How To Perform Tractor Maintenance

Your tractor is a reliable piece of equipment that helps you with all sorts of tasks in and around your farm. It’s easy to forget that your tractor needs some tender loving care to remain dependable. You can perform many basic maintenance tasks at home with the right tools and know-how, which can help you to keep your tractor out of the shop for pricey repairs.

Manor Home Center, located in Oakland, is your Maryland tractor dealer. Here are our recommendations for performing regular tractor maintenance to keep your beloved machine in great shape.

Check Your Owner’s Manual

Before you do anything on your tractor, it’s important that you brush up on the facts in your owner’s manual. The manufacturer will have provided tips for regular maintenance tasks and when to perform them. It will also help you to familiarize yourself with the working parts of your tractor so that you know how every part operates.

Perform an Inspection

Park your tractor in good lighting and walk around it to inspect it from top to bottom. You’ll want to inspect it for leaks, which includes checking underneath it for any pooling fluids. Check over hose and cable connections and tighten them where necessary.

The glass sediment bowl under your tractor’s fuel filter also needs a closer look. If you see water or loose material in it, then something may be wrong with your fuel, fuel filter or the engine itself, which merits a trip to the shop. Contact the service department here at Manor Home Center if you’d like our team of mechanics to take a look at your tractor.

Engine Oil & Radiator Fluid

The oil in your engine helps to lubricate it and keep all its moving parts functional. You can check it once you’ve warmed up the engine for a few minutes. Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes before you remove the dipstick, wipe it down with a soft cloth, insert it and remove it again to check color and consistency. Clear, runny oil only needs to be topped off, but sludgy oil needs to be changed. Change out the oil filter at the same time.

The coolant in your engine will help to prevent it from overheating, which can cause you a lot of wasted time and money while you get it repaired. Check the fluid before every use and top it off accordingly. If you find yourself replenishing coolant very often, this may mean there’s a leak that needs to be addressed.

Fuel Concerns

Fresh, clean fuel is essential to the proper function of your tractor’s engine. If you plan to store your tractor for more than two weeks, then you’ll want to add a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. This fluid helps to prevent water from condensing and corroding the tank’s interior. Use the proper fuel recommended by your owner’s manual and keep your tank topped up so you don’t end up running out of steam in the middle of plowing.

Tire Check

The tires of your tractor hold it up and maintain contact with the ground, so it’s imperative that they remain in good condition. Tractor tires are especially expensive, so you don’t want to replace them before it’s necessary. Low air pressure is a common issue, so use a tire-pressure gauge to check all your tires and air them up according to the manufacturer’s recommended psi level. You’ll find this level in your owner’s manual, on the tire sidewall or online.

You can alter the tire pressure for different usages to improve function. Driving on the road will require a little extra pressure in the tire to help them hold on the hard asphalt. For tilling, you can lower the pressure a little bit. Hauling any trailer or piece of equipment will put more wear on your rear tires, so air them up a little more.

Still need a tractor? Come see us at our location in Oakland, Maryland, to check out our full selection of new and used tractors for sale, including models by John Deere. We also offer financing options to help you get the John Deere tractor you need. Manor Home Center welcomes all of our Maryland customers, including those coming from Garrett County.