Tips and guidance to prepare your SMC mast for the coldest and harshest of environments. Built to last and the most robust of masts available on the market, SMC recognize it is still important to winterize your mast to ensure longevity and ease of use.
We are proud to say that our masts are among the most robust on the market. We test and certify them all to military specification and only use the highest quality components and latest precision machinery. This is to ensure that you receive a mast that is built to last.
In the winter however, it’s still important to winterize your mast to prepare it for the coldest months of the year, particularly if it’s being stored outside unused. Protecting your mast from the elements, especially in severe weather conditions, will ensure its longevity and that when you come to use it again it works as you would expect.
Follow our top maintenance tips to help protect and prolong the quality of your mast this winter:
One of the best ways to protect your mast in the coldest months of the year is to clean and apply a generous amount of lubricant to the sections and collars. This will help to limit the chance of rusting and ‘seize up’ occurring, which will prevent the parts from moving as smoothly as intended.
When water freezes it expands and can cause serious damage to outdoor pipes and equipment that is housed outside, and a mast is no different. Therefore, it’s very important during deployment, if your mast is not being extended and retracted on a regular basis, to allow water to drain freely through it via the exhaust valve.
If the mast is not being used and is stored outdoors in cold temperatures, we highly recommend a mast bag to prevent water entering the mast and freezing, as this can result in serious damage to the sections. If you store your mast indoors, we recommend keeping your mast in a vertical position, if possible, to avoid deforming the seals.
The frequency of maintenance is very much dependent on a number of key factors, such as the climate/environment and how often the mast is being used. Salt water, dust and sand can lead to dry and sticky sections, so in these conditions we would suggest a more regular servicing schedule.
Looking to apply some essential maintenance for your mast, or perhaps looking for more advice around mast winterization? We will be more than happy to support you either over the phone or via distribution of our product literature and videos.
SMC holds in stock a large range of bags, spares, lubricant and seal kits, as well as offering our customers a full in-house repair and service.
Please contact our team today if you would like pricing or any further information on servicing your SMC mast.
