Published: March 27, 2025
Updated: April 1, 2025
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Spring is arriving fast, and you should prepare now for the busy spring planting season. The best way to prepare is to schedule necessary services before it’s time to plant seeds in the soil.
Our customers often ask us: What services should I schedule before spring planting? We’re here to answer that question and offer the top 10 services Koenig Equipment recommends before winter ends and spring flowers and showers arrive.
1. Full Equipment Inspection
The first and most important service to schedule is a full, comprehensive equipment inspection. This service is particularly important if you are short on time but want to ensure every part of your equipment is operating as it should. A comprehensive equipment inspection includes inspection of belts, hoses, filters, and other critical components of your machines. With a full inspection, you can guarantee that your equipment will be ready to perform and peak efficiency when spring planting begins. Off-season inspections of ag equipment are a crucial service to schedule in the fall or winter and can prevent equipment failure when spring arrives. You can check out our off-season service offers today.
2. Change Fluids and Filters
Just like other parts of your equipment, your fluids and filters can get old and cease to function at their optimal efficiency. It’s important to schedule the replacement of crucial fluids like engine oil and hydraulic fluids to extend your equipment’s lifespan. Filters, such as an oil filter, are also important. Gunked-up and grimy filters can reduce the effectiveness of your engine oil, so it is important to change filters regularly.
3. Test Battery and Electrical Systems
Batteries wear out after a while, so test battery voltage, clean terminals, and inspect electrical connections to avoid unexpected delays during planting season. Different machines use different battery voltages, so check with an expert to make sure you’re using the proper battery for your machine.
4. Inspect Tires
Flat or slow-leaking tires can be a major killjoy when you’re up early in the morning and ready to get started planting. That’s why it’s important to monitor your tire pressure to make sure they are inflated properly and not leaking. You should also check tire conditions for cracks or wear and adjust pressure to make sure you have proper traction.
5. Calibrate Seeding and Planting Equipment
Just like sighting in a new scope on a rifle, your seeding and planting equipment should always be calibrated at the beginning of the planting season to make sure it’s performing at an optimal level. That goes for all planters, seeders, and other precision ag technology. Calibrating ensures accurate seed placement, depth settings, and variable rate applications.
6. Lubricate Moving Parts
If your moving parts aren’t properly lubricated, you’re going to run into some issues! Apply grease to joints, bearings, and other moving components to minimize friction and prolong equipment life. Think of lubrication as a good stretch before a workout; your machines’ parts need to stretch too to avoid wear and tear.
7. Replace Worn Parts
John Deere is known for the longevity of its machines, but even the parts on John Deere machines eventually wear down. Stock up on essential replacement parts like belts, chains, and fasteners to prevent downtime during peak planting season.
8. Update Precision Ag Technology
These days, precision ag technology is everywhere. From variable rate applications on sprayers to AutoTrac automated driving systems on tractors and harvesters, precision ag is the future of farming. Like your phone or computer, your precision ag systems need updating, too. Update GPS systems, auto-steer functions, and other software to make sure it’s all running at peak levels for precision farming.
9. Test Lighting and Signals
Working lights are not just for seeing in dark places; they’re also a standard safety requirement. Verify that all lights, signals, and hazard indicators are functioning properly for safe operation during long planting hours.
10. Run Test Operations
Finally, it’s always important to double-check that everything is functioning correctly before you get to work; measure twice, cut once, as the old saying goes. Conduct test runs of your equipment to identify any operational issues before heading into the field. This will help you identify and eliminate big issues before you start spring planting.
Schedule Your Service at Koenig Equipment
Koenig Equipment is happy to complete any spring maintenance service you need to ensure a successful spring planting season! Visit one of our many locations across Ohio and Indiana today. Let our team of experts service your machines and help you have the best planting season possible.