Sedentary?

[Portals]

I bought a used New Holland Boomer 30 to help clear our lot. Now, with advancing age (mine), it seems I use it less and less. Is there a time frame I should run/exercise the machine to keep it running in best condition? Maybe exercise the hydraulics/seals? Just drive it around?
I live in Texas, so we do not have a lot of cold weather - maybe below freezing for a week, with a low in the teens.

 

[CH4Ohio]

How you store it and how you condition fuel, etc. probably has the biggest impact on keeping it in good condition. Is it inside and dry and out of the sun when not in use?

 

[Highlandr]

My totally made-up-by-me guidelines: I try to start/drive it once a week. Roughly every other week (sometimes I forget) work all the hydraulics to the extent of their range, engage the PTOs for a minute or so & run it in 4WD.

I also engage the 4WD on the truck about once a month during a trip down the driveway.

 

[big bubba]

also may consider a battery tender, but an occasional run may be ok as well.
would recommend keeping fuel tank full w/treatment to reduce condensation

for me, the consideration would be rodent infestation if left in one spot. my experience is to park the tractor w/hood up away from cover and woods/brush and move it occasionally. rodents shy away from open fields or spaces. maybe some rodent deterant as well. they can do extensive damage within a night.

i have used cheap motion detection solar lights that store in day, and shine at night put in engine and dash, etc. (i do it for rodents, but useful as security measure too)
after their purchase, the energy is free...

Amazon.com : solar security light outdoor

 

[Portals]

I store it in a "carport", covered shed, in an open lot - it has a trailer to keep it company. So not really inside, but shaded. Out of the sun except for morning and late evening.
I also try to keep fuel and hydraulics full, fuel is treated.

I like the idea of solar lights. Will try that! I have this (mostly irrational) fear of someone driving up, loading it and driving off.

Thank You for your input!

 

[big bubba]

and welcome to this forum, sounds like the machine will be well maintained

 

[CH4Ohio]

I store it in a "carport", covered shed, in an open lot - it has a trailer to keep it company. So not really inside, but shaded. Out of the sun except for morning and late evening.
I also try to keep fuel and hydraulics full, fuel is treated.

I like the idea of solar lights. Will try that! I have this (mostly irrational) fear of someone driving up, loading it and driving off.

Thank You for your input!

I wouldn’t call it an irrational fear. Nothing surprises me these days. Would be double bad if they put it on your trailer and stole it.

Glad someone mentioned rodents. Shove dryer sheets into areas or get some peppermint spray, etc. That’s likely your biggest hazard, besides the human pests.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Definitely put bio-cide in the diesel fuel tank to keep the brown goo from growing and slugging your fuel filters.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

A game camera hidden out of sight, with a cellular connection could alert you of "lurkers" ... The rest of the ideas are also good, I start mine when I need them, sometimes a few months go by, But I have a battery tender too ...

 

[RayIN]

I wouldn’t call it an irrational fear. Nothing surprises me these days. Would be double bad if they put it on your trailer and stole it.

Glad someone mentioned rodents. Shove dryer sheets into areas or get some peppermint spray, etc. That’s likely your biggest hazard, besides the human pests.

I've seen pictures of mouse nests made of dryer sheets.
Rats/mice live in sewers, why would an odor would deter them?

 

[CH4Ohio]

I've seen pictures of mouse nests made of dryer sheets.
Rats/mice live in sewers, why would an odor would deter them?

Certain odors are said to deter them. Kinda like nothing makes a baby more nauseous than the smell of a clean shirt.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Birds are a problem too. Saw starlings fly out from under my beater SUV last week. Popped the hood and found nest around the brake reservoir and grass and straw stuffed all over. Don’t know what the answer is for them.

They did the same thing to my Kubota tractor a few years ago. Looked like a bale of hay exploded under the hood.

 

[Phil Timmons]

Just send it over to me when it needs some run-exercise time.

With a full fuel tank and delivery is best.

Just trying to help. All in this together.

 

[Portals]

Thanks for ALL the inputs! Some good ideas here.
What do you recommend as an additive? I use Power Service's Clear Diesel. What is best?

Mr. Timmons, I started to send it over, then realized I don't know where to send it. COD?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Also remember, most engine wear happens on start up… so I wouldn’t feel compelled to start it weekly, or even biweekly, just to start it. Protect the fuel, protect the battery. My tractor often sits from October to April. It’s in a dry shop, but I never feel compelled to start it, just to start it.

 

[Highlandr]

Also remember, most engine wear happens on start up… so I wouldn’t feel compelled to start it weekly, or even biweekly, just to start it.

Agree 100%.

 

[skramer360]

Mine sits in my unheated pole barn, with no door, until I need it. Sometimes it's a few days between or sometimes it's a few months between.

 

[Torvy]

We're in NE Texas. Ours sits most of the 'winter'. During the season, it gets used every week or two for something.

Sitting for a long time could cause problems, but like was mentioned above, the cure could be worse than the disease.

Check for sun/heat damage on rubber hoses and such.

 

[big bubba]

Thanks for ALL the inputs! Some good ideas here.
What do you recommend as an additive? I use Power Service's Clear Diesel. What is best?

Mr. Timmons, I started to send it over, then realized I don't know where to send it. COD?

OP: you might give your location in terms of type fuel treatment. Treatments address 4 issues:
1) moisture 2) gelling 3) injector lube 4) fungal/bacterial growth. very few treatments address all 4. location can affect the above issues, but i understand the 1st three issues are the most prevalent.
keeping the tank full is important as well to reduce condensation

 

[Portals]

OP: you might give your location in terms of type fuel treatment. Treatments address 4 issues:
1) moisture 2) gelling 3) injector lube 4) fungal/bacterial growth. very few treatments address all 4. location can affect the above issues, but i understand the 1st three issues are the most prevalent.
keeping the tank full is important as well to reduce condensation

Yes, We are in Central Texas. West of Austin.
And I try to keep the tank full when we are not using the tractor.
It is "stored" in a carport, overhead protection but minimal side protection. I think the biggest threat is sunlight & heat.