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Regional & Seasonal Equipment GuidesSpring Startup Checklist for Farm Equipment
The first warm week of spring is when stored machinery gets asked to work again. A methodical startup check catches the problems that built up over winter, before they strand you in the middle of a field.
Key points
- Start with the manual and a careful walk-around
- Check fluids, filters, batteries, tires and belts before the first job
- Never check hydraulic leaks with your hands
- Confirm shields, ROPS, belts and interlocks are present and working
- Call a mechanic for hydraulic, brake, steering or fuel system problems
Where should you start when waking up stored equipment?
Start with the operator's manual and a clean walk-around. Look under each machine for fresh drips, check for chewed wires and nests, and look at the ground for stains that show a slow leak. Mice and other animals love stored equipment, and what they chew can cause a fire.
Do this before you turn a key. A five-minute look can save an hour of repair, and it tells you what supplies to pick up before the work starts.
If you share the machine with family or hired help, post the checklist on the shop wall and have everyone initial it. A small acreage with one tractor and one operator still benefits from the habit, because it is easy to forget a step after months away from the seat.
What fluid and filter checks come first?
Check engine oil, coolant, hydraulic fluid, transmission fluid and fuel, using only what the manufacturer specifies. If fuel has sat all winter, ask your dealer or fuel supplier about its condition, and replace filters that are due. Look for water in the fuel filter bowl or separator as your manual directs.
Check the air filter, too. Rodents sometimes pack nests into the intake. A blocked or damaged filter starves the engine and lets dirt in.
- Engine oil, coolant, hydraulic and transmission fluid levels
- Fuel condition, filter and water separator
- Air filter and intake for nests or damage
- Grease points on loader, hitch and steering
How do you check the battery and electrical system?
Clean corroded terminals, tighten connections and check the charge. A weak battery may start a machine once and then fail in the field. Test it before you depend on it, and replace it if needed.
Test lights, turn signals, the horn and any gauges. Wear eye protection near batteries, since they give off flammable gas. If you find charging system trouble, a qualified mechanic should look at it.
Also check the starter and cranking behavior. A slow crank in the first start of the year is often a battery or cable problem, and it is better to learn that in the yard than at the far end of a field.
What should you inspect on tires, belts and hoses?
Look at tires for cracking, bulges and low pressure. Check the pressure against the figure in your manual, which depends on the machine and the load. Inspect belts for cracks and glazing, and squeeze hoses for soft or bulging spots.
Check the hitch, drawbar pins and three-point hitch components for wear. Keep a spare belt and a basic set of filters on the shelf.
How do you check hydraulics, PTO and safety systems?
Run the hydraulics through their full range with nobody near and look for leaks and sluggish movement. Never check for a hydraulic leak with your hands, because fluid under pressure can penetrate skin and cause serious injury. Use cardboard or a piece of wood, and stay clear.
Make sure PTO shields, guards, ROPS, the seat belt and safety interlocks are in place and working. Never bypass or disable a safety device.
What implements and attachments need attention?
Mowers, tillers, balers and sprayers all need their own checks. Look at blades, tines, chains, bearings and driveline guards. Grease every fitting that the manual calls for, and replace worn parts before they fail.
A sprayer needs a clean tank, good hoses and working nozzles. Follow the product label for any chemical work, and check the rules for applicator licensing with your state agriculture department.
Test run each implement briefly in an open area before the first real job. A short trial shows noisy bearings, loose guards and leaks while help is still close.
When should you call a mechanic instead of doing it yourself?
Call a qualified mechanic for hydraulic leaks, fuel injection trouble, brake and steering problems or anything electrical that you cannot trace. A dealer service department can also catch recall notices and service items you may have missed.
A little time spent now, with a written checklist you can reuse every year, is cheaper than a repair bill in the middle of planting.
Sources and further reading
Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.