Offseason Care Pays Off

Follow these seven steps to winterize your equipment now — saving time, money, and headaches next spring.

- By Jessie Scott Editor in Chief [e-mail]

Winterizing equipment can save you time when you need it most during busy seasons and can reduce the expense of repairs.

“It’s a lot easier to take care of things when you have extra time during the offseason,” said retired Iowa State University Extension agricultural engineer Mark Hanna.

Run Winter Fuel

If you’re running diesel equipment, it’s time to switch from No. 2 diesel to No. 1. Your dealer has already changed the blend with the weather, so the only time this becomes a real issue is if you've had a tractor sitting around since August or September. No. 1 diesel fuel has a lower cloud point, so it gels at a lower temperature than No. 2 diesel. However, No. 2 diesel has more energy content per gallon, which is why you run it most of the year.

If you have smaller gasoline engines on the farm, you also want to make sure you have a winter blend in this equipment.

Check Fluids

Make sure the engine coolant will work for your expected winter temperatures. On smaller outdoor equipment, you may need to go to a lighter-weight oil. Check your operator’s manual to see the recommendation.

You should also top off fuel and hydraulic oil tanks. Condensation in the spring can cause water to enter tanks if they aren’t full.

Charge or Disconnect Batteries

For batteries, you have two options: Either keep the batteries as fully charged as possible — a good idea if you may need to use that piece of equipment this winter — or disconnect the battery.

"If the battery is fully charged and you maintain that charge, you are probably OK that way," Hanna said.

"If the battery is on a piece of equipment you aren't going to use much this winter, then disconnect the battery, so you don't have a leak."