The Spring Festival is coming. According to local custom, work usually doesn’t resume until around the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Whether in the north or south, nearly all construction machinery will be parked for a period of time.
Here, I’d like to share some practical precautions for winter storage of construction machinery, based on personal experience. These are more useful than the generic information in manuals—you’ll find it worth reading, because they can help you avoid losses.

1. Fill up the fuel tank.

Unless theft is a concern, it’s best to fill the fuel tank completely (same goes for home storage tanks). This reduces rust formation and sediment buildup inside the tank. Theft prevention methods vary by location, so I won’t elaborate here.

2. Cover breathers and fragile parts.

Use a cloth to cover the fuel and hydraulic oil breathers (valves) to minimize air exchange. Although air always enters during operation, reducing it in storage slows oxidation and water condensation in the oil. Use padding to protect glass, mirrors, and other fragile parts.

3. Drain sediments and water.

Drain sediment from the fuel tank and water from air reservoirs (if the machine uses compressed air).

4. Perform maintenance if near the service interval.

If the machine is close to its scheduled service, carry out the maintenance:

• Replace swing drive oil and check for metal debris.

• On small machines, also replace travel gearbox oil and inspect.

• Run the air conditioner compressor for a few minutes to lubricate seals. This prevents refrigerant leaks caused by dry seals during long idle periods—something often overlooked.

5. Parking precautions.

• Park away from fire hazards, electricity, or low-lying areas.

• Retract hydraulic cylinders to protect plated rods from corrosion (especially important for lower-quality aftermarket parts).

• Release hydraulic system pressure.

• Inflate tires fully and repair leaks in advance. If possible, place insulation under tires to prevent freezing to the ground.

• Retract or remove fragile items such as antennas.

• Machines equipped with hydraulic hammers should be parked upright to reduce leakage risk.

6. Remove and maintain the battery.

Remove the battery, fully charge it, and store it in a warm place. Note: store it charged, because batteries self-discharge and will deteriorate if left uncharged.
Coat the machine’s battery cable terminals with grease to prevent oxidation.

7. Check antifreeze.

Measure the coolant freezing point—it should be at least 5 °C lower than the lowest expected local temperature. Always use antifreeze, even if draining coolant, because plain water promotes rust in the cooling system. Many people ignore this, and most manuals don’t mention it.

8. Loosen drive belts.

Release belt tensioners to prevent belts from remaining under constant tension during storage. Re-tension them during startup.

9. Seal the exhaust pipe.

Block the exhaust outlet to prevent rain or snow from entering. Very few machines have mufflers with drain holes (only some high-end models).

10. Release parking brakes (if possible).

If conditions allow, disengage the parking brake. This differs from manufacturer instructions, but it helps prevent brake systems from rusting during storage. Always lock cab doors and windows.

11. Store oil drums correctly.

For outdoor storage, never leave drums lying flat with outlets facing sideways. Always keep the outlet above the drum’s top plane. Why?
When exposed to sun, the drum heats up, pressure inside rises; when the sun sets, pressure drops. During this cycle, water on the drum surface can be sucked through imperfect seals (especially on previously opened drums). That’s why “unused” hydraulic oil or engine oil often turns milky—caused by absorbed water. This is practical field experience, not found in manuals.

Additional Tip: Cold-weather operation.

In southern regions, operators often notice that hydraulic oil temperature remains too low in winter, causing slow movements, cavitation, or wear on piston pumps. A simple trick: cover part of the hydraulic oil cooler with a piece of cardboard to reduce cooling area and allow oil temperature to rise faster.

Final Note

Your machine is something you’ve spent your own money on. It requires careful maintenance. Neglect is only possible in large companies that can afford the losses—but for individuals, every failure is costly.

Would you like me to condense these 11+ tips into a one-page “Winter Storage Checklist” for operators and owners to keep handy during holiday shutdowns?