Start it or leave it for spring

[4570Man]

Outside of cleaning radiators, etc., I don't think washing a tractor extends it's life or shortens it.

In regards to modern tractors, those with lots of electronics and plastic, the best thing an owner can do is protect it from the sun's rays when not in use.

My dad has always claimed a heavy layer of dirt is UV protection.

 

[mykleh]

guess I'm just a whiner./wimp. I hose all the mud, grass clippings and such off the tractor grease and spray bare steel with fluid film, tear down the Stihls and blow them off, drain the chain lube or it will leak out all over anyway, 2 stroke gas and use it in the gas auger for ice fishing.. I guess I just like not getting filthy just climbing on or using a machine and it shows me whats weeping, leaking, get the big wads of grease off. to each their own.. I like having all my stuff under cover, its not heated but I think it helps stuff last a bit longer. I also believe the UV is a killer of equipment...

 

[LD48750]

guess I'm just a whiner./wimp. I hose all the mud, grass clippings and such off the tractor grease and spray bare steel with fluid film, tear down the Stihls and blow them off, drain the chain lube or it will leak out all over anyway, 2 stroke gas and use it in the gas auger for ice fishing.. I guess I just like not getting filthy just climbing on or using a machine and it shows me whats weeping, leaking, get the big wads of grease off. to each their own.. I like having all my stuff under cover, its not heated but I think it helps stuff last a bit longer. I also believe the UV is a killer of equipment...

My 2N ford is 72 years old & been outside dirty most of its life.
I have no idea how long it will survive but I'm sure I would never be able to take advantage of the extra lifespan if I had garaged & washed it daily.

 

[ovrszd]

My dad has always claimed a heavy layer of dirt is UV protection.

Gotta pile it on pretty deep to cover the things that need the protection the most.

 

[ovrszd]

My 2N ford is 72 years old & been outside dirty most of its life.
I have no idea how long it will survive but I'm sure I would never be able to take advantage of the extra lifespan if I had garaged & washed it daily.

I agree.

Not happening with a newer, more complex tractor.

 

[LD48750]

I agree.

Not happening with a newer, more complex tractor.

How do they servive on the dealers lots before you buy them?

 

[ovrszd]

How do they servive on the dealers lots before you buy them?

Well hopefully they don't sit there 70 years.

 

[greggyy]

People ......"will be buying new batteries all the time"
Really?

I leave cars, trucks, boats, tractors, mowers unattended for 6 months each year.

I am NOT.... "buying new batteries all the time".

I use Battery Minders/ Tenders/ etc., and my batteries usually last at least 8 or 9 years.

Sorry for my delayed response to your effort to de bunk what I know to be true....

LOL....x 2 :confused3: :dance1:

I ran a business on this very type of thing, anyway, you may want to re read your own de bunk writings, you may notice, your hardly doing nothing to keep things maintained......

Charging batteries is not "nothing"......

But, in a free country, your able to believe that leaving things for long periods on a regular basis has no ill effects on anything. As long as I have convinced you charging your battery is not actually leaving it for long periods to discharge and have the wrong kind of reactions.

 

[greggyy]

Well hopefully they don't sit there 70 years.

Touche !

 

[hawkeye08]

My tractor is in my non heated shop (seldom use in winter, mostly mowing and spraying in summer), I have the clutch pedal locked down and a few times during the winter, I start the tractor and let it run at 1500 rpms for 30 minutes or so. I turn the PTO on (I can let the PTO run when off the tractor by lifting the seat).. It comes up to operating temp.