Long term tractor storage.....and less long term

[1930]

I have a little older Kubota that I havent used in months just sitting inside my container, I have zero idea of getting rid of it, thought worst case scenario ( best case scenario ) is one day Id like to bring it too a show and show it off, what should I do for storage until that time comes?

Not knowing much about diesel tractors is it possible to not drain the fuel system and make it a pain in the rear to start up and use every so seldom often over the next few years?

Also my still fairly new L2501 is seeing ALOT less action lately since my property clearing is done. I feel as if I may be damaging it by letting it sit for weeks at a time without starting it? I feel as if it may be starting a little dry cause the oil has all ended up in bottom of pan.

I may be overly cautious but Im looking for longevity. Is there anything I could be doing to increase its life span?

 

[Agvg]

Pure diesel without any biofuel stores quite well so it's no problem to have that in the tank, and nothing beats using it a few hours a year, running it warm and move it around.

 

[buck12]

The best thing you can do is use it once a month. Put a reminder on a calendar and run it.

 

[fried1765]

I have a little older Kubota that I havent used in months just sitting inside my container, I have zero idea of getting rid of it, thought worst case scenario ( best case scenario ) is one day Id like to bring it too a show and show it off, what should I do for storage until that time comes?

Not knowing much about diesel tractors is it possible to not drain the fuel system and make it a pain in the rear to start up and use every so seldom often over the next few years?

Also my still fairly new L2501 is seeing ALOT less action lately since my property clearing is done. I feel as if I may be damaging it by letting it sit for weeks at a time without starting it? I feel as if it may be starting a little dry cause the oil has all ended up in bottom of pan.

I may be overly cautious but Im looking for longevity. Is there anything I could be doing to increase its life span?

I spend every Winter in Florida, 6 months.
My tractors sit in my barn in New England for those 6 months.
I Keep Battery Minders on all batteries.
Everything works just fine next time I get there.

Your container in Florida might not be the best idea though.
If you keep the container closed, condensation will form from the Florida humidity.

 

[/pine]

If it is a gear drive tractor one of the most important things for storing is making sure the clutch is disengaged to prevent it from getting stuck to the pressure plate...All gear drive K_ubotas of the era came with little blocks of wood with a notch to place in the mechanism (under the floorboard) to keep the clutch pedal depressed and the clutch disengaged...

 

[newbury]

If it is a gear drive tractor one of the most important things for storing is making sure the clutch is disengaged to prevent it from getting stuck to the pressure plate...All gear drive K_ubotas of the era came with little blocks of wood with a notch to place in the mechanism (under the floorboard) to keep the clutch pedal depressed and the clutch disengaged...

Any references? Pics?
I've a M4700 gear drive.

 

[/pine]

Any references? Pics?
I've a M4700 gear drive.

The block is about 1.5" X 1.5" X 2.75" the notch is about .1875" (3/16)

 

[mcfarmall]

The best thing you can do is use it once a month. Put a reminder on a calendar and run it.

^^^THIS^^^

There is nothing much worse than letting equipment sit unused for any length of time. Seems like things deteriorate quicker sitting idle than they do when the item is used regularly.

 

[fried1765]

The best thing you can do is use it once a month. Put a reminder on a calendar and run it.

Not very realistic, when you spend 6 months in a distant state.
Many people have Summer only use cars also.

 

[1930]

Thanks for all the comments. I did not know diesel didn't go bad over a period of time. My containers all have vents and I've never noticed a condensation issue.

 

[jjp8182]

Thanks for all the comments. I did not know diesel didn't go bad over a period of time. My containers all have vents and I've never noticed a condensation issue.

As previously noted, that can depend on the diesel (which isn't as uniform of a composition from country to country as one would think) - and the storage conditions. .....and how long you're wanting to store it.

Most research that I've seen would indicate that even under "ideal" storage conditions (kept dry and below 70°F) diesel will last 6 to 12 months at most without a stabilizer. Just for consideration: when it comes to really long term storage even engine oils need to be considered as they (like fuels) will break down (or possibly become contaminated by microorganisms look for a meal). Unrefined oil may last for millions of years underground, but refined oils and fuels were designed for a specific purpose and given time they aren't likely to - or won't- be appropriate for that purpose.

Personally living in Alabama, I add stabilizers to the diesel year round with the amount of stabilizer varying per season (how much I'll be using it) and stabilizer manufacturer's recommendations. Since I'd not sure I'd want to deal with the long-term storage maintenance I think I'd run at least a tank to a tank and half of fuel through the system a year at minimum - and keep an eye on the engine oil (or follow a/the time-based oil change interval rather the running-hour-based one).

Other than that the batteries and tires would also need to be watched (or removed). ....basically all the sorts of things militaries/governments tend to do when putting a vehicle (or major sub-components like engines) into storage for years.

 

[bearthebruce]

Our Massey Ferguson 1533 sat for 6 years without running, fuel in the tank - no stabilizer as far as we know. Knowing that oil breaks down, we pushed the machine out of the garage (temp controlled) and then drained the oil before first start. After the fresh oil was in, we ran the engine for about 5 to 6 hours and changed the oil and filter again. 25 hours of use later, we changed the oil again. Massey recommends 50 hour intervals on oil change. We are now on that schedule. We also had the hydraulic fluid changed. As to the fuel, we just topped her up with fresh fuel and ran the old fuel through her. She never burped, hiccuped or had issues. I didn't mention it but assumed all would know the battery was dead and had to be replaced.

This tractor sits most of the winter although whenever I am on site, I do run the machine and warm it up. That may be 20 minutes every 2-3 months in the winter. In summer, the machine is used 10 to 15 days. My point: this machine sits but it is in a controlled temp situation.

 

[arizona98tj]

Our Massey Ferguson 1533 sat for 6 years without running, fuel in the tank - no stabilizer as far as we know. Knowing that oil breaks down, we pushed the machine out of the garage (temp controlled) and then drained the oil before first start. After the fresh oil was in, we ran the engine for about 5 to 6 hours and changed the oil and filter again. 25 hours of use later, we changed the oil again. Massey recommends 50 hour intervals on oil change. We are now on that schedule. We also had the hydraulic fluid changed. As to the fuel, we just topped her up with fresh fuel and ran the old fuel through her. She never burped, hiccuped or had issues. I didn't mention it but assumed all would know the battery was dead and had to be replaced.

50 hours for an engine oil change? I'm betting your manual says 50 hours for the initial oil change and 100 hours thereafter. I have the same Iseki 1.5L 3-cyl diesel in my Massey Furgeson tractor as you do and my manual recommends a 100 hour engine oil change.

Edit: I just looked up your 1533 manual online and it is 100 hours.

 

[bearthebruce]

50 hours for an engine oil change? I'm betting your manual says 50 hours for the initial oil change and 100 hours thereafter. I have the same Iseki 1.5L 3-cyl diesel in my Massey Furgeson tractor as you do and my manual recommends a 100 hour engine oil change.

Edit: I just looked up your 1533 manual online and it is 100 hours.

Thanks Arizona98tj. On a website (which I can't find now), I found a recommended service list that stated the 50 hour regular change. I do have the manual and it indeed says 100 hours. Since you have success with that, I'm going to change our schedule to 100 hours from here out.