Tractor Operating Tips
As the mainstay of the modern farming operation, tractors are a vital piece of equipment that no one wants to do without. Their hardiness and versatility are much-valued as a means of simplifying and optimizing a number of farming tasks that were once arduously performed by hand. When operating your tractor, it's vital that you understand how to get the most out of your machine without doing any damage to it that will necessitate expensive repairs down the road.
Bayview Trucks & Equipment LTD, with multiple locations across Atlantic Canada, is your local farm equipment dealer, so we've provided this list of our best tips for safe and efficient tractor operation. Bring us any questions you might have about how to properly operate and maintain your farm equipment, or view our selection of tractors for sale!
Distribute Weight Evenly
Your tractor is both potent and weighty, meaning that you'll inevitably run out of traction before you ever run out of power, unless you're over weight. Operating your tractor above its intended capacity doesn't necessarily get your work done any faster. Overloading your machine will put too much stress on the drivetrain, which then cascades into any number of other operational issues such as a loss of rollover protection and decreased engine reliability.
Most of a tractor's tasks won't ever require it to operate near or over maximum weight. Make sure that you're staying beneath the threshold, though, by evenly distributing weight without overburdening your machine. A properly ballasted tractor will demonstrate improved performance and help to reduce operational costs overall.
Gear Up, Throttle Down
GUTD, or "gear up, throttle down," refers to the ratio of an engine's work to fuel usage that is best achieved by operating at or near maximum load. Most applications won't need to max out horsepower, which means an operator can save fuel by shifting to higher gears to slow engine RPMs without losing their desired speed.
Any work you're doing that doesn't require more than 70% of your engine's full power can be done with the GUTD method. Check your owner's manual for specifics, though, and if you still aren't sure when or how to do this, you'll want to talk to the staff here at Bayview Trucks & Equipment LTD first. Also, be aware that operating in GUTD will reduce your machine's PTO speed and its hydraulic reaction time.
To easily test your settings, operate for a short time at your desired speed and throttle setting before you open the throttle. If your engine speeds up easily, then your settings are good. An unresponsive engine means you'll need to shift down a gear or increase the speed of your engine. Keep checking until you get to the right settings.
Perform Regular Maintenance
Like any machine, your tractor needs regular maintenance performed on it to ensure its continued functioning. There are several easy tasks you can do in your barn or shed to tune up your machine.
The many particulates in the air on a farm require adequate air filtration in your machine to keep these pollutants from clogging up the engine. Check your air filter and replace it as necessary. If your farm is very dusty, you may need to replace the filter more often. You can also install a dirt restriction gauge to inform you when your filter needs changing so you don't have to check it yourself.
Switch up your fuel depending on the season to get better performance out of your machine. Don't run your winter fuels during spring or your summer fuels during fall if you want to avoid a drop in engine performance. Your supplier can confirm the density of the fuel you're using and help you choose the right fuel for the season.
You can obtain a testing kit for your engine coolant from either your manufacturer or local dealer. Use the right coolant to get the best performance and keep in mind that you can't use the same antifreeze in your diesel tractor engine as you would use in your passenger car or truck.
We hope these tips help you to get the most out of your tractor! In need of some new farm equipment? Visit one of our dealerships scattered throughout Atlantic Canada today to see our selection of new and used tractors for sale near the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Bayview Trucks & Equipment LTD proudly serves all of Atlantic Canada as your premier tractor dealer.