For farmers, late summer to early fall is one of the most exciting—and sometimes stressful—parts of the year. But once the harvest is over, you won’t be able to head indoors and hibernate through winter. In fact, you’ll have to perform maintenance on your farm equipment to prepare it for months in storage. The following post-harvest to-do list will help you wrap up a successful year.

3 Post-Harvest Maintenance Tips for Farm Equipment

1. Perform or Schedule Tuneups

Many pieces of equipment, such as tractors, backhoes, and harvesters, are essentially vehicles with an agricultural purpose. Therefore, they require the same mechanical checkups and maintenance as cars and trucks. After the harvest, change the oil, replace air filters, and add lubrication to moving metal components. Check on fluid reserves such as antifreeze and coolant, and refill underinflated tires. These tasks reduce risk as the vehicles rest through the winter.

2. Clean Well

Next, focus on cleaning out any sediment or natural debris that may have gathered in your farm equipment. There’s likely stray hay in your baler, seeds in your seeder, and soil in your tiller. By cleaning out these particles with cans of compressed air or pressure washers, you can get a lot done in minimal time. Plus, you can avoid rusting and pest infestations while your equipment sits in storage for months.

3. Prepare the Batteries

If left as is, extreme cold can do significant damage to the batteries inside your farm equipment, especially as they slowly drain power over time. To prevent this, disconnect or remove the batteries from your gear, and take them to a sheltered location such as a garage. Here, you can clean off corrosion, lubricate the terminals, and periodically charge the batteries to prevent them from permanently dying. 

With a farm to run, it’s easy for some upkeep tasks to slip your mind. If you need new farm equipment or parts as a result, head to Southside Equipment Company of Milledgeville, GA, today. They have over 30 years of experience selling gear and replacement parts as well as servicing everything from tractors to lawn mowers. To learn more about their inventory, visit the website or call (478) 452-5523 to speak with a staff member about your needs.