When the winter months start to roll around, it becomes important to safeguard your farm equipment. Too many people end up losing everything because they didn't take the time to focus on these details as much as they should have.
If you are looking to take initiative and make sure the setup is good, it's time to think about all of your options before moving forward.
Here are some of the most important tips for preparing farm equipment for the winter.
1) Sharpen the Tools
To get started, it's recommended to sharpen your tools as best as possible. A lot of people don't sharpen their tools and that is what holds them back. You have to take the time to understand your options and make sure all of your tools are in prime condition.
A lot of people don't sharpen their tools and then try to use them in different conditions.
This is how tools break down and that is the last thing you are going to want with something as expensive as farm equipment. If you are going to be using hand tools during the winter then it's best to prime them for the task well in advance. This is a must.
2) Recharge Everything
Let's assume you are going to have power units that are going to be used during the winter. There is never a good chance to see results if you are winging it and hoping the charge lasts during the winter! This is a major mistake because the charge is going to die out due to the lower temperature.
This is why you want to top up the charge for any power-based equipment that is used on the farm.
This is all about peace of mind while knowing the charge isn't going to die on you due to the cold. This happens more often than people assume and it is an easy issue to avoid as long as you charge everything.
3) Store All Summer Farm Equipment
With winter rolling around, you are not going to be using this equipment any longer. This means you have to find ways to store the summer farm equipment, so it doesn't get ruined when next summer rolls around. Don't just think about taking out the winter equipment until you know what to do with the summer tools.
Find a good, safe spot for the summer equipment and go from there. It is a must when it comes to safety and ensuring things don't break down on you later.
4) Find Dry Spots to Store the Winter Farm Equipment
Dry spots are key when it comes to your winter farm equipment.
In the summer, you can get away with putting the equipment almost anywhere as long as there is a tarp over top. Raindrops aren't going to do a lot of damage to modern-age equipment, but that doesn't apply to the winter months.
Winter farm equipment can easily break down because of ice. When the water starts to freeze, you are going to have major issues pop up and that is the last thing you want to deal with. Keep things simple and make sure there is a dry spot for your farm equipment to settle into.
Keep this in mind, so you are not heading down the wrong path and ending up with major repair bills. Focus on a setup that is going to work well and isn't going to lead to problems down the road.
Dry spots are the best and should be well out of the way when it comes to inclement winter weather. It's better to stay out in front of this rather than letting ice build-up.
Final Thoughts
If you are serious about their farm equipment you are using then it's best to start here. Otherwise, you are not going to enjoy the results that come along with what you are doing. It's recommended to take your time during the fall to go through all of these details, so you are well ahead of anything that can happen in the winter.
These are the tips that will ensure you are heading in the right direction and that your farm equipment is in good shape too.