Last Updated on October 21, 2024 by Forest-Master-Sales
Autumn is in full swing, and soon enough, the winter months will arrive, meaning that for many, the wood chipper will be stored away until its return in spring. But it’s not just a simple case of wiping it down and throwing a tarp over it (FYI, don’t use one—we’ll explain why later). Properly maintaining and storing your chipper is essential to ensuring its longevity and optimal performance in time for next year.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps needed to protect your machine from the elements, minimise wear, and keep it ready for action when it’s time to chip again.
Drain the fuel in the wood chipper (or add stabilizer)
Perhaps one of the most important winter tips within this article; we strongly recommend that you drain, run dry, or add a fuel stabilizer to the engine. If your chipper utilises a four-stroke engine, you can empty the tank by either running the engine dry or you can pour the fuel out of the tank into a can.
Fuels such as E10, commonly used in garden equipment, can start degrading within 30 days. Alternatively, you can use a premixed fuel like Aspen4 or add a fuel stabiliser to prevent degradation. The stabiliser helps keep the fuel fresh for up to 12 months, preventing gum and varnish build-up during long periods of inactivity.
Fuel stabiliser is the easiest, cheapest and recommended option. Simply make sure that there’s fresh fuel in the tank and that it’s about 90- 95% full. You can then pour the fuel stabiliser into the tank and run the engine for around five minutes to ensure that it’s distributed throughout the system. Typically, this will keep the fuel fresh for up to 24 months.
Clean your chipper
You know how we mentioned it’s not just a case of wiping it down? Well, that might have sounded sarcastic, but it’s part of what you need to do…just with a bit more elbow grease. As your chipper has been used throughout the year, plant debris and wood chips will have accumulated inside the chipper drum and chute. If left unattended, they can retain moisture, leading to rust or clogging the machine as it sits unused over winter. Start by cleaning out any remaining wood chips and debris from all parts of the chipper, including the hopper and chute.
Safety tip: Before you clean, make sure your machine is unplugged from the mains (if electric) and switched off (using the red switch).
Inspect and clean blades: The blades are essentially the heartbeat of your wood chipper, so be sure to clear them of any residue and check their condition, e.g. blunt or damaged. Dull blades should be sharpened using an oil stone, while any visibly damaged blades should be replaced before storage. Leaving them until spring might seem easy, but you don’t want to spend hours trying to remove old, stuck blades!
Engine maintenance
While you should be performing regular engine maintenance throughout the year, we like to have one thorough maintenance check before storing it away for the winter. This ensures our downtime is minimal when the time comes to break it out of its hiding hole in the spring.
When purchasing your machine you should have received an accompanying manual for the engine – the manual should cover all expected and recommended maintenance.
If you haven’t received this, let’s take a look at our recommended maintenance guide.
In order to maintain your machine at optimal performance, you should follow the below rules.
After every 25 hours of use you should:
- Check the tire pressure
- Clean the engine exterior and cooling
- Change the engine oil
- Replace the air filter
After every 100 hours, you should replace the spark plug. Personally, we prefer to replace the oil and change over to a new spark plug at the start of the season to ensure that everything is fresh and ready to use when the time comes.
Remove the battery
Removing the battery isn’t applicable to everyone, however, if your chipper features an electric start battery it’s definitely advised to remove it for the winter.
Cold weather can have real negative effects on your battery. You should always disconnect the battery and be sure to store it in a cool and dry place, always above 0 Celsius. This helps to combat potential battery discharge. If your chipper uses a battery that needs to be charged periodically, you can use a trickle charger to maintain the voltage and sustain the battery life. 5
Cover the wood chipper up
Store in a dry, sheltered space: Exposure to moisture is one of the biggest threats to machinery during winter. Storing your chipper in a dry shed, garage, or other enclosed space will prevent rust, which can damage both the exterior and internal components.
Cover the chipper: Use a breathable cover to keep dust and moisture out while allowing condensation to escape. A heavy, non-breathable tarp can trap moisture, so avoid using one.
Elevate if possible: If the storage area is prone to damp floors, elevate the chipper slightly off the ground using wooden blocks or pallets to prevent moisture from creeping into the machine.
Making all of these checks for your wood chipper might sound like a tedious process during the winter time, but it’s crucial for extending the life of your machine and ensuring it’s in top condition for next year.
Final Thoughts
By following these steps—from cleaning and lubricating to fuel management and proper storage—you can avoid common problems such as rust, stale fuel, and engine issues. Come spring, your chipper will be ready to make quick work of any task, allowing you to get back to your projects with ease.
By investing a little time in winterising your wood chipper, you’ll save yourself the headache of potentially costly repairs and downtime, ensuring it’s always ready when you need it.
