Fall Checklist For Your Hay Equipment

After a long and productive hay season, it’s tempting to pull your equipment in the barn and just wait until the next spring to deal with it. However, servicing your hay equipment in the fall can reduce damage and startup problems the next season. Servicing your machinery in the fall will also provide you with plenty of time to order parts and replace them before the spring cutting.

Dirt, dust, mud and hay debris hold moisture and can promote rust on your machinery. This debris can be easily removed with a broom, leaf blower, compressed air or a pressure washer. For balers it’s best to avoid water and pressure washers and use only air due to the many internal areas where rust could begin. Furthermore, a good lubrication before storage will fill up the bearings with grease and protect them from rust.

We have provided the following lists to help you winterize each piece of your hay equipment. By doing this, not only will your equipment be ready for maximum production the next season but for many seasons to come.

Drum and disc mower winter storage checklist:

• Replace any dull or worn blades so that the machine is ready to cut when you are.
• Lubricate the machine in accordance with the owner’s manual.
• Clean debris, mud and caked-on grass from the mower.
• Store the mower in a dry place if possible, or cover with a waterproof tarp.
• If stored on bare ground, elevate with some wood planks to keep the bottom dry.
• Touch up any bare metal with spray paint to stop corrosion.
• Lubricate the driveline in accordance with its manual.

Rake winter storage checklist:

• Clean debris, mud and caked-on grass from the rake.
• Grease all grease points.
• If you have a PTO powered rake, lubricate the driveline in accordance with its manual.
• Check the machine for broken tines or worn belts and replace as needed.
• Inflate tires to the recommended pressure and check for wear.

Round baler winter storage checklist:

• Clean all dirt, mud and loose hay from the machine.
• Make sure the bale chamber is empty and free of debris.
• Lubricate the machine in accordance with the owner’s manual.
• Pay special attention to the roller chains, and use a chain lubricant.
• Inflate tires to the recommended pressure and check for wear.
• Touch up any bare metal with spray paint to stop corrosion.
• Lubricate the driveline in accordance with its manual.

Square baler winter storage checklist:

• Remove the last bale from the bale chamber and remove loose hay from the machine.
• Clean the dust from the knotters and spray with a long-term corrosion inhibitor for easy startup next spring.
• Check the pickup reel for any bent or broken tines and replace as needed.
• Lubricate the machine in accordance with the owner’s manual.
• Inflate tires to the recommended pressure and check for wear.
• Touch up any bare metal with spray paint to stop corrosion.
• Lubricate the driveline in accordance with its manual.