Farm equipment does most of its deterioration not during hard use, but during the months it sits unused. Moisture, pests, and stale fuel cause more avoidable damage than an actual season of work does. A few basic storage steps at the end of the season make a real difference to how the equipment performs when you need it again.
Clean Before You Store
Dirt, crop residue, and moisture trapped against metal surfaces accelerate corrosion. A thorough wash and dry before storage — including underneath the equipment, where residue collects unseen — is the single most effective step you can take.
Fuel and Fluids
Stale fuel degrades and can gum up injectors and carburettors over a long idle period. Either run the tank close to empty before storage, or use a fuel stabiliser if the equipment will sit for several months. Check and top up other fluids — oil, coolant, hydraulic fluid — so the equipment isn’t sitting with old, contaminated fluid in the system.
Tyres and Moving Parts
Where possible, store equipment off the ground or on boards to reduce tyre flat-spotting over long periods. Grease fittings and exposed moving parts before storage to displace moisture and prevent rust from forming on contact surfaces.
Covered, Dry Storage
Direct sun and rain exposure are hard on seals, hoses, upholstery, and paint. Covered storage — even a basic shelter — meaningfully extends the working life of exposed components compared to leaving equipment in the open.
Battery Care
Disconnect batteries for equipment that will sit for an extended period, or use a trickle charger if power is available. A battery left connected and unused for months is one of the most common reasons equipment won’t start at the beginning of the next season.
A little care at the end of the season saves a lot of frustration — and cost — at the start of the next one. If your equipment needs a pre-storage inspection or you’re not sure what shape it’s in, our team can check it over before you put it away for the season.