Proper Maintenance and Storage of Attachments

[woodlandfarms]

I may be purchasing a new used tractor with a backhoe, along with a brush hog, box scraper and rota-tiler. I don't have much use for the backhoe, but never say never.

My question, is there any special way to store these long term? The Brush Hog is going to get a ton of abuse, as well as the box scraper. The tille will be a spring / fall item.

As for the backhoe... As I said, not sure what I will do with it, but I want to make sure I don't mess it up if I don't use it for a year.

Carl

 

[SacandagaBrad]

I try to keep all my implements up off the ground during storage, especially long term during their off season like summer for the snow blower. It just keeps the steel out of the moisture better, even if it is only a board under the cutting edge of the back blade. I also have a shed with a dirt floor and good ventilation, same thing, put them on pallets for long term. If I have to leave something outside for long term, I cover it loosely to let air circulate but still keep the rain and snow off. The other thing I do on anything with a belt, such as my mower deck, is place a bunch of moth balls around to keep the mice away. They love to chew away at expensive belts.

Other than that, nothing special. If it is a heavy implement that needs to get hooked up without the possibility of moving it around, like maybe your BH or FEL, always drop on level ground. It will make hooking back up to the tractor a lot easier.

I should add that I also clean and grease any implement before it goes into storage. Not necessarily a wax job, but clear any debris that can hold moisture. The shot of grease also clears out any moisture the might have worked its way into the fittings.


Brad

 

[Soundguy]

Ditto what the other user said. I like to lay down wood blocks and stack my implements a few inches off the ground.

Any exposed hyd pistoms need to get a coat of grease.. hyd QD lines or other disconnected lines need a coat of grease... plus slide a zip lock baggy over them then rubber band. Pto stubs and yokes need a good coating of grease. ( spray grease works wonders ) I will sometimes even spray some grease ont he blades on my mowers over the winter. I also extend all telescoping pto shafts, hit them with mineral spirits.. wipe clean with a paper towell.. then grease them the entire length with a bucket of cheapy axle greae.. or the spray grease.. then slide together... this keeps them nice and clean and free.. Grease all fittings so bushings and bearings don't rust. Implements with tires i may let the pressure down till they are resting.. just depends on how much it gets used or not. I grease 3pt linkage pins too, as well as any levers and pivot points that may rust or freeze up. This includes seed plates or variable opening in the bottom of seeder/spreaders. if you run fertalizer in your spreader.. wash it out good first.

Light oil works best on thos sliding plates.. vs grease.. keeps them free.

In the spring, you can just wipe the dirty grease off the pins and splines, and add some soap and spraywash the oil and grease out of the seeders.. etc.

If you have vented gearboxes that set for long periods of time between use.. you can fill them up with gear oil, and then just drain them back down to level before use.. this way condensation does not enter them..

Soundguy

 

[slowrev]

I like to put heavy duty poly film under my implements if stored on a dirt floor. It keeps the moisture coming up out of the dirt off of them.
A plastic covered implement stored outside or inside on dirt without a ground cover under them just traps moisture and rusts the implement worse than no plastic at all.
I spray all appropriate moving parts with white lithium grease if stored over the winter. Get rubber tires off the ground by some means. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage or suspend them off the ground.
Ben

 

[woodlandfarms]

Thanks so far for all the advice. One question, what about the oil lines and pistons? Should I drain? I assume not... Any consideration to the hydraulic pistons?

Carl

 

[Soundguy]

Thanks so far for all the advice. One question, what about the oil lines and pistons? Should I drain? I assume not... Any consideration to the hydraulic pistons?

Carl

The 2nd line in my previous message stated that exposed hy pistons needed a coat of grease..

Soundguy

 

[Tom_H]

My BX2200 stays in the extra garage bay along with about 10 implements, each of which is on its own custom built dolly. When it's time to change, both cars go out and that leaves a large smooth surface on which to roll everything around. Implements are easily positioned to the 3ph for on/off.

 

[PineRidge]

I set the implements stored outside on pallets to keep them off the ground. There are so many pallets around here I usually end up burning the older ones as new ones come in.

 

[woodlandfarms]

The 2nd line in my previous message stated that exposed hy pistons needed a coat of grease..

Soundguy

Yup. Sorry, Saw that. I meant more about the seals and fluid inside, but your advice is great... Thanks for all of it!

Carl

 

[Doc_Bob]

I may be purchasing a new used tractor with a backhoe, along with a brush hog, box scraper and rota-tiler. I don't have much use for the backhoe, but never say never.

My question, is there any special way to store these long term?
As for the backhoe... As I said, not sure what I will do with it, but I want to make sure I don't mess it up if I don't use it for a year.

Carl

Find a place to squeeze the backhoe into dry, covered storage (off the ground). Change all fluids, grease any and everything.
Bob