Tractor Cleaning

[granite]

I have about 8 hours on my new BX23. I've been using a rear grader blade to grade my dry clay lot so I've got a layer of fine particles all over and in every mechanical part of the tractor. I'm tempted to use my air compressor to clean it but I thought I would check to see if anyone has any advise.

Thanks

 

[BIGUN]

Compressed air is the best way I know of. It’s tempting to use a pressure washer, but they can cause damage to equipment in more ways than one. I know. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Henro]

I use a pressure washer but I don't hold it too close.

You could also just use a garden hose. No problem with air, but the dust goes in the air and may settle back on things. Maybe air first, water second?

My pressure washer had five different tips, and I use the medium one so I don't get too intense a water stream. Ends up being lke a coin car wash.

Like anything else, how you use what you use is as important as what you use. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[ns_in_tex]

I would think a water hose would work fine on something that new.

Everything I have is older, but I use UniPro Power Clean, to wash everything. Makes your old filthy truck with road grime come out looking like it has been polished.

I get it from my local gas distributor, but I saw something at Wal-Mart the other day, I think called Purple Power Clean, and wondered if it might be the same, since my cleaner is purple.

 

[granite]

Do you need to keep water away from any of the moving parts/linkage under the tractor? I've noticed some minor surface rust around the lifting rods on the 3 pt hitch so I was concerned that long term, the water wasn't such a good idea.

 

[kevinj]

I blow mine off with the leaf blower. Makes it easy to remove dry dirt and grass clippings.

 

[RHughes]

I use a garden hose to clean off the dust and grass from bush hogging all the time. I don't worry too much about the mechanical linkages. Do be careful if you hose off the operator platform. It is possible to get water into the dash controls (lights, switches, etc.) and cause short circuits. I did this once and had to drive around with the right blinker on until the panel dried out /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[BIGUN]

Water and most metals are not compatible on a long term basis such as when the water is trapped somewhere and sets up rust or corrosion. This can cause binding in linkages and bad electrical connections.
Water and most lubricants (oil and grease) are not compatible. Avoid spraying where you could contaminate these.
Water and most electrical equipment are not compatible. Avoid spraying these.
Delicate parts can be physically damaged with aggressive power washing, as they can with compressed air too.
If you decide to use the pressure washer, do so carefully.

 

[yellowsocks93]

I find no long term affect of washing tractors with water or pressure washing them. I do it every week at the JD store and at home to do my own equipment. If you ever want to wax your tractor and keep the paint in good shape you will have to wash it and wax it. No other way around it. Even on combines the farmers who don't wash their stuff you can tell because moisture is held in the tailings and rusts the metal parts. This subject has been discussed a lot and we all have varying opinions. I like to wash though then the tractor is all shiney and showroom fresh! Do dry it if you wash it. Waterspots will be left if you don't dry and the minerals in the tap water will eat away at your paint.

 

[r0GuE]

3 years and I've never cleaned mine other than brooming off the deck. Water is the enemy of machines.

 

[yellowsocks93]

Also if some tractor or skid steer needs to be worked on I have to wash it before it gets taken apart. Skid steers trap dirt and manure by the motor under the cab and this needs to be cleaned off to prevent rust and proper engine cooling. Manure is not good for metal surfaces as it will make it rust a lot faster unless promptly washed off.

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm tempted to use my air compressor to clean it )</font>

I did that very frequently; washed it with water a little less frequently.

 

[DK35vince]

I have always pressure washed my tractors (1500 PSI washer), I've done it for years and have never had a problem from it.
Compressed air will work fine as long as it is only dust.

 

[yellowsocks93]

Compressed air then washing makes one heck of a combo. Then all the grime is blown off and you can rinse off the dust.

 

[gbpackerfan]

I have used a pressure washer for several years (4000 #) and had no problems. Like Henro I use a medium fan tip a distance from the tractor to keep from damaging the paint. Naturally you would be careful not to spray directly at any electrical component whether on the engine or dash. Tractor should be at environment temperature (not recently run) so cold water does not hurt engine block etc. and condensation does not form under and inside components such as distributor cap. Tractors sit out in the rain all the time starting at the dealer. Apply a dose of common sense when you wash your tractor and you will be just fine.

 

[OkieG]

Like some others here, I think dirt and grime are more an enemy than water. My tractor gets rinsed with every rainfall. I also pressure wash frequently, even around greased pivots...but don't be shy about pumping a squirt or two of grease in fittings at joints that have been washed. Also, for those pesky little rust spots, keep a wire brush and a can of flat black or orange paint handy to touch-up those areas. Touch-up the easy stuff every so often. Once a year, every spring, I have a "paint day" where I prep, prime and paint spots that have been overlooked throughout the year. Even though the fresh paint stands out against the old paint, it still looks and is better than rust. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

OkieG

 

[California]

I made a beginner's mistake the first time I cleaned my used (20 year old) Yanmar. Maybe describing it here will prevent someone else from doing the same.

The regulator was obviously well sealed with a gasket between base and cover so I cleaned the mud-dauber nest under the regulator with my pressure washer. I thought a gentle fan pattern couldn't hurt anything.

Next time I ran the tractor I eventually saw smoke and learned I had blown the flaky insulation off a nest of wires and big current resistors in the airspace under that sealed regulator. It was beyond repair, so I bought an expensive Yanmar-specific regulator. (The modern replacement is solid state and potted in plastic so it should tolerate washing.)

Then on a hunch I got the new regulator tested at AutoZone. I learned I could have bought one there for $18.95 that was identical, connectors and all.