mothball my tractor

deandesperado · Nov 19, 2013

am not going to use my Ford 5610 this year. i can go and start/drive it once a week/month. would this be better than draining all fluids and letting it sit. i shouldn't need it but there is always a chance. i live in central CA so weather should not be to much of a factor as it is parked in my shop with a forklift and ATV. THANKS dino

murphy1244 · Nov 19, 2013

Dis connect the Battery and throw a few dryer sheets in the dash and engine compartment and cover,

/pine · Nov 19, 2013

I'll guess this is a gear/clutch machine...if so...depress the clutch pedal and block it in the depressed position from underneath...this will prevent the plate from sticking...

many gear tractors come with a special wood block for this purpose...

murphy1244 · Nov 19, 2013

/pine said:
I'll guess this is a gear/clutch machine...if so...depress the clutch pedal and block it in the depressed position from underneath...this will prevent the plate from sticking...

many gear tractors come with a special wood block for this purpose...

Good catch :thumbsup:

Danno1 · Nov 19, 2013

.

It would be a good idea to change fluids before storage.

Block it up so the tires are off the ground.

Coat the exposed hydraulic rams with a thin coat of bearing grease.

Spray all the other metal parts with Fluid Film.

.

the8080 · Nov 19, 2013

Change the motor oil and park it. Coat any exposed hydraulic cylinder rods. Disconnect, trickle charge, charge every 6 months, whatever on the battery. Do not start it unless you are going to use it. Just starting it every week/month does more harm than good. Condensed water in motor oil and unknown other evils. As long as you don't have an army of rodents that will attack it, the tractor will be fine.

banjodunn · Nov 22, 2013

G'day if you are able to go and run/drive it for 10-15 min a week then I would not worry about it leave the oils/fluids as they are and it will be ready to go when you want it then. Many tractors here sit for a month or more between sowing and harvest with no one going anywhere near them and have no trouble apart from the odd attack from rodents, can't recommend the dryer sheet thing myself but others swear by them. If you have access to one of those solar trickle chargers then that will keep the battery topped up.

Jon