How to Keep Your Tractor Running Well in the Winter

Wintertime poses some unique challenges for your tractor. The colder temperatures can make it harder for your tractor to perform well. The nature of winter farming often means your tractor will sit unused for extended periods of time, which can also impact its performance. 

Fortunately, there are some proactive steps you can take to limit winter’s negative effects on your equipment. We’ve gathered up the following strategies to keep your tractor running well in winter. If you want more advice or want to explore tractors for sale, head over to our dealership, located in York and Hanover, Pennsylvania, as well as Frederick and Hagerstown, Maryland.

1. Use the Right Oil

Colder weather can cause oil to get thicker and stiffer. This makes it harder for your tractor’s engine to turn over and start. If the temperatures plummet lower and lower, consider using an oil designed for winter conditions.

You’ll also want to keep up with oil changes. But don’t check on a cold engine. Instead, run the tractor for a few minutes, turn it off for a few minutes, and then check the oil. If the oil is discolored or sludgy, replace the oil and the filter. If the oil is the right color and consistency, simply top off the oil.

2. Be on Alert for Moisture

Winter often sees an increase in moisture in the air. This excess moisture can make its way to your tractor’s engine compartment, which can lead to shorts or a failure to start. Regularly check the compartment to catch moisture before it builds up too much and causes problems.

3. Tend to the Tires

Colder temperatures can cause an increase in tire air pressure fluctuations. When tires aren’t inflated to the right pressure, they can face damage and a shortened lifespan. Use a tire pressure gauge to measure the tire levels, then compare against the manufacturer’s recommendation. You can find this number on the tire wall, manufacturer’s website, or the owner’s manual.

4. Use Proper Storage Techniques

Winter farming often sees periods of time where your tractor is not needed. But you don’t want to simply park your tractor in storage and call it a day. There are some maintenance tasks to do before your tractor sits unused for a period of time.

If your tractor will be unused for more than a week, add a fuel stabilizer to the tank. This product helps prevent water from collecting or separating from the fuel, which can cause engine damage or rust.

For longer periods of storage, you’ll need to do some additional tasks. The heavy weight of your tractor pushing down on the tires can become an issue the longer the tractor sits unused. Either raise the tires or rotate them occasionally.

You’ll also want to avoid a drained battery. You can flip the switch and disconnect it from the rest of the electrical system. 

We hope you found this guide useful. If you want more advice or need to get your tractor serviced, visit the experts at Bobcat of York, Frederick, Hagerstown, and Adams County. We can answer questions, give advice, and fix up your tractor. Whatever you need, you can find it with us. We run multiple locations in Pennsylvania and Maryland. We also proudly serve those in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland.