If you have a small hobby farm that you only make use of for a few months out of the year, you might keep some farm equipment in storage for most of the year. If this sounds like you and your farm, it's important that you follow proper maintenance tips for your tractor before you fire it up for the new season. Here are some maintenance tips to remember when taking a tractor out of storage.

Check All Fluids and Replace the Fuel

Hopefully, you topped off all applicable fluids inside the tractor before you put it in storage, but if not, this is the time to double-check all fluid levels. You will also want to flush your existing fuel supply and put fresh fuel into the tractor before firing it up for the first time. Fresh fuel will help the tractor's engine run more smoothly and can eliminate problems like condensation buildup in the engine caused by the previous supply.

Use a Charger to Get Your Battery Ready to Go

Your tractor's battery follows the same concept as the one in your car. The battery gives life to the alternator which, in turn, powers the engine. But tractor batteries can degrade when in storage for a long time. Before trying to fire up your tractor, use a portable battery charger to make sure that your battery has a full charge. This will allow power to go to the alternator without putting strain on the system or damaging the battery. This is also the time to clean the battery and remove any signs of corrosion.

Clean and Sharpen

Of course, a  farm tractor needs much more than a running engine to be effective. Your tractor likely has blades and a variety of other attachments that will help you get the job done. It's important for these blades and other attachments to stay clean or sharpened as needed. Also, be on the lookout for any rust or other degradation that has developed since you put the tractor away.

Make Sure All Belts Are in Place

A tractor without working belts isn't going to be able to accomplish anything. Make sure all belts are still attached tightly with no signs of cracks, abrasion, or slipping. Firing up a tractor with poor belts could cause issues to a variety of other systems including the alternator, the blades or other attachments, and so on.

Reach out to a farming equipment supplier today for more information.