How the heck do you keep your tractor looking new?

[cdaigle430]

Only had mine for 2 months and it's all scraped, dirty and scratched.

 

[teg]

:thumbsup: as it should be... I ran over a board with four nails within the first 10 hours and I dented my hood within the first 40 hours :laughing: I guess I should have kept it parked in the garage.

 

[MarkV]

:thumbsup: as it should be... I ran over a board with four nails within the first 10 hours and I dented my hood within the first 40 hours :laughing: I guess I should have kept it parked in the garage.

Yep did the same thing. In less than 10 hrs. I did more sheet metal damage than I have done in the last 340 hrs. I think of it as 'breaking it in'. In one of my past lives I raced dirt track stock cars. We would work all winter to make the perfect car. It was styling by the time we were done. Never did real well until it had bent up some sheet metal. Then it performed the way we thought it would.

MarkV

 

[beenthere]

Only had mine for 2 months and it's all scraped, dirty and scratched.

To me it all depends on if you WANT it looking new.

With the Deere plastic, mine is looking pretty darn good after 11 years. I'm in the woods a lot, and it gets some abuse there.

Here is after 10 yrs

 

[roger 4400]

I wash mine once in a while, it will never see rain, as my old Oliver, will always sleep in the garage, heated in winter like me

 

[Thomas]

Once maybe two month give tractor some TLC..wash w/good spray wax wipe.

Take care of your tractor it shall take care of you.

 

[Johndeere3720]

It depends. I like a clean tractor but sometimes you just cant help getting it a little dirty.

 

[BobRip]

Don't use it. Seriously, to make it last, keep it inside (when not in use) and wash occasionally. It this is important to you, maybe should should buy a sports car. Tractors go places where it's muddy, dirty, has branches that scratch, etc.

 

[RadarTech]

I am so surprised not to see the "I wax mine" topic come up!!!



Seriously-- I pressure wash mine every so often.. and right now it not often....


It goes in the mud, the snow, the rain.. and stays inside when not in use....


J

 

[wade simpson]

I've always liked the look of a machine that looks used but well cared for. The metal where the paint has been worn off has new flash rust or is shiny from use, the paint has that worn look and there is still some dirt on the undercarriage.
I use my machines for what they are designed to do, keep them repaired and replace worn parts. I love the look of an old tractor that has been refurished, they have so much character.

 

[Mur386]

RadarTech
I wouldn't advise pressure washing, it forces water and grit into places it can't normally reach.
I agree Wade the older tractors look really great refurbished, have a old Massey Ferguson 135 that is near total rust, using it right now, but when work is done or well let me rephrase that. When I can spare the tractor for some cleaning and paint that will be done. I know its gonna look great and totally shock my Dad.
Billy

 

[RadarTech]

RadarTech
I wouldn't advise pressure washing, it forces water and grit into places it can't normally reach.
I agree Wade the older tractors look really great refurbished, have a old Massey Ferguson 135 that is near total rust, using it right now, but when work is done or well let me rephrase that. When I can spare the tractor for some cleaning and paint that will be done. I know its gonna look great and totally shock my Dad.
Billy

I only use it on the underside to get the mud off...


J

 

[rekees4300]

My JD dealer has an annual winter special. They pick it up, do all necessary maintenance, clean it, then return it for $225. Looks and runs like new.

 

[dcyrilc]

My JD dealer has an annual winter special. They pick it up, do all necessary maintenance, clean it, then return it for $225. Looks and runs like new.

Does that include replacing fluids/filters?

 

[rekees4300]

Does that include replacing fluids/filters?

Yes, I should have said "regular" maintenance. Any other maintenance to do repairs and such is extra.

 

[dcyrilc]

Yes, I should have said "regular" maintenance. Any other maintenance to do repairs and such is extra.

Wow. I wish my dealer had a deal like that. I pay $195 just for hydro fluid alone. It takes just over 14 gallons.

 

[beppington]

To me tractors were built to live & work in the dirt. I'm new to tractor ownership, already got mine real muddy discing in the rain, & don't have any real plans to wash it. Maybe if it gets so dirty that I get dirty just getting on it, I'll give it a little wash.

 

[Cat_Driver]

There's two times when I feel good about anything NEW. The day I bring it home nice and new and shiny, and the day I get my first ding, scratch, scrape, dent - because that's the day I can relax and start treating it like a piece of equipment rather than a piece of artwork.

I was luck when I got my shiny new Kubota because that was the day I built a huge pile of brush and started burning it. The tractor was only a few hours old and as I drove a load of brush into the roaring pile now 20 ft. in the air the tractor stalled with the entire front end in the fire. I had only a few seconds to make up my mind, try starting it or jump off. Luck was with me it fired right up and I got out of the pile. The paint was charred the tires smelled but no major damage.

That day I experienced both. A shiny new tractor and a "broke in" tractor.

 

[Alan L.]

I don't know what my 11 year old tractor looks like. Haven't washed it yet.

 

[wdchyd]

I met an old timer years ago that used to wash down his tractor and use new diesel on a rag to coat all the "Pretty Parts" whenever he did his oil/filter changes......claimed it preserved the paint from fading.....kinda like the poor man's Armorall.....