Spring Maintenance Time for Ranch Machines
By Kristin Lewis Hawkins
If spring hasn’t already sprung in your neck of the woods, it probably will soon. With greenup also comes the need to get back in the cab or seat of your skid steer, tractor or utility vehicle. However, before you head out to grade the ruts in the road or do a little hay pasture aeration, make sure your equipment is up to the task with a bit of spring maintenance.
Read the manual
Not everyone is a manual reader. If you’re not, I bet you know someone who is. Enlist a spouse or grandkid to become acquainted with the manufacturer’s maintenance suggestions and specifications for your specific model. If a manual is no longer handy, call your local dealership, search for a copy for sale or download from the internet.
Your local rural equipment dealer or repair shop is usually a good resource for advice and information. Most national suppliers offer a dealer or service locator on their website, with phone numbers, emails and maps to dealers in your area.
Some manufacturers offer online references for service checkpoint tables and tips on when service should be performed. Check your manufacturer’s website for more information.
Make a list
Sit down with paper and a pencil and make a list of everything you may need to check — or again, call on your spouse, a grandkid or that friend who is a manual reader and list maker. This way nothing is left out or overlooked. It is also a good idea to find out what the normal specifications are for your model’s tire pressure or oil capacity and write these numbers down.
Some manufacturers offer checklists on their website for download or printing. They may also offer free access to videos or tutorials on at-home maintenance you can perform yourself, such as oil changes and air filter replacement.
This is also a good time to make sure you have all the proper tools and equipment needed to perform repairs or maintenance on your machine. Restock missing sockets or wrenches if you keep a toolbox dedicated to tractor use only.
Check it out
If your machine hasn’t moved in a few months, take a few moments to give it a good once-over before you crank it up. Have critters made nests in the engine bay? Did you forget you had disconnected the battery last fall? Even if you’ve been using the tractor recently, it’s always smart to give it a look before you start it up. Clean out any dirt or debris left over from storage or last year’s work.
- If you removed or disconnected the battery, make sure it’s charged and reconnected. If the fuel pump hose was disconnected or the carburetor and tank were emptied, reconnect hoses and fill with the appropriate fuel.
- Check tires for cracks, dry rot or extreme tread wear. If applicable, check for proper tire pressure and bead placement, as well. Inflate the tires if they are low.
- Check fan belts and linkages for proper tension.
- Make sure air filters are clean and free of accumulation or debris.
- Check hoses for cracks, holes or age. Replace if worn or cracked. Make sure connections are tight.
- Check all fluid levels, including oil, transmission or hydraulic, engine coolant, etc. Flush or replace fluids as needed.
- Check for loose bolts and nuts, especially on implements or attachments.
- Start the engine and make sure all the gauges are performing as expected.
- Move the machine outside and let it idle for a few minutes. To prevent the buildup of dangerous fumes, do not let it idle in an enclosed space or unventilated barn.
- Shut the engine off and walk around the machine to make a visual inspection for fluid leaks.
- Take the machine for a slow test drive. Check the brakes for wear and that all linkages are tight.
Don’t forget your implements! They will also need the same attention and maintenance. If tines or forks are worn or damaged, repair or replace them. Make sure all clips, fittings and connectors are in good working order. Inspect pneumatic cylinders and rods for wear, corrosion, misalignment or debris buildup.
Many local dealers and service shops offer tune-up specials in the spring. If it’s been a while since you’ve changed the oil or the engine’s running a little rougher with age, it may be time to schedule an appointment.
If you take care of your equipment, it should be there to serve you for many seasons to come. ❚
“Spring Maintenance Time” is excerpted from the April 2017 issue of The Cattleman magazine.