Maintaining a compact tractor
In order to ensure that your compact tractor continues to work properly, you need to make sure all the attachments you use are still suitable for the task you are working on.
The reason why this is so important is that if these pieces of equipment and accessories aren't kept up with, they can cause you a lot of problems - often resulting in the work not being able to be done as well as a big repair bill to fix everything.
Certainly at Beckside Machinery, we understand that small tractors are not used all the time, just as the attachments that go with them may not be used all the time.
However, in order to prevent them from rusting, breaking down due to lack of maintenance and care, failing to work when you are using them, or quite simply not working to specification, compact tractors should be maintained on a regular basis.
Sub Compact Tractor maintenance tips
In addition to a user manual, all compact tractors which are currently available will come with a warranty and product information sheet, which will provide you with information about the tractor, its parts, how to use them, maintenance tips, as well as maintenance schedules, such as how many times to change oil filters, clean air filters, check the front axles, etc.
Maintaining the subcompact tractor according to the maintenance schedule and advice is the key to extending its life.
It is also important to have a place where you can store your equipment and accessories, particularly in the winter months, as this prevents your equipment from being exposed to damp and icy conditions.
Ideally, you should use either a barn or a shed to store your equipment. Offering cover for all of your compact tractors, but also a place for you to access everything; this will enable you to do routine maintenance checks, clean air filters (tip: keep air filters flat when you remove them from the equipment, this will prevent dirt from falling back into the machine), dry and lubricate parts, deal with any signs of rust, and ultimately perform a general wear and tear check on all of your compact tractors.
It is possible to purchase heavy-duty covers, if there are no safe storage facilities nearby, for small tractors and their attachments that cannot be safely stored inside a garage or shed. It is true that these, too, can over time suffer from wear and tear and will also need to be maintained, just like anything else.
Make sure you do not opt for plastic covers if you decide to use one! In spite of the fact that these covers are waterproof, they still sweat and restrict the air circulation around the tractor itself. It is best to use a tarp made of breathable poly canvas fabric instead.
Make sure that you clean your equipment and machine regularly!
When you clean the blades and rotors, as well as mud from the cabs, etc., you are not only ensuring that your equipment is ready for any repairs that might be required, but you are also preventing things from seizing up and not working properly when you next try to use it.
In particular, when it comes to cleaning attachments, it is important to make sure that any parts that you remove, such as blades and filters, are put back in the proper order, and that any spring washers that accompany them are replaced at the same time, so that your attachments can continue to function properly.
Ensure that you carry out regular oil checks
In most compact tractors, the front axles are the primary area for repair work, since this is where the weight and capacity of a tractor can be found, so it is important to check the fluids in the front axles as well as your regular oil check.
Also, it is very important not to forget to choose the right hydraulic fluids - not the ones you think you can get away with and that the compact tractor will still handle just fine. Due to the fact that compact tractors have several factors that affect their performance, following the instructions in the user manual is always the best move to be made in order to avoid any potential problems.
When it comes to compact tractors and their engines during the colder months, anti-freeze can also come in handy. The antifreeze in your tractor should be checked regularly, as well as keeping the area surrounding the radiator cap as clean as possible at all times (this would eliminate the need to flush the entire system if dirt got into the system).
For compact tractors that are not going to be used for a long period of time, when it comes to their fuel tanks, there are two options for maintaining them:
The only thing you need to keep in mind when you are filling your tank up with petrol is to drain it completely to prevent the gas from going stale and causing damage.
When it comes to diesel, keep the tank full as much as possible, in order to help reduce the amount of condensation that might end up in the tank.
It is important to remember that you need to keep your engine running during the winter months, and regardless of how rarely you use the engine around the farm, it is important to make sure to turn it over one or two times a month to prevent battery drain and to prevent the engine from freezing!
Make sure you continue to use your equipment for many years to come by performing the essential maintenance needed today.
The team at Beckside Machinery have a range of compact tractors for sale and we are always available to provide you with any assistance and advice regarding the maintenance of these machines and their attachments.
We can be reached by calling 01673 828 965.
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