Servicing should always be carried out on a regular basis to keep your tractor working efficiently, especially so during busy periods when you rely on your tractor the most. A basic service should include the following checks and replacements:
- Engine oil change
- Engine oil filter change
- Air filter inspection/change
- Lubrication
Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change
Before the engine oil is changed it might be useful to run the tractor for a short while to allow the oil to be warmed up so it can be easily drained out. Although not essential, but could be beneficial, is to use a leaf blower to blow out all the debris from the engine compartment where you’ll be working. The reason for this is to ensure that any foreign object does not get into the critical areas of the engine and cause the tractor to run roughly, or possibly worse and cause a complete breakdown.
To avoid anyone starting the engine during the service it is advisable to remove the key from the ignition, you could also place a piece of duct tape over the keyhole as a reminder to anyone not to start the tractor. To drain the engine oil place a suitable container under the engine sump drain plug(s) to catch the old oil ready for recycling or correct disposal. Whilst the oil is draining, you can make a start on changing the oil filter.
A couple of good practices which you don't have to do but may be useful when changing the filter are:
- Using a permanent marker or paint pen, write the date on the new oil filter. This allows a quick visual reminder of when the filter was last changed without having to look up in a service book.
- Another good practice is to lubricate the gasket at the bottom of the oil filter with oil to help seal the filter to the engine block
Once the new oil filter is fitted and the oil sump drain plug(s) have been tightened to the specified manufacturers torque setting you can start filling the engine with the recommended oil for your tractor.
Whilst the oil is running down through the engine it gives you some time to check the air filter. If it is covered in dust and debris then you should replace it to improve the air flow to the engine. On some tractors there is an inner and an outer air filter so both should be looked at and replaced if required.
Lubrication
Using your tractors owner’s manual as a guide, find the correct locations for greasing and apply suitable amounts of the recommended grease for each application. Plus don't forget to grease any attachments, such as a loader, that may be fitted to your tractor. Grease is the lifeblood of farm equipment, the more you can grease it the longer it will last. You can use a dedicated grease gun to apply the grease, such as this one here.
Once you have poured enough new oil into the engin, start it up and let it run a little bit. After a while you should check the oil level, let it run a little again and check it a second time, filling the oil up if required to the correct level on the dipstick.
The above is just a basic engine service but there are other things that you could do which are equally important such as:
- Change the fuel filter
- Check the tyre condition, pressures and tightness of the wheels bolts
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