From page 44
At the same time as cleaning
your air filter it makes sense
to perform an engine oil
change, particularly on a
diesel tractor.
Like that in a diesel car or
bakkie, your tractor's engine
oil develops into a dark, black
sludge over time as it picks up
sulphur and other deposits
during the combustion
process. As it does so it loses
its lubricating qualities and if
left in too long will allow
excessive engine wear. Think
about it: the engine oil in
most diesel bakkies is
changed at relatively short
intervals of often no more
than 5 000 km. While one
doesn't measure tractor usage
in terms of kilometres
travelled, is there therefore
any good reason why you
should not change your
engine oil at least once, or
even twice, a season?
If your tractor has a replace-
MAINTENANCE
able oil filter it makes no
sense to replace the oil
without changing the filter.
And, while you're about it, if
your tractor has a replaceable
fuel filter, now's a good time
to do that, too.
The saying “oil and water
don't mix” is not strictly true,
as oil (like petrol) is mildly
hydroscopic, in other words it
absorbs water over time. If
your tractor has been standing
a long time you probably
won't notice this when you
check your gearbox or
hydraulic oil levels, so it is
advisable to start the tractor
and work it for a little while
before checking the condition
of your oil.
If it is the colour of horse
urine, ie clear yellow or light
brown, it is still usable.
However, if, after having
worked the tractor to mix up
the oil thoroughly it appears a
little cloudy or milky, replace
it immediately as it has
absorbed moisture and will
cause damage to your
machine.
Up front, of course, a check
of the condition of your
radiator fluid is also important.
If it is muddy brown with rust,
drain the radiator, flush the
cooling system and replace
the coolant with water and a
good dose of anti-freeze.
With the liquids in your
tractor checked and the filters
replaced, the final check
before you head off to work is
of you tyre pressures. This is
most important because the
45
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entire torque (power) of the
engine is transferred to the
ground through the side walls
of the driving tyres (both front
and back if yours is a 4 x 4
and solely through the rear
tyres if a two-wheel-drive
affair.
With inadequate inflation the
rotary force thus exerted
causes the tyre walls to flex
and fold which will in time
cause them to fail, either
through cracking of the
rubber of the wall or through
tearing of the canvas lining
inside.
QUIRKY