Winterising farm machinery for 2027: the full pre-storage checklist

Mid-January is the date that should govern every machinery decision made this winter, because that is when the slurry spreading season opens and whatever has not been repaired by then will fail in the field. With the 2026 work programme drawing to a close, operators have a closing window to service, store and upgrade equipment before the 2027 season starts.

Why storage decisions come first

Contractors with shed space should use it. Smaller farming operations often cannot shed-store machinery, particularly when tractors are needed daily for livestock feeding over the winter months.

Where machines must stand outdoors overnight, the guidance is specific. Park on firm, level ground, protect electrical connections from moisture, and secure exposed equipment. Locked cabs and protected valuable attachments guard against theft as well as weather damage.

What servicing should cover on tractors?

Preventative maintenance extends the service life of any machine, whether a tractor, a car or a dishwasher. The winter checklist for tractors covers:

• Engine oil and filter replacement;
• Coolant hoses, belts and bearings inspected for wear;
• Hydraulic parts checked before they fail.

The economics are straightforward. Repairs to worn parts cost considerably less than the large bill that follows when a component gives way mid-season. An hour on the driveway now avoids a day lost in April.

Are tyres the most neglected component?

Tyres rank among the most important and most overlooked parts of a machine. Operators should inspect for cuts, cracking, uneven wear and sidewall damage, then assess whether tread depth suits the work ahead or a new set is needed.

Incorrect tyre pressure carries four separate penalties: increased soil compaction, reduced traction, higher fuel consumption and accelerated wear. For some holdings, fitting a Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS) may prove a worthwhile investment, because correct pressure changes all four outcomes at once.

How should slurry equipment be prepared?

With the season opening in mid-January, tanker pumps, pipework, hydraulic connections and spreading equipment all need attention now, with worn or damaged components replaced rather than patched. Operators should check that outlets distribute slurry evenly across the full working width.

Low emission slurry spreading (LESS) equipment demands its own inspection. Dribble bars and trailing shoes should be examined for damaged hoses, blockages and wear before the tanker leaves the yard.

What can be done before first cut silage?

The pre-winter window is the last realistic chance to fix silage machinery before first cut. The parts list includes implement gearboxes, blades, tedder and rake tines, and trailer bodies.

The advice on blades and tines is blunt: stock spares. Contractors will not have time to sharpen knives at the peak of the season, so a second set, already sharp and ready to fit, can be a lifesaver. Tines will inevitably break, so a spare box put aside now saves a desperate parts run next summer.

Is precision technology worth the winter spend?

Modern machines reward operators who know their precision systems inside out. Effective precision agriculture lets operators identify where fertiliser is actually increasing yield, use ISOBUS to simplify implement control, and run autosteer to reduce overlap.

Not every operation runs the newest machinery. For those set-ups, retrofit options such as PTx's FarmEngage data management system offer an alternative to spending hundreds of thousands of euros on a new tractor. Operations that invest over winter arrive at the busy period with extra features that improve efficiency and reduce operator fatigue.

When does upgrading beat maintaining?

Some older machines simply cannot keep pace with newer models, no matter how much service they receive. A replacement can deliver increased speed and precision, decreased operator workload and less downtime, which can justify the capital outlay on its own.

The practical order of work is clear: service and store tractors now, inspect tyres and LESS equipment before mid-January, order silage spares before the winter parts rush, and decide on precision upgrades while retrofit installers still have workshop capacity.