A Beginner's Guide to Farm Equipment Winterization

With winter fast approaching, now is the time to start putting your farm equipment away until next year. But you don't want to simply place your power equipment into your garage or shed and call it a day. There are some key steps to light construction equipment winterization that you will want to undertake first. This winterization process helps ensure the time in storage doesn't hurt your farm equipment and helps ensure it will be ready to go come spring. Keep reading to learn more, then visit Alex Power Equipment for any assistance with your farm equipment winterization. Our dealership is located in Alexandria, Minnesota. We also proudly serve those in Sartell and St. Cloud, Minnesota.

1. Consult Your Owners Manuals

Start by glancing at your power equipment owners manuals. These may not be the most interesting read, but they will contain valuable information on what processes you need to tackle and any recommended products to use. After all, who knows your light construction equipment better than the company who created it?

2. Inspect Your Engine

Look over the fuel tank cap and vent to ensure proper functionality. If you see any signs of water or sediment in the fuel, this is a red flag. Take your farm equipment in for a service right away. If you leave the problem unhandled, you could face damage to the fuel injection system. Look at your fuel filter to ensure it is functioning well and see if it needs to be replaced. 

You will also want to change your fuel to a more winter-appropriate option. Either use #1 diesel or a quality gasoline mix for your light construction equipment. Cold weather can make fuel problems worse, so be sure you use the right fuel for the current temperature.

3. Replace the Coolant and Oil

Inspect the coolant reservoir and hoses on your farm equipment to look for any signs of leakage. The coolant helps prevent corrosion, helps lubricate, and inhibits cavitation, so be sure you keep the fluids filled to the cap. You will also want to replace the fluids at the points the owner's manual suggests.

You will also want to inspect the engine oil. Make sure the oil holds its viscosity and light color. If it doesn't, you may need to replace the oil and the filter.

4. Tend to the Battery

Look over all the batteries on your power equipment. If you notice any dirt and debris around the battery, clean it out to keep it from messing with the conductivity and drain energy. Clean up any corrosion around the battery posts with baking soda and a small brush. This will help give the posts and cables a clean point of contact.

When a battery is going to sit unused for a period of time, you will want to disconnect it from the farm equipment. If you can, connect it to a battery tender or trickle charger. 

5. Tend to the Tires

Finally, inspect your tires. See if they are getting worn down evenly (if they aren't, it can indicate a problem). Take out any foreign objects in the tread. Check the tire wall for signs of cracking and scalping. Make sure the tires are inflated to the right temperature.

We hope you found this guide helpful. If you need any help winterizing your farm equipment, the experts at Alex Power Equipment are ready to assist. We can help offer advice or get the more complicated tasks done in our service department. Whatever you need, we are ready to help. Our dealership is located in Alexandria, Minnesota. We also proudly serve those in Sartell and St. Cloud, Minnesota.