Column: Keep it running, keep it reliable

Did you know that 60 percent of equipment failures come from improper lubrication management?  If you’re farming then you spend a lot of time with your machinery. Take a little time to answer the following questions to help maintain your investments so that they run longer, more efficiently and more reliably: 

* How clean is your fuel?  Fuel is 40 percent of your expense and its variable cost adds an element of unpredictability to your budget. With clean diesel you can reduce injector and equipment failure rates, improve fuel economy and reduce maintenance expenses. Ask your fuel supplier about their filtration practices and have your fuel tanks checked, including taking fuel samples from the bottom of the tank where sludge and sentiment can settle over time (I offer this on a complimentary basis). Make sure your analysis provides information on the amount of water and other contaminants so that you can identify the best treatment plan.

* Is anything overheating? This could indicate excessive friction due to component wear or the wrong lubricant. You’ll need to identify exactly where this is taking place, what kind of lubricant it needs and how much to apply. Cooling down the machine then starting it up again does not fix the problem; prolonged friction will wear down parts and ultimately cause a failure.

* Is your tractor smoking?  If it’s a diesel engine, check the color. Black smoke is an indication of partially burned fuel resulting from incomplete or poor combustion. This could be the result of many things including but not limited to worn injectors, dirty air filters, failing turbocharger or poor fuel quality.  White smoke indicates raw, unburnt fuel making its way through the entire system.  This could be the result of incorrect timing or worn injectors. White smoke might also be from water entering the combustion chamber. Blue smoke indicates engine oil is being burned.  This could be the result of ring/cylinder wear or a leaking turbocharger seal. All smoke should be investigated to solve any potential problems before a major failure.

* Are there any leaks apparent under your parked equipment? These leaks could indicate worn out hoses or seals, over-lubrication, kinks in hoses or other connections or fluids that have been overfilled.

* Do you keep your fuel tank topped off overnight? Keeping your fuel tank filled overnight will help reduce the chance of condensation contamination. The less air left in the tank the less chance of condensation forming.

Share these tips with your farmhands. Better yet, consider having them trained in the principles of fuel and lubrication management this summer so that they’re prepared for the fall harvest. This training is a complimentary service from my company and the investment of one to two hours is worth the long-term benefit to your equipment.

Jeff Porter is Hydrotex’s Division Partner for central Oklahoma. Hydrotex is a national manufacturer of high performance lubrication and fuel improver solutions. Porter has lived in Guthrie since 2000. He can be reached at JPorter@hydrotexlube.com or 405-697-7400.