How to Winterize Your Equipment (and What Not to Forget)

Amee Curtis
Nov 24
3 min read

Protect your machines now, profit later.

Winter is the season when most contractors slow down — but your equipment doesn’t need to suffer for it. Proper winterization keeps your grinders, vacuums, and mixers in top shape, prevents corrosion and costly breakdowns, and ensures your crew hits the ground running when spring work ramps back up.

At PNW ECS, we’ve seen both sides: the contractors who take a few hours to winterize properly, and the ones who spend their first week of spring fixing preventable issues. Here’s how to be in the first group.

Winterize Your Equipment

Start with a Deep Clean

Dust, slurry, and residue are your enemies. If left on over winter, they harden, corrode, and clog systems that would otherwise last for years.

Before storing:

Scrape and rinse your Husqvarna PG540 or PG5 Grinder to remove any material build-up.
Empty and clean Husqvarna DE120 or DE130 Vacuums — especially filters and dust bins.
Rinse, drain, and dry your Pot-A-Mix Hippo, Pelican, or Badger mixing stations.
Wipe down all exposed metal surfaces to remove salts, moisture, and fine debris.

This is the simplest step — and the one that saves the most money.

Protect Electrical and Battery Systems

Cold temperatures shorten battery life and invite corrosion.

Store equipment indoors where temperatures stay above freezing.
Remove batteries from Onyx Auto Scrubbers or Burnishers, and charge them every few weeks.
Coat electrical connectors with dielectric grease to prevent oxidation.
Keep cords coiled loosely and off cold concrete floors to avoid cracking.

If you’re using heated storage, avoid placing machines directly next to heat sources — rapid temperature changes can still cause condensation and rust.

Lubricate and Seal Moving Parts

Grinders and mixers have multiple moving components that seize easily when exposed to moisture.Use manufacturer-recommended lubricants on:

Bearings and planetary gears in your Husqvarna PG540 or PG5.
Mixer paddles and shafts in your Pot-A-Mix units.
Vacuum and air scrubber fan assemblies to reduce friction.

A thin coating of rust inhibitor or WD-40 on exposed metal surfaces will go a long way in preventing corrosion.

Drain and Vent Everything

Any residual water or slurry can freeze and expand, damaging lines, tanks, and seals.

Drain all tanks, hoses, and pumps.
Remove dust bags and filters to prevent moisture buildup.
Keep cabinet doors slightly open for airflow.
Store machines on pallets, not directly on cold floors.

For Vantage Vacuums with built-in pre-separators, make sure debris bins are completely empty before storing.

Inspect and Replace Wear Parts

Winter downtime is the perfect opportunity to handle routine maintenance:

Replace filters and belts.
Inspect cords and plugs.
Check planetary plates for wear and replace damaged segments.
Order consumables now so you’re not waiting on backorders in spring.

PNW ECS keeps parts in stock for Husqvarna, Vantage, Onyx, and Pot-A-Mix systems — everything you need to service your gear before the next season starts.

Schedule Pre-Season Maintenance

Set a reminder to inspect your machines in early spring. Catching leaks, rust spots, or filter damage early can save days of downtime. Our technicians can help you plan out your maintenance calendar and keep your equipment warranty-compliant.

JR’s Take

“Winter isn’t the off-season — it’s prep season. The few hours you spend winterizing your equipment now will save you days of lost work later.”— JR, PNW ECS

Winterize with PNW ECS

Stop by Sandy, OR or Fife, WA to grab lubricants, filters, covers, and the cleaning products we recommend for professional-grade gear. Our team can walk you through a proper winterization checklist for every major brand we carry.

Get Your Equipment Ready for Winter → pnwecs.com