Maintaining quality of farming equipment is crucial for every farmer, as it directly impacts productivity, crop yields, and income. Any malfunction or breakdown can result in significant losses and downtime.
Waiting for repairs or service calls can cause delays in completing essential farm tasks, such as planting or harvesting. Luckily, implementing regular preventative maintenance practices can reduce these risks and ensure uninterrupted farm operations, reducing downtime and increasing productivity.
Ensuring proper maintenance of farm machinery is crucial for safety reasons as well. Farming machinery that is not properly maintained can cause property damage and injure operators.
Maintaining farm equipment regularly makes the machines less hazardous to those working with them. Additionally, taking good care of your farming equipment increases its resale value.
Many farmers end up paying for negligence when it comes to machinery maintenance, yet some still neglect it. The reason is that many farmers are unaware of the proper care required to maintain their big, bulky, and expensive machinery.
If you are looking for tillage equipment requiring less or almost no maintenance, count on Kelly Tillage. We offer a range of high-strength tillage systems and disc chains that require less maintenance cost.
Here, we have compiled a list of our favourite maintenance tips to assist you in staying organised and keeping your agri equipment in top-notch condition. By adhering to these maintenance guidelines, you can safeguard your farm equipment:
Lubricate Moving Parts for Optimal Performance
Farm machinery comprises various intricate components, including numerous moving parts. Regular lubrication of all these components is essential to keep your equipment functioning efficiently. The frequency of lubrication may vary depending on your local climate and the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Perform Regular Inspections
Farm equipment undergoes heavy usage and is susceptible to damage. To prevent any major problems, inspecting the machinery for damage after every use or at regular intervals is important.
Signs such as loose pieces, unusual noises, and other indications of damage should be looked for. It is important to address these issues promptly to avoid aggravating the situation.
Regular Oil Changes for Farm Equipment Maintenance
Farm machinery requires routine maintenance, similar to a car. Regular oil changes are necessary to keep harrows and other machines running smoothly.
It’s important to adhere to a regular oil change schedule for all farm equipment and machinery and check oil filters, replacing them as the manufacturer recommends. It’s a good idea to have a professional oil analysis conducted while performing oil changes.
This straightforward test can detect potential issues early on, preventing larger problems from developing in the future. You can easily provide a small oil sample to your dealer for testing.
Organise Documents for Efficiency
It is important to have a well-organised system for keeping records and documents. This includes receipts, owner’s manuals, dealership information, warranties, and service records.
It is crucial to keep accurate records of all repairs and maintenance work, whether done yourself or by a professional.
To ensure that maintenance is performed regularly, create a checklist of routine farming equipment maintenance tasks that should be completed monthly or annually.
You can also make a chart to schedule upcoming maintenance routines and display it on the wall. For other records and documents, use a filing system to maintain organisation.
Regular Cleaning for Farm Equipment Longevity
Farm equipment gets dirty very quickly due to the nature of farming work. However, it is important to clean the equipment periodically to keep it in good condition and prevent damage. This is especially important when the equipment is being stored or at the end of the season to prevent rust and stains.
You can clean the equipment by using a broom to remove any debris and then washing it with a hose to get rid of dirt and dust.
Risks of Customizing or Modifying Engines: Why You Should Avoid Them?
Farmers may be tempted to undertake significant repairs or modify their farm equipment to better suit their needs. However, while this approach may have been effective with older equipment, modern machines feature complex parts and internal computers that can be easily damaged by modifications.
Furthermore, such alterations are likely to invalidate any warranties and are not endorsed by manufacturers or dealers. If you are considering a particular modification, it is advisable to consult with your dealer first to explore alternative solutions.
Indoor Storage for Farm Equipment Protection
To ensure that your farm equipment lasts long, it is crucial to protect it. If you have a garage or barn, it is the ideal place for proper storage when not in use. However, if you do not have enough indoor space, consider other options, like an overhang, to prevent rain from causing damage to the machinery.
If storing equipment indoors is not possible, using tarps to cover it can provide some protection from the elements. Taking steps to shield your equipment from weather-related damage can go a long way in preserving your investment and extending its lifespan.
Vehicle Light and Battery Inspection
For the safe operation of your equipment, it is essential to examine all the brake lights, signal lights, and other types of lighting. Remember to inspect the lights on any attached trailers too. Collaborate with another person to make the task quicker and easier. Having functioning lights is crucial for the safe operation of your equipment.
While inspecting the equipment, be attentive to any signs of battery corrosion, which could lead to a loss of power in the machine. If possible, ensure that the batteries are fully charged by checking them.
To extend the lifespan of batteries in equipment only used seasonally, consider storing them indoors while the machinery is not in use. This is especially beneficial if you lack adequate indoor space for the whole vehicle.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, farm equipment is a significant investment that you cannot risk losing. It should provide you with years of service, and the most effective way to guarantee its longevity is by giving it proper care. By following these basic maintenance tips, you can begin taking care of your farming equipment and keeping it secure and efficient.
Kelly Tillage provides a diverse selection of modern farm equipment. If you’re seeking farming equipment, contact us today to explore our offerings. We’ll gladly assist you in identifying the best farm equipment and machinery for your farming requirements.