Prioritizing equipment maintenance can help minimize downtime during the busy spring season, says Kevin Meyer, a lubricants technical expert with CHS. He adds effective preventive care can reduce hours lost due to equipment malfunctions.

Use high-quality lubricants to extend equipment life

As part of a preseason equipment maintenance checklist, give machinery a thorough cleaning and replace worn parts. Meyer also recommends changing out the oil and investing in high-quality lubricants to grease components. “Unfortunately, there are some poor-quality lubricants on the market that may not hold up to the extended run time we’re seeing in the field today. It’s not uncommon to put 500 or 600 hours on an engine each season. You want to use high-quality lubricants that can hold up under those conditions,” Meyer adds. 

Characteristics of a high-quality lubricant

Each piece of machinery has slightly different lubricant needs. Meyer suggests reviewing the specifications provided by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to ensure that the lubricant choice aligns with those recommendations. “A high-quality lubricant, like those in our Cenex® lineup, will often exceed OEM specifications for performance.”

The trend toward smaller oil reservoirs, longer running hours and tighter equipment tolerances make semi-synthetic or full synthetic lubricants the best option for most equipment, says Meyer. “I encourage farm equipment operators to choose lubricants with proven performance from a reputable, reliable source. Premium synthetic or semi-synthetic lubricants often have characteristics that allow them to go the extra mile compared to conventional lubricants.”

Preventive maintenance saves time and money

Staying on top of equipment maintenance will help keep machines up and running during high-demand seasons. “I encourage farmers to use quality lubricants before equipment hits the field. Once you have a breakdown, it’s too late, and you’ll lose time and spend extra money on equipment repairs,” Meyer says. “You can prevent those scenarios by being proactive with your maintenance program and using high-quality products in your machines from the start.”