Tractors are impressive on their own, but the attachments they use are really what make them the machines we know and love today. With that being said, it’s very important to care for each attachment you use to have the most efficiency every time. Although each attachment will have specific maintenance requirements, there are a few things you can do regularly to keep your equipment functioning properly. If you have any questions, reach out to your local Mahindra® dealer for parts and service information.
1. Don’t Ignore the Owner’s Manual
It’s not always practical to dig out the pages of an owner’s manual, but it most definitely shouldn’t be ignored! The manual for your attachments will provide crucial information for cleaning, repair, troubleshooting, and maintenance. If you don’t have a hard copy, most manuals can be found online for free.
2. Recordkeeping Helps
If you’re operating a farm or business, you already know how important it is to keep good records. Having a detailed logbook of how, when, and where your attachments are used can help you keep a maintenance schedule and can also help you identify the cause of damage or wear. Many of these details can be tracked through digital solutions directly with your tractor’s installed monitor, but keeping your own record is also recommended. Pay attention to hours used and try to log any replacements or repairs you make.
It can be tedious and challenging to keep detailed records, but it can make a huge difference in how you maintain your attachments.
3. Perform Regular Inspections
Having things down on paper is great, but you should also be regularly inspecting your tractor attachments. It’s ideal to look them over before and after each use, but at the very least you should complete a thorough inspection at the beginning and end of the season.
During the inspection, you should look at all the moving parts and connectors. Watch for signs of excessive wear, damage, loose connections, and debris.
4. Keep it Clean
In order to regularly inspect the attachments, it’s also ideal to keep them clean. Removing debris, dirt, and residue will not only elongate its lifespan, but it’ll help it perform better and allow you to see the equipment much easier.
Especially in situations where you’re moving feed, seed, and materials, keeping your attachments clean will also reduce the risk of cross contamination.
5. Have a Grease Gun Nearby
Most attachments have several moving parts and utilize a hydraulic system to operate. One of the easiest ways to maintain these tractor attachments is by regularly applying grease to these areas. You should also be regularly greasing the PTO shaft.
Keeping your tractor attachments well-maintained will improve your uptime and give you a better ROI. We hope these tips have helped!
