from the head of the string trimmer. Disassemble it and take a look at the line that has the spool, retainers, drive shaft and strings. It is advisable that you apply lubricant stipulated by the manufacturer on the moving parts according to the instructions given in the user manual. WD-40 should be the right lubricant to use. Make sure that you apply it on the drive shaft as instructed in the user manual. If you lubricate the moving parts, during the next spring and summer season, your weed eater will still be in good shape.
Check the handle and throttle control of your string trimmer. If there is any bolt or nut that is not properly and securely tight, then you have to tighten it properly. Prolonged usage may cause the nut to loosen and slack even without you knowing it. This is the time for you to inspect them thoroughly and find out if any has slacked.
Now divert to the engine. If it is a gasoline powered engine, mix the gasoline in the fuel tank with Sta-Bil gasoline stabilizer. Start the engine and leave it for about a minute or two running so that the stabilizer will circulate properly and gets to the carburetor reed, gaskets and seals. In this way, there will still be gasoline left in the engine and its parts even when you empty the tank. In this way, the seals and interior parts will not dry out and varnish.
Allow the engine to cool down. Remove the air filter and fuel filter and check them. Check the fuel lines to make sure that they are not brittle, cracked and broken. They should be pliable and soft before you move it into store otherwise change it. The spark plug is another important part that you check. Take a look at the end, if it is not black, it may be that it is no longer good. You have to change it. But if you don’t want to change it, you have to clean it. If it is functional before you move it into store, next time you bring it out, it will start quickly.
Apply the WD-40 on all metal parts of the weed eater so that they will not rust during the time the tool is not in use. Anytime you want to start using your weed eater, use water and soap to clean it.
If you are using an electric or battery powered weed eater, it is advisable that you remove it from the power source. Remove the battery and keep it in a carton before moving the weed eater to store.