Tractor Care Tips

Importance of Air Cleaner and its Maintenance

TPK Admin Tractor Care Tips
 
Air cleaner that appears unimportant plays an important role in reducing or increasing the engine life. If it is not cleaned in timely, dust particles enter the engine and mix with oil and grease to work as sandpaper to wear out the engine components. A clogged air filter becomes a barrier for air, which reduces the engine strength and increases the diesel expense by 10%. In order to conserve diesel and optimum performance of the engine, it is very important that the air cleaner is cleaned on a regular basis. There are two parts of the air cleaner:

1. Pre-Air Cleaner
The air cleaner is covered by a bowl, which is called the Pre-Air Cleaner. It catches the dust, dry grass, hay, etc and collects in the clear plastic bowl. The pre-air cleaner must be removed and cleaned everyday.
 
MF-240/350/260 – Pre Air Cleaner
Very Important Never pour oil in the pre-air cleaner bowl under any circumstances.
 
MF-375/385/385-4WD

2. Air-Cleaner Assembly
a. Air-Cleaner body (which contains a permanent filter) b. Filter Element c. Oil Bath

Oil is filled in the oil bath up to the specified mark. Filter element is placed over it, and then oil bath is fitted with the air-cleaner. When the air coming through the pre-air cleaner makes contact with the oil in the oil bath, the oil passes through the filter element up to the permanent filter in the air-cleaner body, due to which the filter becomes covered with oil. The dust particles in the air flowing through stick to the oily filter, and the cleansed air enters the engine cylinder. Gradually, the oil becomes dirty due to this process.

Daily before use, remove the oil bath to check the oil level and its condition. If the oil is below the required level, then fill the bath with more oil. If the oil is thick with dust, then empty the oil, remove oil bath, air cleaner body, and filter element to clean thoroughly with kerosene. After cleaning refill the oil bath up to the mark and attach to the air-cleaner.
Very Important

  • Daiy check oil in the oil bath daily.
  • Always use the engine oil in the air-cleaner.
  • Always after 100 hours, clean the oil bath, air-cleaner body, and filter element with kerosene. It improves the engine performance.
 
Oil Lever (oil bath)
 

Maintenance of Radiator and Oil Cooler in Massey Ferguson Tractors

TPK Admin Tractor Care Tips
Just like the radiator, to cool the oil with air, there is an oil cooler installed in the MF260. In the MF375S/385/385 4WD, oil is cooled with an oil cooler that uses water instead of air.
Oil Cooler MF-260
Oil Cooler MF-385/385 4WD
The radiator and oil cooler grills in the MF260 should be checked frequently. If foreign object / debris is found stuck on them; clean with compressed air or water with less than 100 Psi pressure. When cleaning the grills, make sure the side panels are removed so the dust and debris stuck on them could find a way out. Always use the air / water pressure from behind the grills, so the garbage could be pushed out from the front. Never use diesel to clean the grills. Simple soapy water is enough for cleansing.

Radiator Grill MF-240
 

Checking Water Level of the Radiator in Tractor

TPK Admin Tractor Care Tips
  • Before checking the water level in the radiator, it is very important to have the tractor engine turned off; because removing the radiator pressure cap quickly when the engine is hot, the gushing boiling water may harm you.
  • Remove the radiator cap with the bonnet flap raised up. If the water level is low, then fill up with normal drinking water
  • If water change is needed, remove the drain plug located at the bottom right side of the radiator

Importance of the Radiator Cap
The radiator is a very important part of the temperature maintenance system. There are two valve-springs in the cap. One of the valves lets out the steam from the heated water and the other allows external air in, so vacuum is not created during the cooling process after engine is turned off. Commonly due to lack of knowledge about importance of the radiator cap, when the tractor’s original one is lost or broken, the owners replace it with any common cap that fits. This is harmful for the engine.
 
Radiator Cap
Very Important (Instructions for the Cold Climates) If you use the tractor in a cold climate, then is very important to use the anti-freeze is used according to the instructions, or drain the water from the radiator at night and refill with fresh water in the morning before operating the tractor.

Water Filling Locations
 

Important instruction about the (John Deere/ New Holland/ Massey Ferguson) tractor engine

TPK Admin Tractor Care Tips
Optimum performance of the engine depends on its proper use and good maintenance. Proper selection of engine speed and gears is essential for proper use.
 
Proper selection of engine speed and gear can reduce the diesel expense up to 15%. Since the engine continues to consume diesel when running without being used, do not keep the engine running idly for longer periods of time. It is better to shut off the engine and restart when needed again.
 
It has been commonly observed that 75% of the tractors malfunction or breakdown prematurely due to carelessness in maintenance.
Massey Ferguson tractor engine

 

 

 

 

 

Changing the Engine Oil Of John Deere/ New Holland/ Massey Ferguson Tractors

TPK Admin Tractor Care Tips

The most important task in maintenance of the tractor is changing the engine oil on time. Change the oil according to the prescribed schedule in the maintenance booklet. Check the engine oil level daily before starting work.  There are two marks on the dipstick; MIN is written on one and MAX at the other. The engine oil level should never be less than MIN or higher than MAX. The tractor must be parked on a level plane when checking the oil level.  When changing the oil follow the instructions given in the booklet for changing the oil; change the oil filter as well.
Location of checking the engine oil M-F240/350 MF-240/350/260 (MIN, MAX) MF-375/385 (MIN, MAX)
Location of checking the engine oil MF-260
Location of checking the engine oil MF-385/385