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Winter Maintenance Tips for Your Foraging Solutions

Nov. 1 2022 Seasonal By PrairieLand Parterns

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Hay & foraging solutions like balers, harvesters, windrowers, and so on are pieces of heavy equipment that need thorough and regular maintenance to continue working smoothly. As winter approaches and you are about to store your machines for the next few months, it will be a good idea to service them and perform any necessary repairs before putting them away.

Here are a few strategies to maintain your equipment right at the start of the cold season. They will help keep your machines in tip-top shape during the off-season and ready for use when you bring them out of storage later.

The Basics

Winter maintenance of your hay and foraging solutions should include cleaning, tuning up, and repairing your tools. This will help extend the lifespan of your equipment and keep it safe and ready for use. You will also be able to spot any hidden issues, which you can fix to prevent them from affecting your machinery’s performance and safety.

When winterizing your forage equipment, be sure to:

  • Replace your regular engine oil with a synthetic base multi-grade oil.
  • Adjust the tire pressure to the manufacturer’s recommended levels.
  • Inspect the condition of the fan belts and V-pulley belts.
  • Get coolant that can handle the winter temperature.
  • Remove and store your batteries in a dry place.
  • Drain your gasoline and refill the tank with fresh fuel. Add a stabilizer to it.

Things to Remember

Ideally, consult your owner’s manual to ensure you don’t overlook any essential steps. The points above cover the vital aspects of winterizing a machine, but your specific model might have a few extra steps suggested by the manufacturer. Follow the guidelines, and don’t forget to:

  • Sharpen blades and replace those that have worn out.
  • Lubricate all moving parts, including seals and hinges.
  • Order replacement parts and have them before the off-season ends.

We hope you find this guide handy when maintaining your foraging equipment. For more advice or to look at our latest inventory of affordable machines, visit PrairieLand Partners. We can’t wait to assist you, so swing by our dealership in Kansas.