Clean the machine, top up fluids to full, protect cylinder rods, deal with the battery and seal the machine against moisture and insects. On return to service, change the fluids that have been sitting rather than assuming they are still fit for work.
Storage preparation
| Item | Action |
|---|---|
| Wash and dry | Remove mud, salt and organic material, which hold moisture against metal and accelerate corrosion. |
| Cylinder rods | Retract cylinders where possible so rods are protected inside the gland, or coat exposed rods with protective grease. |
| Fluids | Top up to full and check condition. A partly filled tank condenses more moisture in the space above the fluid. |
| Fuel tank | Fill it to reduce condensation, and treat the fuel for storage where recommended. Water in stored fuel causes fuel-system damage. |
| Battery | Disconnect and remove, store charged and cool, and maintain charge. A discharged battery left in the cold may not recover. |
| Seal against animals and insects | Block intake and exhaust openings and any cab openings. Nests in intakes and wiring damage are common findings after storage. |
| Hydraulic and fuel filters | Change before storage rather than after, so contaminants do not sit in the system for months. |
| Grease joints | Apply fresh grease to push out moisture and leave a protective film on the pin surfaces. |
| Tyres and tracks | Relieve track tension for very long storage and support the machine if practicable to avoid flat spots on tyres. |
How to confirm it
- Clean the machine thoroughly and let it dry
Mud and plant material hold moisture against surfaces and are the main driver of visible corrosion in storage. Cleaning is the single highest-value preparation step.
- Protect the cylinder rods
Either retract the cylinders so the rods are inside the glands, or apply protective grease to any rod left exposed. Exposed chrome is vulnerable to pitting, and pitted rods destroy seals when the machine returns to work.
- Top up all fluids and change filters before storage
Full tanks condense less moisture, and changing filters before storage means contaminants are removed rather than left sitting in the system for months. Fuel treated for storage avoids biological growth and water problems.
- Handle the battery properly
Disconnect and remove it, store it charged in a cool place and maintain the charge with a suitable maintainer if long-term. A battery left connected and discharged may fail to recover.
- Seal openings against animals and insects
Block the air intake and exhaust and any opening into the cab or engine bay. Rodents nesting in an air cleaner or chewing wiring is one of the most common and most expensive findings on stored machines.
- Release track tension on very long storage
Releasing tension reduces load on the adjuster and the undercarriage components. Also support the machine if practicable to avoid flat spots on rubber tires.
- Plan the return-to-service checks before restarting
Before the machine goes back to work: inspect for nests and damage, correct the battery, check fluid levels and condition, confirm no water ingress, inspect cylinder rods, and run it up to temperature progressively rather than immediately under full load.
What to do about it
Fluids that have sat for months: change them rather than assume. Oil absorbs moisture and degrades even without hours, and the cost of oil is trivial against the cost of the components it protects on restart.
Corrosion on cylinder rods or exposed surfaces: address it before returning to work. Rust pits on a rod destroy seals when it retracts, converting a cosmetic problem into a hydraulic repair.
Animal nests found in intakes: remove them completely and inspect the air cleaner, intake piping and wiring for damage before starting. Starting an engine with a blocked intake or chewed wiring causes expensive damage.
Battery that will not hold charge after storage: replace it. A battery that has been left discharged may hold some charge but will fail unpredictably, and on a machine used remotely that is not a saving.
Need the parts this covers?
Send the machine model, serial number and the part numbers you need. We confirm fitment before payment and state the grade of every line — genuine, OEM-quality or aftermarket.
Request a quoteFrequently asked
Should I leave the machine with full or empty tanks?
Full. A partially filled tank has more air space above the fluid, and that air space is where condensation forms. Full tanks and full fuel tanks both reduce moisture accumulation.
Do I need to change oil before storage or after?
Before, where practicable. Contaminants sitting in the system for months do more damage than contaminants removed before the machine was parked. Changing before storage also means the machine is ready to work on return.
What is the most common problem after long storage?
In our experience: batteries, blocked or damaged intakes from animal nesting, and moisture-related corrosion in the fuel and hydraulic systems. All three are preventable with a few hours of preparation.