Many steps that producers can take when preparing their combine for winter are part of regular maintenance.
However, there are also things producers can do that aren’t so ordinary:
- Change the engine oil when you are finished all your combining except for the last round. Contamination in old oil caused by the byproducts of engine operation and oil breakdown, especially moisture, can ruin the bearings when they sit over the winter.
- Turn the machine over a few times after the combine has sat for a couple of days. All the bearings will be dry enough to rust if you just park it. Turning the machine over cold coats the races with grease.
- Antifreeze needs to be replaced if it’s been in the combine engine for more than two years. It might still protect against frost but other things in the antifreeze also have a life span.
- Fill the fuel tank with fuel. That way it won’t collect water.
- Take apart all the variable speed drives and clean off all moving parts. Apply fresh grease and reassemble. It will save you a belt and performance next fall.
- Drop the header down onto the safety stops. Oil expands enough in hot weather to burst hoses and expand the cylinders.
- Coat the cutter bar with grease to prevent rust.
- All the repairs that need to be done should be done now. Make an appointment with your dealer. Then you don’t have to worry about it when you and they are busy in summer.
- Take your battery or batteries in for the winter. The combine won’t miss it, but you might next summer. Besides, most farms can use an extra emergency battery during winter.
- Remove the air conditioner pump from its mounting and set it on the pulley. This keeps the seal from drying out and cracking.
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