Winter Check List

[UpStateNY]

How you doing on your check list?

My completed Winter Check List :

• Annual clean pellet stove - check
• Replace pellet stove igniter - check
• Run pellet stove starting with new igniter - check yeah!
  
• Install new chimney liner for oil boiler - check
  
• Annual clean oil boiler with service contract - check
• Purchase, deliver, and stack 3 tons of pellets for winter - check
• Test run snow blower - check
• Complete leaf removal including around shrubs - check

My winter stuff not completed yet:

• Install snow tires from last winter
• Top off oil tank with cheap oil
  
• Remove leafs from gutters
• One more mow the lawn (maybe)

Almost done.

 

[alternativeheat]

I repaired the snow blower last month and it runs. That was my list !!

I gotta pull the batteries from the boat and tractor but I'm still using them. I don't have to clean gutters, I put on gutter caps, best thing I ever did. Haven't fired the stove, may not use it this year, if I do it won't be till the end of Dec.. The boiler gets cleaned every other spring so not a fall thing anyway..

 

[Bioburner]

Snow in the forecast for tonight.
Got the snowblower close to the garage so can pull the carb and see why it doesn't want to start. Gotta love 120 volt electric start
Need to change the oil on the Xterra and make appointment to put on the new tires.
Wrap the trees to keep the rabbits and mice from girdling them.
Get the genny into the small enclosed trailer and move close to house and get some fresh gas.

 

[webfish]

Snow in the forecast for tonight.
Got the snowblower close to the garage so can pull the carb and see why it doesn't want to start. Gotta love 120 volt electric start
Need to change the oil on the Xterra and make appointment to put on the new tires.
Wrap the trees to keep the rabbits and mice from girdling them.
Get the genny into the small enclosed trailer and move close to house and get some fresh gas.

Just dropped the bowl on my snowblower today because it wouldn't start. Got it going. Looks like winter starts tomorrow around here but not much snow.

 

[alternativeheat]

Snow in the forecast for tonight.
Got the snowblower close to the garage so can pull the carb and see why it doesn't want to start. Gotta love 120 volt electric start
Need to change the oil on the Xterra and make appointment to put on the new tires.
Wrap the trees to keep the rabbits and mice from girdling them.
Get the genny into the small enclosed trailer and move close to house and get some fresh gas.

My X terra needs an oil change too. Not because winter is coming but because I use full synthetic in it and it's been in there a year now since the last oil change.

You did remind of the generator though, due to be run.

 

[JRA]

I'm all set for winter. Stove was cleaned in June and three tons of blazers purchased in June I'm about 20 bags deep from Sept to today.

As far as the rest of winter prep is concerned, I am set.

Oil tank topped off in sept and just had oil burner serviced last week. My Ariens Beast is going into its second year and oil has been changed and gear box lubricated. Just filled it with new gas and it fired right up.

Leaf removal was a breeze, my wife just bought me my first backpack blower for my birthday a few weeks back. She went with the Stihl BR600 which is absolutely awesome and great on gas. Way more comfortable than the redmax I tried on amd just as powerful. Leaves have all been blown into woods and I'm done.

Also have my roof rake ready to go had to buy a pole extender for it. Last year in the northeast I couldn't find the extended poles anywhere. Lastly I stocked up on calcium chloride for the walk.

Bring winter on

 

[Bioburner]

X terra needs an oil change too

New to me in June so started out with a syn blend and will go to full synthetic now. Everything else is synthetic. Major improvement in mileage or maybe the Bosch +4

 

[alternativeheat]

I'm all set for winter. Stove was cleaned in June and three tons of blazers purchased in June I'm about 20 bags deep from Sept to today.

As far as the rest of winter prep is concerned, I am set.

Oil tank topped off in sept and just had oil burner serviced last week. My Ariens Beast is going into its second year and oil has been changed and gear box lubricated. Just filled it with new gas and it fired right up.

Leaf removal was a breeze, my wife just bought me my first backpack blower for my birthday a few weeks back. She went with the Stihl BR600 which is absolutely awesome and great on gas. Way more comfortable than the redmax I tried on amd just as powerful. Leaves have all been blown into woods and I'm done.

Also have my roof rake ready to go had to buy a pole extender for it. Last year in the northeast I couldn't find the extended poles anywhere. Lastly I stocked up on calcium chloride for the walk.

Bring winter on

I guess I'm safe saying I hate winter. I do like wood turning which I only do in winter but winter itself is less than desirable to me.

 

[JRA]

I guess I'm safe saying I hate winter. I do like wood turning which I only do in winter but winter itself is less than desirable to me.

Absolutely, agreed, I live on the north shore and last year was my first year in a house and we got pummeled with snow. Lived in a condo before and they took care of all the grounds, the monthly hoa fees were worth it. I had to get all new homeowner equiptment to be prepared for these new england winters. Although I dislike winter like most, I am glad I am prepared. My Ariens paid for itself last year alone. If I never have to pull it out again I wouldn't regret the purchase.

 

[UpStateNY]

I knew I forgot something. AlternativeHeat mentioned generator. I forgot all about the generator. I will put test fire my Generator on my todo list.

I volunteer ski patrol and love the snow. Bring it on. My dog loves snow. Wife doesn't ski anymore but she likes the warm living room with the pellet stove.

 

[Dr.Faustus]

last mow is done.
this weekend I gassed up and started the snowblower, fully tested. Also bolted the plow on to the tractor and put on the chains and weights. While I was doing this 6 people stopped and told me to knock it off, its too early and I was going to cause it to snow. one of them were the local police who were just makin rounds. lol!

too early to bolt on the snow tires. I usually wait until the first snow is forecast. mine are easy they are on separate rims. pellets are stacked in garage, stove has been running. Even have spare auger motor, combustion blower and convection blowers and gaskets on hand.
Shovel is on the front porch.
Fig tree wrapped up for winter.
garden tilled, leaves composted, soil fertilized - all ready for spring.
garage cleaned so I can park in there during the storms.
Generators fueled and tested. spare fuel on hand

I think that's about it. now to get the Christmas tree down. I cant believe turkey day is next week. unbelievable.

 

[bcarton]

I have about 2 more hours of sucking up leaves with the mower before I'm done. Last week, the cylinder head blew out, managed to get that fixed by a local guy who gets things done fast and cheap. 2 days ago, top bearing on one of the blades self destructed. Took the deck off, brought to the same guy who replaced both bearings in 30 minutes while I waited (and assisted with flipping the deck up and down) for $60. I love small-town, hardworking, frugal mechanics! Car heater is right now is only a car warmer, getting that fixed tomorrow.

Other than that, I plan on doing an LBT Thanksgiving weekend, just to get the vent nice and clean while it's still easy to get up on the roof.

 

[mass_burner]

Winter? ~50 as far as they can predict around here. Might leave the patio furniture out till new year. Thanks el nino.

 

[hooter04]

might hafta forgo the mow until next spring,you might have snow instead this weekend.

 

[mass_burner]

I had planned to put up a utility shed to get outdoor equipment out of my garage/basement. Cement piers, 2x6 floor, pitched roof, quick and dirty. Any plans appreciated, looking at low, long, 6h x 12l x 6w.

 

[bill3rail]

My completed Winter Check List :

• DONE Annual clean pellet stove - check
• NO NEED Replace pellet stove igniter - check
• SEE ABOVE Run pellet stove starting with new igniter - check yeah!
  
• NO NEED Install new chimney liner for oil boiler - check
  
• WAITING FOR OIL CO. Annual clean oil boiler with service contract - check
• DONE 4.5 TON Purchase, deliver, and stack 3 tons of pellets for winter - check
• ONE DONE ONE TO GO Test run snow blower - check
• WAITING Complete leaf removal including around shrubs - check

My winter stuff not completed yet:

• NO NEED Install snow tires from last winter
• ON CONTRACT Top off oil tank with cheap oil
  
• TREE FELL DOWN IN 2011 Remove leafs from gutters
• WAITING One more mow the lawn (maybe)

Additions:
Empty garage sufficiently to fit '70 c10 in for front disc conversion.
Reorganize new storage shed for stuff coming out of garage.
Till front lawn for new grass in spring. 1/2 done.
Whatever the wife asks for!

Bill

 

[alternativeheat]

I knew I forgot something. AlternativeHeat mentioned generator. I forgot all about the generator. I will put test fire my Generator on my todo list.

I volunteer ski patrol and love the snow. Bring it on. My dog loves snow. Wife doesn't ski anymore but she likes the warm living room with the pellet stove.

I used to love winter, as a kid you couldn't get me inside. I spent my life as a heavy truck mechanic, winter was a challenge that I bore face first. I enjoyed plowing snow, working on the equipment. Now comes some age, blood pressure meds of multi types, arthritic episodes etc etc. No winter is nothing short of a blatant PITA !!

 

[bill3rail]

I had planned to put up a utility shed to get outdoor equipment out of my garage/basement. Cement piers, 2x6 floor, pitched roof, quick and dirty. Any plans appreciated, looking at low, long, 6h x 12l x 6w.

If you lived nearby, I could show you what I just made.
8'w' x 12l x 7'h No cement piers, and only PT 2x4 floor, supported by block 2'-3' apart.

Bill

 

[alternativeheat]

We got a quote to have a second shed built, 10x12 with a loft and work bench at the rear ( for working on yard equipment). Almost a mini garage. But it was over $4000, almost $5000. So that isn't happening. We have a shed, it houses bikes and my wifes junk and her sisters junk. Expensive yard equipment lives under tarps outdoors. But in fairness, we got that shed for Her purposes to begin with, just mine hasn't happened yet is all. Meanwhile I just have to make sure that expensive yard equipment stays well covered in all weather conditions. Recently somehow, the generator got uncovered for instance. It's never uncovered unless we are using it, so don't know what happened there.

 

[mass_burner]

If you lived nearby, I could show you what I just made.
8'w' x 12l x 7'h No cement piers, and only PT 2x4 floor, supported by block 2'-3' apart.

Bill

I'm in se ma. How about pics? I actually meant those notched cement blocks, not poured piers.

 

[Polar Bear]

We are getting 20 cm. tomorrow... I better get the snow tires on.

 

[Enigma869]

My completed Winter Check List :

• Annual clean pellet stove - check
• Checked on insanely overpriced pellets at local suppliers - check
• Filled propane tank for the bargain price of $1.50 per gallon - check!
  
• Turning both thermostats on from my smart phone app - check
  
• Saving my back from schlepping pellets and cleaning P68 this season - check
• Did not Purchase, deliver, or need to stack 7 ton of pellets for winter - check
• Refusing to burn overpriced pellets, when it's far less money and far less work to burn propane - check

 

[PelletPirate]

How you doing on your check list?

My completed Winter Check List :

• Annual clean pellet stove - check
• Replace pellet stove igniter - check
• Run pellet stove starting with new igniter - check yeah!
  
• Install new chimney liner for oil boiler - check
  
• Annual clean oil boiler with service contract - check
• Purchase, deliver, and stack 3 tons of pellets for winter - check
• Test run snow blower - check
• Complete leaf removal including around shrubs - check

My winter stuff not completed yet:

• Install snow tires from last winter
• Top off oil tank with cheap oil
  
• Remove leafs from gutters
• One more mow the lawn (maybe)

Almost done.

I would add change the oil on your snow blower. I have an Ariens and they recommend every 40 hours. I do it once a year with 5W-30 so it starts up easier. I also do the same to my standby generator. I am also going to add grease to my snow blower gearbox this year.

 

[tmiller164]

Tried the blower the other day. All good there. Two tons of Sets in the shop (waiting till menards 11% sale for another 2).
Leaves cleared
Outside faucets drained
All the farm equipment is pressure washed
Hickory nuts need to be raked up in the yard. I'll probably wait and see how much damage the critters do over the winter.
Let the snow fly...

 

[Wilbur Feral]

Have 5 trees being removed, then new shed that we'll assemble mid December (hoping weather cooperates). Then nothing but moving the garage stuff to the new shed and getting snow blower ready (just gassed up, as major work completed last year). Biggest problem this year is not enough cold to kill off the pollen and germs!