Your tractor is constantly putting in hard work to keep your property and operations in line. With all the rigorous duties it faces, sometimes you need to check in with your machine to see how it’s doing. This is a must, especially before high-producing seasons like Spring. Checking in with your tractor by performing regular maintenance checks is essential to avoid any unnecessary issues or hiccups and extend the life of your tractor. Follow these steps to gear up your tractor for a great spring season.

Clean Your Tractor

After performing all winter or being in storage all season, your tractor has most likely been collecting a lot of dust or debris. So revitalize your tractor by first giving it a good cleaning. A clean tractor will be easier to inspect because there isn’t gunk or debris clouding your vision. Keeping your machine clean can also prevent build-up in unwanted areas, making you less susceptible to damage. Plus, it always feels great to roll up in a shiny, clean machine!

Do a 360 Walk-Around

Before you do your routine checks you’ll want to first do a brief walk-around inspection to see if there is anything out of place, damaged, or in need of repair. Anything that seems out of place should take priority and be addressed. If you come across any major concerns, contact Virginia Tractor’s service department and we can address the issue. 

Fluids Check

To make sure your tractor keeps running it is important that you check all your essential fluids such as fuel, engine oil, coolant, and other fluids that are needed in your tractor. You should change your oil about every 100 hours to avoid any mishaps. Also, fill up and change out any other fluids that need it. When checking your fluids, you also want to make sure there aren’t any points of concern like leaks or cracked belts. If you run into any problems, don’t hesitate to contact Virginia Tractor for immediate assistance or bring it up at your next service appointment.

Lights Check

Next up, you want to make sure you test out all your lights. This includes everything from cab lights to turn signals. A faulty light could be the result of a bulb that needs to be replaced or even an electrical issue. For issues that seem to be more than a burnt-out bulb, contact Virginia Tractor’s Service department and let us get to the bottom of it.

Check Your Battery

Checking your battery should always be a part of your check-in. This is especially important to do when coming out of the cooler winter months since cold weather can be harsh to batteries. When inspecting your battery you first want to make sure that nothing is corroded. Clean it if needed then check your voltage levels. If your battery fluid levels appear to be low, it might be time to get it replaced. Our service department is just a call away if needed!

Check Your Filters

All of your tractor’s filters are there for a reason, to protect. If your filters are clogged up and dirty they can’t do their job. All filters including air filters, oil filters, or fuel filters need to be checked. If you aren’t sure when to change them out, a good rule of thumb is changing them at least once a year. Just remember to take the proper safety precautions! If you don’t feel confident about changing out filters on your own, our experts here at Virginia Tractor are always happy to help.

Belts, Nuts, and Bolts

A tractor requires many parts to run smoothly and you want to make sure you don’t neglect any of them. Inspect all belts and hoses to make sure there aren’t any cracks or damage and tighten if necessary. It’s also a good thing to check all the nuts and bolts on your tractor as well. You want to make sure everything is nice and tight.

Wheels and Tires

Finally, make sure you do a thorough inspection of your tires and wheels as well. Check your tire pressure and add air if necessary. Also, check the tread and ensure there aren’t any signs of damage such as splits or holes. Any signs of damage or low tread could mean it’s time for a replacement.

We hope this list helps you and your tractor start Spring off on the right foot. If you’re up to the task, you can do most of these things on your own in the comfort of your own land-- but if you would rather let us handle it for you or you run into a bigger issue during your check-in, you can fill out a service request form here. We also offer annual maintenance plans for all John Deere equipment so you won’t have to worry about doing it on your own. You can fill out a request form for our maintenance plans here. The Virginia Tractor team is committed to walking alongside you for the long haul.