Agricultural machinery and equipment are in demand all year round. This also means that they are exposed to different weather conditions and types of soiling. While heavy soiling is caused by tillage and sowing in spring, fertilisation and harvesting leave traces on the vehicle in autumn.
Cold and wet conditions in the winter months can then attack the paintwork and surfaces and cause long-term damage. Thorough cleaning and preservation are crucial for extending the service life of the technology and avoiding expensive repairs in the spring.
Predictive maintenance results in long-term use
The intensive use of agricultural machinery, whether for tillage, sowing, maintenance or harvesting, leads to heavy contamination from soil, plant residues, oils, and greases. These residues can accumulate over the winter months and lead to corrosion and material fatigue.
Inadequate cleaning and a lack of protection age the machines, reduce their resale value and, in the worst case, can lead to breakdowns in the next season. Particularly in agriculture, where reliability and efficiency are of the utmost importance, predictive maintenance is therefore essential.
Preparation and cab maintenance
Before removing stubborn dirt from the paintwork and surfaces, the cab should be cleaned. Because even here it is possible to prevent dirt particles and other contaminants from settling.
A wet and dry vacuum cleaner removes dust and dirt and keeps the interior clean. The cab windows should also be cleaned from the inside. This not only ensures a hygienic and pleasant working environment but also increases operational and road safety and helps to preserve the value of the vehicle.
Removing heavy soiling with high-pressure hot water
The use of high-pressure cleaners has proven its worth in preparing agricultural vehicles for the challenging working conditions.
In combination with the use of alkaline detergents, the best results can be achieved here, and stubborn dirt can be effectively removed. To do this, the vehicle should first be intensively wetted with a high-pressure cleaner and sufficient water to soak and dissolve the dirt.
The detergent is then applied to the vehicle from bottom to top using a cup foam lance.
Heavily soiled areas on the vehicle can also be mechanically treated with a wash brush to achieve a better cleaning result. After the foam has taken effect, it can be rinsed off with high pressure.
A constant spraying distance of 20cm to 30cm leads to satisfactory results. The correct angle depends on the selected nozzle. With the eco!Booster or the 40° nozzle, an angle of well over 25° is selected for the same spraying distance.
Hot water machines are particularly efficient here, as the temperature significantly increases the cleaning performance and better dissolves greases, oils, organic contaminants such as fermentation residues or slurry as well as mineral contaminants such as dusty and granular fertiliser residues or residues of plant protection products.
This enables even stubborn dirt to be removed thoroughly. The water flow rate is more important than the pressure – a 1000 litre machine saves 60% cleaning time compared to a 500-litre machine.
Various accessories, such as an LED nozzle light for poor visibility and longer lances or articulated joints for cleaning large and tall machines, make work easier.
Conservation wax provides surface protection
After intensive cleaning, the application of a conservation wax, ideally in the form of spray wax, is the crucial step for long-term protection. This wax forms a protective layer on the paintwork and other surfaces that prevents the penetration of moisture and dirt over the winter months.
Application is extremely simple and efficient: after thorough cleaning, the hot wax is applied to the surface from bottom to top using a cup foam lance, a detergent injector, or a spray unit. The best possible application temperature is between 40°C and 80°C, but the wax can also be processed very well with cold water.
The treated surface is then rinsed from top to bottom. The hot wax is extremely economical and efficient: Even a low dosage of just 0,25 percent to 0,5 percent is sufficient to achieve particularly satisfactory results and ensure reliable surface protection.
The advantage of hot wax lies in its ability to form a robust and durable protective layer that not only protects against corrosion but also makes it more difficult for new dirt to adhere in the spring.
This reduces the cleaning effort and helps to keep the machines looking in good condition. This not only preserves the value of the expensive agricultural technology but also ensures operational safety for the coming season.
Checking fluids and finding a protected parking location
Once cleaning and preservation have been completed, further precautions can be taken to protect the agricultural machinery and equipment from the cold temperatures. This includes ensuring there is sufficient antifreeze in the coolant and windscreen washer system and topping up or changing it if necessary.
For diesel engines, winter diesel should be used and the engine should be allowed to run briefly after refuelling so that it is also distributed in filters and pumps. Oil levels should also be checked and topped up if necessary.
Ideally, agricultural machinery should be stored in a dry, protected and well-ventilated shelter to protect it from the weather, such as rain, snow and frost.
For more information, visit kaercher.com, or phone Werner Jacobs on 079 511 1085, or email [email protected].
