A Guide to Cleaning Tillage Equipment

Farming equipment, such as a tiller, is generally large and unwieldy, which is why it also can get very dirty after handling the day-to-day operations of a farm. From time to time, you may need to give your tillage equipment a decent scrubbing to remove caked-on dirt and grime. Here are some tips to help you get started!

Why Should You Clean Tillage Equipment?

Dirt, mud, and grease can accumulate on delicate parts of tillers over time. If left unaddressed, a buildup of grime can lead to breaking parts and corrosion. It can also be more difficult to spot problems or service a piece of equipment effectively if there is a lot of dirt covering it.

What Supplies You Need?

To clean large, rugged pieces of tillage equipment, you need to have the right tools. You should have some type of cleaning solution on hand that is made for these types of implements. You will also need brushes, rags, and other implements to clear away any grime. A pressure washer can also be really useful as it can help break down dirt and mud quickly and efficiently so that you can get back to work on the farm with a clean machine.

Find a Suitable Place for Cleaning

When cleaning tillage equipment, you should have a spot that is designated to clean them because there will be a lot of dirty runoff water. This runoff water can include grease, oil, and cleaning solutions that can be harmful to crops or wildlife. It is also good to be conscious of the environment when cleaning your tiller.

Pre-Rinse

The first step to getting your equipment back to looking like new is giving everything a pre-rinse with water. Mud and grease will be easier to remove if you get them wet. The water will soak into very caked-on pieces of grime.

Clean With Care

When cleaning tillage equipment that’s attached to a tractor, there are parts that you should keep an eye on. The tractor cab and engine are both spots where you need to be careful when washing. You do not want to damage the parts of the engine or damage the seat or controls in the cab. If you’re washing your tractor as well, spend the time to clean these areas slowly and thoroughly.

At this point, your tillage equipment is ready for another day of work. Then again, as you’re cleaning, you might notice a few maintenance tasks that need to be taken care of sooner, rather than later. If that’s the case, then contact Rivera's Machinery, Inc. in Donna, TX, and we’ll get you scheduled with one of our experienced technicians. We proudly serve Harlingen, McAllen, and San Benito.