5 Tips for Tractor Maintenance

Tractors are getting more expensive. That means getting as much use as possible out of your tractor is more important than ever, and the best way to make that happen is careful farm equipment maintenance. Tractor maintenance can extend the life of your farm equipment, reducing breakdowns and downtime. Knowing when to service your tractor, and how to care for it, is just smart business. 

Here are some tips to keep your tractors in the best condition — whether you’re a mechanical wiz or just learning your way around a tractor. 

Tip 1: Wash Your Tractor Thoroughly 

Your tractor does everything. It plows, tills, threshes, reaps and turns through soil or grain. That involves a lot of mud, snow and other debris, which in turn can make these jobs — and your machinery — very dirty. Debris can clog moving parts and impact the performance of your tractor. To increase your efficiency, clean your tractor tires, air filters and surfaces regularly.  

Furthermore, remember that in the winter, after driving through salt and snow, tractors are more prone to rust. Hosing them off on warm days can prevent rust. Your tractor isn’t a shiny new sports car, so it doesn’t need to sparkle, but regularly hosing off the tractor, especially during the winter, and changing filters can prevent unnecessary downtime. 

Tip 2: Protect Against Rust and Corrosion 

While performing your maintenance inspections, make sure to keep an eye out for rust. Rust and corrosion can indicate that excess moisture is trapped in the equipment, which can reduce its lifespan. The preventative coating on your equipment can wear off over time, so keep a rust prevention coating on hand. And be sure to store equipment in a dry spot when not in use. 

Tip 3: Inspect and Service Your Tractor Regularly 

Regular inspections can help you spot signs of wear, potential damage or strange noises and correct them before they become serious problems. Tractor inspections will let you find any parts that show signs of wear and need repair before more serious problems occur. Those inspections are a prime time to do routine chores. Lubricate internal parts regularly to help reduce friction. Any worn-out tires, broken lights and exhaust fluid should also be replaced.  

Regular maintenance checkups with your tractor dealer will also prevent future problems. Check with your dealer to see if they offer any maintenance, oil changes or tune-ups for your equipment. 

Tip 4: Clean Filters to Boost Tractor Efficiency 

Tractors often kick up a cloud of dust as they are used. The building they’re kept in may have a lot of dust or dirt as well. Dust from barns or fields can clog air filters, impacting airflow and reducing efficiency. This polluted air strains the engine, and an engine needs to “breathe” clean air to function at its best. 

A dirty air filter can take years off a tractor’s lifespan, so it’s a good idea to check and clean the air filter every 50 hours or sooner if usage is heavy. While you’re cleaning the air filter, wipe any dust off the engine fan blades as well. This can go a long way toward extending the life of your equipment. 

Tip 5: Create a Farm Equipment Maintenance Log 

If you have a few tractors or other pieces of equipment, keeping track of all of their maintenance schedules and tasks can get confusing. It’s a great idea to create a log that allows you to date and describe what maintenance you did on what piece of farm equipment. You can find sample logs and schedules online. 

If you want to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything, you can also create a checklist that goes over each part of the tractor to make sure you don’t miss something. Staying organized is great prevention! 

Protect Your Equipment

We understand that accidents and claims still happen, even with maintenance. To help protect your farm equipment, Farm Bureau offers equipment breakdown coverage, replacement cost coverage for farm machinery and other additional coverage that helps protect your equipment and your business. Reach out to Farm Bureau today to make sure your equipment is properly covered.