UP Your Career Here: AGUP.com/careers

UP Your Career Here: AGUP.com/careers

Service Tips and Videos


Check Out The Tips Notebook for More Tips & How-To's

...

Tips From Our Expert Technicians

KUHN Machinery Tips: Check out these tips on Kuhn Machinery from our Summit Tech, Russell David! As with all equipment, routine maintenance is key in the longevity of your machine. Always be sure all grease points are properly lubricated. Also, be sure all covers and blades are installed properly and without damage before each use. Check fluid levels periodically to ensure no leaks are present on machine. Change blades periodically to assure a consistent level cut, new blades can help ensure no added resistance to the hubs on your cutter bar. Be mindful to check all pivot bushings from time to time to avoid excessive wear, changing these bushings before too much damage is done can prevent much hassle down the line.

3E Series Tractor/Loader Tips: This week's tech tip is on 3E series tractors with a D160 loader! To get the most life out of your loader pins, make sure to grease them every 10 hours with a few shots of John Deere approved SD Polyurea grease. Keep the bearings on the single lever loader valve lubricated with grease. Simply remove the rubber boot, and apply grease liberally to the outside surface of each ball joint. Often overlooked, these little maintenance practices can keep your uptime in your favor. -Waverley Duncan

Gator Tips: Check out these Gator Tips for care & maintenance from Summit Tech: William Haygood! Tips for gator care and maintenance: As always follow all maintenance and safety instructions included in your owners manual. With all gators, be it a TX gator on up to the RSX models, maintenance is key. Always changing air and fuel filters accordingly to use of the unit. The user manual has guidelines for maintenance, but under extreme conditions it may be best to service air and oil filter more frequently and always check wheel torque to ensure safety. Keeping areas free from debris is also important. Sticks, rope, bailer twine, vines and tall grass can wrap around CV axels and damage boots and bearings leading to costly repairs. Also keeping brakes free of mud and debris will ensure extended life. Occasionally removing wheels and washing these areas are suggested to help with brake and rotor life. On gators that are water cooled, lift hood, inspect, and clean radiator and check coolant levels (never do this with unit hot).

Lawn Mower Tips:Check out our tech tip on how to extend the life of your lawn mower. Check oil before every start up. Clean air, oil, and fuel are crucial to keeping a mower up and running. Service your mower as directed on the sticker or schedule in the owners manual. Also it is suggested to use original OEM filters from John Deere, Briggs and Stratton, or Kawasaki as some after market filters do not perform well or function as the manufacturer intends causing oil leaks and engine failure. Always blow mower off with compressed air or leaf blower after every use due to build up on deck and engine causes heat in unwanted areas and can cause engine, belt, or spindle failure. Regular washing is not recommended due to it seeping into seals and bearings. Grease unit at least every 3rd use.

Baler Tips:Check out this week's tech tip on balers written by Mr. Ed Jackson out of Mendenhall! Baler Tips: The key to making a good bale is the windrow. Ideally you want the windrow to be as wide as your pickup. This is not always possible. Pack both sides of the bale by weaving from one side of the windrow to the other to prevent cone shaped bales. Replace lacing pins together on belts every 1500-1600 bales. This recommendation prevents excessive wear while making removal and installation easier. When attaching bales, make sure you line the slots up on the monitor harness and baler harness before plugging it in. If you force it to make it lock you can push a pin out of the connector not allowing it to make good electrical contact causing problems in the field.

Misc:When diagnosing electrical issues with your equipment, it is sometimes necessary to "probe" wiring. The preferred method of probing is to back probe at the closest connector. Back probing is inserting a probe into the back of the connector, without harming the integrity of the rubber seal. This can be accomplished with a "T pin", available at most office products and discount stores. If it is necessary to, probe through the shielding, or cut the shielding in any way. You need to repair the damaged shielding or risk long term corrosion issues from moisture to the conductor or pin. To repair the shielding electrical tape is usually not the answer, as it will not create a water tight seal. I know of 2 products available that will seal the damaged shielding, Liquid Electrical Tape, or clear lacquer spray. Both work well, with the clear lacquer leaving the wire colors visible in case future diagnosis is needed. Remember: Always repair any damaged wire shielding, to avoid more problems down the road.