Taking care of your farm equipment and scales is one of the best ways to keep your farm running smoothly. Your machines and tools work hard every day, whether it’s a tractor plowing the fields or livestock scales weighing cattle. When they are well-maintained, they last longer, work better, and help you avoid sudden breakdowns.
But when you ignore maintenance, small problems can turn into big ones. An inaccurate cattle weighing scale can lead to mistakes in feeding or selling livestock at the wrong price. These problems can make farming more stressful and expensive.
The good news is that taking care of your farm equipment and livestock weighing scales doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. With a few simple steps, you can keep your tools in great shape and avoid costly repairs.
In this guide, we’ll go over easy ways to maintain your farm machinery, scales for livestock, and other important tools. No matter the size of your farm, these tips will help you keep things running smoothly, save money, and avoid unexpected breakdowns.
Key Takeaways
- Taking care of your equipment saves money and prevents breakdowns.
- Regular cleaning and calibration keep your weighing scales accurate.
- Using technology like CMMS helps you track maintenance and avoid costly repairs.
- Simple steps like lubrication, battery checks, and proper storage can extend the life of your farm machines.
Why Regular Maintenance is Important
Farm machines help with daily tasks like plowing fields and weighing livestock. When everything works well, the job gets done smoothly. But if a tractor won’t start or farm scales show the wrong weight, it can waste time and money.
A breakdown during harvest can mean losing crops, and inaccurate cattle weighing scales can lead to pricing mistakes. Regular maintenance helps prevent these problems, keeps machines running longer, and avoids costly repairs. Simple steps like cleaning, oiling, and checking for damage can keep your farm equipment in good shape and working properly.
What Happens When You Don’t Take Care of Equipment
If you don’t maintain your machines, they will wear out and cause problems. Here’s what can happen:
- More Downtime
A broken machine can stop all work, leading to delays. Regular maintenance can reduce downtime by 25%, helping you stay on schedule.
- Expensive Repairs
Fixing a broken machine can cost 10 times more than regular maintenance. Small fixes now can prevent bigger problems later.
- Shorter Equipment Life
Just like people need care to stay healthy, machines need maintenance to last longer. Without it, they wear out faster and need replacing sooner.
- Safety Risks
Faulty equipment can be dangerous and cause accidents, putting workers and animals at risk.
How to Take Care of Your Farm Equipment and Scales
Keeping your farm equipment and farm scales in good condition is important for a smooth-running farm. Well-maintained machines last longer, work better and help you avoid costly repairs.
Similarly, livestock weighing scales and cattle scales need proper care to ensure accurate weight readings. Without regular maintenance, equipment failures and incorrect measurements can lead to financial losses and delays.
Here’s how you can take care of both your farm machinery and scales to keep everything working properly.
- Keep a Record of Maintenance
Write down when you last serviced each machine, what repairs were made, and when the next check-up is due. This helps you spot problems early and avoid forgetting important repairs. Keeping records also helps track warranty details and past part replacements.
- Lubricate Moving Parts
Friction wears out machine parts over time. Applying grease or oil to bearings, hinges, and joints helps them last longer. Using the right lubricant for different parts ensures smooth operation and prevents unexpected breakdowns.
- Keep Batteries Charged and Clean
A dead battery can cause delays. Cleaning battery terminals prevents rust buildup. Storing batteries in a warm place during winter and using a maintainer if the machine is unused for a long time helps keep them in good shape.
- Inspect Electrical and Hydraulic Systems
Regularly check wiring, lights, and hydraulic hoses for damage. Fixing small electrical or hydraulic problems early prevents major breakdowns. Look for leaks, frayed wires, and loose connections.
- Calibrate Scales Regularly
Scales lose accuracy over time due to frequent use and changes in the environment. Regular calibration ensures precise weight readings. Checking with a known weight helps confirm accuracy.
- Keep Scales Clean
Dirt, manure, and dust can affect sensors and lead to incorrect measurements. Wipe down livestock scales for sale regularly with a dry cloth and mild cleaner. Avoid too much moisture, as water can damage electronic scales.
- Check for Wear and Damage
Over time, scales can wear out. Look for rust, corrosion, and loose bolts. Damaged cables and faulty electrical connections can cause incorrect readings. Fixing small issues early prevents bigger problems later.
- Place Scales on a Flat Surface
Uneven ground affects weighing accuracy. Setting up portable livestock scales on a stable, level surface ensures correct readings. If the scale wobbles or is placed on soft ground, the weight measurements may not be accurate.
- Protect Scales from Weather
Extreme temperatures, moisture, and direct sunlight can damage farm scales. Store them indoors when possible. If they need to stay outside, use waterproof covers to protect them from rain and dust.
- Store Equipment Properly
Leaving farm machinery outside in harsh weather can cause rust and wear. Storing equipment indoors or covering it with a weatherproof tarp protects it from damage and extends its lifespan.
- Avoid Unauthorized Modifications
Changing a machine’s parts without expert advice can cause unexpected problems. If you need to modify equipment, check with a professional to ensure the changes are safe and won’t void the warranty.
Digital Scale Troubleshooting
Digital scales help farmers weigh livestock and crops accurately, but sometimes, they don’t work properly. If your farm or livestock weighing scales are giving problems, simple troubleshooting can often fix them.
1. The Scale Won’t Turn On: If your scale won’t turn on, check the batteries. Replace them if they are low or dead. If it runs on electricity, make sure the power cord is plugged in properly and that the outlet is working.
2. Wrong Weight Readings: If the scale shows incorrect weights, it may need calibration. Place a known weight on it and check if the reading is correct. If not, follow the manual to recalibrate. Also, ensure the scale is flat and stable, as uneven ground can affect accuracy.
3. The Display is Not Working: If the screen is blank or hard to read, replace the batteries or check the power source. If the display is damaged, you may need to repair or replace the scale.
4. The Scale Turns Off Too Fast: Some portable livestock scales shut off quickly to save power. Check the settings to see if you can adjust this. If not, the scale might have a low battery or an internal issue.
5. The Scale Shows an Error Message: Digital scales display error codes when there’s a problem. Look in the manual to find out what the code means. Common errors may be caused by too much weight, low battery, or the need for calibration.
6. The Scale Keeps Changing Numbers: If the weight reading keeps changing, check for dirt or objects under the scale. Also, make sure it’s placed on a solid surface. Wind and vibrations from nearby equipment can also affect readings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How often should farm equipment be serviced?
Farm equipment should be checked and serviced regularly based on how often it is used. Simple tasks like checking oil levels and lubricating moving parts should be done weekly. Monthly checks should include battery inspection and hydraulic system checks. A full service, including engine maintenance, should be done at least once or twice a year to prevent major breakdowns.
2. When should livestock scales be recalibrated?
If cattle weighing scales or livestock weighing scales give incorrect or inconsistent weight readings, calibration is needed. A simple way to check is by placing a known weight on the scale and seeing if the reading matches. Most farm scales should be recalibrated every few months, especially if used frequently.
3. How should farm equipment be stored in extreme weather?
To protect farm equipment from extreme heat, cold, and moisture, storing it indoors is the best option. If indoor storage is not available, using weatherproof covers or tarps can help prevent rust and damage. Scales should be kept in dry areas to protect sensitive electronic parts from moisture.
4. Why does a digital scale keep turning off on its own?
Many scales have an automatic shut-off feature to save power. If the scale turns off too quickly, the settings should be checked in the manual. If adjustments cannot be made, the problem might be a low battery or an internal issue. Replacing the battery or resetting the scale may help.
5. How can farm scales provide accurate weight readings?
To ensure accurate readings, scales should always be placed on a flat and stable surface. Dirt, dust, and manure should be cleaned regularly to prevent sensor interference. Calibration should be done frequently, and overloading the scale should be avoided to maintain precision.
Looking for Reliable Farm Equipment and Scales
At BizAutom, we provide top-quality farm scales, maintenance tools, and farm technology solutions. Whether you need livestock scales for sale or advanced maintenance tools, we’re here to help.
Visit BizAutom today and keep your farm running at its best!