Winter Storage Tips for Your Combine: Prepare Now for a Successful Next Season

As winter approaches, it is time to prepare your farm equipment for the harsh conditions ahead. Properly winterizing your combine ensures it remains in peak condition and avoids unnecessary wear, tear, or damage during the off-season. Follow this comprehensive guide to protect your investment and start next season without a hitch. 

Why Proper Winter Storage Matters

Agricultural equipment is exposed to extreme conditions throughout the harvest season, enduring long hours, challenging terrain, and intense mechanical stress. By the time winter approaches, your combine has worked tirelessly. This makes the winter storage process more than just a routine maintenance task – it’s the strategic preservation of your most important agricultural asset.

Your combine represents a significant investment and is crucial to your farming operation’s success. Improper winter storage can lead to:

• Accelerated equipment deterioration
• Expensive repair costs
• Reduced machine lifespan
• Decreased operational efficiency during the next harvest season

The consequences of neglectful storage extend far beyond simple maintenance. A poorly stored combine can result in thousands of dollars in unnecessary repairs, unexpected downtime during critical planting or harvesting windows, and potentially compromised crop yields in the following season. 

Comprehensive Combine Winter Storage Checklist

Consult your Equipment Manual

Your combine’s manual is your most reliable resource for understanding the specific needs of your equipment during the winter months. It contains manufacturer-recommended guidelines for proper maintenance, storage conditions, and procedures to follow before the off-season. 

By consulting the manual, you can ensure you’re addressing all the critical details, such as lubrication points, tension adjustments, and fuel system care. Following these steps not only preserves the combine’s condition but also prevents warranty issues that could arise from improper handling. 

Clean and Inspect Your Combine Thoroughly

Before storing your combine, deep clean it and conduct a detailed inspection to identify potential issues. 

• Cleaning: Residual dirt, crop debris, and dust can accelerate wear and tear on your combine, attract pests, or lead to rust and corrosion. Pay special attention to cleaning air filters, undercarriages, sieves, and hard-to-reach areas. Use compressed air or a pressure washer (where safe) to remove buildup, ensuring the equipment is dry before storage. 
• Inspection: Carefully examine all parts of your combine, including belts, hoses, and seals, for signs of damage or wear. Look for cracks, leaks, or loose bolts needing immediate attention. Addressing these issues now prevents minor problems from escalating into significant repairs when you need the equipment most.

Top Off and Treat the Fuel Tank

Cold weather can cause condensation inside your fuel tank if it’s not filled. This condensation can lead to water mixing with the fuel, resulting in corrosion or damage to your combine’s fuel system. 

To avoid these issues:

• Fill the tank before storage. 
• Add a high-quality fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel breakdown during the off-season. 
• Run the engine for a few minutes after adding the stabilizer to ensure it circulates throughout the fuel system. 

These steps ensure that your combine’s fuel system remains clean and functional, saving you time and money when spring arrives. 

Charge Fluids and Replace Filters

Winter storage is an excellent time to refresh your combine’s fluids and filters. Used oil and filters can contain contaminants that may harm the engine during long-term storage. 

• Drain the old oil and replace it with clean, fresh oil. 
• Replace oil, air, and fuel filters as your manual recommends. 
• Check the coolant system to ensure it contains the proper antifreeze concentration for freezing temperatures. 

These precautions protect your engine from wear and damage, ensuring optimal performance next season. 

Disconnect and Store the Battery

Cold temperatures can significantly impact your combine’s battery, potentially leaving you with a dead battery come spring. 

To maintain your battery’s performance:

• Fully charge the battery before removing it from the combine. 
• Store the battery in a cool, dry location where it won’t freeze. 
• Use a trickle charger or periodically recharge the battery to maintain its charge throughout the winter. 

Storing the battery properly ensures it can power up your combine when needed. 

Protect Against Rodents and Pests

Rodents and other pests can wreak havoc on your combine during storage, chewing through wires, hoses, and insulation. Prevent infestations with these simple steps:

• Seal openings or vents where rodents might enter. 
• Place traps, rodent repellents, or deterrents like peppermint oil near the equipment. 
• Check the storage area regularly for signs of pests, such as droppings or nests. 

These measures will save you the frustration and cost of repairing pest-related damage.

Store in a Safe, Covered Location

Where you store your combine is just as important as how you prepare it. Your combine should be stored in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated space such as a barn or shed. 

• If you must store your combine outdoors, use a weather-resistant tarp to protect it from moisture and debris. Ensure the tarp is securely fastened to prevent wind or snow accumulation damage. 
• Avoid parking the combine on bare ground, as moisture from the soil can lead to rust. Instead, use a concrete pad or place a tarp under the equipment. 

Where can I find Additional Winter Combine Support?

Properly winterizing your combine now will save you from headaches and costly repairs when the next farming season begins. Winter is also the perfect time to schedule a combine inspection with one of Koenig Equipment’s trained technicians. If you have questions or need assistance with preparing your combine or other farm equipment for winter storage or scheduling an inspection, contact the experts at your local Koenig Equipment.