by Dale Thomas, MSAT Technician
After the long days of hard work, heat, and dust of summer, and finishing the fieldwork and fall chores of autumn, your tractors are probably screaming for a break and some spa time. If you are operating the way you should, you have been doing some daily maintenance before each use. The summer heat and dust take a toll on your tractor and the winter months are the perfect time to perform the much-needed maintenance. A simple maintenance routine will certainly reduce breakdowns and extend the life of your expensive tractors and equipment.
The following tips and maintenance items can usually be performed by the owner who has the proper tools, a good place to work, and minimal mechanical skills. If you don’t feel comfortable tackling these tasks, there are equipment dealers with trusted certified mechanics who will be glad to do it for you. However you get it done, these tips will make sure your tractor is ready to work when you are.
GETTING READY – Safety First!
1. Eye Protection – Safety glasses may seem silly to you old farmers … until you end up in the Emergency Room having dirt, grease, or grime removed from your eyes. When working under your tractor or blowing dust and dirt with an air hose, something will inevitably find its way into your eye.
2. Gloves – Mechanics nitrile or latex gloves offer a degree of protection from scrapes and scratches, and are grease and chemical resistant while not affecting dexterity or feel. They also allow for easy cleanup of your hands. Both are disposable.
3. Think Ahead Depending on what you are servicing, have necessary items at the ready. Jack stands, wooden support blocks, wheel chocks, and chain hoists should be used before removing heavy items. Rear wheels with weights, or filled with fluid, can weigh several hundred pounds. Removing a front-end loader or working under an implement can be done safely with proper blocking. Being safety conscious adds a very minimal amount of time and a maximum amount of safety.
4. Keep Your Phone Handy – In case of emergency, a cell phone in your shirt pocket can be a lifesaver. They are also handy to take a quick snapshot of wiring or parts before disassembly to refer back to when replacing.
GETTING STARTED
1. Clean your tractor thoroughly. Wash the tractor with grease cutting soap and a pressure washer to remove dirt and grime, and allow yourself to easily see what you are working on. Grease buildup and oil leaks can make it difficult to locate grease zerks and remove drain plugs. It doesn’t hurt to wax the hood and fenders to protect the paint.
2. Read your operator’s manual for service recommendations and intervals. Make a parts list and purchase all needed filters, oil, hydraulic fluid, and anything else the manual suggests.
3. Disconnect the negative battery terminal (ground) before any maintenance that involves the electrical or fuel system. This is a good time to clean the terminals and battery posts of any corrosion and apply grease or corrosion blocker to each terminal. Charge the battery if necessary.
4. Change the oil and filter. I scratch the date and engine hours on the end of the filter with an awl before installation for quick and easy reference. Having the proper tools and filter wrench is the key to an easy oil change. Check the dipstick to make certain the oil is at the fill line.
5. Change fuel filters.
6. Check all belts and hoses. Fraying or cracked belts, or leaky hoses should be replaced.
7. Blow off the radiator with air to remove any debris that could slow the flow of air through the radiator. Check the coolant/antifreeze level and top off if necessary. Make certain the freeze point in the antifreeze is low enough for your location.
8. Grease all zerks. The operator’s manual will list all grease points. Many tractors have a grease fitting list on a sticker under the hood.
9. Check tire pressure with a gauge. The tires may not appear low when they actually are. Fill to the recommended psi. Check tires for wear and damage. Replace if necessary.
10. Check brakes. Address any problems.
11. Replace air filters. Blow out and wipe the filter housing before installing the new filters.
12. Check hydraulic cylinders and lines for cracks, leaks, or damage. Rebuild or replace if necessary. Check and fill hydraulic fluid as needed. Change hydraulic filters and fluid if the tractor is at the recommended hour interval.
13. Check all lights. Problems with lights are usually a wire pulled loose, a bad bulb, or a blown fuse.
14. Check all gauges (fuel, temperature, alternator, oil pressure)
15. Check the ROPS. Make sure all pins are in place and it is up. Check seat belt for wear and proper functioning.
16. Fill the fuel tank completely. This will prevent condensation which can cause engine and fuel line problems.
17. Check for leaks. Now is the time to address a small engine oil or hydraulic leak before it turns into a big problem.
18. Reconnect the battery. Start and run the tractor until it gets to normal operating temperature. Turn the engine off and check the oil level.
19. Now is a good time to clean out and restock your tractor toolbox. This is a good place to keep a Crescent wrench, wire cutters, pliers, a few screwdrivers, pins for the tractor and implements, spare fuses, tape, baling wire, shear pins, hammer, tire gauge, and anything else that may help you with an in-the-field breakdown. I also keep a small first-aid kit in my toolbox.
20. Store your tractors inside a building if possible. Protecting your tractor from the elements is key to an extended life.
These tips are designed for the average small acreage or hobby farmer of today. Your maintenance needs may differ depending on the amount od hours and type of work done with your unit annually.
Tractors are getting more complex each year. Periodic maintenance checkups with your dealer may be necessary. Many dealers run off-season maintenance specials in the winter since it is generally their slow time.
With the ever-increasing investment in tractors and equipment, proper maintenance is more important now, than ever before. These tips will help you prevent lost time due to breakdowns, and extend the life of your equipment.
