How to Maintain Your Tractor in Winter? LGMA Tractor Winter Maintenance Guide
As winter temperatures drop, whether performing snow-clearing and transport operations in cold northern regions or storing tractors for extended periods during the off-season, proper winter tractor maintenance is key to extending the tractor’s service life and ensuring operational efficiency. For its tractor series, LGMA has released a winter operation and maintenance guide to help users efficiently complete equipment maintenance through standardized procedures.
Cooling System: Carefully Select Antifreeze to Prevent the Risk of Freeze-Cracking
Antifreeze Inspection: Before winter arrives, check the antifreeze’s freezing point to ensure it is 5–10°C lower than the local minimum temperature. If the antifreeze has deteriorated or is insufficiently concentrated, thoroughly flush the cooling system and replace it with fresh antifreeze. Never add plain water to prevent the radiator and engine block from freezing and cracking.
Radiator Cleaning: After fall plowing operations, the radiator grille is prone to accumulating dust and weeds. During winter maintenance, flush the radiator grille and fan blades to ensure effective heat dissipation.
Fuel and Filtration System: Switch to low-grade diesel and check for water accumulation
Switch to Low-Pour-Point Diesel: Switch to suitable low-pour-point diesel in a timely manner based on local temperatures to prevent diesel from crystallizing and waxing at low temperatures, which can clog the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel injectors.
Filter Element Maintenance: Regularly inspect and replace the diesel fuel filter element to prevent freezing and blockages in the fuel line.
Park with a Full Fuel Tank: At the end of each work shift, it is recommended to fill the fuel tank to prevent condensation from forming on the inner walls of the tank due to temperature differences and mixing with the diesel fuel.
If the tractor is to be stored for an extended period, please follow these guidelines:
Thorough Cleaning and Rust Prevention: Clean mud and grime from the machine body, and apply rust-preventive grease to exposed machined surfaces, joints, and suspension pins.
Hydraulic Pressure Relief: Lower the rear three-point hitch or front loader attachment to the ground and level it, then release any residual pressure in the system.
Regular Lubrication: Store the vehicle in a dry, shaded, snow-free shed. It is recommended to start the engine once a month and drive a short distance at low speed to ensure that all moving parts are adequately lubricated.
Battery Maintenance: Battery discharge capacity decreases significantly in low-temperature environments. Regularly inspect the battery terminals and remove any oxidation; if the tractor will be stored for an extended period, it is recommended to remove the battery and store it in a warm indoor location, and recharge it periodically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why does LGMA Machinery emphasize the use of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) filter kits?
A1: OEM filter elements (engine oil, diesel, hydraulic, and air filters) provide precise filtration efficiency and flow rates, effectively protecting the engine and hydraulic pumps from damage caused by abnormal pressure at low temperatures.
Q2: Can different brands of tractor antifreeze be mixed?
A2: We strongly recommend against mixing different brands. Since their compositions vary, mixing may cause sediment buildup that could clog the cooling system. We recommend completely draining the system and replacing it with antifreeze of the same model.
Summary
Proper maintenance is the most effective way to reduce operating costs and extend the service life of your tractor. LGMA is committed to providing comprehensive technical support to ensure every LGMA tractor is in top condition for spring plowing.
