"Daily" maintenance

[random]

Are there any tips for what to do about regular and "daily" operating maintenance? I mean off-book, things not necessarily mentioned in the manual.

For example, most of the time mine is pretty muddy after use, so I hose it off before parking so it's not sitting there caked with mud. Things like that, perhaps, or like general rust cleanup, paint touchup, or things I'm obviously not thinking about.

 

[RCW]

random - - I think most is common sense, and also what you as an owner choose to do.

I usually give my little BX a "pre-launch once-over" every time I use it...Oil, hydro levels, peak at the overflow tank....no leaks underneath, runs or errors...

It's not formalized, takes 20 seconds.

I do pull motor oil dipstick almost every time I start it. That's when I peek at the overflow reservoir for radiator.

Probably check HST dipstick once/twice per week.

Beyond that, it's pretty much plug and play.

 

[Bmyers]

I kick the tires. Make sure the grill is clear. Clean the windows. Sweep out the cab while it is warming up. Look underneath for any wet spots on the ground.

I check fluid levels before I start. Grease about every third Saturday and depending on how been working the loader, it can be every other Saturday.

 

[nbryan]

Also while the hood's up always check the radiator and screen for debris and blow/shake it off. The bottom of my rad pre-screen is pretty well hidden behind the battery so it takes a little peering in there to see where the debris builds up.

 

[armylifer]

I rarely use water on mine but I do use air to blow away dirt and debris from all surfaces. I also make sure to refill the fuel tank after every use. Refueling after every use prevents condensation in the tank. Blowing air around the filler cap before refueling prevents debris from falling into the fuel tank. I also grease all the zerks once a week. It only takes a few minutes to keep everything greased up.

 

[GeoHorn]

If you’re washing your tractor regularly (and if it’s a geared tranny) you’d better be draining the clutch housing also.

 

[mcfarmall]

If you’re washing your tractor regularly (and if it’s a geared tranny) you’d better be draining the clutch housing also.

Is there any reason why a feller couldn't drill a 1/16" hole in the plug or install a gear case breather plug so that the clutch housing drains itself? Something so the leaf cutter bees and mud daubers can't infest.

 

[random]

Unfortunately air won't work with the amounts of mud I pick up, one of the main uses is road maintenance, specifically clearing mud out of the drainage ditches. It gets pretty caked on.

Mine's not manual but good point on the gear box for those that are..

 

[GeoHorn]

Is there any reason why a feller couldn't drill a 1/16" hole in the plug or install a gear case breather plug so that the clutch housing drains itself? Something so the leaf cutter bees and mud daubers can't infest.

The old “N”-Fords had a hole in the bottom of the case and a cotter-pin stuck thru it which jiggled around keeping the hole clear.

 

[johnjk]

The old “N”-Fords had a hole in the bottom of the case and a cotter-pin stuck thru it which jiggled around keeping the hole clear.

Check the torque on your wheel lug nuts and don't forget to hit the zerks on your attachments if they have them, especially the PTO U joints.

 

[ctfjr]

I think the previous posters have pretty much hit all the 'normal' stuff. I have to admit I don't check engine oil level every time, probably once a week. Looking under the tractor for any wet spots (its garaged on a concrete floor so that is real easy), if it gets muddy I wash it off - even in the winter when the outdoor sillcocks are turned off n drained I have a hot / cold sillcock in the heated garage. One thing not mentioned, I usually inspect the tires closely for anything that may have 'gotten too close'. While its warming up, roll the machine outside, look at what I can see and then roll it a few feet to see the bottoms.

 

[bx tractorjoe]

Does anyone put grease all over and in-between the moving parts and metal to metal contacts of the 3 point like me?

 

[Nicfin36]

Does anyone put grease all over and in-between the moving parts and metal to metal contacts of the 3 point like me?

No.

 

[armylifer]

I hit it with a shot of WD-40after use. I don't oil or grease before operation because it just collects dust and dirt causing premature wear.