Winter Checklist for Farm Machinery Maintenance

During the winter months, plummeting temperatures, ice and heavy snow can all wreak havoc on a farm. But, what often gets neglected at this time of year is the machinery on a farm.

Although these machines are built to be durable and hard-wearing, even the most sturdy pieces of equipment can be affected by extreme winter weather conditions.

With the right preventative measures in place, you can minimise the risk of winter weather damage to your machinery, and ensure these vital pieces of equipment continue working flawlessly, all year round.

Below, our expert team have shared their top tips for winter farm machinery maintenance, including a full winter machinery checklist.

Winter Equipment Checklist

Throughout the winter months, we recommend adding the following best practices to your regular routine:

• If snow is predicted, minimise your equipment’s exposure to moisture. Store it indoors if possible. But, if you keep the machinery outside, cover it with tarpaulin or a waterproof cover
• Regularly inspect all of your equipment, particularly looking out for any signs of cracks, leaks or irregular wear
• If you do identify any issues, ensure they are addressed immediately. In the winter in particular, these problems can quickly escalate into a more costly issue
• Regularly check the tyre pressure of any vehicles (as this is commonly affected by cold weather)
• Thoroughly clean your equipment, paying particular attention to any moving parts
• Check any metal surfaces for signs of rust or corrosion
• Regularly test your batteries, to check that they are charged (as this is commonly affected by cold weather)
• Use a specialist winter anti-freeze lubricant, and regularly lubricate your machinery’s moving parts
• Use a fuel stabiliser, and add this to your machinery’s fuel
• Check your hydraulic fluid levels more frequently (as this is commonly affected by cold weather)
• Increase the frequency of your winter weighbridge maintenance checks, and consider arranging a servicing schedule (more on this below)

The Importance of Weighbridge Maintenance & Servicing

Weighbridge maintenance is important all year round, but in the winter, it is absolutely crucial.

Weighbridge issues and vulnerabilities can occur at any time (without proper maintenance and servicing) but equipment is even more vulnerable during extreme weather conditions.

Winter weighbridge maintenance should include thorough cleaning, inspection and recalibration. This way, you can prevent damage from arising and, if issues are present, address them at the earliest possible opportunity (before the damage gets more extensive or costly).

At Parkerfarm, we offer both weighbridge maintenance and weighbridge servicing contracts.

These services are delivered by trained, highly skilled weighbridge specialists. They will first conduct a thorough, professional assessment of the machinery, before repairing any issues, and restoring the machinery to full working order.

It’s the most effective way to protect this critical equipment, minimise the risk of disruptive breakdowns, and prolong your investment for many years to come.

To find out more about our servicing and maintenance contracts, or to enlist our assistance for your business, get in touch with the Parkerfarm team.