Long-term storage problems

[Jerry/MT]

Thank you all for the good advice! Unfortunately, there's no electric in the unit so no trickle charger possible. I figured I'd have to buy a new battery, for sure. That's probably $100 or so I suppose. Otherwise, I will look into what Jerry/MT said re draining water from the injectors (?) though that may be a bit beyond me. Yes, I topped it off at a truck stop so the diesel is probably the good kind and there is a diesel additive to prevent gelling and "improve" the fuel which i put in before i stored it. So thanks everyone!

On the fuel filter canister, there maybe a drain. That's what you should drain before start up. Don't drain the injectors. You'll need to prime the fuel system though and the instructions should be in your owners manual. If you don't have one see your dealer or look on eebay. Pull the battery out and take it home and charge it and reinstall. It ain't rocket science. Replace it only if it won't take a charge.

 

[RobertN]

- After the time this has been in storage, I would just plan for a new battery. Charge the battery before hand; verify what the battery manufacturer recomends.

- When you do go to start it, take it easy on the starter. If it does not start easy, only run the starter for a short time, then let it cool. That should be in the owners manual too.

- Those are the particulars I would concentrate on.

Once started, and back home, I would change the coolant(it gets acidic...). Just for good measure, I would also give it a complete filter/fluid change(oil, hydro, PS ect). Also grease all the fittings.

 

[RobertN]

Hey, here it is straight out of the manual, page 3-34...

Tractors which have been placed in storage should be completely serviced in the following manner before using:
1. Inflate the tires to recomended pressures and remove blocks(blocks should have been placed when put in storage)
2. Check the oil level in the crankcase, power steering resivor, common sump(for hydraulic lift, tranny, and rear axle), and the front axle.
3. Install a fully charged battery, and remover cover from exhaustShould been covered before storage)
4. Check cooling system for prpoer level
5. Start the engine and allow it to idle for a few minutes. Ensure the engine is recieving lubrication and that each control is functioning properly.
6. Drive the tractor without a load and check to make sure it is operating satifactorily.

 

[Danica]

Thank you thank you, guys!! The unfortunate thing is that the owner's manual and the really expensive, huge repair manuals are all in storage WITH the tractor!! I did not do all the things on the list, I'm afraid. But I did do many of them. Someone tried to scare me into a ridiculously low price for everything by telling me the hoses and all rubber stuff would deteriorate in a year and I'd have a useless piece of junk on my hand. I almost fell for it but my intuition told me this person was not exactly a benevolent "friend" but just looking to take advantage of the situation...

Thank you so much for all the good advice!

 

[RoMad]

Wow, a single lady with a tractor. If I wasn't already happily married I would ask you to send me a picture of the tractor :laughing:. Just kidding, it sounds like you have plenty of good advice here. If it was me I would take the battery home, charge it and take it back and try it. No need to replace something that isn't broken. Good luck.

 

[Danica]

CUTE! well, i've pretty much resigned myself to buying a new battery when i get there. It will have sat thru two cold wisco winters. i just cant imagine it has enuf power to start...

 

[wood butcher]

I'm betting you wont have much of an issue getting it going again. I'd figure the battery is toast but other than that it shouldn't be hard to get running again. Dad bought an old Allis Chalmers that sat in the field 8 years prior to him buying it. He stuck a new battery in it & it fired right up and it ran for years.