Tractor Storage Tips
Like any piece of equipment, your tractor needs regular maintenance, and there’s no better time to make sure your tractor is in tip-top shape than before it gets put away for winter. At Mike Cooper Tractors, we know it takes a bit of extra effort to ensure your farm equipment keeps working for you. The best way to avoid future issues and expensive service is to know how to take care of your tractor today. In that spirit, we’ve put together a short guide with some tips to getting your tractor ready for storage and ensure it’s ready when springtime comes again. Read on for more information or head into our location in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, where we proudly serve Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Muskogee, and Tahlequah.
Basic Maintenance
Preparing to store a tractor is a great time to make sure all its basic components are in a good state of repair. Waiting until spring could leave you with a tractor unready for the new season, putting you behind schedule. It’s much better to take care of any potential issues far in advance.
Start with checking the engine oil. Use the same method you would with a car: 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 your tractor and get a good look at the mechanical guts, working around the engine and battery to clean things up. Dirt can get under the tractor hood, and taking care of it will prevent engine damage. Remove the battery and store it in a dry, cool place. Hook it up to a battery tender to keep it ready for next season.
Tractor tires might be big and tough, making them less prone to damage than their commuter vehicle counterparts, but they’re also expensive to replace. You should examine them for tread wear, tire wall integrity, and stuck debris. 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!
Clean It Up!
Tractors are at the top of the list of vehicles likely to get dirty, grimey and dusty, and it won’t do to let any of that sit. You can save your tractor from a lot of trouble by hitting it with some suds before storage.
Mild detergents like those you’d use on your car work well enough here, and even dish soap and other all-purpose cleaners can get the job done. Avoid letting any water or soap getting into the electronics or onto the instrument panel, as this can cause damage. After you’ve finished washing 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
The best place to store a tractor is where it’ll be out of the way of any weather and in particular precipitation. Hopefully you have a proper storage location in mind, like a barn or shed. Whatever you use, it needs to keep your tractor dry and protected from the elements like rain, snow, wind, and sun. If your storage area is less than secure from weather, then a cover is 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.
Your tractor is a reliable, powerful piece of agricultural equipment, and tending to its mechanical needs is a great way to make sure it lasts well into the future. Follow a few of these tips and your tractor will sit happy for the winter, ready to go again when the seasons change once more. You’ll also cut down on costly service! For more information about storing your tractor, or if you’re just interested in looked at our stock of new and used farm equipment, head into Mike Cooper Tractors in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. We also serve Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Muskogee, and Tahlequah, so if you find yourself nearby, don’t hesitate to stop by and let our team of dedicated professionals answer your questions and help you find what you’re looking for.