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It is no secret that agriculture is vital to the economies of several countries, providing jobs and nourishment for millions globally. As per recent Statista data, there are about 109,000 employed or self-employed farmers in the UK. These days, farming involves using several types of machinery to improve efficiency and output, so maintaining these machineries is crucial to your operations as a farmer. Are you interested in helpful tips to make your machinery last longer? Please take a look at these points.

1. Assess equipment for wear and tear

Farm equipment and machinery are heavy equipment and are typically susceptible to shock from accidents and poor operating practices. Also, high temperatures from extended use can damage machinery, and farm equipment can vibrate mostly if belts and gears are poorly aligned. All these factors combine to destroy heavy machinery parts. 

Ernest Rabinowicz, a reputed Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) luminary tribologist opines that machine wear accounts for 50% of the reasons why machines lose their usefulness. As such, you should regularly assess your farm equipment for signs of wear and tear and replace these parts to improve your equipment’s longevity. For example, consider procuring a Remanufactured Compressor LP490 to replace your agricultural tractor’s worn-out compressor; this will keep it from deteriorating further.

2. Get proper operator training

Varying types of farm equipment require different types of operators. Consequently, it would be best to learn as much as you can about how machines operate and always stay updated on maintenance and management practices. If your farm has a few operators using the same equipment, getting all of them updated on maintenance and operation is equally essential. An added tip that many experts give is to keep current versions of all manuals close by, allowing any operator to sharpen their understanding about any machine whenever needed. Proper operator training for all operators reduces the chances of missing out on maintenance, as anyone can be in charge of that if need be.

3. Regular cleaning and lubrication

Farm equipment and machinery quickly gather dirt as you use them, necessitating that you keep them clean and well-oiled regularly to keep them in top shape. Your machines have moving parts that interact as they work, causing friction. This sustained friction reduces your machine’s efficiency gradually and causes eventual wear and tear over time. As such, oil all your farm equipment regularly with a proper lubricant to keep the machinery parts well-maintained. It would help to get rid of mud and dirt before you proceed with your lubrication, so keep this in mind. 

4. Keep a schedule

The dynamic nature of farm life can often relegate essential practices like regular maintenance to the background. Therefore, experts recommend developing a schedule to remind you when machine maintenance or servicing is due. You can schedule regular mechanic visits to have your machinery assessed by a professional mechanic who can perform further maintenance and inspections.  It would also help to keep track of the various operators who maintain and man farm equipment to know who might be overworking the equipment and act accordingly to prolong the machinery’s life.