How often do you clean your tractor?

Stef · Aug 20, 2005

Here's the deal: I washed my tractor twice for the first 50 hours (first time at 10 hours, second time at 50 hours before doing my oil change). My wife is teasing me each and every times I'm talking about cleaning my tractor. The last time I washed it I'm pretty sure there was at least 1/32" of dust on the hood. I think it's more enjoyable to work with a clean tool rather than a dirty one. So am I completely insane or is it normal to wash a tractor once in a while?

Thanks (I hope I'm not a garden hose freak) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

ericbx1500 · Aug 21, 2005

stef i feel the same way on anything i own. it shows you care about your investment. also if you ever decide to sell i would rather by a used piece of equipment that shows its been taking care of.

Lockport · Aug 21, 2005

I have only washed mine once. At 10 hours. It is nearing 50 and is certainly time to wash again. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

RoyJackson · Aug 21, 2005

It depends upon the task. If I was brush cutting, I give the tractor a rinse down to flush off all the dust. I don't use the loader much for digging, but when I do, I rinse out the bucket and the tires (and any other dirt or mud that may have accumulated). Regular mowing normally requires flushing the underside on the RFM.
This is to keep the tractor clean as well as the garage floor since that's where I park the tractor.
As far as after plowing snow...well, it's normally too cold to do anything then.

dixiedrifter · Aug 21, 2005

Its always good practice to clean out the radiator after bush hogging or any other dusty work.

Usually though I am lazy and only do it when I notice my tempurature gauge going up...

Boomerang1 · Aug 21, 2005

Whenever it rains. In Arizona that's a few times a year.

Volfandt · Aug 21, 2005

I blow it off with a leaf blower after every mowing.

Since I park it in the shop, I wash it off when it gets caked up with mud or dirt when after digging.

I waxed it on the 50hr and will do the same at the 100 hr.

Be aware that water can get down into the switches and cause some strange problems.
I put the BX through some paces yesterday, mowing & digging and it needed some fieldday'n bad so I broke out the soap & water and got her shining. Later when sitting in the shop I notice a flashing light out of the corner of my eye and when I glanced over in the direction of the flashing, theres the BX23 w/it's road hazards just aflashing away /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
And the switch was off!
So I pop the switch out (very easy) disconnect the 2 wires then shake it out. I don't recall seeing any water come out but it tested good with my DC continuity tester so I put it back and it didn't act up again for the rest of the evening.
Since theres unswitched 12v on it I figured water must have gotten down into it.
Anyways I do agree that I like looking over at a clean tractor that has a little shine going on when I'm sitting in the shop.

Volfandt

gmsssi · Aug 21, 2005

Hose it off alot. With 65 hours on my new tractor, my son (16 and just got his license) just did a serious wash/wax/grease that cost me $100 (hey I made the offer..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif ) We've been doing alot of FEL work in dusty conditions and the FEL has about 20 grease points that we replenished everyday. He did a great job and what I was most impressed with is he wiped all that nasty/dirty excess grease from all points, can you say patience. I'm sure I'll hire out that job all the time!

BTW..............I think I washed my Kubota 3 times in 8 years.
My son will probably wash the new tractor more often, I have some influence (car,cash & control)......... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jhb · Aug 21, 2005

I would rather get seat time than wash time. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I hose mine down every 10 hours to clear the zirc fittings. That's about it.

Dargo · Aug 21, 2005

Wash, wax, and detail as required. Grease fittings are greased every 8 hours minimum. More if conditions dictate. I've sold tractors that have 800 hours on them that looked better than the tractors that are new on dealer's lots. I'll use my tractor as hard as about anyone, but afterwards I take care to clean and even touch up any scratches in the paint etc. The only big issue would be washing your tractor and leaving it wet. After each washing my tractor is dried, operated for at least 20 minutes, and left overnight with a large 48" fan blowing on it inside my barn.

It may not effect the performance or even the life of a tractor, but whenever you go to sell or trade, it makes a huge difference. Besides, I don't like working on or operating nasty equipment. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

TechJ · Aug 21, 2005

Only wash before doing a full service...but, I always wips off fittings before greasing, daily clean the radiator and wipe around the fuel fill.

While I like my tools clean, this thing is for working and I am more concerned with maximizing my time and getting more done.

When everything on the property is finally done (some decade from now) I will probably wash regularly as having it clean does make me feel good.

Stef · Aug 21, 2005

I have only 50 hours on my B3030 so far and I asked to myself: why tractors at my dealer seem to be better than mine? And I was a bit sad because mine is nearly brand new and I didn't understand why I'd lost some of my enthusiasm when I look at it.

I found the solution: I washed it. I feel like I have a new tractor again. That's very therapeutic.

AMP762 · Aug 21, 2005

It wasn't clean when I got it,and it won't be clean if I ever sell it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Aug 21, 2005

I either washed my tractors with water, or blew the dust and such off with the air hose, nearly every time I used it, before parking it back in the shop building.

Will_C · Aug 21, 2005

Stef; I used the same washing theory and put off buying a new pickup for three years /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The tractor gets washed several times a year, and waxed and detailed spring, summer, and fall. It does not take much time and makes me feel good.
Will

RobS · Aug 21, 2005

Don't think of it as washing, it's "inspecting, with a rag in your hand". Seriously, a good once over every now and then is a very healthy thing for any piece of machinery. Of course, having said that I don't exactly practice what I preach. Mine gets an "inspection" once or twice a year /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

flusher · Aug 21, 2005

Mostly dust around here now after 2+ months of triple digit temps.

Hose off the B7510HST almost every day at the well. This also helps clean the fine silt out of my newly-drilled well.

Grease the FEL fittings every 10 hours. Check the air filter then too.

Carry the 48" KK box blade around as a counterweight. Smear grease on the 3PH fittings once a week.

frank_f15 · Aug 21, 2005

i usually wash mine 2 or 3 times a year, (depends on what i did with it) and usually throw on a coat of wax at least 2 times a year, but again i am retired so i have alittle more time to do those thing. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif i get enjoyment out of it

Egon · Aug 21, 2005

Perfectly normal. Mine gets washed evertime it rains! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

wushaw · Aug 21, 2005

I never washed the B7500 for three years of ownership /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif, I have washed the L2800 once /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif since I traded the B7500 in April and that was right before doing the 50hr service.