cleaned up for second round

[Jamming]

anyone else can't stand a dirty fleet. waxed maintenance done ready to go. since traded my 3005 for a 3033R, X739, X300 wifes . first time I have removed FEL.

 

[TerryR]

????

I've had my JD 870 for nearly 20 years. I've washed it twice, I think. What's wax?

 

[rustyshakelford]

????

I've had my JD 870 for nearly 20 years. I've washed it twice, I think. What's wax?

There's three types of people I've come across on this board.

1st-wash and atleast wax annually. Typically wash as needed as long as it's once a week. Extreme pride in how it looks. Loves to take it in parades and show it off

2nd-never waxes, thinks it's a waste of time and leaves their tractor outside. Complains when it starts to have issues and realizes it's due to being outside. Gives people a hard time about washing theirs. Also, generally don't wipe off a zerk before greasing.

3rd-washed tractor regularly. Pretty up on maintenance but not fanatical. Keeps everything inside out of the sun. Seems the merit of waxing and keeps saying he's going to do the same


Brett

 

[TerryR]

Brett,

So in your experience tractor owners either wax their tractors, at least plan to, or leave them outside and totally neglect them and then complain that they fail?

Now you get to meet a fourth group, which I suspect includes the majority of tractor owners. They are the realists who see tractors as a tool, and nothing more. They store them inside because it protects them from the elements, like the damage of sunlight to tires and hoses. They provide essential maintenance, may hose them off if they get filthy, and think waxing is a silly waste of time because it does nothing to keep the tractor serviceable. They don't complain about their tractors failing because they don't. After twenty years their tractors run like new, do everything as well as ever, and have years of life left in them.

 

[oosik]

Well, I'm more or less the fourth group, as TerryR explains. I store my tractor inside, wash the mud off after a particularly muddy project, keep up on all maintenance and enjoy knowing that the tractor is always ready to go. I've never found that wax helps with anything of real importance.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Brett,

So in your experience tractor owners either wax their tractors, at least plan to, or leave them outside and totally neglect them and then complain that they fail?

Now you get to meet a fourth group, which I suspect includes the majority of tractor owners. They are the realists who see tractors as a tool, and nothing more. They store them inside because it protects them from the elements, like the damage of sunlight to tires and hoses. They provide essential maintenance, may hose them off if they get filthy, and think waxing is a silly waste of time because it does nothing to keep the tractor serviceable. They don't complain about their tractors failing because they don't. After twenty years their tractors run like new, do everything as well as ever, and have years of life left in them.

Well, I'm more or less the fourth group, as TerryR explains. I store my tractor inside, wash the mud off after a particularly muddy project, keep up on all maintenance and enjoy knowing that the tractor is always ready to go. I've never found that wax helps with anything of real importance.

You guys can be in group 3 sub catagory A. I'm actually in the group too. I kept falling asleep while writing that and clearly got lost in what I was saying. I think I had to try it about 5 times and I don't know how many times I had to delete because I held a button down for to long on my iPad.

I'm with y'all. I have invested close to 90k in my tractor and implements. I want to keep them nice. When I'm done shredding, I'd get the blower and get all the grass off them. Done with the batwing I'll pressure wash all the nooks and crannies. I did actually wash my tractor for the first time since I got it the other day. (Ordered 10/14/16 delivers end of feb17) I haven't had it long but I want it to last. I think washing it makes it look better, nothing for the reliability, waxing will help protect its finish though. Mine stays inside along with all my impliment and even 35+5 trailer. Sun eats things up.

The ones that grind my gears and clearly wasnt conveying my thoughts accurately are the guys that leave them outside (sometimes no other option) but the neglect all maintenance. This forum seems full of people that try and care about their tractors but there are some that strictly see it as a tool. No more care given than a shovel, no grease, no oil changes, filters or maintenance. But, to each their own and it's not my tractor. There's a reason I only buy new for a lot of things.

Brett
3a

 

[Jamming]

I find cleaning and taking care of my lawn care equipment therapy and relaxing. But I do the same with all my equipment. Plus I enjoy a new looking piece of equipment when its 10 years old. Everything I have ever owned also fetches top trade in and resale value because of my OCD. LOL. When I traded in my 3005 I only lost $300 Granted it only had 125 hrs but I needed a Backhoe so I got the 3033R. When the dealer delivered my new tractor I spent the better part of the afternoon waxing and dusting off engine. Apparently tractors don't get detailed after the sale. If you buy a 40k car it comes clean. I think the industry should reconsider this. Seems to be common practice to delivery dirty. Maybe its because folks have created the culture.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

I keep them power washed and over serviced. It frustrates me when people create a work around rather than fix or replace the problem.

 

[TheMan419]

I keep everything cleaned and lubricated. The tractor was expensive, I do not plan to buy another one for a very long time..... well unless I strike it rich and want to upgrade for fun

 

[Thomas]

2 more projects than it rub a dub she'll get.

 

[jimjumper]

If I ever buy a new one I'll decide then. I've never owned a tractor that wasn't at least 30 years old and by then waxing would have just been putting lipstick on a pig!

 

[jimmysisson]

My 25 yr old Ford looks very good, wash when it's filthy, no wax on the thing. But, been stored indoors since new. I think that's the key.

 

[coobie]

I hear ya,I like clean stuff.

 

[Jamming]

Looks great. Nice setup. Funny i have the same ariens snow machine. What year is the red mower. Looks like a brute.

 

[coobie]

Looks great. Nice setup. Funny i have the same ariens snow machine. What year is the red mower. Looks like a brute.

1996 ingersoll 4020.

 

[PACub]

I am in the first group. However I'm not the only one who uses most of our equipment. Tractors get blown off after every use at a minimum... depends how much time I have. I try to keep everything nice and tidy.

 

[N80]

My Kubota L4400 is nearly 12 years old. Half it's life spent under a tarp, the other half in an open sided shed. Those were the only options. For the first few years I kept it very clean. Waxed large painted parts on occasion. Kept paint touched up.

This tractor is used hard when it gets used and now has its share of scratches and dings. I've also come to find that tractor paint jobs are not very good. And while my tractor has always been stored out of the rain and sun, there are lots of areas of powdery rust on the engine/chassis/trans areas (gray on a Kubota). Even under the shed it gets condensation and moisture. So between hard use, less than ideal storage situation and, in my opinion, low quality paint job it no longer looks new but still pretty good for a 12 year old machine.

The other factor is that the 'new' has worn off and no amount of cleaning and waxing makes it look new again. So in the last 4-5 years I have probably only waxed it once, actually washed it maybe 4 times. All the rest of the time it just gets hosed off.

I am an advocate of waxing a tractor that is not stored in a dry, completely enclosed environment simply for the protection it affords the paint. Birds now occasionally roost in my shed and poop on the tractor hood. When the hood is waxed the poop hoses off very easily.

Finally, a good looking tractor will get you more money if you decide to sell it.

 

[PJSprog]

I see nothing wrong with keeping your tools clean and in good working order. That's not OCD, that's just smart.

I got all of ours out a couple weeks ago and gave them a hosing down, too. I didn't wax anything (yet), but I am considering it. A nice coat of wax does make it easier to clean.

 

[Jamming]

1996 ingersoll 4020.

Wow. That is in excellent shape. Nice work.