Wash the Tractor?

[airlynch]

Okay maybe a stupid question but do you all wash your tractor?

If so what do you use?
garden hose and bucket with soap
Powerwasher?

So far I have just been using compressed air, but have been thinking of doing a good cleaning before the snow flies and just a bit nervous about getting water into systems that might not like it.

What do you all do?

Thanks

 

[DK35vince]

I always use a pressure washer

 

[whistlepig]

I wash mine down every year before winter. I use Simple Green and a garden hose on the motor. Not had a problem doing this in the 7 years I have owned this tractor.

 

[ritcheyvs]

I frequently use a leaf blower to blow off dust, debris, leaves, pine needles, etc.

Just a garden hose does a decent job washing out chunks of mud. Large plugs of mud will accelerate rust so it's good to get rid of them so surfaces can dry completely

But I like to use a pressure washer before each scheduled 50 hour chassis greasing; I think the pressure washer does a good job removing old excess grease before re-greasing.

My tractor is eight years old and faded so (for me) washing is more for durability than cosmetic. I've never hand-washed it like a car.

 

[94BULLITT]

If it is real dirty/ muddy I use the pressure washer then if I have time I will hand wash it. If it is not real dirty I will hand wash it. After I wash it I blow it off with a low power electric leaf blower so I'm not left with water spots. If you pressure wash it, it may not be a bad idea to grease it afterwards.

Here is a thread I did on cleaning my tractors a while back. page 3 has the finished results.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/278369-cleaning-tractors.html

 

[BethelHntr]

Hand wash before putting away for winter.

 

[MossRoad]

I second the Simple Green Cleaner. Good stuff and mild on the environment, too. :thumbsup:

 

[theneworange]

I wash once a month in summer because of dust. But when it gets to muddy it gets a hose off just to prevent rust since I will be owning this for some time I want to keep it looking nice.

 

[alchemysa]

Keep pressure washers away from any components that contain small springs and ball bearings... like loader controls and detent position holders on levers. You'll force water and grit into places it shouldn't be, and you'll discover a month or two later that your 4WD or hi-lo lever doesn't want to budge. (Speaking from experience).

 

[airlynch]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will clean her up tomorrow before I do the 50 hr service. If I use the pressure washer, I will keep it away from "sensitive" parts and re-grease where needed.
Thanks again

 

[murphy1244]

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will clean her up tomorrow before I do the 50 hr service. If I use the pressure washer, I will keep it away from "sensitive" parts and re-grease where needed.
Thanks again

That should be fine, I always?? blow the tractor down after brush hogging. End of the year or when needed I use a low power electric washer. Do not open the hood and shoot the relays. Use your head and you should be allright.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Every year I pressure wash the tractor down. I keep the wand at a distance that will not destroy the paint. I'll also wash her down after bush hogging if it is extremely dirty.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Every time I stop by my Kubota dealer, they are power washing some tractor or piece of equipment. They power wash before repair or service. And this is no wimpy power washer.

 

[k0ua]

Just remember on your DK45SE, there are a lot of electrics. Including a lot of electrical connectors. Use caution with the pressure washer. Several members have done a thorough pressure washing, and regretted it.. Use your head. Pressure washing the mud off of the bucket and loader and axles and wheels would be fine. Washing the engine/firewall not a good idea. Also don't forget the modules and connectors under drivers side floorboard area.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I got my B26 washed last night for free from the rain. I had left it at a neighbors where I was digging out a big ole oak stump. That is the first wash job it's had in a while. I usually hose off the mud from tires and frame after working it using a garden hose. I do need to do a soap hand wash to get some of the splattered grease off the hood some day. At least it isn't likely to rust where the grease sets.

 

[pmsmechanic]

If I'm in town and not in a hurry then I take the tractor to the car wash. If I don't have time then it can stay dirty till the next time.

 

[Gary in NJ]

Vacuum with a shop vac, then hose it down. If I'm doing maintenance and there's a lot of curd where I need to work, then I'll use a pressure washer, but I keep the tip at a very safe distance.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Blow everything off with the air compressor, then out comes the hose, soapy water, sponge, rinse, wipe down just like a car. It is nothing more than a slow version of a car. I treat it like one.

 

[fieldman12]

I blow mine off with the back pack blower when doing tillage and mowing. About once a year I wash with a water hose and sometimes a power washer. I then give them a good coat of wax and wipe everything down. These tractors cost more than allot of automobiles anymore and work allot harder. I like them to look good when going to the field. I get allot of compliments on all my equipment and my pickup. My car on the other hand lets just say it looks rough. It's not a mans real toy. LOL

 

[oosik]

Just the garden hose and nozzle. I have a high pressure washer but as previously stated - I don't want to force dirt, dust etc where it shouldn't be. Garden hose does a plenty good enough job of removing mud, dust etc. Beside - just one tiny slip with the pressure washer can cause expensive damage. I don't mind a little dust - I would not like to see water inside any of the gauges.