Tractor storage

[squaredots]

Hello all, I have been a lurker on this forum for quite some time and have really benefited from the great info you guys put on here. Thanks for that. As for why I am posting, I am a owner of a Farmpro 2425 with a FEL. It is a 2006 model with the yandong engine. I am active duty military and have come down on orders for Germany for 3 years. My question is, is there a way to properly store a tractor for that long without usage or should I just go ahead and sell it (and prob take a loss) and buy another when I return? I have only had the tractor for about a year and it has low hours so I really hate to sell it but I don't want a nut roll to get it operational again when I return after 3 years either. ANy suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Thomas]

Thats long storeage time,sure dislike like the thoughts of seals drying out,critters eatting beding off your tractor.etc.etc.,do you know of someone could do start up also couple runs arounds each month?

Thank you for your serves.

 

[squaredots]

That kinda what I was thinking. Well, I could store it at my fathers house but he is pretty elderly. I'm sure he could start it once in a while though. The problem there is no where to store it covered there other than a tarp. Might just be more bother than it is worth.

 

[Rich Waugh]

For three years dead storage, I'd sure consider finding someone to make periodic checks of it, though it should be pretty much okay, I would think. That's assuming you can keep it safe from rodent predation, of course.

I'd suggest flushing and changing the coolant so you put it away with fresh SCA-type diesel coolant in it. If it isn't running during that time, the coolant shouldn't change its pH and should be fine. I wouldn't drain it as I think that would risk drying out the internal seals. I would drain the fuel system, probably. That will mean going through the whole priming routine later, but I think that would be preferable to dealing with crapped out fuel in the system.

The hydraulics should be exercised to the point of getting the fluid really warm for an hour or two to vaporize out any water and then shut down. Shouldn't take more than that, I don't think.

Remove the battery, put a float charger/maintainer on it and hope for the best. Store it away from the tractor, if possible.

Wash and wax wax it, ArmorAll the vinyl and rubber, block it up and drain the water ballast from the tires, if any. I'd leave the tires with enough pressure in them to maintain their shape, but no more.

This is based on indoor storage in a place that has a temperate climate. Extremes of climate might dictate other methods,and there are probably others here who know more about this than I do, but that's my best shot. I wouldn't sell it - you've got one you like, why give it up?

 

[Rich Waugh]

If you have to store it under a tarp, regular applications of moth balls will keep rodents at bay. That's a problem we have here in the tropics and they work dandy.

 

[murphy1244]

For three years dead storage, I'd sure consider finding someone to make periodic checks of it, though it should be pretty much okay, I would think. That's assuming you can keep it safe from rodent predation, of course.

I'd suggest flushing and changing the coolant so you put it away with fresh SCA-type diesel coolant in it. If it isn't running during that time, the coolant shouldn't change its pH and should be fine. I wouldn't drain it as I think that would risk drying out the internal seals. I would drain the fuel system, probably. That will mean going through the whole priming routine later, but I think that would be preferable to dealing with crapped out fuel in the system.

The hydraulics should be exercised to the point of getting the fluid really warm for an hour or two to vaporize out any water and then shut down. Shouldn't take more than that, I don't think.

Remove the battery, put a float charger/maintainer on it and hope for the best. Store it away from the tractor, if possible.

Wash and wax wax it, ArmorAll the vinyl and rubber, block it up and drain the water ballast from the tires, if any. I'd leave the tires with enough pressure in them to maintain their shape, but no more.

This is based on indoor storage in a place that has a temperate climate. Extremes of climate might dictate other methods,and there are probably others here who know more about this than I do, but that's my best shot. I wouldn't sell it - you've got one you like, why give it up?

If you went with what Rich said, sell the battery don't bother storing it .It ain't worth the trouble.Leave the ballast in the tires, They don't know its not running.

 

[squaredots]

Thanks guys, maybe i'll see what I can find for inside storage in the area that is inexpensive in my father's area.

 

[greg_g]

Trade it in now, for a committed value against a future tractor purchase. That way you'll get a 2012 trade-in price on a year old tractor instead of in 2015 on a 4 year old tractor. And if you make payments while you're gone, you might even be able to get a 2015 tractor for a 2012 price. Then come home to a brand new paid-for 2015 tractor when you rotate back. Solves your storage (and insurance) problem too.

//greg//

 

[radioman]

IMHO, I wouldnt drain the diesel. It would allow seals, O rings, hoses to dry out and crack. IF the farm pro has a plastic tank, I'd would keep it 1/4 full or so and make sure it was treated with biocide for diesel to prevent algae from forming. I'd put in a extra dose of it too. Make sure the treated fuel is in the lines all the way to injectors by running it. change the oil, coolant, and make sure the hydraulics was changed within 100 hrs or less. I would wax up the tractor and armor tires before you go, this way there is no dirt working on eating the paint away from moisture ,etc. I also would turn engine over by hand till it was TDC to have smallest air space possible from condensation. Remove battery and put in warm, safe place like basement and put vaseline on terminals or battery grease. Put bounce (dryer sheets) in engine compartments, under dash, under seats, etc. to keep mice at bay and have your father replace it every 6 months and look for signs of mice droppings. If there is, get it taken care of as mice loves insulation on wires, seats.

When you return, drain fuel, fill with fresh fuel, check fluids.I would bleed the fuel lines to get rid of old fuel from lines. you might want to do a complete fluid replacement as it could be contaminated with water from condensation.
After running for an hour, I would change the fuel filter(s) and run it again and check the color of the filters. If it done right, you shouldnt have dark color matter in the fuel filter and you should be trouble free.

This might be alot of work, but I think doing this will ensure the best chance for the tractor and there is nothing like that feeling coming home to familiar equipment that you know the history of.

 

[MG1867]

I like Greg's solution or another one but hard to pull off would be to lease it to someone you trust that would take care of maintenance. Good luck

 

[g0rd0]

3 years storeage is too long and what happens if you are extended or sent to another place before you get back, sell it and put the money from the sale in bonds, t bills or some other secure investment then, if you can, use that as a tax deduction.
Once you get back cash in for another machine.

 

[squaredots]

All great ideas guys, thanks. I've got some thinking to do.. :laughing:

 

[Army grunt]

squaredots
Tks. for your service to our country.
Ill be more than happy to store it for you. Ill exorcize it every once in a while. What size mower do you have with it?Ill store that also
Army Grunt

 

[murphy1244]

All great ideas guys, thanks. I've got some thinking to do.. :laughing:

Bring it to my house, I'll run it for you...

 

[Rich Waugh]

I'd advise against using Bounce or any other fabric softener product for discouraging rodents around machinery - the stuff is hygroscopic. It softens your clothes by making them retain moisture, something you definitely do not want around machinery. Moth balls, (naphthalene crystals) don't attract moisture. And when you get back your tractor will have that "New chemical factory" smell.:laughing:

 

[SPIKER]

Im with the Sell it now crowd as others have mentioned the value will drop while you are gone and you will maybe (if put into paying storage) spending more $ on something looking value. Sell it ASAP show your people you sell to your orders and tell em you only selling to prevent along storage and that you will be buying upon return and let them know you want to buy it back if they are done with it by then. That will let them (new buyer) know you like it and really hate to get rid of it.

When I met a woman a long time ago she was paying 45 or 50/month storage for what was basically junk worn out home items that she didnt have space for in her apartment.
She had had it in storage for over a year so 800 or so bucks spent for no return. the value of all that stuff was maybe 300 bucks at yard sale or good will prices.

So dont go spending 3 years worth of storage (50/month *12 months= 600 * 3 years 1800.00) when you can sell it for $4500+ and come back basically with the 4500+interest + the $1800 you would have spent on storage and have $6300.00 to spend on a NEW tractor...

Mark

 

[Diamondpilot]

If you can not store it indoors sell it. Coming back to it 3 years later will only leave you disappointed.

Chris