Pre-Winter Prep: Equipment Maintenance Supplies You Should Stock Now
10/24/2025
Winter prep for your John Deere equipment starts long before the first frost hits Tennessee. Smart farmers and property owners know that having the right maintenance supplies on hand prevents costly downtime and emergency service calls during the cold winter months.
Your equipment works hard through harvest season. That’s why winter prep is so important; it protects your investment while giving you reliable performance next spring. Curious what you should keep on hand? Stock these essential maintenance supplies now to keep your tractors, combines, mowers, and utility vehicles running strong all winter long.
Cold weather puts extra stress on your hydraulic systems, making fluid changes and filter replacements important. Hydraulic fluid thickens in cold temperatures, which can strain pumps and cause poor performance. In extreme cases, it can even freeze when temperatures fall -10 degrees and below!
Low-quality hydraulic fluid can gel in freezing temperatures, causing complete system failure. That’s why it’s important to always stock genuine John Deere hydraulic fluid that maintains the right viscosity even in Tennessee's coldest weather.
Here are some steps you can take to protect your hydraulic system.
Winter is tough on batteries and electrical systems. Cold temperatures can reduce battery capacity by up to 50 percent, making reliable “cold starting” more difficult just when you need it most.
Battery terminals also corrode faster during the winter months due to temperature changes and moisture. Clean terminals and apply protective spray before storing equipment. Keep battery load testers and digital voltmeters in your shop to monitor battery health throughout winter.
Your engine needs special attention before winter storage. Old oil and dirty filters can cause serious damage if they sit idle for too long.
Change engine oil and filters before winter storage, even if you haven't reached regular service intervals. Fresh oil provides better protection against moisture and temperature changes.
Stock diesel fuel additives that prevent gelling and water separation. Tennessee winters can produce cold temperatures that cause fuel problems, especially in older equipment. Anti-gel additives keep fuel flowing smoothly and prevent expensive fuel system repairs.
Proper antifreeze protection prevents a lot of costly engine damage if your coolant happens to freeze. Even Tennessee's mild winters can occasionally produce freezing temperatures that can crack engine blocks and radiators.
Test coolant protection levels using an antifreeze tester, and replace coolant that doesn't protect to at least -20 degrees Fahrenheit. Old coolant loses its protective properties and can cause corrosion damage to water pumps, radiators, and engine internals.
Keep spare thermostats and radiator caps in your parts inventory. These inexpensive parts often fail during the winter months and can leave you stranded and out of luck!
Cold weather makes rubber belts brittle and more likely to crack or break. Inspect all belts before winter and replace any showing signs of wear, cracking, or fraying.
Stock John Deere replacement belts for your most critical equipment. A broken belt during winter fieldwork or snow removal can shut down your entire operation.
Cold weather also thickens grease and makes lubrication more difficult. Switch to cold-weather grease that pumps easily at low temperatures.
Grease fittings that work fine in summer can become clogged during winter. Regular greasing prevents expensive bearing and joint failures, too.
Don't wait until winter arrives to stock essential maintenance supplies. Our parts department carries genuine John Deere fluids, filters, and components designed specifically for your equipment.
Winter preparation today saves time and money tomorrow. Contact Tennessee Tractor's parts department at any of our West Tennessee locations to build your winter maintenance supply inventory!