Winter Care Checklist: Preparing Your Plough for Storage and the Next Season

Winter Care Checklist: Preparing Your Plough for Storage and the Next Season

As the harvest concludes and the winter chill sets in, your hard-working hydraulic plough deserves a well-earned rest and meticulous preparation for storage. Neglecting your implement during the off-season can lead to rust, corrosion, and costly downtime when the next ploughing cycle begins.

Follow this comprehensive Winter Care Checklist to protect your investment, ensure its longevity, and guarantee peak performance next season, especially for heavy-duty models like the Shakti Hydraulic Plough.

Phase 1: Cleaning and Inspection (The Foundation)

Rust is the number one enemy during storage. A thorough cleaning is the most important step you can take.

1. Thorough Cleaning:

• Use a high-pressure washer or scrape tools to remove all caked-on soil, mud, and crop residue from the mouldboards, shares, frame, and hydraulic cylinder rods. Residue holds moisture, which accelerates rust.

• For equipment like the Shakti++ Plough, pay extra attention to the robust headstock and linkages where soil tends to accumulate.

2. Structural Inspection:

• Check for Cracks: Inspect the main frame, welds, and tines for any signs of stress cracks or bending, especially near high-stress areas like the shear bolt locations. Mark any damage for welding repair before the next season.

• Fastener Check: Tighten all nuts and bolts. Replace any missing or damaged fasteners with manufacturer-specified parts to maintain the implement's structural integrity.

Phase 2: Protection and Lubrication

Protection against moisture and wear is essential for both the metal components and the critical hydraulic system.

1. Protect the Metal Surfaces:

• Coat the Working Parts: The shiny, soil-engaging surfaces (mouldboards, shares, and landside) must be protected. Apply a heavy layer of grease, used engine oil, or a commercial rust-preventative compound to all unpainted metal surfaces. This protective coating prevents oxidation.

• Touch-Up Paint: Wire-brush any areas where the paint is chipped or worn down to bare metal and apply a coat of rust-inhibiting primer and paint.

2. Service the Hydraulics:

• Inspect Hoses and Fittings: Check all hydraulic lines, hoses, and fittings for leaks, cracks, or abrasion. Replace damaged components immediately.

• Cylinder Care: Fully retract the hydraulic cylinder rod into the barrel before storage (if the implement design allows). Clean the exposed rod and wipe it down with hydraulic oil or grease to prevent pitting and corrosion.

3. Grease All Pivot Points:

• Locate every grease zerk (nipple) on the plough, particularly on the reversible mechanism’s pivot points. Pump them full of fresh, clean grease until old grease is forced out. This purges contaminants and seals the joints against moisture.

Phase 3: Final Storage Location

The final resting place of your plough is as important as the preparation steps.

1. Indoor is Best: Store the plough indoors in a dry, covered shed or barn. This is the single most effective way to protect it from rain, snow, and large temperature fluctuations.

2. Avoid Ground Contact: Never store the plough directly on dirt or grass, as this draws moisture. If indoor storage isn't possible, park the plough on a concrete slab, asphalt, or thick wooden blocks and cover it with a breathable tarp that prevents condensation buildup.

3. Stable Position: Lower the plough completely and use its built-in stand or blocks to ensure it sits stably and cannot tip over during the storage period.

By dedicating a few hours to this winter maintenance checklist, you ensure your plough, a tool vital for soil health and productivity, will be ready to tackle the soil with maximum efficiency and minimal need for repairs when spring planting returns.