How often do you check hardware?

[ctfjr]

After a serious 3 hours with the back blade plowing our driveway (with the skid shoes off) I gave the tractor my usual casual 'look over'. This time I discovered one of the bolts had come loose on Pat's Easy Change hookup. Both the nuts had apparently vibrated loose which made it easy to spot. Tightened them up and the next day had another round of plowing. I was really surprised to see the bolt/nuts I had tightened down the day before were loose again. This time it was Thread Lock time.
That got me thinking. There is a lot of hardware on the machine that can vibrate loose. Without something obvious like above how would I know something was loose without wrenching the entire tractor?
It certainly got me to look closer but now I'm not sure that's close enough.

 

[Captain13]

During the summer, I go over the tractor about every two weeks checking fluids, fasteners, etc. That may seem to be to long a period but I rarely find issues now that I check everything. During the summer, I don’t clean the tractor as often as I would like so my daily routine is to do a good once over looking for anything wet or anything shiny. Either is an indication of something that needs attention.

i just finished a three month stint on a local 4,000 acre farm where they also lease additional land for things like wheat, corn and soybeans. At the end of the day, the tractors are covered in dust and dirt. The next morning, they are pressure washed and checked thoroughly for problems Before they go back to work. The same goes for all their equipment including the 40’ harrows and planters, tractor trailer units, etc. Guess what, they rarely have a breakdown causing downtime in planting, harvesting or cultivating. They certainly have planted the seed with me to step up my daily pre-trip game.

 

[Jim L.]

I don't do it often enough. Things that don't change have been safety-wired. Tires checked every time because of thorns. Most often checked is the temperature gauge as I do a regular panel scan.

 

[armylifer]

The bolts on the transmission of my MMM kept coming loose until I applied Locktite. Now they stay tight. I have not had any other bolts loosen up on the tractor but the bolts on my middle buster have loosened a time or two.

 

[NCL4701]

I think it’s like flossing your teeth. Pretty much everyone agrees you should do it routinely; not many do it as often as they should; of those that say they do probably half aren’t really, but they’re embarrassed to say otherwise.

I’d like to say I do a pre-check every time I get on it, but in reality I check fluids and do the general inspection every time I grease the loader which is at 10 hour intervals. That includes checking for cracked welds, torn steering boots, popping the hood to check radiator screen and general look over of engine. I don’t wash it like drying it with a chamois wash it routinely but I do wash the mud off before parking every time, if for no other reason to allow for adequate general inspections. Park it on concrete so any leaks while parked are obvious. It’s worth the time to catch little problems early before they become big problems.

Wheel bolt torque is at 50 hour intervals. Don’t see checking torque on every bolt on it being practical. There’s a LOT of bolts.

 

[mikester]

A quick check before you get in the saddle can save you some expensive grief. Pay attention to sounds while operating and keep looking all around for obstacles or any machine anomalies.

 

[mcfarmall]

I check the clean concrete floor underneath for evidence of leaking daily, wheel lugs and loader bracket bolts monthly. Fluid levels weekly.

 

[Motion]

I tighten fasteners accordingly, sometimes I change the nuts to either ny-loc's or distorted thread. Some fasteners i.e. loader, wheels, etc. get Locite 243, Permatex orange or anti-seize depending. I use a white paint pen and place horizonal lines across the bolt or nut/stud. A quick visual will be indicative of any movement (even on wheels the lines will all be in the same direction)..

 

[Captain13]

Motion, excellent idea on marking the nuts/bolts. Saves getting all the tools out for inspections.
Some motorcycle shops have come up with a list of critical fasteners that they go over with customers. Also, they have checklists for other key components.

Today is another down day due to rain here and I am planning to go through an inspection and do some lubrication.

 

[ctfjr]

n/a

 

[NHSleddog]

I wash my tractor after every job. The main reason for washing is inspection. I have caught tons of things over the years that left unattended to would have caused issues.

I bought my first tractor as a kid at 18. My FIL (future FIL at the time) drilled it into my head that you look at/inspect everything as you clean the machine. If you do it after every job, you catch anything right away and your machine is always clean and ready to go the next time you use it.

He owned a construction company and it went for all the equipment. I remember several times customers commenting on the clean equipment. It was always looked on favorably.

Me at 20 out hustling snowstorm money.