Seasons Are Changing! Are You and Your Equipment Ready?

As the hectic summer and fall seasons begin to end and we enter the snowy winter months of the year, it is important to take proper care of your equipment, so everything is ready for you to come next spring! With the help of Penn State Extension and our trustworthy Service Technicians, here are some help tips and guidelines to follow as we prepare for winter on the farm! 

To help prepare your machines for winter check your antifreeze quality. Any equipment with older coolant should be tested to determine the freeze protection levels in the engine. There are multiple ways to test this, either a test chamber with a ball or floater that would measure the gravity of the coolant. “An engine that contains more ethylene glycol will show a higher gravity, so the float will be higher, indicating a greater freeze protection when temperatures drop.” 

Another important item to check and prep on your equipment is the batteries. It is vital that batteries hold their charge through the cold winters or else it is likely that they will get damaged. Make sure to check your voltage levels before storing anything. Ideally, a 12-volt battery would be charged to 14.4 volts for safe storage through the winter months. It is also important to check voltage levels occasionally to indicate if any electrical issues would cause a freeze-up. Batteries with fast discharges are likely to have the acid freeze up and damage the plates and casing. 

“Number 2 diesel fuels are made up of a naturally occurring wax called paraffin wax” which acts as a lubricant for engines; however, this wax, when around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, begins to clump together and form a cloudy “gel” that restricts the movement through fuel filters. Therefore, it is important to add cold weather additives that will help these wax particles to better flow through your machinery. Another helpful tip is to keep your fuel tank as full as possible because it reduces the amount of room in the tank for condensation during colder weather. Remember, under no circumstance should you heat your fuel tanks or filters, as this will create more condensation and introduce too much moisture into your fuel systems. Gasoline does not pose the same paraffin wax issues that number 2 diesel does in equipment; however, it is still important to be aware that moisture can still collect in gasoline fuel tanks and cause freezing and corrosion. Additives can help stabilize gasoline fuel tanks throughout the winter, just like in diesel tanks. Lastly, when it comes to oils it is important to change the oil before winter storage, so it has a full reservoir, along with fresh oil having lower moisture content as it enters the winter months. 

Just like us, rodents tend to look for warm places to settle in during the winter months. This is especially important to recognize when prepping your equipment for storage because if you do not properly clean out your machines of leftover grain residues, hays, or other materials that make good nesting grounds and suitable food. If this task is neglected, you will likely come back to an unpleasant surprise of creatures living in your machines. It is also important to consider whether you want to store outdoors or indoors. Some operations have no choice but to store their machines outside, but equipment will deteriorate much faster if left to the outdoor elements and is likely exposed to much more wear and tear. 

Lastly, one of the most important steps when prepping for winter on the farm is winterizing your equipment. Any machines that contain liquids need to be winterized before any cold weather occurs. Sprayers and applicators should be flushed and drained as best as possible. Also, by using a recommended antifreeze you should fully submerse the pump, strainer bodies, and any lines or hoses that could not be completely drained. By taking these preventative maintenance care steps on your equipment you will be ready to roll come springtime, making your life easier! If you are curious or need any extra guidance to prepare your operation for the cold call your local LDI Service Department. Our skilled technicians would be more than willing to help you get ready for winter. Are you ready for the cold weather?