Preparing and Storing Farm Equipment for Winter
Each winter, cold, dry arctic air masses collide with warm, moist tropical air masses, producing heavy precipitation and variable temperatures across the Commonwealth. While cold temperatures can impact farm machinery, the variability of weather conditions tends to be more detrimental to equipment stored across the state. To combat this, producers must take caution to properly store batteries, fuels, lubricants, electrical components, and farm machinery to prevent damage due to condensation, low temperatures, and moisture infiltration.
What Do Major Farm Equipment Manufacturers Recommend?
Most major farm equipment manufacturers have generated a winter management program for their machinery. Their individual winter recommendations can be found at the end of this article. Although brands may vary, their recommendations all cover some similar points of maintenance:
- Clean equipment and protect exposed surfaces
- Check fluid levels and fill accordingly
- Plan for and make major repairs
- Check your owner's manual for suggested actions
- Check batteries and tires and charge or inflate accordingly
What Do Major Farm Suppliers Recommend?
Antifreeze/Coolant
Engine coolant serves an essential function by cooling a machine, but it also protects against freezing damage in the winter. Prioritize checking freezing protection with an engine coolant hydrometer in machinery with older coolant. Hydrometer testers contain a small float or ball that measures the specific gravity of the coolant as it is drawn into the testing chamber. Coolants with more ethylene glycol will show a higher specific gravity, so the float or ball reads higher, indicating greater freeze protection in cold weather.
A more involved coolant test using a test strip kit allows you to test the condition of the coolant in your engines. Like engine oils, coolants contain conditioners and additives that help reduce corrosion and lubricate an engine's cooling system. Testing coolant condition periodically can help determine if a cooling system is ready to be flushed out and if new antifreeze must be added to guard against system corrosion and damage. This is especially important in modern cooling systems with mixed metals and alloys that are more susceptible to corrosion. Always follow the owner's manual's recommendation for coolant types to reduce the chances of system damage or compatibility issues with existing coolant.
Batteries
Batteries must maintain a charge through their storage period to prevent freezing and damage over winter. Check voltage levels before winter storage – 12-volt batteries should be charged to 14.4 volts for safe storage. Check voltage levels periodically – a fast discharge indicates electrical issues within the machine or the battery. If the battery is allowed to discharge too much, the acid inside may freeze, expand, and damage the plates and the casing. Remember to disconnect equipment monitors and controller boxes left in tractor cabs to reduce the chance of parasitic voltage draw. Clean corrosion and debris from battery terminals and the top of the casing to prevent discharge across the top of the battery. If you suspect parasitic voltage draw from a particular machine is discharging a battery, disconnect the battery and store it in a warm location. You may also wish to rotate a small battery maintainer or "float" charger among your machinery to keep battery voltages at their maximum during storage.
Always provide adequate ventilation when charging or jump-starting batteries around your farm. Remove any external ignition sources near charging batteries, such as cigarettes, flames, or space heaters. Lead-acid batteries (which are extremely common on farm machinery) release hydrogen gas as they charge, which can cause an explosion in confined areas when gases accumulate.
Diesel Fuels
Number 2 diesel fuels contain a naturally occurring wax called paraffin wax. Paraffin wax offers lubricating properties to flowing diesel, but causes issues as temperatures drop. At about 32 degrees Fahrenheit, paraffin wax molecules begin to clump together, forming a hazy, cloudy "gel" that restricts fuel flow through fuel systems and causes plugging. Cold-weather additives change the shape of these wax particles to allow fuel to continue to flow at colder temperatures. Some fuel additives (containing biocides or algaecides) also help to minimize microbial growth in contaminated fuels - be sure to review literature or studies that prove the efficacy of those additives in your environment. Ultimately, number 2 fuels will still reach a critical temperature at which they no longer flow through a filter. Some fuel companies will switch to a winter fuel blend that contains some number 1 diesel fuel. Number 1 diesel fuel has a lower gelling point, which helps prevent issues in colder operating conditions. Check with your fuel supplier for recommendations on fuel handling, storage, and usage during winter months.
Keeping fuel tanks full during extreme temperature fluctuations will reduce the amount of air in the tank, therefore reducing the amount of moisture that can condensate out and contaminate the fuel. Excess fuel from the fuel pump is also returned to the fuel tank, where it produces condensation as fuel warmed by the fuel pump meets cold fuel in the tank. Keeping tanks full reduces this condensation issue - just make sure fuel is adequately treated before placing it into long-term storage.
Do not use any source of heat to warm fuel filters or tanks to force clouded diesel fuel through a transfer pump or engine. Doing so may introduce moisture and contaminants further into your machinery's fuel system.
Engine Heaters
Block heaters may come integrated with an engine as part of a factory-ordered package. Block heaters help to heat engine coolant or oil, and indirectly heat the engine block to reduce drag from thick engine oils and increase core engine temperatures needed for adequate fuel combustion. Block heaters should be checked prior to cold weather to verify heating elements are still in working order. Equipment that is used daily may be plugged into a timer to allow the heater to heat the block for 1-3 hours.
Glow plugs are small, pencil-shaped heaters that sit inside the combustion chamber of an engine cylinder. These heaters help to heat the air inside the combustion chamber, where, with the help of extreme compression inside a diesel engine, they heat the air to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit so the incoming air-fuel mixture can combust and start the engine. Do not use starting fluids when cycling glow plugs, as the heat generated by the glow plugs can cause the starting fluid to explode outside of the combustion chamber.
Manifold heaters are a small array of heating coils located within the intake manifold of an engine. They help to heat the incoming air so the fuel-air mixture has adequate heat to initiate combustion. Never use starting fluids if an engine uses a manifold heater, as the starting fluid may explode and severely damage the engine or injure the operator.
Gasoline
Though gasoline does not face the same paraffin wax concerns as diesel, it may still contain enough moisture to cause issues with freezing or corrosion. Moisture intrusion of fuel systems can be caused by buying poor-quality gasoline, allowing clean gasoline to become contaminated, or by ethanol-blend gasolines absorbing moisture from the atmosphere. Ethanol is somewhat hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb atmospheric moisture and "bond" it to the ethanol molecule. This moisture can freeze within the fuel line or cause corrosion of metallic components inside fuel pumps, carburetors, or fuel injection systems. Gasoline additives are commonly used to entrap moisture from fuel systems, helping to stabilize fuel over longer periods of time. Fresh gas should be treated prior to storage and should be used in a timely fashion. Long-term stored equipment should be stored with an empty fuel tank.
Just like with diesel, keeping fuel tanks full during extreme temperature fluctuations will reduce the amount of air in the tank, therefore reducing the amount of moisture that can condensate out and contaminate the fuel. Excess fuel from the fuel pump is also returned to the fuel tank, where it produces condensation as fuel warmed by the fuel pump meets cold fuel in the tank. Keeping tanks full reduces this condensation issue.
Oils
Engine, transmission, and hydraulic oils contain detergents and additives to trap moisture, debris, and fuel contaminants. Certain oils also have hygroscopic properties that allow them to trap moisture and contain it within the oil to prevent damage to internal components. Follow the manufacturer's recommended service intervals based on the individual machine – systems that use the same fluid in the brake, steering, hydraulic, and transmission components will likely see faster degradation than systems that are run separately. Consult your equipment’s operating manual to determine service intervals for fluid and filter changes.
All oils will degrade after use, accumulating moisture, acids, and contaminants from engine deposits and worn components. If a machine is nearing its recommended oil change interval prior to winter storage, it is best to change that oil before storage. That way, any acids or contaminants will be removed prior to 3-9 months of sitting untouched, where they could otherwise attack bearings, linings, and oil seals. This oil change would also be an appropriate time for an oil analysis, allowing specialists a chance to look for excessive wear within an engine or transmission you wouldn’t otherwise know about.
Just as with fuel, keeping oil reservoirs full during extreme temperature fluctuations will reduce the amount of air in the tank, therefore reducing the amount of moisture that can condensate out and contaminate the oil.
Tires
Tires should be stored indoors, out of sunlight, and away from sources of extreme heat. These stressors can damage the rubber compounds in tires, leading to premature cracking along the bead, sidewalls, and cleats. Another recommendation from manufacturers is to store tires away from electric motors or generators; the brushes in the motors release ozone, which can lead to premature failure. When temperatures drop, air inside tires contracts and leads to a decrease in tire pressure. Each ten-degree Fahrenheit drop in temperature can decrease tire pressure by about one PSI (pounds per square inch). Prior to storing equipment in one place or running equipment over uneven ground, double-check tire pressures and adjust accordingly to maintain proper internal structure. If equipment is stored over winter, consider moving the equipment each month to prevent deformation or safely place equipment on jacks to remove tire sidewall strain. Clean any solvents, oils, grease, or petroleum-based fluids from tires prior to storage, as these materials can also degrade rubber compounds within the tire. Tires filled with calcium chloride should be stored with valve stems between the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions to prevent fluid from freezing in the stems and causing air leaks.
Other Best Practices
Clean-Up
Thoroughly cleaning machinery at the season’s end is a great time to examine it and make a list of any needed repairs. Paying special attention to cleaning areas where grease, crop residue, and dirt gather can help prevent moisture accumulation in sensitive areas. Avoid spraying degreasers or high-pressure water at sensitive electronic components, bearings, and chains or belts. Some producers note it takes much less time to wash equipment if they blow it off with compressed air first. Forage crop and manure residues can be especially harmful to surfaces, as the high moisture and sugar or salt content are extremely corrosive to metals. Also, pay close attention to any equipment that handles fertilizer because the salt within the fertilizer will cause metals to corrode much faster than if they are clean. Allow washed machinery to sit out in an open area with a light breeze until dry. Running machinery after washing may also help it dry faster. Never park wet machinery in enclosed spaces with high humidity, or you may encourage corrosion.
Consider applying touch-up paint to dings or dents or light machine oil to bare metal surfaces that see occasional wear. If oil is applied to metal surfaces, do not allow it to contact plastic or rubber surfaces or drive belts. Oil will accelerate the degradation of these materials and can cause drive belts to slip.
Inspection
Make note of areas where paint is discolored, metal filings have accumulated, or metal has stress cracks. These may be signs of damage or heating from bearing failure. Carefully inspect drivetrain components, such as gears, belts, pulleys, and chains for signs of uneven or excessive wear. Operating or repair manuals should provide wear tolerances and replacement standards for typical wear items. If belts, chains, or springs are stretched from normal wear and tear, compare their measurements to technical references to determine if it's time to replace them. Uneven wear on the sides of gears or pulley sheaves may indicate that bearings are in the early stages of failure and are ready for replacement.
Rodent Management
Avoiding rodent infestations is easiest when machinery is thoroughly cleaned before storage. Grain residues, dried hay or chaff, and even insulation material in combine or tractor cabs are suitable food or nesting materials for small rodents. Wiring harness insulation damage is not uncommon underneath machinery hoods or under sheet metal panels. Avoid leaving tailings or residual grain inside a combine by opening all traps and doors and blowing them out with compressed air. Remove built-up crop residues from forage choppers, hay balers, and tractor transmission housings before storing them indoors. Mothballs, rodent traps, and carefully managed rodenticides can help prevent unpleasant surprises come springtime.
Storage, Indoor or Outdoor
Preparing equipment for long-term storage can be a waste of time if the storage location is not protected from the weather. Certain machinery, like combines or balers, may deteriorate rapidly if stored outdoors for a few seasons. Other machinery, like tillage equipment, rarely sees a benefit from being stored indoors. Sunlight and moisture take a sharp toll on tires, rubber and plastic components, paint, bearings, and sheet metal that collects water. Machinery with a high proportion of electrical components, exceptional resale value, or extreme sensitivity to sunlight and moisture should take precedence over other machinery for indoor storage.
If possible, avoid storing machinery in the same building or structure as hay, especially if the building contains a farm workshop. A small accident in the workshop can quickly lead to a serious loss of stored forages.
Uptime Service
Uptime service is a popular service offered by equipment dealers to even out their seasonal work demands and keep technicians busy in the off-season. Uptime service is performed outside of the “normal” cropping season (usually between December and March), with technicians comparing machinery condition to expected wear and making any necessary repairs or adjustments. Uptime service is a useful option for corn planters, balers, combines, and tractors. Uptime service can be very in-depth, sometimes involving removing corn planter units from the planter and testing output and accuracy on a stationary tester. Other forms of uptime service can be rudimentary; technicians simply compare clearances and measurements to book values to determine if machinery is out of specification.
Winterization
Check that equipment containing fluids is properly winterized before cold weather sets in. Pesticide sprayers and preservative applicators should be flushed and drained as completely as possible. Using a non-toxic, RV-type, or manufacturer-recommended antifreeze, add enough antifreeze to the system to completely submerse the pump, strainer bodies, and any lines or hoses that couldn’t be completely drained.
Further Reading
Fortunately, many major manufacturers have technical service specialists who provide literature on machinery management. Take some time to review the resources below from various sources:
Caterpillar Down to Earth Blog
References
This summary article was written using technical resources provided by major farm manufacturers, such as AGCO, Caterpillar, Case IH, Cenex Fuels, Deka Batteries, Duracell Batteries, Kubota, NAPA, and Shell Rotella, as well as land-grant University Extension programs from Ohio State University, Louisiana State University, and North Dakota State University.
