Harvest Equipment Maintenance Matters
Nov. 18, 2016
A pre- and post-season harvest equipment maintenance schedule makes good business sense. It reduces common engine and equipment problems, sparing you lost time and headaches, and saves you loads of money on parts and repairs.
Post-season maintenance
As the harvest season comes to a close, now’s a good time to clean and inspect your equipment before parking and storing it for the winter.
The very basics of winterizing equipment involves:
- General cleaning
- Changing the oil and filters
- Checking the cooling system
- Cleaning or changing the air filters
- Filling with fuel and fuel stabilizer
- Greasing and lubrication
Performing these steps better protects your harvest equipment during the winter and reduces corrosion.
Pre-season maintenance
Pre-season maintenance is generally more involved, and includes tasks such as:
- Lubricate Blower Bearings
- Lubricate Blower Motor Bearings
- Check Blower Belts and Adjust
- Check and record blower motor amps
- Inspect sheets for rips or missing bolts
- Lubricate U-joints
- Inspect divider hopper
- Clean burner and pilot ports
- Inspect ignitor and flame rod
- Check CV Valve is operational
- Check Modutrol motor is operational
- Inspect inlet and outlet, including plenum cap
- Inspect hatch and door seals
- Check oil level in gear cases, fill as needed
- Check sweeps, idler, and sprockets
- Inspect unload mechanism
- Clean covers, MC sensors
- Inspect bindicator(s)
- Check gas pressure gauges
- Check gas train drain plug is open
- Clean panel and tighten connections
- Start up to check controls/safety circuit
- Clean DC motor brushes
Protect our equipment
A proper maintenance plan maximizes operations and helps avoid unnecessary costs. By inspecting your grain handling systems, our technicians can proactively identify, repair and replace necessary parts cost-effectively, without impacting your future operations. Also, it’s important to maintain harvesting equipment to original factory specifications, including factory replacement parts.
Take care of your equipment now, and it will take care of you next season! Ask about our pre- and post-season preventative maintenance programs. View our parts and services, or contact us.