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Maintenance Monday archive
Jeff in Pennsylvania asks about reconditioning a flood-damaged tractor In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jeff in Pennsylvania. The river on his land rose so fast, he didn't have the chance to get his tractor out of the way before it was surrounded by flood waters. It's still sitting there, what should he do and what's the best way to clean it up? Mark in Oklahoma asks about using safety chains. Today we're answering a question form Mark in Oklahoma. He saw a hay wagon break away while being towed behind tractor on the highway. He wonders what the regulations are for securing implements. Denny in Utah asks about fuel injector maintenance. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Denny in Utah. He just bought a new utility tractor and this is his first one with a fuel injection system. He knew how to take care of the gas engine on his dad's old machine but what kind of care and maintenance should fuel injectors have? Don in Ohio asks about adjusting a tractor's wheel span. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Don in Georgia. He wants to know how to increase or decrease the wheel span on his tractor.In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jack in Ohio. He's wondering what kind of fire extinguisher to carry on his tractor. Jack in Ohio asks for tractor fire extinguisher recommendations. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jack in Ohio. He's wondering what kind of fire extinguisher to carry on his tractor. Listen to this story about tractor fire extinguisher recommendations Ben in Tennessee asks about tractor gear maintenance. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Ben in Tennesee. He's been using his utility tractor for moving rocks and clearing land, and has noticed some strange noises coming from the drive train. He wonders if the gears are failing. Marty in New Hampshire asks about tractor operation around ponds. n this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Marty in New Hampshire. He bought a 20-acre small farm with a two-acre pond that hasn't been well-kept. He wants to mow around it safely, and is looking for some tips. Andrew in Pennsylvania asks about lawn mower power loss on hills. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Andrew in Pennsylvania. His riding lawn mower has been reliable for years until he moved to a new acreage. The mower just doesn't seem to have any oomph anymore, especially when going up hills. Why would the mower lose power? Brett in Oregon about a possible fuel injection system leak. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Brett in Oregon. His compact tractor has been difficult to start. When it does start, it's tough to rev up, there's a lot of smoke, and the machine looks like it's leaking fuel. He wonders if a bad fuel injector might be the problem. Ty in Virginia asks about loader attachments. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Ty in Virginia. He has an older utility tractor and would like to add a loader to the front, but isn't sure which one to get. He'd eventually like to put other attachments on the tractor and wants to make sure they'll fit. Daniel in Mississippi asks for causes of poor tractor steering. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Daniel in Mississippi. He says his tractor pulls to the right while hes driving. Why dont his tires roll straight? Mike in West Virginia asks about tractor operation in ditches. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Mike in West Virginia. He has a steep ditch with culverts that needs to be mowed, but doesn't know how to tackle a ditch with a compact tractor. Sara in Georgia asks about lawn mower belts. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Sara in Georgia. She wonders how many belts there are on a lawn tractor, and how and when to replace them. Gary in Mississippi asks about a lawn tractor that won't move when in gear. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Gary in Mississippi. He says when he puts his lawn tractor in gear, it doesn't move. Al in Montana asks about tire stop leak products. In this edition of Maintenance Monday we're answering a question from Al in Montana. He bought some land and will be clearing it soon. Unfortunately there are many thorny plants and rocks that could puncture the tires. He's heard about stop-leak products, is this something worth putting in the tires? Jackson in Nebraska asks about retrofitting ROPS. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jackson in Nebraska. He wants to fix up an antique tractor for use on his small farm. The machine doesn't have a roll-over protection system, and Jackson wants to know if he can retrofit the tractor with it.In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Nate in New York. He'd like to know how long he can store diesel fuel, and what problems he'll have using old diesel. Roseanne in Michigan asks about preventing mower deck grass build up. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Roseanne in Michigan. She wants to know how to keep the grass from building up under her mower deck. She'd rather not pull off the deck and clean it before every use. Fred in New York asks about mower deck vibration. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Fred in New York. He removed the mower deck from his lawn tractor to clean it, then put it back on. Now he feels quite a vibration when he turns on the mower. Bill in Utah asks about examining tractor safety features. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering an e-mail from Bill in Utah. He's looking for a used tractor and wonders what safety features to examine. Start by making a safety checklist. Listen to this story about examining tractor safety features Nate in New York asks about diesel fuel storage. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Nate in New York. He'd like to know how long he can store diesel fuel, and what problems he'll have using old diesel. Devin in Colorado asks about changing lawn tractor fluids. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Devin in Colorado. His old, manual lawn tractor bit the dust and he bought a new one with an automatic transmission. What fluids need to be changed on a regular basis? Adam in Vermont recommends tractor owner's read their manuals. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering an e-mail from Adam in Vermont. He works for a tractor dealership, and is amazed at how many calls he gets for things explained in an owner's manual. He wonders if anyone reads it? Robert in Illinois asks about using diodiesel fuel. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Robert in Illinois. He sees a lot of biodiesel in his area and wants to try it out in his tractor. Are there differences in biodiesel fuels? Rich in New Hampshire asks about changing a tractor tire. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Rich in New Hampshire. He bought a used compact tractor that needs new tires soon. What's involved in changing a tractor tire? Ken in Utah asks about dirty fuel injectors on tractors. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Ken in Utah. His utility tractor has been starting rough and sputtering. He suspects a clogged or dirty fuel injection system, but how does this happen? Patty in Illinois asks about draining old gas. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Patty in Illinois. She's getting her lawn mower ready for the season, and realizes she didn't drain the gas from last fall. Is this going to be a problem? Jim in Alabama asks about allowing his 13-year old son to drive the tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jim in Alabama. His 13-year old son has badgered him to drive the tractor while they're out doing chores. Jim says it would be a great help, but he's not sure if the boy is capable of handling this large piece of equipment. Kelly in South Dakota asks about utility tractor spring tune-ups. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Kelly in South Dakota, who gives the lawn tractor a spring tune-up and wonders if a utility tractor needs one, too. Jeff in Arkansas asks about tractor usage hours. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jeff in Arkansas. He's curious as to why tractor manufacturers pay more attention to the hours used on a tractor than the miles. Curt in New York asks about his tractor's transmission oil. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Curt in New York. He just bought a compact tractor and understands the basics of engine oil maintenance, but what about transmission oil? Missy in Washington asks what causes tractor engine stall. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Missy in Wisconsin. Toward the end of the season last year her lawn tractor started up just fine, but stalled out after about 15-minutes of mowing. She wants to know what causes this. Sam in Oklahoma asks how to maintain his tractor's air filter. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Sam in Oklahoma. He wants to know how to maintain the air filter on his lawn tractor. Emily in Virginia asks about hitching implements safely. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Emily in Virginia. She and her husband bought their first compact tractor and don't have experience hitching implements. How do they do it safely? Cale in Nevada asks about loading his tractor on a trailer. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Cale in Nevada. He's taking his tractor to the dealer and will be hauling it on a trailer for the first time. Any tips for loading? Doug in Florida asks about durable mower blades. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Doug in Florida. He has two acres of lawn to cut and says the blades on his lawn tractor wear out quickly. When he mows closer to his wooded land, the debris damages the blades even further. Are there blades available with better durability? Emily in Tennessee asks how to adjust her tractor's exhaust. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Emily in Tennessee. She grows fruit and vegetables, and uses a compact tractor in the fields. She's concerned about the amount of exhaust that ends up on her produce. Can the exhaust pipe be moved? Aaron in Kansas asks about remanufactured tractor parts. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Aaron in Kansas. He has an older utility tractor, and wants to keep it running well. He wonders what the difference is between parts that are remanufactured and those that are rebuilt. Landon in New York asks how often he needs to tighten his tractor's wheel lugs. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Landon in New York. He just bought a new compact tractor, and wonders how often he needs to check and tighten the wheel lugs. Steve in South Dakota asks about a spring machinery tune-up. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Steve in South Dakota. Winter hit quick last year and he didn't get the chance to service his lawn tractor. He needs to do a tune-up before things get going in the spring. What should he focus on? Martin in North Carolina asks if his RPM needle needs an adjustment. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Martin in North Carolina. He's noticing wide swings in the RPM needle on his tractor. He replaced the fuel filter and cleaned the carburetor but there was no improvement. Is there a needle adjustment? Mike in Michigan asks about charging a utility vehicle battery. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Mike in Michigan. He has a utility vehicle that doesn't charge its battery. Mike says the battery is good, as he has no problem sparking it up with a charger, and he's tested for draws on the system. So, he wonders what to do next. Jeff in Colorado asks about putting a tractor on blocks. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jeff in Colorado. He needs to do some maintenance work on his utility tractor's tires. He has a jack, but wonders if he should also put the tractor on blocks. Pam in Florida asks about flooded tractor engines. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Pam in Florida. When she tries to start her old tractor, it floods. What causes this and what's the best way to get it started again? Laura in Washington asks about repairing a tractor tire tube. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Laura in Washington. She has a tractor tire with a slow leak and suspects the tube might have a hole in it. Is it possible to take the tube out and repair it or will she have to take it to the dealer? Kevin in Oregon asks about buying an oil filter. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Kevin in Oregon. He's wondering why the price of oil filters for his utility tractor are all over the place. He's seen them as cheap as $3, and as expensive as $12. Aren't all oil filters the same, or does price matter? Mark in Ohio asks about bleeding air from his tractor's fuel lines. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Mark in Ohio. He ran out of fuel recently and even though he had an extra gas can along for emergencies, he wasn't able to start his utility tractor after adding fuel back in. What would be the reason for that? Jim in Utah asks about greasing his tractor fittings. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jim in Utah. He feels pretty confident about handling a lot of the maintenance of his compact tractor, but is a bit stymied by when to grease the fittings -- and how much. Shawn in Alabama asks how to care for his tractor tire rims. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Shawn in Alabama. He has rust developing on the tire rims of his utility tractor and wonders if there's anything he can do about it. Jenny in Michigan asks for the best kind of engine block heater. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jenny in Michigan. Her tractor's diesel engine has a hard time starting in cold weather, and she wonders what kind of engine heater works the best. Tom in Oklahoma asks about doing a tractor walk-around. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Tom in Oklahoma. He keeps up with routine maintenance on his utility tractor, but sometimes he's surprised by the issues that come up anyway. What else can he do to keep the tractor out of the shop? Andrew in Colorado asks about using tire chains on his tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Andrew in Colorado. He bought a new compact tractor, and a friend told him he should put chains on the tires for winter chores, but he's not sure. Matthew in Massachusetts asks how to increase the value of his equipment. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Matthew in Massachusetts. He's wondering how he can increase the value of his equipment. Brian in Illinois asks how to repair a tubless tire. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Brian in Illinois. He's fed up with trying to repair his utility tractor tires after running over nails and other sharp objects. Pulling the tube out, finding the hole, and fixing it takes him nearly all day. Is there a way to make tire repair easier? Kirby in Missouri asks about warming up his utility tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Kirby in Missouri. He wants to know the best way to warm up his utility tractor on a frigid day. Lynn in Ohio asks if a spreader implement will work for spreading salt. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Lynn in Ohio. She uses a pull-behind manure spreader with her utility tractor and is curious if the implement will work for spreading salt on her driveway in the winter.In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Elizabeth in Idaho. The battery in her small tractor lost its charge last winter. Is there a way to keep this from happening? Tina in Indiana asks about compact tractor snow blades. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Tina in Indiana. She's tired of shoveling snow, and since she and her husband are the new owners of a compact tractor, they're wondering what kind of snow blade they should put on the front of it. Elizabeth in Idaho asks how to keep a tractor battery charged. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Elizabeth in Idaho. The battery in her small tractor lost its charge last winter. Is there a way to keep this from happening? Shawn in Louisiana asks how to start a flooded fuel-injected engine. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Shawn in Louisiana. His utility tractor has been hard-starting lately and he's concerned that he's flooding it somehow. What's the proper way to start a fuel-injected engine if it's flooded? Listen to this story about starting a flooded fuel-injected engine John in Texas asks about propery clothing around machinery. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Josh in Texas. His neighbor nearly lost an arm when his shirt sleeve got caught in a piece of machinery. The neighbor is okay, but Josh wants to know what not to wear around farm equipment. Pete in Colorado asks how to keep his tractor axles in good shape. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Pete in Colorado. He's clearing heavy rocks and doesn't want to cause axle failure on his utility tractor. He wonders how to keep the axels in good shape. Andrew in Colorado asks about using chains on his tractor tires. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Andrew in Colorado. He bought a new compact tractor, and a friend told him he should put chains on the tires for winter chores, but he's not sure. Pete in Arkansas asks about wheel slippage with his tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we’re answering a question from Pete in Arkansas. He’s unsure of how much wheel slippage he should expect from his two-wheel drive tractor. Tim in New Mexico asks how to know if he is overloading his tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Tim in New Mexico. He has a lot of rock to move off and he’s not sure what the load limits are for his tractor and wonders how he'll know if he's overdoing it. Lou in Pennsylvania asks about oil viscosity in older tractors. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Lou in Pennsylvania. His utility tractor has five-thousand-hours on it. He uses a 5-W-30 oil now, but wonders if it's time to switch to a different weight? Jay in Virginia asks for safety tips when working with the PTO. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jay in Virginia. He just bought a used compact tractor, and wants safety tips for working around the PTO. Kirk in South Carolina asks how to diagnose a non-starting tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Kirk in South Carolina. He has a compact tractor that won't start. It's his first tractor, and he doesn't know where to begin to diagnose the problem. Any ideas? Listen to this story about diagnosing a non-starting tractor Andy in New Mexico asks for tips on preventing tractor fires. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Andy in New Mexico. His area is often quite dry, and he's concerned about his tractor sparking a fire. Any tips on how to prevent this? Troy in Texas asks about filling his lawn mower tires with epoxy. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Troy in Texas. He wonders if it would be okay to fill his lawn tractor tires with an epoxy that keeps them from going flat, even if they pick up nails. Will this make his tires heavier? Don in Georgia asks how to adjust his tractor's wheel span. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Don in Georgia. He wants to know how to increase or decrease the wheel span on his tractor. Marty in New Hampshire asks about tractor operation around ponds. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Marty in New Hampshire. He bought a 20-acre small farm with a two-acre pond that hasn't been well-kept. He wants to mow around it safely, and is looking for some tips. Ben in Tennessee asks about gear maintenance. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Ben in Tennesee. He's been using his utility tractor for moving rocks and clearing land, and has noticed some strange noises coming from the drive train. He wonders if the gears are failing. Ty in Virginia asks about choosing the right loader attachment. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Ty in Virginia. He has an older utility tractor and would like to add a loader to the front, but isn't sure which one to get. He'd eventually like to put other attachments on the tractor and wants to make sure they'll fit. Mike in Ohio asks why fuses blow. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Mike in Ohio. He's had fuses blow on his tractor lately, including the headlights and his instrument panel. What might be the cause? Mike in West Virginia asks about operating tractors in ditches. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Mike in West Virginia. He has a steep ditch with culverts that needs to be mowed, but doesn't know how to tackle a ditch with a compact tractor. Tanner in New Mexico asks about accessories for new tractor comfort. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Tanner in New Mexico. He just bought a second-hand utility tractor that doesn't have a cab, and wonders if there are some accessories he can add to the machine that will keep him comfortable while working in the pasture. Aaron in Kansas asks about remanufactured and rebuilt tractor parts. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Aaron in Kansas. He has an older utility tractor and wants to keep it running well. He wonders what the difference is between remanufactured and rebuilt parts. Roseanne in Michigan asks how to prevent mower deck grass build-up. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Roseanne in Michigan. She wants to know how to keep the grass from building up under her mower deck. She'd rather not pull off the deck and clean it before every use. Sara in Michigan asks how to diagnose a Gator UTV problem. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Sara in Michigan. She can't get the cargo box on her Gator to move, and is looking for suggestions as to why this is happening. Billy in Oklahoma asks about adjusting his tractor's brakes. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Billy in Oklahoma. The brakes on his lawn tractor aren't grabbing like they used to, and he wonders what's wrong. Mason in Wisconsin asks about sharpening mower blades. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Mason in Wisconsin. He's looking for some tips on how to sharpen the mower blades on his lawn tractor. David in Pennsylvania asks about checking hydraulic pumps. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from David in Pennsylvania. He is planning to have his tractor's hydraulic fluid changed and the filter replaced. Should the hydraulic pump and other parts of the system be checked over too? Connie in Louisiana asks about lawn mower oil change. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Connie in Louisiana. She had the dealer change the oil in her lawn tractor last year. She wonders if it needs to be done again this year and if so, how to do it herself. Scott in Texas asks how to make wet-brake adjustments. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Scott in Texas. He used to have an old tractor with a dry brake system. Now he has a new utility tractor with a wet-brake hydraulic system, and he wants to know how to make adjustments. Kendra in Missouri asks about lawn mower battery care. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Kendra in Missouri. She's had problems keeping the battery in her lawn tractor charged and is wondering if there's something she can do or is it just time to get a new battery. Patty in Illinois asks about draining gas from her lawn mower's deck. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Patty in Illinois. She's getting her lawn mower ready for the season, and realizes she didn't drain the gas from last fall. Is this going to be a problem? Josh in Texas asks about a small hydraulic fluid leak on his utility tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Josh in Texas. He bought a new utility tractor, and there's a small hydraulic fluid leak at the three-point-hitch spool valve. Pam in Maryland asks about simple utility tractor maintenance. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Pam in Maryland. She's dusting off the lawn mower and is ready to give it a tune up. She'd like to do as much maintenance as she can by herself, and wonders where to start. Alan in Pennsylvania asks how to avoid hydraulic system contamination. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Alan in Pennsylvania. He had hydraulic system contamination problems on an old tractor, and has decided it's time for a new machine. How can he avoid the same problems? Kirk in Wyoming asks how often he should check his tractor's fuel filter. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Kirk in Wyoming. He wants to know how often to check the fuel filter on his utility tractor. Rob in Missouri asks how to maneuver his tractor through mud. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Rob in Missouri. His place is muddy and he wants tips on how best to maneuver his compact tractor. Listen to this story about maneuvering a tractor through mud John in Louisiana asks when to check his tractor's wheel bearings. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from John in Louisiana. He bought a used trailer to haul hay with his compact tractor. He wonders how and when to check the trailer's wheel bearings. Chris in Massachusetts asks about gas and diesel oil. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Chris in Massachusetts. He has both gas and diesel engine equipment, and it's time for oil changes. Can he use the same oil for everything? Seth in Wisconsin asks about checking his tractor's oil for maintenance. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Seth in Wisconsin. He's purchasing a used compact tractor, and wonders if he should check the oil to see if the machine was maintained on a regular basis. Parker in Utah asks about checking electrical conntections on his tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Parker in Utah. He's noticed lights flickering on his compact tractor, and sometimes the gauges don't seem to be working right, either. He suspects a bad electrical connection. Mark in West Virginia asks about cleaning a tractor's battery. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Mark in West Virginia. He's having trouble starting his tractor. He's checked the battery charge and it's fine, but when he turns the key nothing happens. Suzie in South Carolina asks where she can get a new owner's manual for her tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Suzie in South Carolina. She misplaced the owner's manual for her two-year-old tractor and wonders where to get a new one. Jerry in Texas asks if there is a way to check a tractor's engine before buying it. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jerry in Texas. He has his eye on a used compact tractor, but wonders if there is a good way to check the engine before he buys it. Amos in New York asks how to fix the gelled diesel fuel in his tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Amos in New York. The diesel fuel in his compact tractor has gelled up and he doesn't know what to do. Jim in Oregon asks if his tractor's poor performance is due to the bad odor it produces. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jim in Oregon. His tractor hasn't been running very well and there is a strong rotten egg odor coming from it. He's wondering if the two issues are related and what the problem might be. Cole in Indiana asks about battery maintenance on his compact tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Cole in Indiana. He put a low-maintenance battery in his compact tractor, but he’s wondering if there are inspections he should make on a regular basis. Larry in Indiana asks if it's okay to run his machinery without PTO shields. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Larry in Indiana. He purchased a used bailer and an elevator, and neither has a PTO shield, so he wants to know if it's okay to run the machines without shields. Maureen in North Carolina asks about adding fuel conditioners to her gas tank. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Maureen in North Carolina. She's noticed fuel conditioners on the market and doesn't know if she should be adding them to the gas tank of her compact tractor. Joe in Minnesota asks about tractor tire pressure in cold weather. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Joe in Minnesota. He's wondering how much he has to fiddle with tire pressure on his compact tractor to compensate for the cold weather. Jay in Virginia asks for safety tips when working with the PTO. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jay in Virginia. He just bought a used compact tractor, and wants safety tips for working around the PTO. Carter in North Carolina asks how to save gas when in the field. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Carter in North Carolina. He's looking for ways to save gas when he's on the tractor. Doug in Florida asks if ethanol in gasoline causes problems in small engines. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Doug in Florida. He wonders if ethanol in gasoline causes problems with lawn tractors and push mowers, and small engine equipment, like chain saws or lawn trimmers. Denny in Nebraska asks if making tractor engine modifications is a good idea. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Denny in Nebraska. He's heard it's possible to get more power out of a tractor if you make a few modifications, such as over-fueling or adding alcohol. He wonders if boosting is a good idea. Matthew in Massachusetts asks how to increase equipment value. Matthew in Massachusetts is wondering how he can increase the value of his equipment. Virginia Tech Extension Engineer Bobby Grisso says keeping the most valuable equipment out of the weather can help you recoup a lot of money at trade-in time. Todd in Missouri asks how to diagnose break slippage problems. Todd in Missouri has noticed that the brakes on his tractor are slipping. He is wondering how to diagnose the problem. Dick Parish with the Louisiana State University Ag Center says the first thing Todd should do is determine whether his tractor has "dry brakes" or "wet brakes". Marcus in Illinois asks about black engine oil Marcus in Illinois recently bought his first tractor. He bought it used from an individual, so he did some fluid checking and changing right away and found the engine oil was black. Someone told him that's normal for a diesel, and he wonders if that's true. Jan in Iowa asks about getting rid of animal odor in equipment. Jan in Iowa has a problem that really stinks. After not using one of the harvest trucks for a while, she discovered a mouse family had taken up residency under the hood. The mice are gone, but when the heater fan runs, it spreads a "mousey" smell and Jan wonders how to get rid of that odor. Bill in Nebraska asks about road safety. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Bill in Nebraska. He's new to his acreage, and is a little nervous about hauling hay. He's seen some motorists drive pretty crazy to avoid farm equipment on the road, and wonders what he can do to prevent an accident. Jim in South Dakota asks about replacing the breather on his 1950s-era tractor. In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jim in South Dakota. He just bought a 1950s-era tractor and is slowly learning how to maintain an older machine. He's curious about the breather, how to tell if it needs work, and how to clean it up if it does. Kevin in Illinois asks how to prevent machinery fires. Ag Research Specialist Chip Petrea at the University of Illinois says three things are needed to start a fire -- air, a heat source, and material to burn. And there are a number of ways a blaze can take hold. Nathan in Alabama asks for some routine tips on maintaining a square baler. Purdue Ag Engineer Dennis Buckmaster says there is regular maintenance on a baler such as greasing zerks, lubing chains, and keeping it clean. Start by reviewing the operator's manual, because some items you will check on a daily basis, and others may need adjusting once per cutting, or only once per season. However, to produce a perfect small bale of hay, the twine tension adjustment should be monitored closely. Al in Kansas asks how to make sure the antifreeze in his tractor is good for winter. John Deere Product Manager Richard Kershner says antifreeze prevents the engine from overheating in the summer. In the winter, it keeps water from freezing up in the radiator. Use a tool called a hydrometer to make sure you have the right level of temperature protection. This device tells you the freeze point of the fluid, and whether or not it's up to snuff for the winter season. Bryce in Pennsylvania asks how to prevent fuel from gelling up. John Deere Product Manager Richard Kershner says the best way to keep the diesel from gelling is to run the engine every other day or so. If you're not using it that often, prevention is the key. Diane from South Dakota asks what oil to use for colder weather. John Deere Product Manager Richard Kershner says refer to the owner's manual. It will have oil weight requirements and temperature charts. South Dakota gets pretty chilly, so Diane will need a lower viscosity, or oil weight. Bill in Texas asks how to know when his mower blades need sharpening. John Deere Product Manager Greg Weekes says Bill may indeed have dull cutting blades. The first thing you'll notice is the lawn tractor will start protesting. "When your performance is to the point where you're leaving lots of clippings on top of the grass, or the engine really starts to pull down, or bog down, that mulching blade is getting dull," Weekes says. Jason in Oklahoma asks where the grease points are on his compact tractor. John Deere Product Manager Richard Kershner says if Jason got the tractor's owner's manual with the purchase, it will tell him. If not, there are a few places he can start with. Deborah in Alabama asks why her mower dies in tall grass. John Deere Product Manager Greg Weekes says sometimes when a mower hits tall grass, there isn't enough torque to get through it, and the engine dies. In this case, you may have to mow it twice -- one pass with the deck up high, and then again at the regular height. Pete in Nebraska asks what tools he should have on hand to work on his compact tractor. "Some great tools that you should have in your tool box when you own a John Deere compact utility tractor will be an oil filter wrench, a grease gun, a volt or an ohm meter, a fuse extraction tool, and a metric wrench set and a metric socket set," says Richard Kershner, John Deere Product Manager. K.L. in Missouri asks at what RPM to operate the PTO and mower for maximum effeciency. John Deere Product Manager Dan Paschke says every tractor has what's called a rated engine speed. The whole system -- including the hydraulics and the PTO -- is designed to be run at a certain speed. Most tractors that rate an engine speed for PTO applications start around 2,200 and can go as high as 2,700 RPM. It varies from model to model. Tom in West Virginia asks how to avoid tipping his zero-turn mower. Dick Parish with the Louisiana State University Ag Center says side overturns with zero-turn mowers aren't common, but they are possible. What typically happens is that you make some kind of maneuver or hit a slick spot, lose traction, and start sliding down the slope. Bob in Idaho asks how to tell if a fuse is going bad and how to check them. John Deere Product Manager Richard Kershner says fuses protect the electrical circuits. They blow because too much current is flowing through. You'll know to give the fuses a look if things start going wrong with electrical components on the tractor. Jennifer in Georgia asks how to prevent her Model B block from cracking. Brian Holst, manager of the John Deere Collector's Center, says water was used to cool the engine as it ran. If it wasn't drained daily in the cold weather, the block would crack. So Jennifer, if you only use water as your coolant in the Model B block, it will have to be drained. Randy in Iowa asks how to check his loader's hydraulic hoses for leaks. John Deere Product Manager Dan Paschke says every time you go out to operate the equipment, do a line-of-sight check of the hoses with everything turned off. The first thing you're looking for is visible evidence of a leak. Becky in Texas asks how is John Deere "green"? John Deere Product Manager Dan Paschke says the company is well underway to making the tractors run green. It recently announced plans to further reduce total global greenhouse gas emissions within the next six years. Jim in Kentucky asks about buying tires for a compact tractor. Ag Engineer Dick Parish with the Louisiana State University Ag Center says there are three basic kinds of rear tires used on compact tractors. There's the "agricultural lug tread", or R1, the typical tractor tire used for general farming. The second type is the "turf tread", or R3. It's similar to what you'd find on a riding lawn mower. Parish says the third choice is the "industrial tread", also called R4. Doug in Alabama asks if his tractor hitch should be repainted. Blake Barnes, a product manager with John Deere, says it's common to have wear and tear on a hitch, particularly on the lower stabilizers, which keep the hitch from going side to side. So if the component has gouges in the paint, Barnes recommends giving it a quick re-spray to avoid rust buildup. Dave in Michigan asks for some tips on maneuvering slopes on his tractor. Dick Parish with the LSU Ag Center says the first thing you need to do when operating on a slope is to have a roll-over protection system, and keep your seatbelt fastened. The safest way to maneuver a slope is to back up the hill and drive down, rather than sideways. Ben from Florida asks about minimizing hose rupture on his compact tractor. Most tractors have hoses for fuel lines and hydraulic lines. If you have a cab on your machine, there may be a hose for the air conditioning system, too. John Deere Product Marketing Manager Blake Barnes recommends visually inspecting all hoses. Tina from Illinois asks if she can save a mower engine after being flooded. Dick Parish with the Louisiana State University Ag Center says the engine probably can't be salvaged. Small engine rescue starts by getting the water out of the engine as fast as possible. Kevin from Texas asks about choosing the best grease for his tractor. Dick Parish with the Louisiana State University Ag Center says pay attention to the viscosity rating. Low viscosity greases are needed for high-speed applications to enhance flow. High viscosity is better for slow-moving components. The thickness of grease is determined on a scale of 0-0-0 to six, with 0-0-0 being heavy oil and six a brick grease. Adam from South Carolina asks about diagnosing a tractor's lighting problems. John Deere Product Manager Blake Barnes says to make sure the tractor doesn't have any problems starting. If the machine has been in storage for a while, it's possible the battery is disconnected. If you have power, the next step is to check the fuses. Marty in North Carolina asks about maintaining his tractor's loader. John Deere Marketing Representative Jason Breuer says a loader requires T.L.C. In addition to greasing the zerk fittings, "also you have the pins, or the tabs, depending on what type of loader model you have and how the loader attachment secures to the carrier of the loader," he says. "You want to make sure all of that is in safe operating condition." Tim in Ohio asks about using a tractor's headlights on the road. John Deere Marketing Representative Jason Breuer says equipment traveling on the road have turn signals, brakes and lights. The tractor will need flashing lights if you'll be out on the road at night, or driving in conditions with reduced visibility, like heavy fog. You also have to make sure the lights can be seen by other vehicles. Lisa in Nebraska asks about maintaining tractor drive belts. John Deere Product Marketing Manager Greg Weekes says a key part to pay attention to is drive belts. They're located on a mower deck and on a drive system on a smaller tractor. These belts are fundamentally designed to last a long time, and you may only have to replace them once, depending on how much you use the machine. But, there are signs of wear and tear to watch for. Jack in Wyoming asks about balancing the front loader with the rear of his compact tractor. John Deere Marketing Representative Jason Breuer says for safety and performance of the tractor, the first thing you have to do is make sure the tires are right for the job. Each tire has a load index rating for the weight you'll be lifting with front attachments. Equally as important is to make sure the load is counter-balanced in the back. This is called "ballasting". Dave from Iowa asks how to decide whether to fix or replace his lawn tractor. John Deere Marketing Representative Jason Breuer says if your acreage size hasn't changed and the lawn tractor is still in good working order, it might be worth the overhaul. But it depends. Ed from Missouri asks about the new headlight replacements available for his tractor. Art Klein with John Deere says Ed is in luck -- the company is now able to replace lights on tractors from the 60s and 70s with LED lighting. It's become the top choice of lighting for many electrical applications, and now farm machinery is joining the revolution. Sara in Arkansas asks about how to prevent rust on her tractor. Dick Parish with the LSU Ag Center says for decades, manufacturers have done a great job with paint coatings. He says rust prevention maintenance comes down to how the owner takes care of it. Remember, rust considers water its best friend, so keep the tractor dry. Mark in Oklahoma asks about securing implements while towing. John Deere Marketing Representative Jason Breuer suggests using safety chains. When driving on your property, you're not required to use them, although it is safer. However, when towing on the road, the law requires having safety chains between the tractor and the implement. Eric from Missouri asks how to find time for routine tractor maintenance. John Deere Product Marketing Manager Greg Weekes says there's no need to throw a wrench into your schedule, because dealers in many areas of the country now make house calls with a mobile service truck. "A customer can either call the dealer or go online and schedule routine maintenance," he says. Maggie in Idaho asks about the purpose of a tractor's coolant system. Ag engineer Dennis Buckmaster at Purdue University says coolant is meant to protect the tractor engine in the hottest of summers and the coldest of winters. "The purpose of the coolant is to take the heat away from the engine, carry it to the radiator which then dispenses the heat to the environment and get it out of the engine," Buckmaster explains. Anna from Kentucky asks how to level her mower deck. John Deere Product Marketing Manager Greg Weekes says when balancing the deck from side to side, it should be level across. But it's a different story when correcting it from front to rear. The front has to be nose down, about 1/4 inch lower than the back. Jim from Minnesota asks for tips for extending the battery life of his utility tractor. Dennis Buckmaster, an ag engineer at Purdue University, says to extend battery life, routinely check the connections, clean any corrosion, check the battery fluid levels and avoid drain-down. Brian from Texas asks how to know if your utility tractor needs some filter maintenance. John Deere Product Marketing Manager Blake Barnes says that next to oil changes, proper filter maintenance is the most important regular servicing your machine will need to keep it running smoothly. How frequently you change the filter depends a lot on how often you use the tractor. Dan from Georgia asks how to recognize a slipping clutch and how to repair it. The first thing to evaluate is the "free play," says John Deere Product Marketing Manager Blake Barnes. Free play is the distance the clutch pedal can move before it engages the traction clutch. Allison from Wyoming asks how to get the best performance out of your utility tractor while saving fuel. Improving performance also depends on the task, says John Deere Product Marketing Manager Blake Barnes. So try to "gear up" and "throttle down." Doug from Tennessee asks about tire maintenance on his tractor. Deere Product Marketing Manager Blake Barnes says the proper air pressure is critical for tire operation. Check it often if you run tires at a low pounds per square inch, or PSI. They're more likely to leak than at a higher PSI. Keep the tire gauge handy -- and make sure you have the right one. Mike in North Carolina wants to know about choosing a new hay baler. A new baler that makes consistently dense, well-shaped bales quickly and easily is a good investment. The goal is to produce bales that will keep for a long time, shed moisture, and transport well while maintaining the overall feed value of the hay. Jim, listener in Indiana, has a brand new 5000-series utility tractor and he's looking for advice on initial maintenance. "From a ten-hour perspective or kind of a daily check, realistically we would recommend checking your engine oil, and just making sure that you don't have any water in your fuel," says John Deere Product Marketing Manager Blake Barnes. |
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