In Pakistan's farming calendar the busiest weeks come all at once: wheat harvest in spring, rice and maize harvest in autumn, and sowing straight after. A machine that breaks down during those weeks can cost a farmer or contractor far more in lost work and late crops than the repair itself. Most of those breakdowns are preventable with a few hours of checks before the season begins.

Engine

  • Change the engine oil and oil filter if they are due, or if the machine has stood idle for months.
  • Replace the fuel filters and drain water from the fuel system. Water and dirt in diesel are among the most common causes of breakdowns.
  • Clean or replace the air filter. Harvest is dusty work, and a blocked filter reduces power and increases fuel use.
  • Check the engine for oil, fuel and coolant leaks.

Cooling system

Summer harvest in Punjab and Sindh puts heavy load on cooling systems.

  • Clean the radiator fins thoroughly. Chaff and dust packed into the radiator are a leading cause of overheating.
  • Check the coolant level and condition, and inspect the hoses for cracks and soft spots.
  • Check the fan belt tension and condition.

Electrical

  • Test the battery and clean the terminals.
  • Check the lights and indicators, which matter for road travel between fields and night work.
  • Look for chafed wiring, especially where rats may have nested during storage.

Belts, chains and bearings

  • Inspect every drive belt for cracks and glazing, and set the correct tension.
  • Check chains for wear and stretch, then clean and lubricate them.
  • Grease every grease point. Spin bearings where you can and replace any that are rough or noisy.

Hydraulics

  • Check the hydraulic oil level and condition, and change the filter if due.
  • Inspect hoses and fittings for leaks and damage.
  • Operate every hydraulic function and check that nothing drifts or creeps.

Harvesters: cutting and threshing parts

  • Replace broken knife sections and guards on the cutter bar, and check the knife drive.
  • Inspect the threshing drum, concave, sieves and elevators for wear.
  • On forage harvesters, sharpen or replace the knives and set the shear bar clearance.

Tyres and brakes

  • Set tyre pressures and check for cuts, cracks and bulges.
  • Test the brakes, especially on machines that travel by road with trailers.

Keep critical spares on hand

During peak season, parts can be hard to find quickly. Keep a small stock of the parts most likely to fail: filters, belts, knife sections and guards, hydraulic hoses for critical functions, and bearings for high-wear points. The cost of these spares is small compared with a machine standing idle while you search for them.

Find parts and machinery

Browse parts and spares from sellers across Pakistan on AgriWheels, and plan your purchases before the season rush.