Steps For Tractor Maintenance

Your tractor takes care of so much on your farm that it can be easy to start taking it for granted. If you want your tractor to serve you for years to come, take regular care of it so any issues are tackled before they become problematic. To help you perform some easy tractor maintenance tasks, we at Prairieland Partners have compiled this informative guide. For more complex issues or regular tractor service and repair, get in touch with us and talk to one of our expert staff. If you’re looking for tractors for sale in Kansas, contact our sales department for further assistance.

Visual Inspections

The first step for tractor maintenance is a visual inspection. Before you begin working on the machine, walk around it and examine it from top to bottom to see if there’s any damage or wear and tear that needs your attention. Check for leaks, loose hoses and misplaced cables. Fix the leaks by tightening the attachments or connecting the hoses properly. If you find water or material in the glass sediment bowl under the fuel filter, it could indicate a problem with the fuel, fuel filter or engine. Get in touch with us for these bigger issues.

Radiator Fluid 

When a heavy piece of equipment like a tractor works all day, the engine and radiator need enough coolant and lubricant to keep them functioning properly. An overheated engine will invariably land your tractor in the repair shop. Check the radiator fluid level and top it off as needed. You should see a gradual fluid loss with use but if you find yourself replacing the coolant a lot, it could hint at a larger problem. If you think this is the case, take care to check periodically through the day, and if it’s clearly an issue, don’t hesitate to have the tractor serviced.

Engine Oil

Another important lubricant is engine oil which helps things run smoothly under the hood. This too needs to be checked and topped off regularly. Don’t check the oil on a cold engine. Start up the tractor and let it run for a couple minutes. Shut it off then wait a few more minutes. Then check the dipstick like you would on another vehicle: take it out, wipe it off, reinsert, then pull it out again for a clear reading. If the oil is turning dark in color, change it immediately and replace the filter.

Fuel 

Fresh fuel is very important for your tractor. If you’re using your tractor enough, the freshness of the fuel won’t be an issue but if you’ve left your machine in storage for some time or it’s been left unused for more than a week, you’ll want to pick up a fuel stabilizer to add to the tank. This will keep water from collecting or separating out of the fuel, which can either rust right through the tank or else get sucked into the engine and cause all kinds of issues. The same goes for storing backup fuel. Just make sure to use the freshest gas or diesel you can!

Tires

For your tires, see the manufacturer’s recommended psi. However, if you don’t have access to that, you can adjust your tires for different tasks. For example, when you have to drive on the road, the tires should have a few extra pounds of pressure so they hold firm on the rough pavement. When you have to till the land, you can reduce the tire pressure a few pounds. When loading, you want more pressure in the front tires, and if hauling something heavy, the rear tires could use a few extra pounds.

We hope these tips help you take better care of your machine! For more pressing problems or other tractor service and repair needs, contact Prairieland Partners and have a chat with one of our trained technicians. If you’re looking for tractors for sale in Kansas, get in touch with our sales department for more information.