What does my RED fleet need before WINTER comes?

I am starting to put away my toys for the upcoming winter and get the real work horses (plow tractors) ready to roll. What do i need to do before I put them away until April? I live in Central Nebraska. I pull batteries and have fresh oil in them. IS A FULL GAS TANK WITH STAYBIL BETTER THAN AN EMPTY ONE??? THANKS.

Ive always heard a full tank is best as such reduces internal condensation plus theres liquid versus air against the tanks inner surface to reduce rust/oxidation.....

I also use Sta Bil ..............

I also mix a small quantity of low ash 2 Cycle Outboard Motor Oil in my gas and Sta Bil as I believe it can leave a light film of oil residue which can reduce corrosion/oxidation (carb and tank etc)......

I run the tractors a while so the gas and Sta Bil and 2 Cycle Oil gets mixed and fills the carb but then I turn off the gas and let them die of starvation ......

I change oil before putting them to bed cuz I dont want the old oil and acids on the bearing surfaces all winter.

Batteries kept charged with a battery minder etc.

Its good to remove plugs n squirt oil down in the cylinders to keep walls n rings oil coated to reduce rust

If its a Mag I leave it where it just snapped so points are open

Of course I dont like tires sittin on earth DUH and I air them good so they dont set all winter with any creases.

For the past 4 years after Ive done all that my hand start JD B has started the first or second pull in the spring


Im sure theres MORE TIPS I forgot but the other fine gents will add to this

John T

John T made a very good list. One thing I do after they have set for a couple of weeks and everything settles down I remove the plugs from the rear and tranny and any other gear box to let any water out, if there was any. You don't have to lose much gear oil. This way it won't freeze and maybe crack a housing.

Remember to check or drain the antifreeze.

Mark W. in MI

This is not sarcasm: I shut off the engine, turn off the gas and walk away. I have not any problem with gas, but I usually change the oil in the spring. I put 2 or 3 gallons of "new" gas in before I start them; the "new" meaning it probably sat all winter in a can. It does not contain ethanol, far as I know. The other things mentioned can be considered insurance, but I really doubt if they do much good.

Thats pretty much what I do, except I do throw some Seafoam in a couple of gallons of fresh gas. (I usually siphon out the gas during the summer cause I get too lazy to go to the store and get some for the mower!)

test your antifreeze be sure it is good for at leat -30. like you said take batteries out and run the gas tracotrs dry of gas. you are better off to run the carb dry to avoid problems in the spring if. diesel im sure it wouldnt hurt to put some type of additive that keeps it good in the tank. otherwise cover the exauhst (so no birds nest in there when it warms up) and you should be good to go. thats all i can thinka off top of my head
M Puller

I live in New England and for our diesel tractors we just park them and pull the batteries. Covering the exhaust and checking the ani-freeze is definitely a good idea! otherwise never have any major problems and they start right up in the spring.
hope it helps