Taking care of your equipment today can prevent expensive repairs and frustrating downtime tomorrow.
Every spring, we see the same thing happen at Tulsa New Holland.
The weather starts warming up, the grass begins growing, and farmers and homeowners are ready to get back to work. They head out to the barn or garage, turn the key on their equipment, and suddenly realize something isn't right.
The mower won't start. The tractor isn't running properly. The baler needs repairs. And, of course, they need it working right now.
After more than 40 years in the equipment business, we've learned that some of the most expensive repairs are also some of the most preventable.
That's why we believe winter is one of the best times of the year to take care of your equipment.
One of the biggest problems we see in our lawn and garden service department is something surprisingly simple: failure to check and change engine oil.
Many equipment owners don't realize that small engines can consume oil during normal operation.
The amount varies depending on the engine, its age, condition, and how it's being used. Some manufacturers even allow for a certain amount of oil consumption under normal operating conditions.
Here's what makes that important.
Many lawnmower engines have a relatively small oil capacity, sometimes around two quarts or less. Even a modest amount of oil consumption over an extended period can leave an engine dangerously low if the owner isn't checking it regularly.
We've seen engines come into our shop completely out of oil, resulting in serious internal damage.
What could have been an inexpensive oil change or a few minutes spent checking the dipstick suddenly becomes a major engine repair or replacement.
And the frustrating part is that it often could have been prevented.
Changing your oil at the manufacturer's recommended intervals is important, but checking the oil level regularly between changes is just as critical.
When it comes to agricultural equipment, the problems we see are often a little different, but the principle is exactly the same.
Grease points get overlooked. Chains stretch and lose their proper tension. Belts begin showing signs of wear. Bearings start making noise or running hotter than they should.
None of these things may seem like a major problem at first.
But anyone who's spent time in the hayfield knows that a belt rarely comes off at a convenient time.
It happens when you're trying to beat the rain, when you've got acres left to cover, or when you're already behind schedule.
And sometimes the consequences are much more serious than just downtime.
Take a round baler, for example.
A bearing may begin to fail long before it completely goes out. If that bearing isn't inspected and the problem isn't caught, it can generate excessive heat. Combine that heat with dry hay, dust, and debris, and you've got the potential for a devastating equipment fire.
A bearing that could have been replaced during routine maintenance can become a much bigger problem, potentially even resulting in the loss of an entire baler.
That's a pretty expensive lesson to learn.
There's a reason we encourage customers to think about equipment maintenance during the winter months.
For most homeowners and many agricultural operations, equipment usage slows down. That creates an opportunity to inspect, service, and repair machines without taking them out of production when they're needed most.
A good winter maintenance inspection should include more than just changing the oil.
Depending on the equipment, it may involve:
Not every piece of equipment needs the same service, and that’s why following the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations is so important.
The goal isn’t to replace parts that don’t need replacing. It’s to catch problems before they leave you stranded.
One thing that often gets overlooked is the cost of downtime.
When your lawnmower breaks down in April, the grass doesn't stop growing while you wait for repairs.
When your tractor or baler goes down in the middle of hay season, the weather doesn't wait for you to get it fixed.
Sometimes the biggest expense isn't the part or even the labor. It's the time you lose because your equipment isn't available when you need it.
And during the busiest seasons, repair shops are often handling the same rush of customers who all need their equipment back immediately.
Planning ahead during the winter can help you avoid being part of that springtime scramble.
At Tulsa New Holland, our Winter Fix program is getting underway, and there's a reason we encourage customers to take advantage of this time of year.
It's about getting ahead of the problems we see every spring.
Winter Fix gives equipment owners an opportunity to have their machines inspected, complete recommended maintenance, and address potential repairs before the busy season arrives.
Whether it's a lawnmower, compact tractor, agricultural tractor, or hay equipment, the idea is the same.
Take care of your equipment when you have time, instead of waiting until you don't have a choice.
We understand that maintenance is an expense. But after seeing the repairs that come through our shop year after year, we also know that neglecting maintenance can cost a whole lot more.
Your equipment is an investment.
For some, it's what keeps the yard looking good. For others, it's what helps put food on the table and keeps the farm operating.
Either way, it deserves to be taken care of.
Before you park that machine for the winter and forget about it until spring, take a little time to think about what it might need.
Because the best time to discover a problem with your equipment isn't the morning you need it.
It's months before that, when you still have time to do something about it.
Want to learn more about our Winter Fix service programs? We're here to help you get your equipment ready for the season ahead.
Call or text us at 918-438-5665 to speak with one of our service specialists today. We'll be happy to answer your questions and help you find the right maintenance options for your equipment.
Tulsa New Holland — Keeping You Working Since 1983.