Winterizing Your Tractor
Once harvest season is over, chances are there are a few tools and machines you won’t be using until spring. If a tractor or two makes that list, it’s important to prepare them for the winter season so they’re ready to go when you need them. We here at Magnum Power want to help you keep your equipment in good shape, so we’ve put together a few tips for winterizing your tractor, below. To learn more, or to see the tractors we have for sale, contact our store in Lawson, Missouri, today!
Thorough Cleaning
Step one is to give your tractor a thorough wash once it’s done all the work it’s going to for the season. These machines are not known for staying spotless, and that’s not a problem—what is a problem is what the dirt can do to your tractor if it stays on all winter. You’ll want to use a mild detergent like car wash soap to scrub it down. Obviously try to keep water away from electronics or the instrument panel, then let it dry fully before lubricating grease points.
Basic Maintenance
If you’ve been neglecting a few maintenance tasks or check-ups, now’s the time to get to them. Check the engine oil by removing the dipstick, wiping it clean, then inserting and pulling it out again. Make sure the oil is a clear amber and runny and top it off if it is. If it’s sludgy, dark, or speckled, you’ll need to empty and replace it. Either way, you should also replace the filter.
Pull the battery entirely from the engine and hook it to a tender or trickle charger. Keep it in a warm, dry area, and it’ll keep your battery from going totally dead thanks to the cold.
Finally, look over your tires for signs of excessive wear or damage like cracks, tears, bald patches, and embedded objects. If the tractor won’t be moving for a while, use stands of supporting blocks to prevent flat spots from forming on the tires, and release about two thirds of their normal air pressure.
Storage
Once all that’s done, you’re good to cover up your tractor and place it in storage. A well-fitted cover is important to keep dust or pests from gathering on or in it, especially if you store it outdoors. A water-repellant cover made from something other than plastic is best.
Ideally you’ll store the tractor in a secure, dry, indoor space like a garage or barn, but a good cover should suffice if that’s not an option.
We hope these tips help your tractor stay in good shape over the winter! For more information, or to see the tractors and tractor accessories we have available, contact us at Magnum Power. We proudly serve the people of Clay County and Kansas City, Missouri—let us serve you today!