2. Don’t skimp and buy bargain engine oil. The engine is the lifeblood of your tractor. It has the most moving parts and is usually the most costly to repair or replace. Many over-the-counter name brand oils are formulated for on-road truck use only, and not for off-road application in a dirty environment. Long term use of these oils can reduce the life of your engine.
3. Use the correct grade of hydraulic oil for your tractor. Newer tractors with power shift and reverser transmissions require special additives and viscosities of oil form the transmission to operate correctly. The little you save now on cheaper hydraulic oil will only cost you big money in the future.
4. Air conditioning system maintenance is important. You need to regularly check the A/C condenser and keep it blown out and clean. The A/C condenser is located under the hood in front of the radiator on most models. Older model tractors may need Freon added each year, due to small leaks in the A/C system. It’s best to find a warm day in the spring and check the system, and repair it early before it gets busy.
5. Radiator and cooling system: The radiator needs to be checked and cleaned and the coolant level check daily when the tractor is used regularly. The radiator needs to be flushed, and new antifreeze added at least twice a year. Coolant levels should be checked in the fall, with a reading to at least 25 below zero. A coolant conditioner/stabilizer additive is a good, inexpensive investment to reduce electrolysis. PH tape now can be used to confirm when your antifreeze needs to be changed and/or when conditioner needs to be added.
6. Injector pump and fuel system: Older injector pumps have a separate oil reservoir that needs the level to be checked every time the engine oil is changed. The fuel separator and fuel filters need to be cleaned and changed regularly. If you are using on-farm fuel storage make sure and have a reliable fuel filter on the tank. If water is not trapped by these filters, it can lead to expensive repairs to the injection pump and reduce engine horsepower. Also ask your fuel supplier if they are adding the necessary fuel conditioners for injection pump lubrication and cold weather anti-gel additives.
Gary Busselman is the Service Manager at S&H Farm Supply, in Lockwood, Mo.
