Getting Your Tractor Ready

If you haven’t already pulled your tractor or tractors out of storage for springtime, it’s as good a time as any. But there’s more to getting your tractor ready for planting than just dusting it off. We here at Desert Greens Equipment want to help you make the most of your spring, so we’ve put together a few tips on getting your tractor out winter storage. To learn more, or if you’re in need of a new tractor altogether, contact our stores in Albuquerque and Belen, New Mexico, today!

Fluid Inspection

Your tractor relies on a lot of fluids to keep the engine running and running smooth, and they tend not to age well over the winter. If you emptied a fluid out, you’ll want to refill the tanks. Anything you didn’t empty was hopefully stabilized for a long period of disuse, since fluids like fuel caan separate over time, releasing water into the gas tank and causing corrosion and rust. If you didn’t stabilize something, empty the tank and make sure there’s no rust or grime, then be sure to top it off with fresh fluids.

Grease Bearings

Any and all bearings will need a thorough greasing before you get to work. Lubricate them with the proper products as recommended in your owner’s manual to ensure nothing sticks or grinds. You should also check the bearings as you grease them to ensure there’s no excessive wear and tear.

Test All Controls

You should also take some time to look over all the nobs, wheels, levers, and switches on your tractor before you start it up. They might be stiff or rusty after sitting idle over the winter, so make sure they all move properly. You’ll also want to test the brakes for similar reasons.

Charge the Battery

While the cold might do wonders for engine health, since it helps prevent and minimize overheating, it’s not as healthy for batteries. If you left your battery plugged in to your tractor over the winter, chances are it’s dead and won’t hold anywhere near a full charge ever again.

Hopefully you removed it and left it on a tender or trickle-charger during the colder months to avoid killing it. Tenders and trickle chargers are great for allowing your battery to work minimally while also charging it, ensuring it stays as healthy as possible and is ready to get back to work in the spring. Check the battery’s terminals for corrosion or rust and clean off any you find, place it back in your tractor, and secure all cable connections.

We hope these tips help you get your tractors up and running for the season! For more information, or if you just want to browse through our tractor selection, contact us at Desert Greens Equipment. We proudly serve the people of Belen, Santa Fe, and Rio Ranchero, New Mexico—let us serve you today!