Store Equipment Properly for Winter

OMAHA (DTN) -- Farm producers who put their machinery in cold storage for the winter need to understand the variability of weather conditions which may impact the equipment. To combat this, machinery's different components should be examined closely.

Most major farm equipment manufacturers have a winter management program for their machinery, according to a press release from Penn St. University Extension (https://extension.psu.edu/…). The basic points include cleaning equipment, checking fluids levels and filling accordingly, planning for and making major repairs, reading owner's manual and checking batteries and tires to charge or inflate accordingly.

It can be tempting to "set and forget" after the busy harvest season, according to a press release from Ziegler Ag Equipment on storing farm equipment. However, taking the time to properly store and maintain equipment during the winter months is critical to a breakdown-free next planting or harvest season.

"Each piece of equipment is a huge asset," said Pat McCaulley, after sales and product support manager at Ziegler Ag Equipment. "They're a tool for everyone's livelihood, so we want to make sure they're ready to be used the next time they're called upon."

Here is a closer look at some components to examine before farm equipment heads into storage, according to Penn State Extension.

ANTIFREEZE

Engine coolant, also known as antifreeze, serves an important function by cooling a machine in use but also protecting it against freeze damage in the winter. Antifreeze should be checked with an engine coolant hydrometer.

These testers contain a small float or ball that measures the specific gravity of the coolant. An engine that has more ethylene glycol (in the antifreeze) will show a higher specific gravity, so the float or ball reads higher, indicating greater freeze protection in cold weather.

BATTERIES

Batteries must maintain a charge through their storage period to prevent freezing and damage over winter. Check voltage levels prior to winter storage as 12-volt batteries should be charged to 14.4 volts for safe storage.

Check voltage levels periodically -- a fast discharge indicates electrical issues within the machine or battery. Remember to disconnect equipment monitors and controller boxes left in tractor cabs to reduce the chance of voltage drawdown.

Always provide adequate ventilation when charging or jump-starting batteries on the farm. Lead-acid batteries produce quantities of hydrogen gas as they charge, which can cause an explosion in confined areas when gases accumulate.

DIESEL FUELS

No. 2 diesel fuels contain natural-occurring wax called paraffin wax. At around 32 degrees Fahrenheit, paraffin wax molecules being to clump together, forming a hazy, cloudy gel that restricts fuel flow through a fuel filter and causes plugging.

Cold weather additives change the shape of these wax particles and allow fuel to continue to flow at colder temperatures. Some fuel companies will switch to winter fuel blend as No. 1 diesel fuel which has a lower gel point that helps prevent issues in colder operating conditions.

Keeping fuel tanks full during extreme temperatures will reduce the amount of air in the tank, which reduces the amount of moisture that can condensate and contaminate the fuel. Excess fuel from the fuel pump is also returned to the fuel tank where it condenses as fuel warmed by the fuel pump meets cold fuel in the tank.

ENGINE HEATERS

Block heaters may come integrated with an engine as part of a factory-ordered package to heat engine coolant. Block heaters should be checked before cold weather to make sure they are still in good working order.

Glow plugs are small pencil-shaped heaters that sit inside the combustion chamber. With the help of extreme compression inside a diesel engine, they heat the air to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not use starting fluids when cycling glow plugs as the heat generated by the plugs can cause the starting fluid to explode outside of the combustion chamber.

Manifold heaters are a small array of heating coils in the intake manifold of an engine. They help heat the incoming air so the fuel-air mixture has adequate heat to initiate combustion. Never use starting fluids if an engine uses a manifold heater as the starting fluid may explode and severely damage the engine and/or injure the operator.

GASOLINE

Gasoline does not face the same paraffin wax concerns as diesel, but it still may contain enough moisture to cause issues with freezing or corrosion. Moisture intrusion of fuel systems can be caused by buying poor quality gasoline or allowing clean gasoline to become contaminated.

Gasoline additives are commonly used to draw moisture from fuel systems, helping to stabilize fuel over longer periods of time. Fresh gas should be treated before storage and used in a timely fashion.

Long-term stored equipment with a gas engine should be stored with empty gas tanks.

OILS

Engine, transmission and hydraulic oils contain detergents and additives to trap moisture, debris and fuel contaminants. Certain oils also have hygroscopic properties that allow them to trap moisture and contain it within the oil to prevent damage to internal components.

Follow the manufacturer's recommended service intervals based on the individual machine. Systems that use the same fluid in the brakes, steering, hydraulic and transmission components will likely see faster degradation than systems that run separately.

If a machine is nearing its recommended oil change time prior to winter storage, it is best to change the oil before storage. That way, any acids or contaminants will be removed before many months of storage instead of these contaminants attacking bearings, linings and oil seals.

Just as with fuel, keeping oil reservoirs full during extreme temperatures will reduce the amount of air in the tank, reducing the amount of moisture that can condensate and contaminate the oil.

TIRES

The best place to store tires is indoors away from sunlight and extreme heat. These stressors can damage the rubber compounds in tires, leading to premature cracking along the bead, sidewalls and cleats.

Before storing equipment, double-check tire pressures and adjust accordingly to maintain proper internal structure. If the equipment will be stored over the winter, consider moving it each month to prevent deformation or safely placing it on jacks to remove tire sidewall strain.

Tires filled with calcium chloride should be stored with valve stems between 3 and 9 o'clock positions to prevent fluid from freezing in the stems and causing air leaks.

Russ Quinn can be reached at Russ.Quinn@dtn.com

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