Should I wash it ?

stevenf · Mar 11, 2005

I went out and played like a farmer last Sunday in the rain with my brand new 8' lift disk harrow it got very muddy as a matter of fact you can't see the 20" front set of disc it is one solid roll of dried mud now. I need to use it this weekend to do it for real and I'm wondering should I try to wash the caked on mud off or will it just fall off when I start discing in the morning. My concern isn't the yuppy question because I want it to look pretty its the if I start spraying water on it will it make it rust unduly before its time and how sealed are sealed bearings. All I have is well pressure and a power nozzle so no immense pressure ability but I figure I could wash it tonight and it'd be dry and ready to go in the morning. For those wondering no I don't have a cab and I wasn't wearing a rain coat and yes I am excited about planting food plots in the morning with a tractor and disc instead of a jeep dragging various sizes of cedar branches. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Steve

RalphVa · Mar 11, 2005

I think the caked mud will come off. If you do wash it later and anything rusts, get some Rust Extender (Rustoleum name) or Rust Extender (NAPA brand) and apply to the rust. It turns the iron oxide, which self-catalyzes itself to rust more, to iron sulfide, which is inert.

I always do my vehicle and equipment washings only when warm enough to do them nude. More fun that way. Too cold to wash them if not warm enough to go naked.

Ralph

DUMBDOG · Mar 11, 2005

Do not know what would be different between running it in the mud and rain or washing it, either way it will get wet. A lot of them are stored outside without complications. As an alternative you may just want to kick the mud off, the rest should fall off in use. One thing to remember is you do not want to force water into the bearings if it has them.

stevenf · Mar 11, 2005

Ralph, Thank God your in VA you'd be running around naked all the time here my son went swimming in one of the lakes in January and February course he did have his superman undies on.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Steve

KiotiJohn · Mar 11, 2005

I would wonder if your soil isn't too wet for proper discing. I suspect you're going to get a lot of mud balls, and then have to wait until it's a little drier and go back over them to get what you want.
As for washing it, shouldn't be a problem with your setup, but discing a drier soil will tend to clean off everything. Leaving wet mud on any metal is going to speed up rusting.
When you're through for the season, you may want to clean it up good and oil down the metal to ****** rusting, but go ahead and rinse off caked on mud if it doesn't come off while discing again. John

frank_f15 · Mar 11, 2005

I understand it has been 5 days since you played in the mud, but if it is still very wet, you might want to wait till it is a little drier before you disc, but if it is dry enough to disc i would just use it and the dry dirt(mud ) should just fall off.

Kub0ta · Mar 12, 2005

I think you should just quickly pressure washer it off if it bothers you. Dont do what alot of guys here do and wax your tractor, one of the most absurd things ive ever heard.

DmansPadge · Mar 12, 2005

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it either which way you go. Implements are going to get dirty and sooner or later have some rust. I personally would use it then clean it afterwards. Preferably let it sit out in the sun for a little while afterwards. If you cover it in wet mud leaving it on there is going to be a lot worse than cleaning it when your done. It'll take a while for that mud to dry out and if you clean it up after use, it'll dry out quick.

DmansPadge · Mar 12, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Dont do what alot of guys here do and wax your tractor, one of the most absurd things ive ever heard.)</font>

Ok.. I have to respectfully disagree. Waxing anything will only prolong the life and finish. It you could care a less what it looks like... more power to you. I don't take pains with my tractor.. but it has seen a coat of wax. Take a tractor that has had an occasional wax job and one that hasn't... give it 3-4 years and you'll see a big difference.

Cactus · Mar 12, 2005

Its a tractor....it is made to get muddy and use. Keep the fluids/filters maintained/keep it greased etc. The thing will last for years. I would not worry about it at all. But if you like to keep it spit shined thats great. Mud is caked on mine just about year round,if we get some dry weather this spring I will take my pressure washer over it/clean it up good and touch up paint the wheels/loader etc.... And let it all happen again.