I am one of those unlucky few who do not have a nice dry garage/shed/barn to store their tractor, over the winter months. Maybe I’ll have one in a couple of years. Here is a synopsis of what I did to keep my tractor in shape through the long winter months.
I decided on a wood platform to help keep ground moisture away from the tractor, provide a decent work platform, and allow for eyelets to hold the tarp in place. Construction is very basic and most people would not need any of the detail.
I constructed a platform from treated lumber. This consists of 6 – 12’X 2”X12” top platform, over 3 – 6’ X 2”X12” cross pieces. The platform is 6’ X 12’ and is just big enough to keep tractor and FEL off the ground. The underlying crosspieces are aligned under each axle of the tractor, and the 3rd is under the FEL bucket. This was done to have a decent point to put jack stands and support the tractor.
Wood Prep: The top of each 2X12 was chosen, from the end grain such that the side that would tend to cup in, would be on the bottom. The top platform pieces were given a 45-degree bevel on each end to help prevent the tendency to push the platform forward as the front tires hit the edge. A ¾” X ¾” wedge was cut off each top end piece. I used some gray porch paint I had on hand. The first coat was cut with mineral spirits, to allow for better wood penetration. The second coat was straight from the can.
Site Prep: I chose a near level spot, about where I was parking the tractor. Removed what little grass and weeds from the area. Raked, removed rocks, and re-leveled dirt, and compressed soil with stumper. Dug shallow trenches for the underlying cross pieces.
Construction:
· Placed cross pieces in trenches, leveled and packed some dirt around them.
· Arranged top pieces, and squared off.
· Drilled holes in top pieces for deck screws.
· Fastened down top pieces with galvanized deck screws. Make sure all screw heads are below the top of the wood.
· Applied final coat of paint. Let dry.
Tractor Prep
·
Washed
tractor and made sure all dirt clumps on wheels, tires, axles, and fenders was
removed.
·
Waxed
and polished all red painted surfaces.
I.e. hood, fenders, and ROPs.
·
Greased
all fittings.
·
Added
diesel anti-gel and injector cleaner to fuel.
Run tractor for 30 minutes.
·
Refill
fuel tank with treated fuel.
·
Use
some spray lithium grease on hinges, levers, and other rub points.
·
Also
spay spots where paint has chipped or scratched. Too cold for touch-up paint.
·
Applied
a light coat of marine grease to hydraulic piston arms.
·
Remove
Battery:
·
Remove
four hood bolts, and move air cleaner, in prep for battery removal.
·
Remove
negative battery cable from tractor frame.
·
Remove
battery securing bar.
·
Remove
negative and positive battery cables.
·
Lift
hood and slide battery out.
·
Check
electrolyte level, charge and store in cellar.
·
Plug
air cleaner input, to keep mice out.
·
Adjust
hood back to approximate position.
·
Put
can over exhaust outlet.
·
Block
wheels.
·
Block
clutch in depressed position, to prevent sticking to plate.
·
Leave
brakes off.
·
Remove
seat, store in house/cellar to prevent cracking.
·
Use
jack and jack stands to lift tractor tires, just slightly off wood. Check wheel blocks.
·
Spread
a few mothballs around to keep some of the insect population at bay.
Tarp
·
Attach
tarp support from front corners of sunshade to front arm on FEL.
·
Place
¾” pipe insulation foam on fender edges, FEL bucket corners, and FEL arm tarp
tension spots, to reduce tarp tearing and paint rub.
·
Install
tarp.
·
Make
sure it is tight and no places for snow and water to build-up and cause tarp to
collapse.
·
Say
goodnight; see you in the spring!