FEL Storage

[jnjpream]

I leave my backhoe outside all winter.. I just grab a spray can of white lithium grease and give the exposed cylinders a quick coat. In the spring, I give them a quick wipe with a rag when it's time to use it again.

It's probably not needed, but I consider it cheap insurance against new shafts and seals.

 

[radioman]

A BX FEL can be moved in a way after its been removed. once its out of the tractor, I curl bucket some so most of curl piston is covered. Then I can retractor the side rams, that's the easiest to do compared to the curl since side arms doesnt affect how it stands ups, its the curl. For my backhoe rams when its not in use, I use vaseline so it can be used on the fel aws well. I dont bother to wipe it off, the seals act like a wiper anyway and its good for the rubber to get covered anyways.

 

[JB4310]

Inside is better than all the equipment sitting outside at the dealers.

I always think about the people that really baby their equipment and bring it to the dealer for service and the dealer leaves it sitting outside in the elements for a month. They'd probably cry if they knew.
That said I try and keep my equipment under a roof at least when ever possible.

I keep my BH in one of those tent type garages, the conditions in there are not much better than outside sometimes with the humidity, everything gets mildew on it.

I was worried about the bare cylinders also as they were showing signs of spotting, but they cleaned right up with one wipe of an oily rag.

JB.

 

[ovrszd]

There's an old abandoned Ford loader at my farm 1960's era, been sitting with the lift cylinders half out for at least twenty years. Everytime I look at it I notice the cylinders are still shiny with no pits. I'll go with Mr Messick.

 

[D7E]

i dont even think i'd worry about it, especially in the garage. large excavators and loaders are generally too large to be kept inside, and they dont seem to have cylinder pitting issues

Closed ideally but Just over winter won't matter ,if cylinders are going to rust in that time then the chroming must be damaged on the pins and will ruin the seals anyway we have used loaders that were taken off tractors 5-6 years ago sat in the field in all shapes and their fine..If it's in a shed don't worry about it.

 

[D7E]

Inside is better than all the equipment sitting outside at the dealers.

I always think about the people that really baby their equipment and bring it to the dealer for service and the dealer leaves it sitting outside in the elements for a month. They'd probably cry if they knew.
That said I try and keep my equipment under a roof at least when ever possible.

I keep my BH in one of those tent type garages, the conditions in there are not much better than outside sometimes with the humidity, everything gets mildew on it.

I was worried about the bare cylinders also as they were showing signs of spotting, but they cleaned right up with one wipe of an oily rag.

JB.

Farmers baby their combines and don't let them spend one night outside yet they truck it to a dealer for a service in the spring in slushy conditions with road salt and spray doing more damage in 1 day than a winter outside....I had a combine brought home this way against my will once and i had to change a lot of the chains and bearings as a result..!
For idle machines sitting for months or years i think summer is more damaging than winter on paint ,seals,tyres etc.

 

[Westendorf-RR]

We don't get much snow and I just use the rear blade. Plus the tractor is easier to store in my garage without the extra length. The loader will stay at the tractor's summer home.

The loader is a Westendorf so I hope it is considered quality. Since it is inside maybe it won't make much difference. I'll see how hard it is to remove and manipulate the arms.

Your Westendorf operator's manual tells you to apply a light film of grease on the exposed rams and seals if you will be storing for an extended period of time. It's inside so not a huge deal, but will help keep dirt, debris and moisture out of the hydraulic system and off the rams (wipe clean before using again in the spring).

 

[sld]

Your Westendorf operator's manual tells you to apply a light film of grease on the exposed rams and seals if you will be storing for an extended period of time. It's inside so not a huge deal, but will help keep dirt, debris and moisture out of the hydraulic system and off the rams (wipe clean before using again in the spring).

I would love to have an owner's manual. I bought the unit used but it is almost brand new. Thanks for the tip though, I do appreciate it.

 

[Westendorf-RR]

Just give us a call on our toll free number - 1-877-423-0070 and we can get one on the way.

 

[Runner]

"Just give us a call on our toll free number - 1-877-423-0070 and we can get one on the way. "

Now THAT'S customer service!

Bravo, Westendorf.