Farm machinery dealers are urging farmers to ensure that all critical pieces of equipment have been booked in for pre-season servicing, to help keep mechanical failures to a minimum during key stages of the 2016 season.
New Holland machinery specialist Eddie Johnson says tractors and machines must be well maintained to reduce the need for costly repairs or replacement.
“In Australian farming there are many variables, such as weather conditions, that can determine whether or not farmers will reap the rewards or their hard work,” Johnson says.
“Another variable you can add into the mix is poorly maintained equipment.
It can be safe to say that costly breakdowns are inevitable and have the potential to erode a farmer’s seasonal profitability.”
Eddie has provided five key reasons why farmers should have their pre-season equipment services done, before winter sets in.
Prevention
“Prevention is the key to gaining a good return from your investment, it adds value to your equipment when the time comes to update it,” Johnson says.
Profit loss
Some farmers often see post-season servicing of equipment as a cost rather than a benefit, but Johnson says this is the wrong attitude to take.
“Equipment breakdowns during crucial planting and harvesting periods come at a high price due to the potential risk to crop yield when your machine is out of action for a major repair,” he says.
Success vs failure
“A thorough daily maintenance check and scheduled servicing by your local dealer will help you keep tabs on the condition of your equipment, with pre-season servicing often being the difference between a successful, trouble free year and a disaster,” Johnson says.
Genuine products
He also recommends using genuine and manufacturer-specified oils, filters, belts and chains
“That way you can be sure your equipment is meeting the manufacturer’s specifications, and helps your case if there is a need for any warranty works,” Johnson says.
A better understanding
Understanding your equipment, according to Johnson, is very important because you need to know how it is supposed to operate to be able to identify when something isn’t working as it should.
“If something doesn’t sound right, chances are it isn’t,” he says.
“The short term gain is not worth the risk when it comes to pushing your machine when you know something is not right.”
“The better you understand the equipment you’re using, the less likely you are to have a breakdown.”
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