How to Winterize Your Tractor

Disuse can be hard on machinery and tractors are no exception. That’s why it’s so important to prep your model for its upcoming stay in winter storage. With the right maintenance and preventative care, your tractor will leave winter storage looking just as good as the day you put it inside. To learn how to care for your model before its long stay indoors, be sure to read through our helpful winterization tips.

Wash Your Tractor

To ensure your tractor doesn’t come out of storage covered in rust and grime you’ll want to give your equipment a thorough wash and dry before tucking it away in your barn or shed for the season. Be sure to use mild cleansers—such as dish soap or all-purpose cleaner— and follow up by lubricating moving parts, such as any attachments that are on your tractor and your model’s hydraulic cylinder rods. 

Inspect the Tires

Now that all the grime has been removed from your equipment, it should be much easier to give your tractor a thorough inspection. Be sure to thoroughly examine both the interior and exterior of your model—keeping an eye out for any rust, corrosion, or leaking fluids that need to be taken care of—and give your tires or tracks a quick once over as well. If your tractor has tires, don’t forget to double-check the air pressure before moving on to other maintenance tasks. 

Maintenance

Before you place your tractor into storage, make sure to give your model a complete oil change—making sure to replace the filter and refill your engine with a synthetic oil blend. It’s also a good idea to completely drain the fuel tank to avoid rust, varnish, or gum in your fuel system. After draining, pour a fresh gallon of gasoline into your tractor as well as a fuel stabilizer. Finally, don’t forget to remove your tractor’s battery from the engine and attach it to a battery tender so it isn’t dead come springtime. 

Notice your tractor needs some professional maintenance done before it can be placed in storage? Then visit us here at Desert Greens Equipment and take advantage of our amazing on-site service centers. We have two convenient locations in both Albuquerque and Belen, NM, and proudly serve the nearby cities of Santa Fe and Rio Ranchero, NM.