Regular tractor maintenance is key to ensuring the smooth operation and longevity of your tractor. By following a regular maintenance schedule, you can keep your tractor running at its best and prevent costly repairs. This article will cover a basic 8,000 hour service schedule for a typical tractor. Of course, this schedule could vary depending on your location and the type of work that your tractor is used for.
What Are The Maintenance Of Tractor?
Always be sure to use the proper tooling, parts and fluids when servicing your tractor. Using incorrect components can cause damage or malfunctions that may not be covered by your warranty!
The basic maintenance checks for tractors are given below.
1) Check Cabin Filter: Every eight months, check the cabin air filter for dirt and damage. A dirty cabin air filter reduces airflow and overheats a diesel engine. It can also interfere with proper function of a tractor's emissions control system, resulting in reduced fuel economy and increased emissions. Replacing a dirty air filter will improve your tractor's performance and save money on fuel.
2) Check Engine Oil: Check engine oil every month. Keep the oil at or above minimum level specified in your owner's manual. If you are checking the oil on a day when it's below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, allow the engine to idle for about five minutes so that the oil warms up and reaches its full-level. If this is not possible, check the oil immediately before you plan to drive.
3) Check Fuel Filter: Every four months remove and inspect the fuel filter from your tractor. Also, replace it four times a year if necessary. If you have a foam pre-filter on your fuel tank, inspect it frequently. Remove sediment with a strainer or let the sediment settle to the bottom of your fuel tank, then drain off the clean fuel.
4) Check Coolant Levels: Inspect engine coolant level every month or two. If necessary, add pre-mixed (50/50 mix of antifreeze and water) coolant through the reservoir on top of the radiator. Check and change your radiator's antifreeze protection level at least once a year. When it's time to replace the coolant, use only new pre-mixed 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
5) Clean Battery Terminals: Clean battery terminals every month or two using baking soda and water. Dry with a clean cloth and apply a light coating of petroleum jelly to the top of each battery post. This will help prevent corrosion.
6) Check Battery: Every three months, test your tractor's battery with a hydrometer or voltmeter. If the reading is below 12-volts, charge or replace your battery as necessary (see instructions below).
7) Change Oil: Every eight months, drain old oil and replace it with new oil. When changing your tractor's oil, take care to dispose of the old oil properly (see instructions below).
8) Check PTO Clutch: Mix a teaspoon of automatic transmission fluid into two quarts of fresh engine oil and pour it into the gear case (PTO reservoir bottle). This will keep the rubber components inside the PTO clutch lubricated and prevent cracking and premature failure.
9) Grease All Chassis Components: Grease all chassis points every 12 months for smooth operation. Some greasing points may be indicated in your owner's manual or on decals that came with your tractor.
10) Clean Tractor Exterior: Clean your tractor's exterior with a mild detergent and water every few months.
11) Adjust Seat: Every six months, check the position of your seat and adjust it as necessary. When adjusting your seat, always wear good work gloves to protect your hands from sharp edges or hot metal parts.
12) Check Tire Pressure: Check tire pressure (including rear tires on most models), according to the instructions in your owner's manual. Use an accurate tire pressure gauge to avoid under-inflating or over-inflating tires. Also, inspect both sides of each tire for embedded objects such as glass that might cause air loss through a puncture hole. Remember that weather conditions can affect tire pressures (example: extreme cold will cause a tire to lose air pressure).
13) Check Electrical System: Every two months, check all wires and electrical connections on your tractor. Look for loose or exposed insulation that could cause shorts or sparks. Make sure the wiring is secure and won't interfere with moving parts.
14) Clean Battery Tray: Clean away dirt, grease, sand and other debris from the battery tray every three months. Also, check the tray often to make sure it's free of cracks or corrosion that could allow battery acid to leak onto the tractor frame which will damage paint finish. Replace corroded battery terminals as needed (see instructions below).
15) Inspect Belts & Hoses: Every six months, inspect belts for signs of wear (stretch), fraying or cracking. Also, inspect rubber hoses for wear or cracks that might cause air leaks. Replace belts and hoses as needed (see instructions below).
16) Inspect PTO: Once a year, check your PTO drive belt (a V-belt on the front of the tractor) to make sure it's properly aligned with the pulleys. If necessary, adjust the belt by loosening two bolts holding the tensioner arm in place and move the arm along to adjust belt tension (replacement arms are available at most hardware stores.)
17) Replace Air Filter Element: Every three months replace your engine air cleaner element to maintain peak airflow through your engine's carburetor venturi. Use only new filters specifically designed for your tractor (never substitute).
18) Inspect Hydraulic Hoses: Once a year, carefully inspect hydraulic hoses for signs of cracking or wear. When inspecting hydraulic hoses, always use clean fresh water to wash away dirt and debris that might cause pinhole leaks. Replace all cracked or worn hydraulic hoses immediately with new ones designed specifically for your tractor (see instructions below).
19) Check Blade & Ripper Tension: Every three months, check blade/ripper tension by measuring the distance between the bottom of the blade curl and the top surface of the mower deck. If necessary, adjust tension by loosening two bolts holding the deflector plate in place and move the deflector plate along to adjust belt tension (replacement deflector plates are available at most hardware stores - see instructions below).
20) Grease PTO Shaft: Every six months, grease your tractor's PTO shaft (usually located underneath the mower deck) to prevent rust and corrosion. Lubricate all exposed grease fittings with multipurpose lithium-based grease. Some greasing points may be indicated in your owner's manual or on decals that came with your tractor.
Why Tractor Maintenance Is Important?
There are a number of reasons why routine tractor maintenance is important. First, good maintenance will help your tractor last longer. By keeping it clean and properly serviced, you'll minimize the chance that small problems will turn into big ones. In other words, taking care of little problems as they occur is much easier on your wallet than letting those issues develop into major repair bills.
Second, regular maintenance will make your job a lot easier when you really need to count on your tractor to get a difficult job done (for example: fall mowing). Tractors that aren't well maintained often fail at critical times…when you can least afford for them to let you down!
Third, proper maintenance might save you from getting injured. Many tractor injuries can be traced to mechanical or safety issues that could have been avoided by good, regular maintenance.
Finally, a really important reason to maintain your equipment is for safety sake! Amazingly, many farm accidents happen because worn out equipment fails when it's needed most. What do I mean? In many cases, the actual accident might have been avoided if proper maintenance had been done on the equipment in question. For example: a belt might break while mowing and the resulting flying debris injures someone…or maybe a rusty PTO shaft breaks while you're using rotary tillage…unfortunately without warning.
What Maintenance Does A Tractor Need?
- Oil Change: Every 50 hours (or once per season), change oil filter and oil. Inspect oil drain plug and replace if necessary. On most tractors you'll need SAE 30 or SAE 40 rated engine oil (NOT diesel motor oil) and an OEM approved filter. Use clear or transparent oil as opposed to dark colored oils as they it easier to discover contaminants (water, dirt, metal particles) that might have entered the lubrication system.
- Greasing: Every 25-30 hours (or once per season), check and grease all exposed fittings on your tractor with a lithium based grease. If you cannot find a fitting listed in your owner's manual go to an automotive parts store and buy what is known as "universal" greases packaged in easy to use aerosol cans. In addition, inspect bolts and nuts for tightness as they can vibrate lose over time if not properly torqued/tightened at the factory when the tractor was originally assembled.
- Blade & Ripper Tension: Every three months, check blade/ripper tension by measuring the distance between the bottom of the blade curl and the top surface of the mower deck. If necessary, adjust tension by loosening two bolts holding the deflector plate in place and move the deflector plate along to adjust belt tension.
- Mowing Deck & Spindle/Transmission Oil: Every 25 hours check mowing deck oil level, transmission oil level, radiator fluid, steering gear fluid level, hydraulic oil levels in reservoir tanks and refill if necessary. On most equipment you'll need SAE 30 or 40 engine oil for spindles/transmissions (NOT diesel motor oil), hydraulic oils can vary so consult your owner's manual for proper type…usually SAE 80 weight gear and/or 90 weight motor oil.
- Spark Plug: Every 25 hours check the spark plug and clean if necessary (replace every 100 hours if needed). Cleaning is accomplished by removing the spark plug, using a wire brush to remove any buildup of material on top of the plug and then replacing it into the engine. A new spark plug should also be installed at this time. You can usually find OEM replacement plugs at most local automotive parts store…NGK, Autolite and DENSO are popular brands while Champion is a common OEM replacement brand. If you cannot find an exact match for your type of equipment, NGK has interchangeable dual and quad electrode plugs that will fit many different types and models of equipment making them very popular with farmers.
- Coolant (Antifreeze): Every season or every other season, check coolant/antifreeze level in radiator and fill if necessary. Make sure you only use the approved type of antifreeze for your equipment as many types are not compatible with others! Never mix different types of coolants together. The cooling system is sealed so there's no way to drain out old coolant…you must simply add new coolant when refilling it. If you cannot find an OEM replacement for your engine's water pump, have a qualified shop replace it as they are specifically designed for that particular model of tractor or implement.
- Lights & Wiring: Check wiring harnesses underneath the hood every 25 hours to ensure that all wires are connected and not frayed or cut. If necessary, tighten loose wiring or re-route them as needed to prevent chafing against hot engine parts. Tighten all body bolts as vibration can loosen bolts over time causing body panels to rattle or come lose. Re-attach headlights using proper fasteners and ensure they are properly aimed (see your owner's manual for proper aiming procedures).
- Battery: Every season replace a failing 12 volt battery with a new one…the starter/generator simply cannot function without a properly functioning battery! Be sure the replacement battery is designed specifically for that model of tractor/implement you have otherwise it will quickly fail requiring early replacement once again.
- Vibrations & Noise: Vibrations and noise can be a sign of loose bolts, worn components or something more serious so have these areas inspected by a qualified technician as soon as possible to avoid further damage. For example, loud clattering noises coming from the mower deck usually indicate worn spindles or tailshafts which must be replaced before they break off entirely!
How Do You Maintain A Tractor Battery?
Every year, you should ensure that the battery of your tractor is in good working condition. This not only ensures safe and effective use of your machine but also protects it from corrosion and rusting which can reduce its lifespan.
There are several ways to keep a tractor battery in good condition:
1 – Keep The Battery Clean And Dry
Maintain cleanliness around and on top of the battery by removing dirt and grime using a wire brush or cloth dipped in baking soda solution. It's important to remove any moisture around or under the battery as well as keeping both terminals clear from obstructions such as oil, grease, dirt or other deposits. To avoid causing unnecessary damage due to shock, make sure the ignition is turned off, and disconnect any lead-acid batteries before working on them.
2 – Inspect Battery Cables And Terminals Regularly
Visually inspect battery cables for any signs of damage or corrosion which can cause a loss of electrical current between terminals. Any damaged cables should be replaced as soon as possible to prevent further damage from occurring. In case of severe rusting, remove the cable from the terminal and apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly or anti-corrosion spray to help prevent further issues from occurring noting that you should never attempt to clean battery terminals with a wire brush as this can result in a short circuit once again causing permanent damage!
3 – Keep The Terminal Connections Tight
Ensure that all terminal connections are tight and secure. If one of these has become loose, the battery will lose power which can lead to several issues including weak starting action or failure to start at all.
4 – Avoid Overcharging And Deep Discharging
If the tractor is not used for an extended period of time, it's best that you remove the battery and store it somewhere cool and dry to avoid overcharging as this can cause damage to its inner structures leading to leaks, ruptures or corrosion on cables/connectors! Be sure that you recharge the battery before use as this brings stored energy back onto its grids allowing it provide optimal current levels required for engine operation.
5 – Keep The Battery At A Good Temperature Range
Ensure that batteries are stored in well-ventilated areas where temperatures are around 70° F or 20° C. High operating temperatures can lead to a loss of water which reduces the efficiency of a battery while extreme cold temperatures make it sluggish and harder to crank an engine. Lowering electrolyte levels is another issue as this makes it more difficult for cells/electrodes to produce chemical reactions, resulting in poor performance and ultimately shortened battery life!
6 – Inspect Battery Electrolyte Level Regularly
It's best that you charge the battery immediately after each use as this allows it to become partially charged before being completely discharged during operation. This helps protect from sulfation which happens when electrical currents produced by charging fail to be utilized efficiently due to severe cycling due to deep discharging. If sulfation occurs, the lead plates within a battery will become coated with sulfur which reduces their ability to release electrical currents resulting in poor performance and reduced lifespan!
7 – Keep Battery Separators Clean And Dry
Ensure that battery separators are kept free from dirt, grime or other deposits which can cause unwanted short circuits within a battery! Be sure to remove any corrosion on connectors using a wire brush or light sandpaper followed with application of petroleum jelly or anti-corrosion spray to prevent future issues.
8 – Inspect Cleanliness Of The Battery Tray Regularly
A dirty tray is another issue as it can become corrosive overtime leading to rusting. It's important to use baking soda solution with water to help neutralize any corrosion on battery tray to avoid future issues.
9 – Properly Secure The Battery
Ensure that the battery is always secured using a sturdy strap or other device to prevent it from falling over or becoming damaged due to vibration/shocks which can happen while operating your tractor. Electrolyte fluid should never be allowed to come into contact with skin, clothing or anything else for that matter!
10 – Use Distilled Water To Maintain Water Levels
Maintaining electrolyte levels also helps ensure that there's enough water within each cell for chemical reactions which allows them produce electrical currents/power! When these levels drop below minimums, the performance of your battery will become drastically reduced resulting in weakened starting actions and difficulty cranking your engine under varying temperatures.
11 – Keep It Clean And Inspect Regularly
Keeping a battery clean and free from corrosion will also help prolong its life while improving performance! Be sure to inspect the level of water within each cell and add distilled water when required to keep them at optimal levels. Replace cable/connectors that become worn or corroded over time as this can lead to leaks, reduced performance and even fires which can be extremely dangerous!
12 – Maintain Charge Level At 50% For Long-Term Storage
If you won't be using your tractor for an extended period of time (typically six months or longer), remove the battery and store it somewhere cool and dry because keeping a battery charged while in storage may result in reduced performance and shorter life! Ensure that you charge the battery at least once every six months to keep it in shape while not in use.
How Often Should You Service A Tractor?
Servicing a tractor should happen at least once a year or any time it begins to struggle with starter actions, battery performance, engine issues (i.e. delivering reduced power), oil leakage and more! It's important to ensure that all fluid levels are within the maximum/minimum line markings for optimal performance as well as replacing any belts, hoses or bearings that may have become worn during operation over time.
Tractor owners should also keep close tabs on tire pressure to optimize traction across various surfaces while avoiding slippage which can lead to potential injury! Ensuring that your tires are properly inflated will not only improve tractor performance but lower fuel consumption at the same time because it takes less energy for your tractor to move forward when they're under-inflated! Keeping them properly inflated will also require less energy from your tractor's engine which can result in longer intervals between tune-ups!
Keeping a tractor clean often goes a long way to increase overall performance and reduce/eliminate future repairs over time. Regularly checking and servicing various components such as cables, connectors, bearings and more is effective in prolonging the lifespan of your equipment while increasing its resale value when it comes time for replacement.
Although there isn't one method that works best for all tractors because each one has different levels of care required including soil conditions such as loose sand/dirt or extreme mud which can affect how much power they deliver under varying weather conditions. It's important to follow manufacturer recommendations when it comes time to service your tractor to ensure optimal performance across various conditions while protecting your investment for years to come!
How Do I Keep My Tractor Clean?
Keeping a tractor clean often goes a long way to increase overall performance and reduce/eliminate future repairs over time. Regularly checking and servicing various components such as cables, connectors, bearings and more is effective in prolonging the lifespan of your equipment while increasing its resale value when it comes time for replacement.
Although there isn't one method that works best for all tractors because each one has different levels of care required including soil conditions such as loose sand/dirt or extreme mud which can affect how much power they deliver under varying weather conditions. It's important to follow manufacturer recommendations when it comes time to service your tractor to ensure optimal performance across various conditions while protecting your investment for years to come!
What Are The Periodic Maintenance Of Tractor?
A tractor's various components should be serviced at least once a year if it isn't used regularly, but owners who use their tractors on a regular basis should ensure that they are serviced no less than once every six months to keep engines, tires and other moving parts in good condition over time.
Final Thoughts
Servicing your tractor means checking cables, bearings, hoses and all other moving parts for wear while replacing any that may have become damaged or excessively worn during use. It also includes cleaning your equipment by washing off mud/dirt buildups with clean water because dirt can contaminate fuel which reduces horsepower over time! You'll also want to check the oil level before starting up to make sure it isn't running low and check the tire pressure to make sure they're properly inflated.
With a few simple steps and some diligent attention to maintenance, you can keep your equipment running and optimized for your use.