Cold Weather Is Coming - Get Your Equipment Ready For Winter!
October 2026
Get Winter Ready: Cold Weather Tips for Your Heavy Equipment
That little dash in front of the temperature is coming back, and it’s our reminder to get equipment ready for winter. We know cold weather can make a tough job even tougher. Taking time to prepare now can help prevent damaged components, difficult starts and costly downtime.
Drain Water Trucks and Water Components On Select Packers
Before freezing temperatures arrive, properly drain and winterize water trucks, tanks, pumps, hoses, spray bars and other water components. Emptying the main tank alone may leave water trapped elsewhere in the system.
Turn Off Master Switches
Remind operators to turn off the master switch at the end of their shift, following the machine’s shutdown procedure and any required delay before disconnecting power. Lights and other electrical draws left on overnight can leave you with a dead battery by morning, and cold weather makes starting even harder. This is a good habit all year, but especially heading into winter.
Windex Freezes, Use Winter-Rated Windshield Wash!
This happens more often than you might think! Windex and other household glass cleaners are not substitutes for winter-rated windshield washer fluid. Check what’s in the washer reservoir and replace fluid with windshield wash rated for the temperatures your equipment will face.
Prepare Your Fuel for the Cold
Make sure your fuel supply is suitable for winter temperatures! If required, use an approved product at the correct dosage and add it before the fuel gets cold enough to gel. Plan ahead, a preventative conditioner should not be treated as a fix for an already gelled fuel system.
Check Coolant, Block Heaters and Winter Fronts
Confirm coolant strength provides adequate freeze protection (There will be a sticker with our tested rating on the inside of the cab), check that block heaters and cords are working, and locate your winter fronts before you need them. Remind operators to allow the engine and hydraulics to warm up properly before putting the machine under load.
Get Ready Before the First Freeze
A few checks now can save a lot of trouble when temperatures drop. Review winter procedures with your crew, stock up on the right supplies and make cold-weather preparation part of your routine.
Need help getting your Pacesetter rental ready for winter? Give our team a call, we are here to help keep your project moving.