Tractor Maintenance Tips From a Pro

As farmers seek to maximize the performance and longevity of their equipment, choosing the right oil and maintenance practices can make a significant difference.

In a recent conversation with DTN/Progressive Farmer, Aaron Booth, manager of product marketing at New Holland Parts & Service, shared some insights on oil types, their applications, and best practices for equipment maintenance.

Here is a portion of that conversation. It has been edited for clarity.

**

DTN/Progressive Farmer: How can a farmer boost performance and hours between oil changes?

Aaron Booth: If you have a tractor that you are using 12 months of the year, it pays off to get that longer number of hours between changes using semi-synthetics and synthetics that do come at a premium. But if it's a seasonal piece of equipment, 300 or 400 hours on the machine a year, you don't necessarily need that synthetic for performance. Use what the owner's manuals say you should use -- and follow how often you should change the engine oil.

**

DTN/PF: What is the difference between a synthetic oil and regular oil?

Booth: If you're looking at it under a microscope, that full synthetic oil has smaller molecules; it's made to last longer before it begins to wear down. (Normal) oil isn't going to have the life of a full synthetic oil.

**

DTN/PF: Should oil keep the same viscosity throughout its lifespan?

Booth: Day 1 the viscosity is where it is supposed to be on Day 1. The separation between oils is how long does it maintain its viscosity through its normal life. As you get deposits, soot, and it undergoes heat, over time, it will break down. Go too long between drainings, and your engine is not getting the protection it needs. So, the question is: Should oil keep its viscosity throughout its lifespan? Yes, it should. But you need to use quality OE (original equipment) oil and not an oil that wasn't tested or meant to be used in your machine.

**

DTN/PF: In any owner's manual the recommendation is to use that OE oil product. The owner's hesitation might be to search for a less expensive product. What do you tell them about that choice of oil product?

Booth: We've tested our oil in our machines through all the conditions that New Holland equipment may be under. We know it's going to perform. I won't sit here and say there is no other engine oil that can do an equal job. I just don't know what that is -- and it's not going to be cheaper. You can't make a quality oil and it be (available) for significantly less money. What I can say about our OEM engine oil is that it has been tested and will do the job it is meant to do. If you look at the price difference and what you paid for that machine, what you pay to ensure it continues to run and last as long as it needs to -- especially knowing this equipment is being used -- quality oil isn't a huge investment.

**

DTN/PF: What about cold tolerance? What's the oil strategy in especially cold climates?

Booth: It's another reason to buy synthetic oil. It is made to withstand colder temperatures -- not get so thick because of that smaller molecule -- that it can't get down to every place it needs to be in the engine. If it's a machine you're going to use 12 months of the year, you definitely want to consider using that 0W-40 synthetic engine oil.

**

DTN/PF: Let's talk grease point. Can you over grease bearings?

Booth: That would not be the No. 1 problem we see. It's usually the other way around. But it is possible. When you're working with sealed bearings, you could pop a seal out. The operator's manual will tell you how much you can put in. But not greasing? Thanks for the parts business. Daily greasing is one of the best things you can do to keep your machine going in the middle of the season. Not greasing during the season will damage parts and will cause heat. Only bad things will happen from there. Fire is one. Grease is relatively inexpensive. But you need to use it on every grease point on the machine. There is that way of walking around your machine and greasing all the zerks you can find, and then there is really knowing all the grease points shown in your operator's manual.

Dan Miller can be reached at dan.miller@dtn.com

Follow him on social platform X @DMillerPF

(c) Copyright 2024 DTN, LLC. All rights reserved.