Winterizing a large diesel tractor?

Anonymous-0 · Oct 24, 2013

Curious how to put a large diesel tractor in the barn for 6 months storage.

Please tell me how you fellas winterize a diesel tractor before it sits all winter in the shed.

the tractor vet · Oct 24, 2013

Make sure the antifreeze is good for atleast 25 below and if we know for sure we pull the batterys out and put them in the basement .
But ours normally only set for three to four months .

DeltaRed · Oct 24, 2013

Fill it up with fuel and unhook the battery.Probably how you should do it....Me,pull the fuel stop and turn off the key.

J. Schwiebert · Oct 24, 2013

Before you start it in the spring drain the filters of any condensation and the tank if it has a condensate drain. Condensation will form over the winter and it is very hard on the fuel systems.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 24, 2013

To follow up on your point. Yeah, the part concerning me is properly starting it in the spring so as not to damage anything.

Allan in NE · Oct 24, 2013

Make sure the anti-freeze is good and shut the door.

Allan

Ted in NE-OH · Oct 24, 2013

Use a battery maintainer.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 24, 2013

Fill it with fuel. Check the antifreeze and park it

Diesel so far doesn't go bad like gas. But the environmental gang will sure screw this up eventually

Drain out any condensation charge up the battery and start it up in the spring

notjustair · Oct 24, 2013

I never do anything. I intend to, but I always use the tractor after I winterized it for some reason or quit using it long before I thought I would. I finally gave up.

I almost got one ready the other day but decided it will likely get used on a feed wagon at some point and just walked away. As long as you are good with your maintenance at all intervals you don't need to do a big prep as far as I am concerned.

Everything here gets put on a maintainer, though.

onefarmer · Oct 24, 2013

When freezing weather is about to hit I always go around and check the antifreeze in EVERYTHING. For the stuff I won't use till spring, put it in the shed and park it. For the things I use in the winter, I put in a thinner oil so they start easier. Next spring change the oil in everything so they are fresh and ready to go. Might take a battery cable off if it's one that runs the battery down over so long.

JMS/.MN · Oct 24, 2013

I shut them off. AF is always good cuz I never add straight water- only 50/50 mix. Early Dec I make a list of all machines with batteries, and hook a charger on each for a day or so. Takes over a couple weeks to go thru all of them, farm and hobby. Tractors/combine with AC I run once/twice over winter just to keep the seals lubed.

fixerupper · Oct 24, 2013

For any engine that's going to be stored it's good to change oil and filter right before storage. Run it a little before you park it, of course. The fresh oil doesn't have as much acid from combustion for the bearings to sit in. I've been told condensation+combustion by-products=acid. Has anybody else heard this? Jim

cshess · Oct 24, 2013

Right on on the oil becoming acidic!Also antifreeze
will become acidic an its as important as oil to be
checked . Litmus strips from Napa will tell you
condition.Trucking co i drove for did that test every oil change at 30000 mile

Winterizing a large diesel tractor?

Anonymous-0

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the tractor vet

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DeltaRed

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J. Schwiebert

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Anonymous-0

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Allan in NE

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Ted in NE-OH

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Anonymous-0

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notjustair

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onefarmer

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JMS/.MN

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fixerupper

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cshess

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