storing tractor for years

[ptsg]

I don't see it being an huge problem. Let's face, tractor can sat for 10, 20 and more years and it will start right up. Of course it will need a full fluid change before starting.

An uncle gave me this small Hinomoto diesel tractor that had no starter, only a hand crank. It sat for at least 22 years. Apart from a sore arm, it started right up. Just needed to bleed the injector line.

If you can have it stored in a safe place without mices and stuff like that, it should be ok. The battery will probably take a hit if you don't put a low map charger on it. You can always take the battery with you to the new place and charge it once in a while.

 

[RayfromTX]

There is also the possibility that you will change your plans and never really need it again. Selling it in several years may be more difficult than selling it now. Prices are high now. If we were currently in a recession I might have different advice. I would sell it if money matters.

 

[fried1765]

If you do decide to sell, please list it on the TBN marketplace. Depending on the price and cost for shipping I might be interested in upgrading.

MIGHTY PRICEY to ship a tractor from Eastern Washington to anywhere in Maine.

 

[oosik]

"Mighty pricey to ship anything to anywhere" as I recently found. After getting a great price on a rotary mower out of Georgia - - the cost of shipment to me here - killed the deal.

 

[Jstpssng]

MIGHTY PRICEY to ship a tractor from Eastern Washington to anywhere in Maine.

I'm not sure what that has to do with anything since he's in Georgia. Yes it's highly unlikely that I would buy it, as I would first need to sell my Kubota. Yet a 15 year old tractor with that few hours is a rare beast- especially 40HP or more. Personally I think that he'd be foolish to sell it until he's sure that he won't want it further down the road; he won't get what it's worth to him, and prices have gone up just in the past year or so. I know all of the above as I spent a year looking at both new and used, and settled for something that works but wasn't what I wanted.

 

[finn1]

Life’s short and circumstances change unexpectedly.

Sell it now, invest the money, and move on with like.

Rodent damage and general deterioration are bound to happen no matter what precautions you take, and depreciation is pretty much to be expected.

The money you invest will buy you a newer tractor if you need it in the future.

 

[ugabulldog]

thanks to all the responses, a lot of good advice... I have thought about it a lot and decided to keep it for the following reasons: I can store at familys and they can to run for 30 min. every 3-4 months where it will be stored, I plan on putting startron in diesel, (read its' the best treatment), Worse case, I will only be 2.5 hrs away and could run it when I come to visit family. I bought it 3 yrs ago with only 225 hrs on it, not sure how often it was ran or how long it sat before I got it either,.. but it was kept in great shape. I am sure I can use it in future as I plan on having a few acres even if its' mostly woods, and with building house, grading gravel driveway, having fel, I am sure I will regret NOT having it.

 

[Geotech]

Endowment affect:

This - beautiful.

 

[MossRoad]

Endowment affect:

This - beautiful.

After reading all that is was a lot easier to just say people like to buy low and sell high. DUH!

 

[MHarryE]

Try to keep rodents away. I personally use moth balls but there are many others. Moth balls are toxic, and their smell seems to do its job.

Three point position may be related to position that keeps cylinder rods in oil to prevent rust. In my case on all of my tractors that is all the way down. Same thing with any other cylinders like loaders. My manuals say to coat exposed chrome cylinder surfaces with grease during storage.

Diesel isn’t really the storage problem of gasoline. My dad moved into long term care and his furnace wasn’t used for 3 years. When I removed his tank I used the fuel in a tractor with no problem (our distributor fills heating oil tanks and diesel tanks with the same fuel).

It’s very common for farmers to leave engine powered equipment idle for 11 months of a year. Harvesting equipment is used for only 2 to 4 weeks a year, is cleaned and shedded. The combine I just bought used sat idle for 3 years as a backup before the owner decided he might as well sell. He charged the batteries before I went to look at it, we cranked it over and it started immediately - and it worked without a problem for me this season.

I wouldn’t go overboard although your hot and humid area of the country is different than my frigid winter, high heat summers.