Essential Tractor Maintenance Services for Memphis-area Farms

12/9/2024

A service worker tightens a bolt on a John Deere tractor.

If you are a Memphis-area farmer, you need to regularly complete certain maintenance services to ensure that your tractors and other farm equipment keep running smoothly and efficiently. Whether you have a John Deere compact utility tractor – like the Series 1 through 4 tractors – or something more significant, like the Series 5 through 9, regular maintenance is very important.

The Memphis Delta is a fertile area that regularly sees harsh weather that can negatively affect your tractor’s performance. Periods of extreme heat in the summer, or wet and muddy conditions in the spring and fall, can wear down your tractor and cause costly repairs down the road.

However, if you practice regular maintenance and get your equipment serviced by certified experts, you can lengthen the life of your farm equipment for many years to come.

Here are the top seven essential tractor maintenance services that every Memphis-area farmer should regularly practice.

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Regular Oil and Filter Changes

A service technician changes the oil in a John Deere tractor.

Regular oil and filter changes are one of the most crucial maintenance tasks for any tractor. For Memphis-area farms, or West Tennessee in general where the climate can be pretty varied, staying on top of this is especially important.

Your tractor engine oil and the oil filter ensure your engine operates smoothly and gears don’t get gunked up with residue. However, you can also quickly burn through your oil after hours of operation, drying your engine up, wearing it down, and potentially causing it to burn out completely. A burned-out engine causes irreversible damage that requires a complete replacement, which isn’t cheap.

John Deere recommends changing the oil and filter every 100-500 hours of operation, depending on the model and usage conditions.

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Cooling System Maintenance

With Memphis's hot and humid summers, keeping your tractor's cooling system in top shape is essential. Regularly check and clean the radiator, ensuring it's free of debris and dirt. Similar to how oil keeps your engine from overheating, engine coolant keeps the temperatures down in the summer.

Running your tractor without coolant can cause severe engine damage, like warped cylinder heads, seized pistons, and even complete engine failure. It’s essential to have a certified maintenance expert look at your coolant when they’re checking out your oil levels, too.

Air Filter Inspection and Replacement

Your tractor’s air filter keeps harmful debris out of your engine. When it’s dusty and dry outside, especially in the middle of the extreme Delta heat, more debris is kicked up in fields. That leads to more debris that your air filter has to stop and keep from disturbing your engine. You may not realize it, but your engine air filter can quickly become clogged, another detriment to keeping your engine cool.

Have your trusted maintenance professional check your engine’s air filter when you bring it in for regular maintenance. You’ll thank yourself later when you do.

Tire Pressure and Condition Check

Everyone knows that tire pressure on your car is important for maintaining a properly working vehicle, so why wouldn’t it also be important on your tractor tires? It’s important to ensure all tires on your tractor, Gator, or other farm equipment are inflated to the proper PSI. Properly inflated tires guarantee better traction when going over rough or muddy terrain, and lead to fewer instances of sticking in the soil.

Each tire size has a different PSI, so it's important to bring your tractor to an expert mechanic who knows the ideal pressure.

Battery Care

A service technician checks the battery power level on a John Deere tractor.

Your battery powers your tractor’s ignition; without a properly charged battery, your tractor won’t start. Hot summers can be harsh on tractor batteries and quickly wear out the charge. Similarly, cold weather can affect the performance of your equipment’s battery. That’s why it’s important to regularly check your battery's charge level and clean any corrosion from the terminals.

There’s nothing worse than getting ready for a full day of work only to discover your battery is dead!

Bring your tractor to a maintenance professional, who can check your battery’s charge and recommend a new battery when it reaches the end of its lifecycle.

Belt Inspection and Adjustment

Belts play a crucial role in many tractor systems. They power crucial components like your engine, tractor attachments, and mower blades. Regularly inspect all belts for signs of wear, cracking, or glazing. Adjust belt tension as needed to ensure optimal performance. If you need your belt replaced, it’s best to always opt for genuine John Deere belts for the best fit and longevity.

Bring your tractor to a certified specialist who can adjust the tension on your belt or install a new belt where needed.

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Fuel System Maintenance

Clean fuel is necessary for your tractor's performance and longevity. Contaminants like dirt, water, and debris can accumulate over time in your fuel system, leading to clogged filters, obstructed fuel flow, and decreased engine performance. This will ultimately impact your tractor's productivity and cause potential damage to sensitive components if left unaddressed. That’s why regular cleaning ensures your tractor runs efficiently with a consistent supply of clean fuel!

John Deere's fuel filters are designed to provide superior protection against contaminants, so it’s important to get the proper fuel filter for your tractor model.

Come to Tennessee Tractor for Expert Maintenance and Service

A service technician inspects a John Deere tractor.

Tennessee Tractor has an excellent maintenance and service department that can change your oil, clean your fuel system, and ensure your farm equipment works properly. We serve all of West Tennessee, especially the Memphis area, where hot summers lead to worn-down equipment.

If you’re interested in a protection plan for your equipment, check out the PowerGard plan. It protects against unexpected repair costs and keeps your maintenance on track with genuine parts.

See us when you need farm equipment maintenance. We’re happy to help keep your tractors running for years to come!

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