Tractor Winterization Guide
Operating farm equipment during the winter or even putting equipment away for storage takes a few extra steps to ensure it survives the cold weather and lives to serve your agricultural operation for seasons to come. Save yourself some time come spring or continue using your tractor during colder months with winterization.
At Birkey’s Farm Store, we like to help our customers get ready for the coming storms of winter with a bit of tractor winterization prep. It’s easier than it sounds, and while you’ll need some additional supplies, your tractor will thank you for your effort with a longer lifespan and easy startup come spring time. Read on for some winterization tips, or if you’re more interested in checking out our stock of new and used farm equipment, head into one of our locations in Illinois and Indiana.
Wintertime Fuel
Not every farmer is in need of a tractor during winter, but many are. If you’re looking at running your trusty farm equipment during the colder months, you’ll want to do some basic prep, including switching your fuel if you’re using diesel. Running #2 diesel during cold months has the chance of gelling and mucking up engine operation. Shifting to #1 diesel will help with this problem, as it has a lower cloud point, meaning it will gel at a lower temperature than #2 diesel.
Gasoline engines need a bit of attention as well. Switch to a winter blend for any gasoline engines to keep them happy and healthy in the cold.
Basic Maintenance
Having a handle on the non-fuel fluids in your tractor is another important step of winterization. Always make sure the fluids you use are rated for your equipment and storage temperatures. If you’re operating during the winter, you’ll need the coolant to be ready for those harsh temperatures. Also, remember to top off fuel and hydraulic oil tanks.
Check the engine oil the same way you would a car or truck. Take out and clean the dipstick, reinsert, and then pull out again to examine the oil. It should be gold and thin. If it’s sludgy, brown, or thick, it’s time to drain the oil and replace the filter. Otherwise, top off the oil and move on. Next, drain the fuel from the tank and put in a fresh gallon or so with a fuel stabilizer so your tank doesn’t rust out.
Open up the tractor and take a look at its guts, cleaning up where you can and avoiding the engine and battery. Dirt has likely gotten under the hood, and removing it can really help to prevent engine damage. Remove the battery and store in a dry, cool place with a battery tender or trickle charger to keep it ready for next season.
Tractor tires are big and expensive, so it pays to ensure that they’re not suffering any undue wear and tear. Check the lugs for any debris that might have gotten stuck and the tire wall for signs of scraping, scalping, cracking, or tears, all of which could indicate the need for a replacement. When storing your tractor, use supporting blocks or stands to keep the tires from forming flat spots. Release a bit of air — until they are about a third of the recommended pressure. This takes pressure off the tires and puts them on the blocks, which will make your tires ready for next year
Always check the owner’s manual for recommendations and details pertinent for your make and model.
Time to Clean
Tractors do a lot of their work in the dirt and muck, so it’s highly likely yours is a bit on the dirty side of things. While it’s unlikely you have time to keep your tractor nice and clean during growing season, you’ll want to give it a good cleaning before putting it away for storage. All that dirt and grime can corrode your tractor and necessitate service or repair.
When cleaning, use milder detergents like those you’d use on a car or truck. Even dish soap should be able to do the trick. Remember to not let water or soap get into the electronics or controls, since that can cause damage as well.
Once you’ve washed off your tractor, take the time to lubricate the grease points in areas like the hydraulic cylinder rods, which need some grease to keep moving. If there’s ever a time to go over your tractor with a detailed cleaning, it’s now!
Store and Cover
Wherever you store your tractor, remember that it needs to be dry and protected from the elements like rain, snow, wind, and sunlight. A less-than-secure storage area makes using a cover a must. However, don’t use a plastic cover! That’ll reduce air circulation and cause mechanical issues over time as water builds up. Use a tractor cover made with water-repelling material.
Tractors are the cornerstone of any agricultural operation, and having a working tractor come spring will save you time and money in service, repair, and overall worry. We hope some of these tips can get you started with winterizing your tractor. If you still need some help, or you just want to check out some great new and used farm equipment, head into Birkey’s Farm Store. We have locations throughout Illinois and Indiana. Stop by today and let our team of tractor experts help you find what you’re looking for.