Storage; Causes Of Damage; Tractor Storage - Nortrac 35XT Owner's Manual

When the tractor is going to be out of use for an extended period of time (more than one month) it should be kept
in a proper storage building. The storage facility should provide protection from the elements so as to keep the
tractor clean and prevent rust and corrosion.
Before storing the tractor it must undergo a thorough cleaning and adjustment and tightening of various parts,
subject to the technical maintenance requirements based on the duty hours, so that the tractor remains in good
technical condition.
IMPORTANT ISSUES:
tractor. If special steps are not taken, the life of the tractor could be shortened and parts could deteriorate..
5.1 Tractor Storage—Causes of Damage
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Rust: During the storage period, dust and moisture in the air get into the tractor. This can cause
contamination and rusting of the components. When pistons, valves, bearings and gears stay in one
place for an extended period of time, they lose lubricant film protection, which produces rust and
causes parts to stick and seize up.
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Aging: Some components are made of with rubber and plastic parts, which will age and deteriorate,
getting brittle and rotting, under the ultraviolet rays in sunlight.
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Deformation: Components such as drive belts and tires may become distorted in shape if left in the
same place for too long.
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Others: Electrical parts are affected by damp conditions, and the battery can discharge over time.

5.2 Tractor Storage

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Prior to storage inspect the tractor and its surroundings to ensure that the tractor can be stored safely.
The external surface of the tractor should be cleaned.
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Remove the battery, coat the terminals posts with petroleum jelly, and keep it in dark,
well-ventilated room with a consistent moderate temperature.
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Drain the engine oil while it is hot and fill with fresh engine oil. Run the engine for 10 minutes at
idle to allow the new engine oil to adhere to the surfaces of all the moving parts evenly.
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Add lubricant to all the various lubrication points.
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Coat the electrical contacts, connectors and all unpainted metal part surfaces with anti-corrosion
spray.
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Loosen the fan belt on the engine and remove it if necessary. Wrap the belt(s) securely and spray the
pulley groove with a rust-proof agent. If possible, paint over all chips in the paint and cover
non-painted metal parts with a preservative.
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Drain diesel fuel from the fuel tank or add diesel fuel conditioner to the fuel tank.
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Seal any engine opening such as intakes/outlets with protective material to prevent foreign matter,
dust, and moisture from getting in.
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Place all control handles in the neutral position (including electrical system switches and the parking
brake).
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If possible, prop the tractor on blocks so that the tires are free of weight. Check the tire pressure on a
regular basis.
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The tractor should be parked in a dry, well ventilated area. If such an area is unavailable, cover the
tractor with a waterproof covering. Never store the tractor around flammables or corrosive materials.
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Any parts removed from the tractor should be cleaned, packed and stored in a dry place.

Storage

5 Storage
During long periods of non-use it is very important to preserve and maintain the
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