As the seasons change and winter approaches, it’s time to store your harvest equipment for the cold months ahead. Set yourself up for next year’s success by servicing your combine and header and scheduling your post-harvest inspection.
Step 1: Consult the Operator’s Manual
The first step to fine-tuning and fixing your equipment is referencing your operator’s manual. Here you will find service and maintenance charts and storage instructions, which are an invaluable resource to maximize the efficiency of your investment.
Step 2: Clean Your Combine and Header
Prepare your harvest equipment for storage by cleaning off the crop residue and debris that has accumulated over the season. This will allow you to start fresh next season, as well as reduce the risk of rodent damage during winter storage.
When cleaning, clear as much buildup as you can with compressed air. If you choose to use a power washer, be careful and mindful of delicate components and avoid spraying water into electrical parts, bearings or shaft seals.
Step 3: Team Up To Inspect, Repair & Replace
With debris removed, you can now inspect your combine and header for signs of wear and tear. Start your combine’s engine and let it run at high power for a few minutes. After turning it off, look, listen and smell for anything unusual. Don’t just rely on your memory – Take notes of any tears, cracks or damaged parts. Use an infrared thermometer to look for spikes in temperature on the machine – this could be a sign of worn belts or a buildup of grain dust and residue. Commonly worn combine parts include:
- Belts
- Cutting parts
- Hydraulic lines, hoses and seals
- Rasp bars and chains
Save time and resources on both major and minor repairs by teaming up with your Case IH dealer. Work with service technicians already familiar with your equipment, as well as its standard service internals. Request a fluid analysis to pinpoint wear and contamination early on, before they result in critical, more expensive damage.
Servicing with your Case IH dealer also gives you access to a 12-month warranty on any dealer-installed genuine Case IH parts.
Step 4: Prep For Storage
Before parking your combine for the winter, ensure that all engine oil and filters have been changed, as well as cleaning or replacing air filters. Fill the fuel tank before storage to reduce condensation and drain the water separator after storage. In addition, keep your batteries charged during the offseason, and consider a battery maintainer to make sure you have power when you need it.
Dealerships can get busy leading up to the winter months. Schedule a service appointment with your Case IH dealer ahead of time to guarantee expert-level, quality service. To learn more, contact your dealer or visit mycnhstore.com.