Tractor Upkeep Essentials

Tractors are the real champions of farm and property management, literally pulling more than their weight and keeping the hard work manageable. Whether you’re on the farm or working someone else’s property, a tractor is an invaluable tool in your arsenal, and no tool should go without proper maintenance. Tractors aren’t generally equipment you just take into the local shop for a quick tuneup, though. These beasts often require a bit of extra effort to get taken care of, and that’s fine — they’re worth it! But not every problem will warrant a full inspection, and many simple aspects of maintenance can easily be handled with a basic set of tools and knowhow.

Here at Cliff Jones Mahindra Tractor, we understand that tractors can be the pumping heart of land management, so we want to make sure our customers’ vehicles are operating efficiently and with the right kind of maintenance.

The right maintenance requires the right tools, so let’s start there. Below you’ll find some basic mechanics of tractor upkeep and some of the tools you’ll need to keep ready. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to call or visit us in Sealy, Texas, near Houston, Victoria, and Columbus.

Keep Everything Tight

Wrenches and sockets can be more than handy when taking care of your tractor. Every vehicle is going to be vibrating and putting stress on fastening bolts and screws. It’s best to act preventively to keep things where they need to be. For larger bolts, if you don’t already have huge sockets, then some channel-lock pliers are a good way to go. Vise-grip pliers and differing sizes of screwdrivers can also be useful.

Keep the Moving Parts Moving

Accessories and implements such as mowers and rakes have rotating parts that can get tangled up with grass, wire, or other debris. A pry bar or diagonal cutter can cut away at the situation with ease, and sometimes all you need is a solid set of needle-nose pliers and a pocket knife to get an intrusive object out from where it doesn’t belong. Don’t forget to wear protective eyewear and gloves in case something lashes out when freed.

Lubricant is of the utmost importance for keeping the moving parts moving. If something isn’t moving like it should, sometimes all it takes is a good spray of lube to get it going again. No tractor toolbox is complete without a can of spray oil. WD-40 is the gold standard of spray lubes, with exceptional ability to de-gum a lot of mechanical muck.

Operator Maintenance

While your tractor is certainly in need of maintenance to keep up the good work, we often overlook keeping ourselves in working order. No one is saying you need a gym membership and a refrigerator full of broccoli, but there are a few tools you can use to keep yourself from breaking down on a hot summer day. Water bottles keep you hydrated, and sunblock helps protect your skin from harmful UV radiation. Both are great for staving off adverse heat effects!

You should keep a first-aid kit in your tractor, as even a minor cut can get serious if infection takes hold.

Proper tractor maintenance is more than having the right set of tools, though it certainly won’t hurt to start there. For more tractor maintenance tips, or if you want to browse our selection of new and used tractors and equipment, head into Cliff Jones Mahindra Tractor. Our team of knowledgeable and courteous professionals will help with tractor problems A through Z. We’re proud to serve Sealy, Victoria, Columbus, and Houston, Texas. Come in today and learn the true meaning of customer satisfaction!