How to Winterize Your Tractor

Winter is on the horizon now, which means that heavy snow is soon to fall here in Colorado. With the harvest season over, many farmers are probably starting to think about storing their equipment for the next several months. You might think that this is as simple as throwing a tarp over your machinery and walking away, but the truth is that you can save yourself a lot of expensive repair costs by properly winterizing and securely storing your tractor.

So how do you go about doing this? True Value Trailers & Power Equipment, with locations in Penrose and Florence, is your Colorado tractor dealer. Here are the steps you’ll want to take to get your tractor all ready for winter storage so that it’s in good shape when you’re ready to use it again in the spring.

1. Perform Basic Maintenance

Now that you’re done with the harvest and other jobs that you needed to use your tractor for, you can take this time to perform some maintenance work that should be done before storage. There are several tasks you’ll want to perform to ensure your tractor is in peak condition:

• Check oil by removing the dipstick, wiping it off, reinserting it and removing it again. Clear and runny oil can be topped off, but sludgy and opaque oil needs to be changed, along with the oil filter.
• Drain the fuel from your gas tank and replenish it with fresh fuel to which you’ve added a fuel stabilizer to prevent water separation that can corrode your tank.
• Remove the battery from your engine and place it on a tender in a warm, dry place to keep it charged up over the winter.
• Check tire pressure as you would for a car using a tire-pressure gauge and air up tires according to your owner’s manual’s recommendations. You may wish to store your tractor on a stand or on blocks to prevent the tires from developing flat spots. Make sure to look for embedded objects and tread wear as well.
• Clear out debris in the engine such as dirt, leaves and grass that can collect moisture and cause corrosion.
• Refer to your owner’s manual for any other maintenance tasks that are recommended for your specific make and model.

2. Wash & Dry

Now that you’ve finished with your maintenance tasks, you can clean your tractor! Give your tractor a thorough wash with soap and water, making sure to not get water in the engine or on the instrument panel as best you can. Use a milder detergent like car-wash soap rather than something harsh. Dry your tractor in the sun or use chamois cloths to wipe it down. Use a hard-bristle brush to get into nooks and crannies. Lubricate grease points once your tractor is clean.

3. Cover & Store Securely

Now it’s time to think about storing your tractor securely. A good, sturdy cover is necessary to prevent debris, dirt and pests from dirtying up your tractor while it’s stored. If you’re storing your tractor outside, then a waterproof and durable cover becomes even more necessary to shield your tractor from the elements. Avoid plastic covers that can trap in moisture and cause rust to form.

The best place to store your tractor is indoors, like in a barn or shed. Even storing the machine under a covered driveway is better than having your tractor out in the open all winter, but if that’s what you have to do, then make sure your tractor is covered securely and that you check on it every so often.

Still searching for a tractor or looking to upgrade? Visit our website to take a look at the fine selection of new and used tractors for sale at our dealerships in Penrose and Florence, CO. True Value Trailers & Power Equipment proudly serves the cities of Pueblo and Colorado Springs, CO.