Storing Tillage Equipment

Tillage tools sit idle for months, and rust, moisture and mice do a lot of damage in that time. A few hours at the end of the season pays back in spring.

Key points

Clean before the dirt dries hard and hides problems.
Inspect, list and order parts in the off-season.
Coat bare steel and grease every fitting before storage.
Block on solid supports and keep kids away.
Review and recheck everything before spring work.

Why does end-of-season cleaning matter?

Dirt and residue hold moisture against steel, and that speeds rust and hides cracks. Clean the machine while the soil is still fresh and easy to remove. Scrape, brush or wash off caked mud, especially around bearings, hinges and hydraulic fittings.

Do not point a pressure washer directly at bearings and seals, which can force water past them. Let the machine dry before you grease or coat anything.

A cattle ranch with a few tools and a shed that holds half of them can rotate what goes inside, putting the most delicate or expensive items under cover and the heavy, simple ones outside with better rust protection.

What should you inspect and repair before storing?

Walk the implement with a notepad. Check for worn shovels, sweeps and discs, bent shanks, cracked welds, loose bolts and leaking hoses. Write down what needs replacing and order parts during the quiet months, when you have time and supplies are easier to find.

Fixing now means you start spring ready to work. Putting repairs off until planting time means rushed work, and rushed work is how injuries happen.

List worn parts and order them early
Look for cracks, bends and loose hardware
Check hoses, fittings and cylinders for leaks
Replace missing pins, clips and safety chains

How do you protect steel from rust?

Bare metal rusts fast. Many owners coat shovels, discs and other exposed steel with a light film of oil or a rust-preventive product made for the purpose. Touch up chipped paint on frames to keep rust from spreading. Follow product directions and keep coatings off brakes, belts and tires.

Store wear parts and spares dry, and keep them off the floor on a shelf or pallet. Moisture trapped in a pile of parts causes more rust than you would expect.

What about grease, hydraulics and cylinders?

Grease every fitting at the end of the season so fresh grease sits in the bearings and pushes out moisture. Use the grease the manual specifies. Hydraulic cylinder rods are best protected by retracting them where the manual allows, or by following the manufacturer's storage advice, to limit exposed rod surface.

Check hoses for cracks and wear while you are at it, and replace damaged ones with the type the manufacturer calls for. Never check leaks with your hands, and call a qualified mechanic for hydraulic repairs.

Rodents love hoses, wiring and any warm, dry nest. Check for chewed lines in spring and consider traps or deterrents around the shed. Never use anything around fuel or electrical parts that could create a fire hazard.

How do you block and support the implement?

Store implements on firm, level ground, with the tools lowered and blocked so that nothing rests on hydraulics. Use rated stands or solid timber blocks, and keep tires off damp soil if you can. Folding machines should be latched in the transport or storage position the manual describes.

Keep children away from stored equipment. Heavy frames and folded wings can tip or fall if disturbed, and sharp edges are everywhere. Consider fencing or a locked shed where kids or visitors might wander.

Where should you store it?

Indoors is best, but many farms do not have room. If equipment stays outside, park it on gravel or a pad rather than bare soil, face it so water drains off and consider a cover that allows airflow. A tarp that traps moisture can do more harm than good.

Keep equipment away from fuel storage and from places where a fire could spread. Check your insurance policy and ask your agent about coverage for stored equipment, fire and theft.

What goes on a pre-season checklist?

In spring, recheck bolts and pins, grease again, inspect parts and fix the issues on your list. Look for rodent damage on hoses and wiring. Test the folding and lift functions slowly, with people clear.

A simple log helps. Write down each season's repairs, parts and notes so you can see what wears out and when. For a 5-acre homestead with one small tool, that might be a page in a notebook. For a larger operation with many tools, a simple spreadsheet works well.

When to get help: Ask the dealer service department about storage steps for hydraulics and specific components, and ask your insurance agent about coverage for equipment stored outdoors or in an outbuilding.

Sources and further reading

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

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