If you are a farmer, a rancher, or a heavy equipment operator, a diesel engine, whether it be in a truck, a tractor or an ATV, can be your most valuable piece of equipment.
When it comes to taking care of your equipment, there are some additional steps to be taken to prepare your diesel for the winter months to keep it running smooth – no one likes a breakdown in the cold.
Some of these steps start with proper year round maintenance, and some are primarily done just before cold sets in.
There are several important diesel maintenance rituals that need to be considered in the wintertime. Joe Smith, shop foreman at Kubota of the Ozarks in Springfield, Mo., stressed the importance of high fuel quality in the winter.
“Treat the fuel to prevent ‘algae’ (full microbs like mold, fungus and bacteria),” Smith said. There are several diesel additives on the market that will alleviate this problem.
“Test the coolant every year to make sure that it’s at the right consistency and will hold up to the temperatures,” said Rocket Woodlee, service manager at Williams Tractor in Berryville, Ark. He also noted that if freezing of the coolant is an anticipated problem, the radiator cap can be removed to allow for the expansion of frozen liquid. A heater core for the engine block can also be purchased, said Woodlee. The heater core will warm the engine fluid and help the engine to start easier on cold mornings. And finally, “letting your tractor warm up before you take off is very key.”
There is plenty of year round maintenance that needs to be done to make sure your machine is running well and up to speed before heading into winter. Keeping clean and quality fuel in a diesel engine is critical to warrant the efficiency of the machinery.
“Check on the fuel sediment filters, and keep water out of them,” advises Woodlee. Water in the fuel filter and fuel injectors can keep the engine from running properly, and so can sediment that is clogged in the filter. These problems often accompany each other, and both of them stem from letting your diesel fuel tank run too low; when your fuel level is low, it allows space for more air in the fuel tank.
Air contains water vapor – this water vapor can mix with the fuel in the tank and it can also create rust, which leads to sediment in the bottom of the fuel tank. This is one reason why you should never let your diesel run empty on fuel.
Clean filters will help keep a diesel running well.
“Always check air filters,” Woodlee noted. Air filters can be cleaned by hand, or replaced if they are worn out. Oil filters also need changed regularly (they are responsible for filtering out soot and other corrosive particles created by the combustion of the diesel engine). A good rule of thumb is to replace the oil filter every time you change the oil.
Diesel engines are a useful piece of equipment on a farm or ranch. With regular maintenance and proper winterizing techniques, you can keep your diesel running smoothly.
