Tractor Maintenance Tips

There’s no more reliable and useful piece of agricultural equipment than a tractor. They let growers apply serious work to all manner of projects around the farm or property. But just like any other piece of equipment, tractors need their share of maintenance attention in order to keep in operational condition. Go too long between maintenance checks, and you could end up shortening the life of your farm’s most important workhorse. 

At Rivera’s Machinery, we know maintenance can be a hassle, especially when there’s work to be done in the field. The season might be winding down, but you should be winding up on your tractor maintenance! We’ve put together this short guide to help you get started. For more information head into our location in Donna Texas, where we proudly serve Harlingen and San Benito.

Visual Inspection

Before you begin, pull out your tractor owner’s manual. It will contain a lot of useful information, including how and when to schedule regular service, maintenance details specific to the make and model, and a whole lot more. When in doubt, go to your manual, or seek the help of the original equipment manufacturer. Any information in this guide comes second to what comes from the OEM.

A visual inspection will serve to catch any obvious issues that might escape the notice of an operator who spends all their time in the cab. Give the tractor a good once over, checking for leaks, loose hoses, and misplaced cables. Leaks can be fixed with some extra tightening of attachments or making sure a hose is connected properly. Also, look at the glass sediment bowl under the fuel filter. If there’s water or material in there, that means there could be something wrong with the fuel, fuel filter, or engine, and it might need to be taken into the shop.

Radiator Fluid and Engine Oil

Your tractor’s engine needs enough coolant and lubrication to keep from overheating and getting torn apart by its own mechanical operation. An overheated engine is a fantastic way to land yourself with a huge service bill, and the damage caused by a lack of lubrication isn’t any more attractive. 

Check the radiator fluid daily (only when the tractor is cool) and refill as needed. Gradual fluid loss is normal, but needing to replace a lot of coolant daily might be a sign that there’s a serious issue at play. If this is the case, take special care to check several times through the day to see if the fluid is rapidly draining, in which case it’s time for professional service.

Engine oil can be checked similar to how you would on a car or truck. Make sure the engine is warmed up, though not hot, and then check the dipstick: take it out, wipe it off, reinsert, then pull it out again for a clear reading. The oil should be light in color, but if it’s discolored and sludgy then it’s time for an oil change and filter replacement. Otherwise top levels off to the indicated level and move on.

Fuel

Fresh fuel is extremely important for the safe and continued operation of your tractor. Most run often enough and need refueling frequently to the point that this is never an issue, but toward the end of a season you’ll either be using your tractor less or be ready to put it into storage until the spring comes around again. A tractor that’s going to sit for more than a week or two should have a fuel stabilizer to added 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!

Taking care of your tractor can be a lot of work, but you’ll be rewarded with equipment that functions longer and better, and it will also help to prevent expensive service and downtime. If you encounter a problem outside your understand, don’t hesitate to call or head into Rivera’s Machinery in Donna, Texas, where we proudly serve Harlingen and San Benito. Stop by today and let our team of courteous professionals answer your questions and help you find what you’re looking for.