4 Best Practices to Winterize Your Spreader

After countless hours in the field this fall between harvest followed by fertilizer application, it might be tempting to park your equipment and forget about it for the next four months. But according to the team at Heartland Ag Solutions, taking the time now to prep equipment for spring is vital. 

“We can’t stress enough how doing a complete and thorough inspection when you’re done with the machine this season, and performing any necessary repairs before storing for winter, will make it that much easier to get started when your fields are ready next season,” says Nathan Druffel, northwest regional operations manager at Heartland Ag Systems. 

Druffel adds putting equipment this work off until spring can cause a delay when it really matters.

“As we all know, the timing of fertilizer application is very key in agriculture, and if you can’t use the machine when you need it, that can negatively affect your crop performance and yields,” he says.

The inspection and maintenance can be done by the operator or a certified technician. For those opting to perform that work themselves, Druffel advises making a checklist to ensure nothing is missed.

As for what goes on that checklist, he suggests four main points:

• A comprehensive clean-up

Wash the outside of the machine and vacuum the interior, removing any trash. Areas such as the box, frame, booms, axles, suspension, steering components, spinners and hydraulic system should also be cleaned. Then, check for any cracks or leaks that will need to be prepared before spring.  For air boom systems, inspect the fan and fan housing for damaged blades.

Heartland Ag also suggests placing rodent bait or repellent. 

• Remove fertilizer debris

Fertilizer dust and granules are corrosive and must be removed before storing the machine to prevent rust and corrosion. This can be done when washing and inspecting the machine exterior. Be sure to check the electrical wiring and ISOBUS connections as well.

• Clean the conveyor belts, oil the chains and check for missing pieces

Fertilizer residue should also be removed from all metal surfaces. Grease the chains, pivot points and shafts.

• Cover the machine

Another method to prevent rust is keeping the machine covered, either in a shed or with a tarp, during the off-season. 

“Annual, end-of-season equipment inspection and maintenance routines help to mitigate the risk of days or even weeks lost in-season due to downtime from costly, time-consuming repairs,” Druffel says. “These practices also help to protect the machine’s resale value when you’re in the market to upgrade.”