Essential Tractor Maintenance Checklist

Our farming equipment is of great importance when ploughing the fields and harvesting our food. Therefore, we have put together a short summary of a farmer's daily checklist for your tractor. Let’s get started, shall we?

Before starting the tractor, the first thing that you will want to do is check underneath the tractor. Do you see any leaks or puddles of fluid that have accumulated? No? Good, let’s check our fluids. We don’t want anything seizing while we are out in the field somewhere. Make double sure that all is in order.

Check all fluid levels:

This is very important. Make sure your tractor's fluids and fuel are at their proper levels. Running your tractor on low fluid levels could cause damage and performance issues. This could end up being a very costly mistake to make!

• Engine oil
• Coolant
• Fuel
• Hydraulic fluid
• Other fluids

Tires and wheels:

Have you ever wondered why tractor wheels are so strange-looking? They have been designed to protect your soil, as they have the capacity for very low pressures. They limit soil compaction, ensure a more evenly distributed footprint, and reduce slip.

Check that they are properly inflated. Check the operator’s manual.

Check tires for cuts or breaks in the tread or sidewalls.

Observe lug nuts and see if they are still tight.

Batteries:

Back in the early days, farmers used a hand crank to start their tractor engines. The battery in a tractor helps to power the motor. During your visual inspection, check to see that the battery does not have loose posts, and the case is not showing signs of leaking fluid, cracked, or bulging.

Also, check if the battery surface is free of dirt/moisture and that the battery connections are clean and corrosion-free.

• Is the battery securely held down?
• Are the connections clean?
• Is the electrolyte level good?

General condition:

By checking your tractor before using it, you will prevent costly repairs, downtime, and infuriating aggravation caused by breakdowns.

• Are there cracked or broken parts? Repair.
• Are the hoses damaged or leaking? Replace.
• Are all shields in place? Great!
• Loose parts, bolts, or nuts? No? Moving on.
• The SMV emblem is in place, clean, and unfaded.
• The steps are clean; there is no grease or mud on them that can cause an accident.

Once in the operator's seat, check and make sure that the seatbelt is functioning correctly. All good? Great! Now start the tractor, observe the engine oil pressure gauge, and make sure that there is oil pressure in the engine. Turn the lights and flashers on, then walk around the tractor to see if all the lights and flashers are functioning correctly. Then proceed to check all the other items listed in the operator’s manual as recommended.

All done, you are now ready to go and make green gold in your fields! We thought it fitting to honour our farmers and the contribution they make to our community with a little something special.