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on Wednesday, January 9, 2019
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Ag-Pro Companies News
It’s officially 2019—new year, new you, new crops, new projects—and hopefully a fresh new start for your equipment, too! It’s always good to keep up with maintenance on all your equipment, but we encourage you to take some extra time at the start of the new year to thoroughly check everything for any potential issues that could affect you in coming months. That way, you can go into the new year feeling assured that you won’t have to shut down your operation for a problem that could have been fixed or avoided. Our team here at Ag-Pro Companies came up with some items to check off your list before the busy season comes back around. Check them out below!
Visual Inspection
The first step you should take in making sure your tractor is ready for the new year is to give it a good visual once-over. Take a look to make sure nothing is broken, dirty, or overly worn out. If you notice any issues or potential issues, make note of those so that you can properly address them.
Check Your Fluids
Next, check your fluid levels. That should include fuel, coolant, engine oil, hydraulic oil and any other fluids that might be present. Your oil should typically be changed about every 100 hours, but be sure to check your manual or ask your Ag-Pro technician to make sure. Change or fill any other fluids that need it, or take note of it for your next service appointment. Checking the fluid levels should alert you to any leaks that need to be immediately addressed.
Change Your Filters
Check your air filter to see how dirty it is. If it looks really contaminated, it’s time to replace it. If you change any oil or other fluids, those filters should be replaced at the same time. Don’t forget to close off the fuel line and make sure you’re following all the right protocols if you’re doing it without the help of a professional!
Check Your Battery
Battery maintenance is very important for your tractor, even if you haven’t noticed any problems yet. Inspect and clean the battery’s terminals and measure the voltage levels. Make sure nothing looks corroded. If the fluid levels are low, you can try to refill with distilled water and recharge. If the battery level remains on a low charge after that, it might be time to replace the battery.
Test Your Lights
No matter how extensive your lighting system is, you should be diligent to check everything down to turn signals and interior bulbs. If one of your lights doesn’t work, you might just have a burnt out bulb, but you also might be dealing with a faulty fuse or another electrical issue. If you can’t easily resolve the issue on your own, our experts here at Ag-Pro can take it from there.
Check Belts and Hoses
It’s important to inspect all your belts and hoses, because your tractor’s engine relies on them to perform properly. Take note of all the rubber components, checking for any signs of damage or excessive wear. If they look particularly worn out, it’s time for them to be replaced. Cracked rubber or glazing on the sides and bottoms of belts indicate that it’s time for an update.
Inspect Wheels and Tires
First, look over your wheels for any signs of a problem. But don’t just look—make sure your wheels don’t have any loose bolts or lug nuts. If the wheels look good, move on to the tires. Use a gauge to check the pressure of each tire and compare it with the tire’s pressure rating. Tractor tires can last a long time, but operating with under-inflated tires can ruin your tires much faster than they should and cause your tractor to burn more fuel.
Clean Your Equipment
Cleaning your tractor does a lot more than just make it look good. Keeping your equipment clean helps prevent debris from building up and causing damage to the moving parts, and it ensures that you will be able to identify any issues as they develop. Plus, it can help your tractor run better overall.
Professional Inspection
When in doubt, let us handle it! Right now is a perfect time to bring your equipment in for an off-season inspection. We will thoroughly check your tractors and other equipment to make sure they’re tip-top shape for 2019. Our staff is made up of the best highly-trained technicians that know your machines inside and out. If you want to make sure everything will be performing the way you want it to, give us a call or request a service appointment online.
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