From page 31
MACHINERY
lack of time.
For the fact is that lawnmower
repair shops are a most
seasonal business. During the
summer months they are
extremely busy repairing
machines that have broken
but need to be used urgently,
while in the winter months the
workers spend their time
twiddling their thumbs
through lack of work.
Repairmen thus urge mower
owners to take advantage of
the slack times to carry out
maintenance and repairs.
However, they ruefully admit
that very few do, leaving
repairs to the last minute and
complaining bitterly about the
long delays that result.
If you are like most
smallholders your machines
will therefore be pushed into
your garage or shed and left to
gather dust through the winter.
Wrong move.
For a start, all petrol and
diesel-driven items need a bit
of basic maintenance before
they are put into winter
storage. But, more than that,
winter is the ideal time to
send them off to a dealer or
service agent for an annual
going over, much like you do
for your car or bakkie.
If you are happy that all the
components on your mower
or brushcutter are in good
condition, such as belts and
gears, carburettor diaphragms,
wheel and shaft bearings, fuel
lines, clutch and brake pads
and the like, then all that is
needed is to prepare your
mower for winter storage.
Start by turning off the petrol
line or emptying the tank and
run the engine till it cuts out,
thereby ensuring that the fuel
line is dry. With the fuel tank
emptied, dry it out and