550 Winterizing?

[Jpvano28]

Hey All, just throwing this out there in the universe, First winter with the 550 up and running. Does anyone have any tips for storage? It's going to stay in the barn till spring. Do I empty the tank? Carb? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[chucksoliver77]

add some sta-bil treatment to the gas the turn the gas off and let it run till it quits, be sure to turn off the ignition after it stops.

 

[JOCCO]

Not sure where you are or what your winter is. BUT I would test/strengthen antifreeze. Pull battery out or charge it once a month. Treat fuel or put some non ethanol fuel in it. You could crack drain plugs and remove any water from tranny/engine. Last order filters and parts needed to be ready for spring.

 

[Jim.ME]

I would test the antifreeze (we run 50/50 year-round for about a -30 to -35F protection). Fill the tank with the gas you run (E10 here) and treat it with some Lucas fuel stabilizer or Marine grade Stabil. Run it to get the fresh mix into the carb, park it, shut it off and shut the gas valve off. Charging the battery once a month or starting it and running it up to temperature on a warm day occasionally is good. This works for me. YMMV

 

[tom upton]

Does anyone use fogging oil on there gas tractors? I have a few tractors that sit over the winter, sometimes longer, that I try to fog before tucking away. Also I fog the boat engine every year when winterizing. One $20 spray can will do several engines.

 

[rrlund]

Boy, you guys complicate things. I check antifreeze with a bulb, but other than that, I just shut them off as if I was going to use them again tomorrow.

 

[scootergmc]

Looks like you already have power. Keep the battery on a tender and turn off the fuel and drain the carb. That's all I would do. I'm assuming you have adequate antifreeze in the system.

 

[JOCCO]

Does anyone use fogging oil on there gas tractors? I have a few tractors that sit over the winter, sometimes longer, that I try to fog before tucking away. Also I fog the boat engine every year when winterizing. One $20 spray can will do several engines.

A good point Tom. Yes I have but seems more applicable to much longer term storage than say 1-2 months.

 

[JOCCO]

Boy, you guys complicate things. I check antifreeze with a bulb, but other than that, I just shut them off as if I was going to use them again tomorrow.

Just trying to give him all the ins and outs. I try to do repair work in the winter and have machine "grease and go" come spring.

 

[Jpvano28]

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge with me. I will take the necessary steps to keep the old girl running and farming.

Looks like you already have power. Keep the battery on a tender and turn off the fuel and drain the carb. That's all I would do. I'm assuming you have adequate antifreeze in the system.

Yes 50/50 filled to the top. Also I'm in Greeneville TN, it's in a insulated barn so I think she'll be fine.

 

[tom upton]

A good point Tom. Yes I have but seems more applicable to much longer term storage than say 1-2 months.

Heh up here in the great white north the saying goes we get 10 months of winter and 2 months of poor sledding

 

[Ol 54']

Looks like they have covered pretty much what you need to do, other than , that is a nice looking 550, Good luck..

 

[Jpvano28]

Looks like they have covered pretty much what you need to do, other than , that is a nice looking 550, Good luck..

Thank you, It took a year and half and way to much money lol .. but it was all worthwhile in the end.