Importance of regular maintenance on tractors and machines

The agricultural tractor, on a rural property, is the machine responsible for pulling, transporting and supplying power to other machines and implements. Therefore, we must allocate time to carry out its maintenance. The off-season, or post-harvest, period is the right time to dedicate time and care to the tractor, a machine that performs much of the work on rural properties on a daily basis.

The useful life of a machine can be significantly altered by the type of maintenance provided or the way in which it is carried out, requiring theoretical/practical knowledge from operators so that they can extract maximum performance from the tractor. Correct maintenance and care for the tractor minimizes the unpleasant effects of breakdowns and delays in the daily operations of the rural property and also prevents the producer from incurring higher costs in repairing these machines. Even though tractor operators are very well prepared, the new generation of tractors, which are loaded with high technology, requires specific care that was previously unknown to those who have been used to working with tractors for many years.

Regarding maintenance, divisions can be found according to the method of action, thus, there are preventive and corrective maintenance. Preventative maintenance is one of the most recommended due to correcting problems and failures even before they happen, preventing the breakage or wear of serial components, as well as increasing the availability of the machine for daily use. Corrective maintenance is only used when the machine presents breaks or failures, this action normally does not require prior planning, causing a loss of efficiency in daily activity, so that the machine may remain stopped due to the risk of unavailability of parts and technical professionals. qualified to carry out the repair.

Among the activities carried out within these two modalities, there are lubrication, changing and/or adding fluids, adjusting possible gaps, replacing worn or damaged parts, protection and prevention against harmful agents that could cause ruptures or wear of components.

Like any mechanical equipment, at some point the tractor will require repair or replacement of parts, which will require a specialized professional. But these corrective maintenance occasions can be drastically reduced with the habit of doing the basics well, what we call preventive maintenance practices.

These precautions implemented by the tractor owner or operator often do not involve additional costs, quite the contrary, they are routines made up of simple care that in a certain way can be compared to those dedicated to the daily care we have with our cars, such as checking the oil levels, coolant and even check the tightness of the wheel nuts.

DAILY CHECK

Before starting any work with the tractor, visually checking the equipment is important to ensure that there is no visible damage, such as a flat or flat tire, a leak or even the lack of a component that has accidentally come loose. of the machine after use. Once the visual and routine check of the levels has been carried out, when starting the tractor it is important to dedicate some time to the instrument panel and the machine's noises. With the engine running at idle, try to determine whether the hydraulic, mechanical or electrical systems are in perfect condition.

In the engine, to avoid serious failures and increase its useful life, it is necessary to inspect the oil level daily, correcting it whenever necessary. It is important to consult the operator's manual and use the oil recommended by the manufacturer, as well as the number of hours in which the change is carried out, including the filter element, which guarantees correct performance and prevents premature wear of moving components.

Some tractor models display information on the instrument panel such as hours remaining until the next maintenance, combined with error and failure diagnosis systems, which warn the operator about abnormal usage situations, preventing the occurrence of damage to internal components. In addition to these systems, engines with an electronic management system can limit power and torque when they detect operating abnormalities.

COOLING SYSTEM

The cooling system contributes to maintaining the systems working temperature, being extremely important so that the engine can offer maximum efficiency. The design, number and functions of radiators vary depending on the brands and powers of the tractors. They are used to cool the water or engine coolant, cool the transmission oil, cool the air in the case of engines with intercoolers and cool the fuel return to the tank.

For correct functioning of the systems, the fluid level must be observed, topping up whenever necessary. Avoid the accumulation of impurities in the honeycombs and radiator fins, which contributes to air circulation and their functioning. To achieve this, compressed air or a water jet can be used in the opposite direction to the air flow, in addition to Keep the air intakes on the engine closing hood free of impurities and obstructions.

POWER SYSTEM

Regarding the power system, the quality of the fuel directly influences the useful life of the system. The filtration system can be composed of a pre-filter and filter, which sediment water and impurities, preventing them from circulating through the system. It is important that water is drained and impurities are cleaned daily, so that they do not restrict the flow of fuel to the injection system, which could lead to loss of engine power, in addition to clogging or premature wear of components. of the system.

Replacing the filter element must consider the recommendations contained in the operator's manual or situations in which its operating condition is inefficient. The air filtration system must guarantee the passage of air free of impurities, guaranteeing quality and quantity for the engine intake system. The maintenance of the filtering elements is carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Disposable filters must be replaced whenever the air restriction warning appears on the instrument panel, filters that allow cleaning, the number of times will be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendation, and can be done by tapping the structure in the opposite direction to the flow of air or using a jet of compressed air, with due care to avoid damage to the filter element, as well as the sealing structure.

STREAMING

Transmission care must also be periodic, most of the models available on the market have an oil reservoir that includes the transmission, hydraulic system and steering, therefore, the incorrect level will cause inefficient operation of these components. As a consequence, overheating and accelerated wear of components may occur due to insufficient lubrication. Most manufacturers feature warning systems on the tractor's instrument panel, alerting to oil temperatures and incorrect levels, as well as level displays fixed to the tractor's body, which facilitates quick viewing. To replace the oil, the manufacturer's recommended specifications and deadlines must be observed.

SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

Daily care for the maintenance and proper functioning of a tractor are not just the tasks of the users themselves. It is also necessary to pay attention to the periodic inspections recommended by the manufacturers. On newly purchased tractors, especially during the warranty period, it is important to carry out these inspections by specialized professionals and dealers.

The timing of these periodic inspections may vary from brand to brand and model to model, so you should always consult the operating manual. The periods or number of hours determined for these revisions are informed in the operator's manual and must always be present at the machine's operating station, for quick reference by the operator.

Caring for tractors is so valuable that by dedicating themselves to daily maintenance and operation care, the rural producer will have his tractor in full condition, without forced stops, contributing to increasing work productivity, reducing operating costs and saving money. fuel, as well as increasing the efficiency of resources available in agricultural tractors.

Dauto Carpes Gustavo dos Santos Juan Paulo Barbieri Base Assessoria Agronômica Eder Dornelles Pinheiro AGCO