Winterizing Your KUHN® Farm Equipment in 6 Steps

Even though you might still be in the process of harvesting your crop, you’re probably thinking about getting your KUHN farm equipment ready for winter. As with any motorized machine, there are a few steps you’ll need to take in order to ensure your equipment can be taken out of storage ready to go, without accumulating damage over the winter months.

That’s why West Hills Tractor has provided some tips to winterize your KUHN equipment properly. You can also chat with our experienced staff here at our KUHN dealership in Jonesborough, Tennessee, serving Johnson City and Greenville. We can offer you even more tips or we can set you up with an appointment to see our service team and get any of those maintenance problems worked out before the end of the year.

1. Review Your KUHN® Farm Equipment Owner’s Manual

While we can provide you with some general tips that should apply to most, if not all, KUHN farm equipment, the only place you’re going to find instructions on servicing the specific piece of machinery you own is by reviewing your owner’s manual. If you can’t find your manual, or you never received one, head to the KUHN website to download a new one.

2. Engine Check

The engine is going to be one of your top priorities heading into the winterization process. There are quite a few moving parts and carelessness can lead to costly breakdowns.

This means:

• The fuel tank cap and vent needs to be functioning properly and free of water or sediment.
• The fuel filter needs to be working and still clean enough to function properly (or else replace it).

As well as any other miscellaneous tasks your owner’s manual recommends (including lubrication).

3. Preparing Your Fuel

The last thing you want is for condensation to form in your fuel tank. It can prevent your KUHN equipment from starting up again in the spring and result in an expensive trip to the mechanic.

The easiest way to prevent this is to top off your fuel tank with fuel that’s specially designed for long periods of disuse and cold weather. You won’t need to empty the tank later on, as this is still usable fuel.

4. Replacing Engine Fluids

Using your owner’s manual as a guide, if your engine fluids will need to be replaced during the course of storage, including oil and coolant, take care of it now so you don’t have to mess with it later. 

Keep in mind, Tennessee doesn’t get a lot of dangerously cold weather, but you will need to keep your eye on the forecast. At some point, those engine fluids will start to congeal and that can wreak havoc on your engine. If you know the environment around your KUHN equipment is going to drop well below 0°F, consider getting oil that’ll stay viscous in that kind of extreme weather.

5. Tend to the Battery

The battery won’t fare well in the cold weather. Any KUHN farm equipment you won’t be using this winter will need the battery removed from the engine. Make sure it doesn’t need the posts cleaned, and then hook it up to a battery tender or trickle charger, storing it in a dry, temperature-controlled area that won’t get too cold.

6. Preventing Tire Problems

While most winterization issues will revolve around the engine, there are other areas you’ll need to pay attention to, like the tires. Hopefully, you can store your machinery in a covered area that will keep the cold out. Fluctuating temperatures can impact your tires, so try to keep them in a temperature-controlled area. 

You’ll also need a plan to relieve pressure off of one spot on the tires. You don’t want to wear down one area faster than the rest of the tire. If you can’t elevate your KUHN equipment off the ground entirely, consider moving the machine slightly once a month, onto a different part of the tire.

Of course, as you’re doing all this, you’ll likely be checking over each piece of machinery for signs of wear and tear. It’s helpful to tackle these issues now as opposed to letting them sit for months and hoping they won’t be worse when you come back to it. If you need a professional to address the issue, contact West Hills Tractor at Jonesborough, and we’ll set you up with an appointment with one of our experienced technicians. If you’re looking for KUHN farm equipment for sale for next year and you’re near Johnson City and Greenville, Tennessee, then stop in and see what we have available right now!