Keeping your Farm Equipment Clean
Whether you’re harvesting or sewing, it can be hard to put aside time to keep everything in working order. Some things, like cleaning the equipment you’re using, end up left for another day. But keeping your equipment clean is an easy way to avoid maintenance mishaps and doesn’t need to take too much of your time. Squeezing it into your day can feel like one too many straws, but in terms of preventative care, a quick scrub goes a long way, especially if a piece of equipment is going back into storage.
That’s why we here at West Hills Tractor have put together a few pointers to help you keep your equipment spic and span. If you need other help or are in the market for some new machinery, stop by our store in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and our expert staff will work with you to find what you need.
First Things First - Read Your Owner’s Manual
Like any other maintenance or care issue, the first step is to read your owner’s manual for manufacturer-recommended tips. We can give you some of the answers here, but your manual was written about your machine specifically and may cover topics we can’t. If you’re not sure where your manual is, the manufacturer’s website should be able to help.
When To Wash
The good news is that you won’t necessarily need to wash your equipment after every single use. The bad news is that only you will really know if it needs a good clean. Luckily, we do know a few situations that will require cleaning afterwards, and can lay them out for you here.
- After working in dusty or muddy conditions.
- If there’s excess debris on your machine, like lawn clippings.
- If you notice an oil buildup.
- Before long periods of little-to-no use.
Keep in mind that some of these troubles can be fixed by a quick spray with a hose, so no need to break out the detergent every time.
How To Wash
The most common way to clean large farm equipment is with your hose’s older brother, the power washer. Power washing is quick, easy, and takes relatively little effort — a nice bonus after a long day of work. It can also reach some of the tougher spots to clean, and a thorough power wash will honestly take care of most of your day-to-day grime. Buying your own power washer can be a smart investment, helping you avoid regular and costly rentals. With just the right amount of soap thrown into the mix, your power washer will see your equipment cleaned and ready for tomorrow.
Two-Step Method
A fairly common process called the two-step washing method is used frequently by truck fleet owners, but it can easily be adapted to your farm equipment. With a little science and a few chemicals, every ounce of dirt on your equipment will be taken care of without any soap residue left behind. The method goes like this:
- Apply a low-ph acidic product, like hydrofluoric acid, to the body of your equipment.
- Apply a high-ph detergent over the acid.
- Rinse completely.
It sounds simple because it is. This process helps you to work smarter, not harder.
You might hesitate at the idea of putting acids on your machines, but don’t worry - these won’t peel your paint, so long as you make sure to apply the detergent properly and rinse it off completely. But do be careful about glass surfaces — these acids can potentially damage them.
And just like that, your various farm equipment and machinery are squeaky-clean and ready for another day in the field or to go into storage. Cleaning also gives you a chance to carefully inspect your equipment for any potential maintenance concerns, giving you an early warning on any potential problems.
If you see something wrong with your machine that you can’t deal with, bring it on by our service department here at West Hills Tractor in Jonesborough, Tennessee. We proudly serve the Johnson City and Greenville, Tennessee, areas with all their farm equipment needs, from finance to service to parts. Stop by today!