Maintaining farm vehicles

Whether You Need a Stationary Chute or a Mobile System We have BIG SELECTIONS to Choose From!

Arrowquip Model 8600 Manual Cattle Squeeze Chute Great for smaller cattle operations. Portable Arrowquip Model 8608

Optimizing Farm Vehicle Performance

By Klaire Howerton Maintenance on farm vehicles is often overlooked A farm truck is often one of the most valuable pieces of equipment a pro“Make sure it is ready to go before you need it,” he advised. 1-800-364-0933 • 918-341-0933 721 W. 6th St. ducer has at their disposal. Hanshaw encouraged producers to check Claremore, OK

Many farm trucks are used daily and are an over the electrical systems, replace all filters, www.stillwatermilingcompany.com integral part of chores. Despite their impor- check battery cables for corrosion, check the More Than Just A Feed Store Mon.-Fri. 8-6 • Sat. 8-5 tance, sometimes maintenance on these ve- air pressure on the tires and ensure approprihicles falls by the wayside. When caring for ate fluid levels. livestock daily, it is easy to forget that trucks Radiators should be checked, and on older need care sometimes too. vehicles, Hanshaw recommended flushing as Following a few tips can make a farm truck’s performance improve and keep it on the road longer. Perform Routine Maintenance Producers will want to pay attention to the mileage or hours on their vehicle to know part of winter servicing. He also noted that rodent damage on vehicles has been a notable issue within the past couple of years. Producers will want to do a very thorough check under the hood for signs of mice, rats, and squirrels and perhaps, Hanshaw suggested, recruit a couple of barn cats. Check Things Over The voice of the Ozarks when maintenance is required. Newer truck Outside of routine maintenance, a quick models have warning and indicator lights to once-over of a farm truck a few times a week alert the user of repairs or servicing needs. can help catch small issues before they create

If a farm vehicle has warranties of any kind, larger ones. Pay attention to the lights on the routine maintenance will reduce the risk of dash, walk around the vehicle and observe invalidating warranties, which can make a the tires, pop the hood and look for any leaks big difference if a part wears out or breaks or cracks. and needs replaced.

Winterizing Vehicles Try to Reduce Wear and Tear Farm trucks are typically quite tough, but

While maintenance and servicing are im- just because they can do something does not portant year round, Mark Hanshaw, truck mean they should. If it is an option to avoid and trailer sales associate with Wood Motor driving over an exceedingly rough area, or if a Company, explained these tasks are especial- trailer load can be made a little lighter, do so. ly important heading into winter as produc- Being gentler with a vehicle when possible www.radiospringfi eld.com ers fire up hay trucks to feed their stock. will make it hold up better for when it is not. NOVEMBER 30, 2020 Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com 23