Proper lubrication is critical for extending the life of expensive farm machinery and reducing unexpected downtime. By following best practices around lubricant selection, application methods, and maintenance schedules, farmers can keep their tractors, combines, sprayers, and other equipment running smoothly for years to come.

Choosing the Right Lubricants

When it comes to lubricants, like oil and grease, not everything is created equal. The type of lubricant you select depends largely on the machine component needing lubrication.

Most agricultural equipment requires multi-viscosity engine oils, hydraulic fluids, and extreme pressure greases designed specifically for farm use. These lubricants contain additives that can handle heavy loads, high temperatures, moisture, and dirt that standard lubricants cannot.

Refer to your owner’s manuals when selecting lubricants to ensure you choose products that meet the equipment manufacturer's specifications. Using the wrong type of oil or grease can lead to increased wear, corrosion, leakage, and outright component failure. Consult your local ag supplier if you have any questions about the best lubricant for a particular piece of machinery.

Proper Re-Greasing Intervals

While fluids like engine and hydraulic oil require frequent checking and changing, greases are not consumed like oil. So, when is it time to re-grease equipment components? Most farm machinery manufacturers provide re-greasing hour intervals or timeline guidance within equipment manuals.

Typically, grease fittings on pivot points, drives, electric motor bearings, fans, and compaction rollers need fresh grease every 50 hours of operation as a rule. More heavy-use parts like bail pivots, head bearings, and u-joints may need re-greasing as frequently as every 8-10 equipment hours. Establish re-greasing as part of your routine maintenance schedule to prevent damaging wear over time.

Applying Greases Correctly

Simply pumping more grease into a fitting according to the hour’s interval is not enough. You want to ensure old, contaminated grease is adequately purged out while new clean grease is evenly distributed within the component. Here are some tips:

• Use a portable grease gun filled with the appropriate grease when servicing equipment in the field. For shop work, a pneumatic grease pump allows you to apply grease with more pressure.
• Make sure grease fittings are free of dirt, debris, or built-up old grease before attaching your grease gun. Clean fittings ensure new grease can flow into the component.
• Pump grease slowly until you feel moderate resistance on the grease gun lever. Start and stop a few times allowing grease to fill voids and purge any trapped contamination.
• Avoid pumping large volumes too quickly as this can lead to ruptured seals. You want a gradual controlled application of new grease.
• Carefully remove any excess grease that purges out around seals or bearings to prevent dirt buildup leading to premature wear.
•  

Best Practices for Oil Changes

While greases top up existing lubrication inside components, oils require full draining and replacement per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Here’s where many farmers fall short by extending oil change intervals too long. Follow these best practices for timely oil changes:

• Use oil extraction pumps to remove old engine, transmission, or hydraulic oil via dipsticks or drains versus messy drainage pans. This also allows more of the old oil to be removed.
• Closely follow hourly operation guidelines for oil change intervals per your equipment specifications as these can vary dramatically. Hour meters help track hours if not automated through telematics systems.
• When changing oil filters, ensure filter gaskets fully seal against the filter housing using proper alignment and just adequate tightening. Leaking filters lead to low oil issues.
• Make sure drainage plugs are also properly sealed when refilling oil reservoirs to prevent any leakage.
• Use high-quality new oil meeting or exceeding equipment manufacturer specifications, never recycled or re-used oil.
• Document hours and date of oil changes as you service equipment using Maintenance records tracking oil service historical.

Lubrication Starts with Cleaning

Even when using the very best lubricants and application methods, failing to properly clean equipment first can significantly shorten component life. Here are some key cleaning tips:

• Always scrape built-up dirt and residue from grease fittings before attempting to apply new grease otherwise blockages can occur.
• Use pressure washers or steam cleaners to remove caked on mud or crop debris around pivot pins, bearings seals, ground engaging tools and other hard to reach areas needing lubrication.
• Remove all covers, guards or plates during cleanings to access hidden lubrication points not easily seen when machinery is running.
• During extensive equipment cleaning and servicing, cover open bearings and seals to prevent moisture accumulation leading contamination.
• Frequently remove built-up crop debris, leaves or mud from fan guards, heat exchangers, hydraulic reservoirs and cooling fin areas too allow for proper air flow and cooling.
• Blow components dry using compressed air at the completion of any pressure washing to prevent moisture corrosion and lubricant contamination long term.

Leverage Technology for Enhanced Lubrication

With the prevalence of more integrated technology in modern farm machinery, leveraging telematics and onboard monitoring systems can further optimize lubrication practices. Many equipment manufacturers now incorporate sensors within major components tied to equipment control systems that monitor operating temperature, pressures, fluid levels, and usage hours in real-time.

Dashboard alerts or data logs from telematics systems can notify you of lube points reaching re-greasing intervals, oil change triggers, or even abnormal temperature readings suggesting potential mechanical issues. Embrace farm technology advancements to enhance the lubrication maintenance process.

Final Words

Proper agricultural machinery lubrication does not need to be complicated but it does require diligence for success. By judiciously applying the right lubricant products at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals, thoroughly cleaning components prior, and properly removing and replacing depleted oils, equipment can last decades beyond the typical life expectancy. And avoiding unexpected downtime is critical when short planting and harvesting windows dictate farm productivity and profitability. Following these best practices around lubrication can pay substantial dividends for the long-term health of your farm machinery fleet.