Tractor storage > 3 months

[Doc_Bob]

Tractor storage?

I am heading towards Kosovo this summer (2007). At least 3 months with the Army. I don’t have a choice, so my tractor will be “idle” for at least 3 months. What should I do to make it ready for my return? New Holland owner’s manual says to raise the tyres off of the ground with jacks and deflate the tyres (I have no idea why I need to deflate the tyres <-English spelling of tires )

What else? The tractor will be in a dry barn with a dirt floor.
Bob

 

[cp1969]

Three months isn't that big of a deal. I wouldn't mess with the tyres.

Some say it is a good idea to crank it without letting it start until you get oil pressure, though, when you start it up again.

 

[Volfandt]

My ole TE20 once sat for for a yr without being started or moved and the only things I did to it was to disconnect the battery and add Stabil to the gas.
When I put it back in service all I had to do was charge the battery. I did R&R the oil & filter after I worked it abit.

My recommendation is to disconnect and remove the battery and place it on a piece of wood or old inner tube to keep it from completely discharging.
Before removing the battery add the recommended amount of Diesel Service to the fuel then run the engine enough to get into the filters and fuel pump.

Make sure it's parked in the dry and in gear, it should be fine when you get back.

Be careful
Volfandt

 

[normde2001]

3 months is not storage, just light usage. If it has a clutch pedal, lock it down to prevent pressure plate/disk sticking, fill the fuel tank to prevent condensation, and it will be fine.

 

[oscer]

It sounds as if we're more concerned about you than your tractor. have a safe trip and a prompt return. I think your tractor will be fine.
oscer

 

[bill177]

We leave the school buses parked all summer and they start right back up in September - usually without jumping. Just top off the fuel.

I also suggest putting boards under the tires.

God bless you and your family while you are over there.

 

[Dusty]

Lots of good ideas already posted. Only thing that I would do would be to make sure that no little critters have taken up residence before you start it. In 1970, I purchased a 1928 Buick that had been in dry storage since the beginning of WWII. I had it towed to my home and put fresh gasoline in the tank, and a new battery. A few cranks and it fired up and ran for a few minutes. It died when some of the valve springs broke in half. I guess that they didn't like being compressed for 30 years. I don't believe that you will have that problem. Storage isn't the big problem that many people make of it. The larger the engine, the less problems. I have some small engines, 5 - 8 horsepower that don't want to start easily every spring, and I do more to them than I do to the cars when I put them in storage for the winter.
Dusty

 

[RalphVa]

I left my Benz diesel in the garage when we were in Singapore for 9 months. All I did was take the battery to the basement where I had it connected through 2 of those 24 hour timers set to run about 1-2 hours each, in series. When I got back, I put the battery back in, glowed the glow plugs the required amount of time and turned the key to "start". The engine started immediately.

My current Benz was stored for 4 1/2 years the last time I was in Singapore. They were supposed to have been starting it once/month. They obviously hadn't. The battery was dead, as were the seals on the AC compressor. After putting in a new battery, the car started fairly quickly (not instantly), but the clutch didn't want to work for a while. After a few strokes, it did start working. The diesel fuel was brown. I put some Chevron Techron in the tank to stop the pinging at constant speed.

About a year later, the clutch master cylinder sprung a tiny leak, and one valve burned out.

For 3 months, you really don't need to do anything. Pushing the clutch pedal down and keeping it there may be a good idea but probably not needed for the 3 months.

Ralph

 

[shaley]

My NH manual mentions blocking the clutch pedal on my 2120.

 

[firemanpat2910]

"My biggest fear is that when I'm gone my wife will sell all my tractor gear for what I said I paid for it. "

NOW THAT IS FUNNY