There’s nothing worse than waking up, getting ready to do your work, and then realizing that your tractor isn’t functioning properly. Many performance issues can interfere with your ability to work efficiently or make it impossible to work at all. The easiest way to prevent and identify problems with your tractor is to familiarize yourself with what these performance issues are and how they affect your vehicle. Ahead, we’ll go over some of the most common tractor problems that farmers encounter and how to fix them.
Tire Trouble
Your tractor’s tires probably see a lot of wear-and-tear. You might notice problems such as cuts or bulges on the surface, deflated tires, cracks, and uneven wear. This is often inevitable, especially if you’re working with tougher soil conditions, some tire problems are easily preventable. Two examples include stubble damage and dry rot.
If you notice punctures in your tires, it could be stubble damage. Stubble damage occurs when the strong, sharp crop stalks left behind after crop collection pierce through the tires. This can lead to your tires leaking air pressure or completely deflating. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to reduce stubble damage.
As with any other kind of tire, your tractor tires can develop dry rot. The composition of tire material changes with the seasons and weather conditions. If a tire has seen too much exposure to sunlight or air, or you haven’t used it in a long time, it will start to lose elasticity and develop cracks. This phenomenon is known as dry rot. If your tires have become brittle, pale, faded, or cracked, you might want to consider replacing them. You can prevent dry rot by storing your tractor properly after use and making sure you don’t leave it sitting for too long.
Electrical Issues
Some of the most common tractor problems are electrical issues. Has it been a week or more since you last used this particular vehicle? If your tractor has been sitting around, there’s a good chance that it’s suffering from a drained battery. Most of the time, you can solve this problem by charging the battery. If that’s not the issue, you should inspect the posts and cables. These are susceptible to wear and mineral deposits, which can affect your tractor’s ability to perform. You can prevent buildup by cleaning the posts and cables regularly.
Engine Problems
The most common engine-related problem involves the spark plugs, which can become damaged or broken over time. If you’re experiencing issues such as a hard start, low fuel consumption, and low performance, check the condition of the spark plugs. Another common problem is a clogged carburetor. The carburetor is what blends air and fuel for the engine. When clogged, it can negatively affect your vehicle’s performance. Thankfully, it shouldn’t do too much damage to your vehicle as long as you catch and repair it immediately.
