"Post Winter" startup of new XR4046H - tips?

Probity · Jun 7, 2016

I'm a new 4046H owner (bought new around 1 year ago, thanks to advice/info gleaned from other LS owners on this forum) who is just getting around to firing it up again this year (I know I know, but better late than never...). Only have less than 10 hrs on it from 2015 work, it's been sitting under the 3-sided barn for a year now (have had the battery on a trickle-charger for a year now...). Before I blast off and get it back to work, would appreciate any words-of-wisdom, etc on "reuse after long term storage" procedures. Checking all fluids, tire pressure, lube fittings, etc seems straight-forward enough. Keeping engine idle initially between 1200-1500 rpm seems reasonable too. I'm in southern MS so not exactly harsh winter conditions it has sat through. Advice?

George2615 · Jun 7, 2016

Seems like you have the bases covered by keeping the battery charged, checking all fluid levels, tire pressures etc.
You should be ready to fire it up.
Congrats on the new purchase.

Probity · Jun 7, 2016

Thank you George2615, have a good summer....

GFarmer13 · Jun 7, 2016

I would be a nervous wreck. I left my XR4040 under my shed for two months without checking on it. It only has 50 hours and I always look forward to getting on it. I went to my place to check on everything and run my tractor/cutter. I opened the hood like always and noticed a little bit of paper debris behind the battery. When I pulled out the paper, leaves and wire pieces, my stomach turned. I looked closer and could see where the little rodents had chewed into one of the harness that connects to the computer. This portion of the harness connects to everything on the right side of the engine. I purchased a new harness and the dealer installed it. I hope all is well with your tractor after such a long stay alone.

DT86 · Jun 8, 2016

"Post Winter" startup of new XR4046H - tips?

Open the hood and check for rodent nests, ect.

Twice I have had one on top of the motor and once it was close enough to the exhaust system to actually catch on fire. Luckily for me there was a fire extinguisher handy. The second time, last week, it was just close enough to stink like sh*t.

Both times it was parked for just a few days.

Edit...

Just read what gfarmer said.

Probity · Jun 8, 2016

Re: "Post Winter" startup of new XR4046H - tips?

Thanks GFarmer and DT86. I got sidetracked yesterday afternoon and will find out this AM how things are under the hood. My uncle in Poplarville MS had advised me about rodent problems in stored vehicles a while back and what he did about them (he has had bad experiences too with mice chewing up wiring). So last fall I followed his lead and put a small mesh bag full of mothballs under the hood of the tractor. My uncle claims the mothballs will keep the critters away, we'll see if he's right....

Probity · Jun 8, 2016

Good news for me, either the mothballs worked or no rodents to begin with. In any event I'll keep using the mothballs for storage. Nothing out of the ordinary other than the rear tires a little low (took forever to get them from 10 psi to 20 psi). Next time I'll use a tarp over the tractor (rookie mistake) - will save an hour getting the crud and bird droppings off it. Trickle charger worked as expected, fired right up. Now will put the rotary cutter to work....

GFarmer13 · Jun 15, 2016

Glad to hear that everything was good to go. Air is cheap and bird droppings wash off. I like the idea of the moth balls in the sack, I think I will give that a try. I have been scattering them around everything and leaving the hood open. I'm not far from you if you are in Lumberton, just right up the road in Columbia. It sure has been nice getting out there on my tractor. I'm loving my new cutter, sure makes life nice.