Start early on farm machinery when preparing for the winter

Farm projects virtually never take as long as we anticipate. It takes an hour to move a pile of rocks in "20 minutes." Instead of "an hour," it takes half a day to paint the porch. It takes longer than "an afternoon" to clean up a brush pile. But winter weather doesn't take a break. And it's preferable to start early with the winterization of farm equipment.

You're probably starting to pull out your puffy coats and snow boots in anticipation of the upcoming cold fronts and the formal winter solstice, which is less than a month away. However, as a farmer, now is also a crucial time to begin planning how to get your farm ready for the winter, including what tools and equipment you'll need. Although it can be a laborious procedure, it is necessary to keep your equipment in good condition. This week's blog post from Richmond Brothers Equipment is here to provide you some advice on how to keep yourself and your farm equipment safe this winter.

A farm equipment supplier in Bay Port named Richmond Brothers Equipment is an expert in a range of tillage tools and agricultural machinery, including top-notch ripper points and chisel plows. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you in choosing the equipment that best suits your requirements. To discover more about how to prepare for winter, read this week's blog post, and get in touch with us in Bay Port right away!

This is especially true when it comes to getting ready for using significant farm equipment in winter weather. A 6-inch snowstorm shouldn't occur while your tractors, snow blowers, etc. aren't prepared.

Developing A Bond

I'll use one as an illustration. This year, I added a lawn tractor with a 4-foot snow blower attachment to my equipment collection. The road and main farm pathways will hopefully be cleared quickly and efficiently by the tractor-powered snow blower over the winter, reducing the buildup of compacted snow and ice that stubbornly refuses to melt in late winter.

The snow machine was already assembled because I bought the tractor and snow blower used. The tractor was also configured to manage its installation. Although the tractor had the snow blower fitted when it was delivered, I didn't anticipate it to take very long to switch the two attachments.

It would only require a small amount of labor spread across an afternoon.

In reality, what seemed like "a little labor" turned out to be "a lot of work." It didn't exactly go poorly. Instead, everything proceeded without a hitch. Just a longer and more difficult procedure than I had imagined.

A Successful Start

The mower deck removal was the first step. It's not a difficult task, but I lost some time trying to get rid of a few of the attachment pins (I'm still not sure why).

Then came the challenging task of mounting the snow blower on the front of the tractor and attaching the mount to the hydraulic lifts of the tractor using a pair of curved metal rods. A plastic barrier that had been put around the tractor's PTO puzzled me for a while. Evidently intended to shield the mower drive belt and PTO from debris when mowing, it impeded the installation of the snow blower (and wasn't illustrated in the handbook). I had to stop and take it out.

It was then time for me to focus on the snow blower. Two distinct gear oil reservoirs were listed in the instruction manual as needing inspection. The first was properly filled, while the other, which held auger oil, was underfilled. Fortunately, I already had the right kind of gear oil.

The project would have slowed down significantly more otherwise.

Take Nothing for Granted

I couldn't actually mount the snow blower to the tractor until I fixed the gear oil issue. Undoubtedly, this was the easiest step in the procedure. It was simple to lock into place, and connecting the drive belt to the PTO.

However, when I used the hydraulics to raise the snow blower, I discovered that it wasn't going as high as the handbook suggested. This required me to modify the length of the connectors between the hydraulic lifts and the snow blower mount.

Of course, the tractor itself needed upkeep as well. adding a little extra hydraulic fluid, changing the oil, adding air to the tires, mounting rear ballast weights, etc.

In the end, it took many days and a large number of hours to mount the snow blower and complete the necessary maintenance. And the tractor's back wheels still need tire chains installed.

Thankfully, I began the project long before the predicted snowfall. I wasn't in a mad rush to get the snowblower and tractor ready for a major winter storm. As a result, it's critical to begin winter preparations early because even seemingly straightforward activities may need numerous tedious and time-consuming procedures.

When preparing farm machinery for the winter, it pays to allow more time than you anticipate.

Get prepared for the cold weather

Nothing is worse than preparing for a winter storm only to discover that you lack the necessary winter clothing to keep warm. Even if your tools are crucial, your safety should always come first.

To be ready for the worst weather and avoid having to postpone work because you're confined indoors, start looking for cold-specific clothing in preparation. Don't forget about your hands, feet, and head when protecting your body with insulated bibs. Always make sure your extremities are protected from the bitter cold by donning a decent hat and pair of gloves. Going outside in the cold won't feel like such a horrible task if you have the right equipment.

refuel electrical equipment

Protecting your farm machinery and tools is only part of what winter duties are about; you also want to use this time to make things simpler come spring. Having said that, we advise charging any electrical devices you won't be using in the winter.

Drain the fuel from these tools first, then give them a good, thorough cleaning. Replace or recharge the batteries when you're done; if you have to plug anything in, remember to unplug the batteries because you never know what can occur in your storage shed.

Machines and equipment inspection, maintenance, and sharpening

We advise thoroughly checking, cleaning, and sharpening anything that will be put away because many of your farm tools and equipment won't be used if there is snow, ice, or frost on the ground. Winter is also a wonderful time to complete any necessary upkeep for any items or equipment that may need to be repaired.

Every piece of equipment should be well cleaned and sharpened, and you should look for anything that seems out of the norm. If you don't, you run the risk of letting your tools deteriorate while they're being stored. This applies to hand tools as well as farm tools and machinery including ripper points, chisel plows, shovels, and other tillage tools. Don't forget to oil each tool after you've finished sharpening it, since this can help keep them from rusting.

Place Your Tools in a Dry Place.

You've probably allocated a certain location on your farm, like a barn or shed, for keeping tools. If not, it's crucial to do it before winter arrives. Since rust and corrosion are your primary concerns during the winter, this storage location should be dry and appropriate for metal tools. Make sure snow and moisture cannot enter this construction.

You should also leave space for larger machinery kinds. Whatever kind of storage space you have, make sure it is dry and shielded from inclement weather.

Get Your Soil Ready

While caring for your farm machinery and tools properly over the winter is crucial, it's not the only thing you need to think about. You must also prepare the soil and other components of your farm.

You should prepare your soil by giving it the nutrients it needs before the snow starts to fall frequently in order to make life easier for yourself when spring comes. If you can, fertilize your soil with compost and nutrient-rich fertilizers before the first snowfall so that it can slowly decompose throughout the winter. Your soil will be in top shape by spring if you prepare it now.

Thorough Cleaning of the Farm

You probably have a designated storage place on your farm where you keep all of your farm tools and equipment, as was already described. Along with cleaning the instrument itself, we also advise cleaning the location where your tools will be kept. If you take these steps now, keeping your home clean when springtime is in full swing will be lot simpler.

Analyze Your Insurance Needs

You want to be sure you have enough insurance coverage because things can change quickly. To make sure you'll be prepared for spring, it's essential to assess your demands before the winter season. As a result, you won't have to worry about it when you have many other pressing matters to attend to.

Review Your Stock

The winter season is the perfect time to carefully assess your current inventory position, even though you undoubtedly have a general notion of it throughout the season. You may need more of a particular tool or have been considering replacing an obsolete piece of equipment. Make a list of everything you'll need for the forthcoming season right away. In this manner, you may stock up on everything you require far in advance of when you will need it.

Purchase any new farm machinery and tools you might require.

Richmond Brothers Equipment is available for you if you've examined your stock and decided that you need to stock up on a few new agricultural tools and equipment items. A wide variety of top-notch tillage tools are available from our farm equipment provider, along with tough agricultural equipment that is built to outlive rival products by three to six times.

At Ridzonfarms, we prioritize offering excellent farm tools and equipment as well as helpful customer support. Our skilled staff can either assist you in locating the tools and equipment you require or assess your present circumstance to assist you in determining which tools and equipment would be most suitable for your farm. Contact Richmond Brothers Equipment in Bay Port right away to find out more about our farm equipment dealer or to buy agricultural tools and equipment!