Hay Equipment Maintenance Calendar

Hay does not wait for a broken machine. A simple calendar of checks through the year keeps mowers, rakes and balers ready when the weather window opens.

Key points

Service equipment after the last cutting, while problems are still fresh.
Store machines dry and protect them from rodents and rust.
Do the big inspection in early spring, before the hay window opens.
Carry spare knives, belts and shear bolts during the season.
Leave hydraulics, gearboxes and structural welds to qualified mechanics.

Why do you need a maintenance calendar?

Hay equipment sits most of the year and then works hard for a few short windows. Rain, dust and rodents damage it in storage, and a failure at the wrong moment can cost a cutting. A written calendar turns scattered good intentions into a routine.

Tailor the calendar to your machines. The operator's manual lists service points and intervals for each one, and your calendar should refer back to it.

A shared calendar also helps if family or hired help run the machines. Everyone can see what has been done and what is due.

What should you do right after the last cutting?

Clean the machines while the season is fresh. Wash off crop residue, which holds moisture and rusts metal. Grease all fittings as the manual lists, and note any worn parts or noises you noticed during the season.

Make a repair list now and order parts while the dealer is not busy. Wear items such as knives, belts, chains and pickup teeth are common.

Wash and dry equipment.
Grease fittings and moving joints.
Record problems and worn parts.
Order parts in the off-season.

What belongs on a winter storage checklist?

Store machines under cover and on a dry surface if you can. Release tension on belts and chains if the manual advises. Protect bare metal from rust and keep rodents out of wiring and cabs. Fold and lock folding sections.

Raise tires off the ground or check pressure occasionally. Drain or treat fuel in small engines as the manual advises, and disconnect or maintain batteries.

Pull the machine out and run it briefly before the season. Check the PTO shaft and listen for noises, then fix what you find while shops still have time for you.

What should you do in early spring before the season?

Do the big checks then. Inspect cutter bars, discs, knives and guards on mowers. Check rake teeth, tedder tines and wheel bearings. On balers, inspect the pickup, belts or chains, knotters or net wrap system, and the gearbox oil level. Replace worn parts and re-grease.

Test every shield and safety device. Replace damaged PTO shafts and shields. Never run a machine with a guard off.

Calibrate net wrap or twine systems and check that the baler's tension and density settings match your manual. A baler that makes loose or lopsided bales wastes your time in the field.

What should you check during the hay season?

Do a short check before each day's work. Look for loose bolts, leaking oil, worn belts and loose tires. Grease at the intervals in the manual, often more often in dusty conditions. Keep a spare set of knives, belts and shear bolts in the truck.

Hay dust and chaff pile up near hot parts. Clean them off regularly to reduce fire risk, and carry a fire extinguisher.

Keep notes on what broke during the season. A cracked tine or a worn belt in July is a good reminder in October, when you are standing in front of the parts counter.

What should you leave to a shop?

Gearbox rebuilds, hydraulic repairs, knotter timing and structural welding are best left to the dealer service department or a qualified mechanic. Hydraulic fluid under pressure can cause serious injury, so never check for a leak by hand. Always use the fluids and parts the manufacturer specifies and follow the procedures in the manual.

Make sure any technician you hire has access to the manual, and ask for a written list of the work done.

How do you build your own calendar?

List each machine, then add its service points and intervals from the manual. Group them by season: after cutting, winter storage, pre-season, and in-season. Write the dates on a wall calendar or in your phone, and check them off as you go.

A small farm with one mower and one baler may need only a one-page list. A larger operation with several tractors and balers might use a spreadsheet. Either way, the habit is what protects you.

When to get help: Use the operator's manual as your service schedule, and ask the dealer service department to handle gearbox, hydraulic and knotter work. Keep a written service log, which helps with warranty questions and resale.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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