Post-Harvest Maintenance: Winter Works

As the harvest season comes to a close, now is a good time to have your combine serviced before parking it for the winter. A good post-harvest combine maintenance program can provide significant savings and make sure you’re prepared for another year in the field. As well proper inspection and maintenance after fall harvest will reduce time and resources required at a later date to fix any damage to the combine and headers.

Basics of Winterizing

The basics of winterizing a combine involves cleaning it followed by changing the oil and filters, checking the cooling system, cleaning and possibly changing the air filters, filling with fuel and adding a fuel stabilizer, and finally, greasing and lubricating before putting in the shed. Plan on spending at least a good half day for conducting post-harvest maintenance and repairs, and if you don’t want to do it yourself, schedule your Winter Works maintenance today at your local Redhead Equipment.

• The initial starting point for combine maintenance should be reviewing the operator’s manual. Regardless of the manufacturer, the operator’s manual will contain the necessary checklist of maintenance points and needs.
•  Second, develop a to-do and replacement list based on harvest notes and performing a quick look over of the combine.
• The next step should include giving the combine a good cleaning before performing any maintenance. Cleaning should start with blowing all debris and dust plus cleaning out augers, conveyors and the cab. Washing the exterior can also be beneficial but keep water away from bearings and bushings.
• Once this step is complete, inspect the combine inside and out, noting needed repairs and maintenance.
• The final steps involve repairing, greasing and lubricating.

In the end, you should have your combine ready for the next time you take it to the field. Performing these steps today better protects the combine during the winter and reduces any corrosion. You might also take the time now to develop a 5- to 10-point checklist to look over other farm equipment this winter.

Farm machinery requires maintenance both on and off the field to keep it running smoothly year after year and caring for equipment is one way to ensure efficient fieldwork and less downtime; at Redhead Equipment our Winter Works program is convenient and cost-effective to ensure the longevity of your agricultural equipment. From Sprayers, tractors, combines and headers, we’ve got you covered for all your post-harvest maintenance needs.

Contact your local Redhead Equipment branch to book in your Winter Works Ag inspection today!

Source: https://www.no-tillfarmer.com/articles/4078-steps-for-post-harvest-combine-maintenance