BLACKTOP BANTER
Check Fuel Systems
If your equipment uses gasoline , add a fuel stabilizer to prevent the fuel from degrading over the winter . Your second option is to drain the fuel tanks , especially if it ’ s a gasoline engine on a piece of equipment you rarely use . For diesel engines , it ’ s often recommended to either fill the tank completely ( to prevent condensation ) or empty it if the equipment will be unused for an extended period .
Battery Care
If possible , remove batteries from your sealcoat rig and other equipment , and store them in a warmer , dry location . This helps prevent them from freezing and losing charge . Before we had the shop at Wis-Coat , our home basement or garage was the holding area . If you must leave the battery in the equipment , use a battery maintainer or trickle charger to keep it in good condition .
Document Maintenance
I know it goes against our calloused-hand nature but make a spreadsheet , or at least buy a notebook to keep track of what you have done and when . Note any issues or repairs needed so you can address them when you prepare the equipment for the next season . Keep track of your winterizing procedures and any maintenance performed for future reference . I know for a fact there are some situations I missed and had to leave out , and your situation could be very different when it comes to your equipment and climate . Regardless , hopefully this brief overview helped if you are just starting out or need a refresher on a process that should be getting done every year if you aim to run efficiently and separate yourself from the guys that are tying rags around spray hoses in May ( I ’ ve been that guy ). Taking these steps can help extend the lifespan of your sealcoating and asphalt equipment and ensure it ’ s ready to perform efficiently when you need it again .
As always , if you have any insight or criticisms about this article or anything in it , please feel free to email me at marvin @ blacktopbanter . com and of course , reach out to us at Blacktop Banter on any form of social media . You can listen to the Blacktop Banter Podcast anywhere podcasts are available , and the video versions are always posted to the Blacktop Banter YouTube Channel .
Marvin Joles III , Owner of Wis-Coat Asphalt Maintenance and host of Blacktop Banter podcast . You can listen to and watch Blacktop Banter podcasts by visiting https :// blacktopbanter . com
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