Got a 2012 M7040 for my first tractor.....couple questions

[Rob41]

I'm a Chief Engineer on a ship, but this is my first tractor.

The M7040 has a little over 400 hours and is in excellent condition. The owner changed nothing but I'm guessing he did the basic services and maintenance.

Is there anything I should give particular attention to to make sure everything is good to go for use/winter use? By Feb it will be sitting in my barn for 4 months while I'm on a Navy ship.

I already plan to see when it was last serviced, check all fluid levels, belts and hoses etc. And I might get the battery load tested to see if I need a fresh one.

When I "lay up" the tractor before I go I'll have it on a trickle charger with the fuel tank topped off and a product like "Heet" or "911" in the fuel. Is there anything else I should do when it's going to be idle for so long?

 

[CobyRupert]

Stuff some dryer sheets at the base of, or up behind, the console panel. Or remove the panel all together so it’s not a tempting home for a critter.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I'm a Chief Engineer on a ship, but this is my first tractor.

The M7040 has a little over 400 hours and is in excellent condition. The owner changed nothing but I'm guessing he did the basic services and maintenance.

Is there anything I should give particular attention to to make sure everything is good to go for use/winter use? By Feb it will be sitting in my barn for 4 months while I'm on a Navy ship.

I already plan to see when it was last serviced, check all fluid levels, belts and hoses etc. And I might get the battery load tested to see if I need a fresh one.

When I "lay up" the tractor before I go I'll have it on a trickle charger with the fuel tank topped off and a product like "Heet" or "911" in the fuel. Is there anything else I should do when it's going to be idle for so long?

Forget about Heet and 911. 911 is for waxed filters in cold weather. Heet is alchohol based and is for gassers. Use Power Service, Stanadyne, Howe's, etc to treat the fuel and run the tractor with the treated fuel to get it into the filter and the lines and pump etc. Try to fill up with a winter grade fuel.

You might consider an oil and filter change before the lay up.

Make sure your antifreeze is up to snuff if the tractor is stored in a cold climate.

 

[Boss 302]

Great suggestion about the dryer sheets to help avoid the critters

 

[Rob41]

Stuff some dryer sheets at the base of, or up behind, the console panel. Or remove the panel all together so it’s not a tempting home for a critter.

Thanks for the heads up. I had a chipmunk take up residence in a pop-up last year. Luckily all he did was chew up a roll of paper towel to make a next a pee and poo a bit. Glad he stayed away from the wiring. Hmmm, would putting a bag over the seat with a bunch of dryer sheets help keep that safe? Do you guys do anything in the engine compartment to keep the wiring safe from chewing critters?

 

[Rob41]

Forget about Heet and 911. 911 is for waxed filters in cold weather. Heet is alchohol based and is for gassers. Use Power Service, Stanadyne, Howe's, etc to treat the fuel and run the tractor with the treated fuel to get it into the filter and the lines and pump etc. Try to fill up with a winter grade fuel.

You might consider an oil and filter change before the lay up.

Make sure your antifreeze is up to snuff if the tractor is stored in a cold climate.

Thanks for the tips, I guess a full on prep list will be in order, and the right fuel treatment like you mentioned.

 

[Boss 302]

Seat time is the best thing for both you and your new tractor. Enjoy!

 

[CausticUrbanCoast]

Interesting...

If your fuel tank is full, grease all your joints, spray lanolin/sheeps wool oil on things like your pto shaft and axle knuckles if you are in a damp or salt air area, put your battery on a good trickle charger, and going based on other info from the others on this forum, a few diesel soaked rags or spray will go a long way against unwanted friends (wear gloves or your partner may not want anything to do with you before you leave).

Really, tractors are simple and dont need much.... kinda like hammers - keep em oiled and covered and they are good! Yeah I know hammers don't have batteries, tractors don't need batteries to run, just start ... if they don't have hand cranks.

 

[K5lwq]

The only other thing I might would do is lock the clutch down. Clutches have a tendency to seize if they sit to long. Most tractors have a lock to do this with anymore. If not you can use a block of wood to wedge it down.

 

[Tx Jim]

The only other thing I might would do is lock the clutch down. Clutches have a tendency to seize if they sit to long. Most tractors have a lock to do this with anymore. If not you can use a block of wood to wedge it down.

The need to lock foot clutch pedal down would be determined by type of reverser. Sync-shuttle would have dry traction clutch requiring the possibility of clutch pedal "lockdown" while hyd shuttle clutch pedal is attached to hyd valve requiring "no lockdown"!

In today's world checking condition & PH of antifreeze is very important to help in controlling piston bore cavitation.