Slack summer

city_boy_done_good · Nov 11, 2009

With the debilitating heat of summer this year my T1510 has not had a lot of use in the last couple of months. How do these machines stand up to staying idle for a few months at a time? What should I expect to perhaps cause problems? Battery/fuel line condensation etc?

thanks!

jinman · Nov 12, 2009

If your tractor is outside, you might get some weathering and light rust on exposed metal. Seat cushions seem to take the worst beating as well as instrument panel gages. If the tractor is in the shade, I'd expect it to be as good as new. With either outside or inside, the battery should have plenty of reserve and no problems with fuel. If your battery is weak, it's a sign that you have a tiny drain somewhere because a new battery should hold a charge for much longer than two months. Keeping the battery clean and corrosion to a minimum will also ensure reliable starts and long battery life.

We've all had a hot summer, but the last few weeks of October have been just the opposite and very humid. With high humidity, corroded battery terminals are common. I suspect your tractor is so new that this is not yet any danger of being a problem.

sweep · Nov 12, 2009

I would take it out for a spin every so often. Get it up to operating temps.
Raise and lower the hydraulics a few times to keep seals soft.

Thomas · Nov 12, 2009

If HST you may want to keep clutch pedal down,so plate etc. won't stick/rust.

brin · Nov 12, 2009

Thomas said:
If HST you may want to keep clutch pedal down,so plate etc. won't stick/rust.

I think I have posted this before but it won't hurt to give everyone a heads up...you are exactly right about using a block of wood or a rock or anything to keep the clutch pedal depressed when the tractor sits for any period of time.

I found out the hard way with my 2000 TC-29....I went out one day and could not shift into any gear - just grinding of the gears ..so I called the NH dealer and he said it was the clutch and the tractor would have to be split...Uh Oh..did not sound good ..so I asked about how much would that cost and he said $2,200.00 to split and replace the clutch....so I thanked him and called an independent tractor mechanic that works on tractors here locally and sell implements..he picked up the tractor and brought it back the next day and charged me $100.00 and said he was sorry he had to charge that but it was to cover pick up and delivery..He told me NH was bad about moisture / humidity getting into the clutch and rusting the plates and told me to keep the pedal pressed down...so every time I park it even overnight I use a rock that fits just perfect and wedge the pedal down..No problem since.

Hematite · Nov 12, 2009

Thomas said:
If HST you may want to keep clutch pedal down,so plate etc. won't stick/rust.

What clutch? HST is hydrostatic.

guyw · Nov 13, 2009

At least some HST tractors have clutches. My TC18 is HST and came with a nice block from NH to hold the clutch slightly open so that it will not rust/stick closed.

Guy.