Wednesday, 24 August 2016

How to keep your tractor up and running

Modern farm tractors deliver the muscle power required to perform today's agricultural operations. These machines are found more common on farms as compared to other machines. Be it carrying mounted and semi-mounted implements, transporting equipments and materials, pulling wagons and tillage equipments, or acting as a source of remote power for other equipments, tractors make a common and reliable option to perform these tasks.

Farm jobs, which were challenging earlier have now become easier owing to tractors. This has made them the best farming equipment India. However, to enjoy the benefits of owning a tractor while performing farm operations, ensure to maintain them properly. Correct maintenance adds many years to its useful life.

Here are a few tips that help in proper tractor maintenance.

Protect the tractor from elements

Considering the fact that majority farm tractors come without a cabin to protect the instrument panel, seat, and metal components, it is better to store it in a garage or shed. If you do not have a shed or garage, cover the instruments and seat and keep rain out of the exhaust system.

Check fluids at regular intervals

Tractor usage is calculated in hours, which means that the amount of use can be deceptive. Moreover, leaking components might result in failure of expensive parts. Go through the owner's manual to see how fluid is checked. Check the engine oil, radiator coolant, transmission fluid, battery electrolyte, and hydraulic oil.

Inspect tire inflation

The shape of tire makes it difficult to detect low inflation. While the front tires usually have inflation pressure of up to 32 PSI, rear tires have the same between 12 and 20 PSI. If you are pulling an implement which requires maximum traction, fill the back tires of the tractor with ballast.

Inspect belts and hoses

Tractors with a hydraulic system come with high pressure hoses and/or tubing. Failure of these components can result in loss of steering, hydraulic pump failure, and other problems. It is better to replace a hose or belt if it is damaged, cracked, or worn. In case of leaky connections, make sure to tighten them or replace the seals.

Ensure that the brakes are adjusted equally

A large number of tractors are equipped with mechanical brakes. They are operated by a cam system and a linkage rather than a master/slave fluid system. Capable of working independently, these brakes are equipped on the rear axles to reverse the direction of travel or drive it in tight corners.

Check the filters

A large number of tractors are equipped with filters to offer protection against dirt, water, and other contaminants that can result in failure of components. Check the fuel filter regularly for accumulated water. Considering the fact that diesel fuel attracts moisture, most diesel engines come with water separating filter.

Check the air filter periodically. Tractors are often used in dusty conditions, thus the filters must be cleaned on daily or weakly basis. Use compressed air or vacuum to clean the filters. If these cannot be cleaned, or are damaged, it is better to replace them.

Maintaining a tractor is as important as finding a reliable tractor manufacturer to ensure that you have the right machine which will serve you for many years to come.

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