Maximizing Your Tractor's Output
Your tractor may be operating with untapped potential. A few simple tricks can boost your heavy equipment’s performance and make your work day easier. We've gathered up our favorite ways to maximize tractor output below. If you have any questions or want to shop tractors for sale, visit J5 Tractors. Our dealership has locations in Conroe, Navasota, Buna, and Normangee, Texas.
Check The Owner's Manual
The first step is to see what your tractor's manufacturer recommends. There may be model-specific maintenance tasks or recommended products to use. Following these suggestions will help you maximize tractor output.
Buy High-Quality Products
In some cases, you get what you pay for. This is certainly true of tractor oils, lubricants, and fuel. Spending more money on higher quality products will help maximize your tractor's output.
Be Deliberate About When You Work
If you use your tractor during hotter parts of the day, the fuel can heat up and reduce the tractor's performance. Whenever possible, try to operate your tractor when temperatures are lower.
Use Proper Tractor Storage
Your tractor needs to go somewhere when it is not in use. Ideally, it will be stored inside. This provides valuable protection from harsh sunlight, heavy winds, kicked-up dust, pests, and other damaging factors. Research studies even show that indoor storage improves tractor performance and reduces downtime.
Minimize Idle Time
Every second spent idling is a second spent wasting fuel. Try to avoid unnecessary idling. It usually only takes about five minutes of idling for the cooling oil to circulate. After about five or ten minutes of idling, turn off the tractor.
Maintain The Radiator Screens
Over time, the radiator screens can get a collection of debris stuck in them. This reduces the airflow that can reach the radiator and help cool it. When this occurs, excessive heat is generated and tractor performance is reduced. Be sure to clean the radiator screens regularly to prevent this.
Use The Ideal Ballast
Optimizing the ballast can help optimize tractor performance. Too much ballast can increase rolling resistance, drivetrain wear, and soil compaction. Too little ballast can cause increased tire slip and sped up tire wear.
Check the owner's manual to find the right ballast for your given situation. The faster you will be operating your tractor, the less ballast you will need. As you add ballast, be sure to evenly distribute the weight between the axles.
Change Out The Filters
Your tractor's air and fuel filters work hard to protect your heavy equipment. Eventually, they will need to be replaced. Otherwise, your engine power output will start to suffer.
Keep Fuel Injectors Clean
Fuel injectors can get quite dirty. When they do, it can cause inefficient combustion and loss of power. One way to combat this is by using fuel products designed to keep the fuel injectors clean.
Check The Tire Air Pressure
Tires are often an overlooked part of maximizing tractor output, but they play an important role. When tires are not inflated to the correct air pressure, performance problems can happen. Too much air pressure can reduce traction. Too little air pressure can speed up wear. Inflate tires to their ideal level to help maximize tractor output.
Use The Right Tires
Your tractor's standard tires may not be your best option. Radial tractor tires leave a larger footprint on the soil. This decreases wheel slip and increases tractor performance.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to maximizing your tractor's output. If you need professional maintenance help to improve your tractor's performance, visit the service department at J5 Tractors. Our expert staff can replace broken parts, tackle preventative maintenance tasks, and help maximize your tractor's output. We also carry a range of tractors for sale. Whatever you need, you can find with us. We run dealerships in Conroe, Navasota. Buna, and Normangee, Texas. Stop by your nearest dealership today!