Five Common Farm Equipment Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid
Check out this guide to learn about the five common mistakes many farm owners make while maintaining their farm machinery. If you need more advice, visit Magnum Power, where our experts can also address your concerns. Our dealership is in Lawson, MO, where we happily welcome our friends from Clay County and Kansas City, so stop by today.
1. Overrunning Your Machine
If you force your farm equipment too hard and for too long, you might end up straining its joints, which can lead to their malfunctioning. Also, if you make your machines do the work they weren’t designed for, you might jeopardize your safety and the safety of others working around you. That’s why you must avoid overrunning your equipment and preferably run them just under their intended maximum performance level.
2. Not Lubricating Critical Parts
When you grease critical components in your farm equipment, you help keep them functional and smooth and add life to the parts. On the other hand, if you don’t lubricate them as regularly as you should, the friction can cause the components to start grinding each other, leading to premature wear and tear. These factors can lead you to seek costly repairs of your farm machinery and may create safety hazards, too.
3. Not Maintaining Records
Many new farm owners make the mistake of not keeping service records of their farm machinery. You must avoid making this mistake at all costs because these records are a handy resource that you can refer to for finding out about any upcoming check-ups and part replacements. Also, you can use them as your machine’s service history to show a potential buyer when selling the equipment. In addition, you can use these records for insurance purposes, such as in the event your equipment causes an accident.
4. Not Storing Your Equipment Properly
If your tools are not cared for, they may end up aging prematurely and sustaining damages, which might be costly to fix. That’s why you must winterize your equipment properly when storing them away for the season.
You’ll want to clean your machines thoroughly before storing them and remove any corrosive materials from them to minimize damage. You’ll also want to use an indoor location, like a shed or barn, for storing your equipment. If you don’t have a garage or shed to keep your farm equipment, you’ll want to use breathable covers to protect your machines from the elements.
5. Not Training Your Staff
If your staff also uses the machines on your farm, you’ll want them to use the tools safely and efficiently. They must know about the fundamental operation of the equipment and be aware of the safety practices they need to follow while operating them. So, create training sessions to educate your staff on cleaning, maintaining, and identifying hidden issues that can turn into massive safety hazards.
We hope you avoid making these common mistakes when using your farm machinery. If you need more advice or are still in the market for a new piece of equipment, visit Magnum Power. We have an impressive collection of farm equipment for sale, and we can suggest models for your budget. To speak to our experts, call us today or swing by our dealership in Lawson, MO. We proudly serve our customers from Clay County and Kansas City.