This winter, you want to make sure you are maintaining your tractors through the cold season to prevent maintenance issues next spring. According to Roger Hoy, director of the Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory in Lincoln, if the tractor will be stored, general guidelines call for draining water from the fuel system and filling the fuel tank.

"Clean the tractor of debris, coat any exposed bare metal surfaces like the Power Take Off stub shaft, linkages and drawbar with a coating of grease to minimize corrosion," Hoy suggests. "Remove the batteries and store them in a charged state in a cool, dry place, and block the tractor up off the tires."

For tractors that need to be winterized for use in a cold environment, make sure the engine, transmission and hydraulic oils, and filters are all changed and replaced with lower-viscosity fluids appropriate for winter conditions, as found in the operator's manual, Hoy says. "Additionally, the tractor's fuel tank should be filled with a winter-grade fuel, such as No. 1 diesel, to prevent gelling of the fuel in cold temperatures," he says. "Failure to winterize may result in excessive corrosion, excessive wear on the engine, transmission and hydraulic components due to high-viscosity oils appropriate for temperate work, but not for cold temperatures. There are also potential fuel system difficulties if summer fuel is used."

Of course, Hoy reminds operators that these are only general guidelines and reminders to follow. "Equipment owners should review their tractor operator's manual for winterizing and storage procedures recommended by the manufacturer," he says. Learn more about winterizing your equipment by contacting your local farm equipment dealer.

The University of Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory was established in 1920 at the direction of the Nebraska Legislature and it continues to serve as the official tractor testing station for the U.S.

 Learn more about Nebraska Tractor Test Lab at tractortestlab.unl.edu or by contacting Hoy at 402-472-2442.