A variety of tools, vehicles and equipment are necessary in order to do farming the right way. This includes proper maintenance, which is essential all year-round. By having a well-organized, practical, and handy checklist for your farm's equipment during these winter months, you'll be able to stay on top of their upkeep as effectively as possible - keeping them running smoothly & making your farm more efficient.
Planning Your Maintenance
Planning your maintenance is the key to avoiding costly agriculture repair during winter. An ideal plan for the winter preparation season would be to work on a large part of your farm every week so that you can make sure your equipment is in top shape. You may also want to bring your winter-seasonal projects to an early conclusion.
- Check Oil Levels: During winter, the roads can become slippery, which can cause the oil in your equipment to go rancid. Always have a decent amount of oil, so that your engine does not have to work overtime, especially if your driveline gets stiffer when winter hits.
- Checking the Engine: Start-up and shutdown are not typically big issues under normal conditions. However, engines can generate less airflow to the crankshaft and cylinder heads when cold in winter.
- Check Rotors: Most tractors have a spinning component called a rotor.
- Checking the Tires: Sensible tires require regular checking and maintenance. Make sure you check the tire pressure with the tire gauge or use the load limit to avoid blowing a tire.
- Change your Oil: Winter is when you switch to lower viscosity oils. This reduces the amount of heat absorbed by your engines. Engines heat up as the season gets colder and can cause them to wear quicker.
Washing and Cleaning your Equipment
Having your equipment clean and dry is important to prevent more issues. But getting your machines clean promptly can be an issue, especially if you have a large amount of equipment in use. During winter, it is recommended to wash and clean your vehicle as soon as you are finished using it. If you're washing vehicles, it's best to wash them by hand. Either way, make sure you have all of your tools in working order before you start cleaning.
Store Your Equipment to Avoid Damage
Winter can be a harsh season with freezing temperatures and frequent snowfall. These two factors can damage any piece of farm machinery in days. Therefore, it is crucial to make sure the farm's machinery is always well protected and stored indoors. This will prevent any damage that could occur and is an important step in preparing your farm for the winter.
Covering Your Equipment
Before the cold weather hits, you should cover your tractors and combine them to keep the elements away from your expensive equipment. Consider using an anti-vibration pad to prevent damage to the rubber parts.
When To Change Fuel Filters and Air Filters
Changing fuel and air filters in winter will prolong the life of your equipment. Newer vehicles are now equipped with oil monitoring systems, which provide maintenance and diagnostic information. Air and fuel filters should be changed at least once a year. If you own a newer, more advanced machine, there may be no need to change these filters at all. If you do not own a modern system, your machine's oil will last a lot longer if you clean and monitor it.
Check On the Equipment Maintenance
Check equipment tracks, joints, hydraulics, lights, and engine cooling. All of this equipment needs a lot of water to keep it running.