It's that time of year where many of us need to do some routine maintenance on our tractors. So this month, we've brought you a basic maintenance checklist to help make your tune up as thorough as possible. Because it's understood on TBN: a tractor that's well taken care of will take care of you for years to come.

Read Your Manual. Know Your Tractor.
By now, you've probably already looked over your manual a time or two, but if you haven't, get to it! Your manual is the best tool (second to TBN of course) for understanding your tractor and its maintenance needs, including what fluids and parts to buy when things go haywire... If you don't have a manual for your model and haven't looked for one, ask members in the Parts & Repairs forum or in your Brand Specific forum where you can get one.

Getting Started - You CAN Service It Yourself!
Before your start working on your tractor, lower your hydraulic implements, wait until your engine is cool, and disengage your battery before doing any electrical work. Wear protective gloves and be prepared with the proper tools. Start by giving your tractor the once over, keeping an eye out for leaks and cracks in protective shields, parts, and seals, as well as low tire pressure, and other odd sounds or visual warnings. Learn more about the basics of servicing your tractor, here: Click here.

Is your tractor due for an oil change? Depending on a tractor's use, it may be able to go up to 500 hours without an oil change, but if you operate your tractor infrequently, you should consider doing a change at least once a year. Learn more.

Spark plugs play a vital role in your engine's function, but luckily they're an easy swap to make. Check your spark plugs for irregularities or carbon build up. Learn more about spark plug related issues: Click here.

Filters (fuel filter, air filter, and radiator screen) should be checked at least once a year for clogs or abnormal debris. Air filters may need more frequent cleaning depending on your work environment. Can you use non-OEM filters? Click here.

Unless you want your tractor to catch on fire, you need a radiator in good working condition. Do a visual check of the cooling fan and radiator screen, and make sure your radiator contains the appropriate mix of anti-freeze and cooling liquid. Click here.

Not only does your battery power your electronic functions, but it ignites the spark that leads to combustion inside your engine, keeping you going! Learn how to operate a multimeter and test your battery's voltage from home: Click here.

If you use attachments, you want a strong hydraulic system. Make sure all hoses, belts, and seals are tight and have no cracks. Watch out for air bubbles, water, or other contaminants in your hydraulic fluid tank and if necessary, replace the fluid.

Keeping your tractor's joints & parts lubricated will help ensure the long life of parts and better functionality. Refer to your manual to locate your grease zerks and read this thread to learn how to use a grease gun: Click here.

This Ford 841 PowerMaster was stationed at a tractor pull. What a fine machine! See more pictures.

Heavy Duty Quick Attach Bucket Forks from Bucket Solutions offer a hefty 5,000lb lift capacity and a working length of 53". An under bucket length of 15.25" means better stability when lifting loads. Slip in a standard 2x4 as a back stop in the built-in 2x4 slots. Lift pallet loads, lumber, timber, pipe, brush and other unusually sized loads and easily remove the forks when you're done. More Info.

Here at TBN, safety is our top priority. That's why we recommend purchasing a Tiltmeter for your tractor. The Tiltmeter is a small gauge that attaches to your tractor's hood or dash and shows you the exact angle at which you are operating your tractor. This simple, inexpensive tool can save your life by preventing a tip-off or roll-over. Learn more.

Make easy work of landscaping, clear out unwanted bushes and weeds in orchards or clean up construction sites! Move trash, concrete, and debris of any kind! Installs in minutes with a tools-free C-Clamp Pad design that securely fastens the forks to your bucket without damaging your bucket like other clamp-on forks on the market. More Info.

Calculating Object Weights: Calculating the weight of objects you want to pick up with your tractor is a great way to protect your tractor from damage. Learn how to make accurate estimates: Click here.

Repairing Punctured Tires: If you drive your tractor on rough terrain like rocks, you should be prepared for tire damage. Learn the various ways to make a patch and save yourself a costly replacement: Click here.

Honey Bees: Some are looking for ways to get rid of bee and wasp nests in their area this time of year, others, such as in those this thread, are hoping to cultivate the nests for honey. Learn more about bee safety.

Tailwheel vs. Impact Gun: Looking for a good impact gun? So is this member who has blown his out time and time again when he needs it most. Find out what impact gun others recommend: Click here.

Tricky Work: A home project has member JDgreen227 looking for a safe and effective way to remove rusted on nuts on his wheelbarrow, but can he find the right tool for the job? Find out.

Rear Ballast: Ballasting your tractor is important to your safety if your land contains a lot of slopes. Find out the various ways to go about it: Click here.

This month we chose Bill Curtis (wdchyd) to be the August 2012 Member of the Month! Bill has been an active member on TBN since joining in April of 2010 when he purchased his Kubota B2320 TLB. Aside from tractoring, Bill loves to hunt Snowshoe Hare with his Beagles in northern New Hampshire and fish during the off season.

Bill and his wife run a hydraulic servicing business which keeps him busy. He's never at a loss for work and is happy to say he loves what he does. Bill also loves being a part of a community like TBN where we can all meet on common ground: a love for tractors. Read more about Bill and view his pictures: Click here.

John Deere has significantly improved its 5 Series Utility Tractor lineup for 2013, with more horsepower, cab and transmission options than ever before. By integrating four new 45 to 75 horsepower 5E models into the group with the three 83 to 101 horsepower 5E Limited Tractors introduced last year, John Deere offers more utility tractor options at an affordable price to a wide variety of customers. Read more.

KIOTI Tractor set the bar high last year with the launch of its high-performance RX6010C, a durable 59-horsepower utility tractor. However, with the introduction of its new RX6010PC model earlier this month, the company raised the bar even higher. The new KIOTI RX6010PC model tractor boasts a hydraulic shuttle transmission versus the synchro shuttle transmission offered on the RX6010C. Read more.

The HSX series is powered by the new 16-valve, high torque, high efficiency engine. Independent tests show that the new Zetor engine is one of the most fuel-efficient engines ever designed for a tractor.* At today’s fuel prices, this represents fuel savings of $2 to $3 per hour over an average engine of this size. This means literally many thousands of dollars during the long lifespan of the tractor. Read more.

Ventrac, by Venture Products, Inc. unveiled a new Model 4500 tractor at a recent International Dealer Sales Meeting. The new 4500 is the perfect balance of building on the company’s past while redefining the future. With new powerful engine options, more safety features, enhanced technology and easy, comfortable handling, the 4500 will soon become a customer favorite in Ventrac’s lineup. Read more.

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