Are you constantly looking for ways to take care of your Washington tractor? Lyndon farmers looking to keep their gear in top shape should follow some of these tips to create a maintenance checklist that ensures their tractor will be in great shape for years to come.
Take a Closer Look
No matter where you live in Washington, tractor maintenance is important to keeping this piece of equipment running smoothly. Begin by simply conducting a visual inspection. Check for leaks and loose hoses and cables. If you see a lot of dirt buildup, it could be an indication that there is a small leak somewhere. Also make sure to check the glass sediment bowl and safety features like shields and hazard lights.
Monitor Levels
You can expect your tractor to gradually lose fluids over time, but you need to keep an eye on the radiator-fluid level. Significant loss of fluids can indicate serious problems, like coolant leaking into engine oil. You should also pay attention to your gas level. It’s good to have a full tank of fresh fuel before begin a long day of work, but in general, you should make sure that your fuel is fresh. Experts suggest that you should never keep fuel for longer than three months in storage.
Pay Attention to Tires
It only takes a couple of minutes to check your tire pressure, but it is very important to the safety and efficiency of your farming, as well as tire life. If you ride on tires with low tire pressure, tread wear increases dramatically, as does fuel use. You should use the recommended pressure as a guideline, but make sure to adjust the pressure based on the type of work you’re doing on any specific day. For road travel, add a few extra pounds and for tilling, reduce the pressure by a couple of pounds.
Don’t Forget Anything
Make sure not to neglect checks on the fan’s drive belt, radiator core, and grill screen. You should also carve out time to check the air filters. You don’t need to do this daily, but take a look if you notice crop or weed residue buildup on your grill screen, or if you’ve been operating in especially dirty conditions.
