Compact Tractor Attachments Winter Care: Keep Your Implements Ready for Winter
- Louise Howard
- Oct 21
- 3 min read
Winter doesn’t mean work stops for smallholders, crofters, or estate managers. While many tractor attachments are stored over the colder months, some continue to be actively used. Equipment like the fertilizer spreader, wood chipper, log splitter, and yard-based tools such as menage levellers play a vital role in spreading grit, managing fallen trees, and maintaining riding areas.
Even for implements that remain in regular use, proper care is essential. And those left idle still need protection from damp, rust, and rodent damage. This article is Step 5 in Siromer’s Winter Maintenance Series, designed to keep all your tractor equipment safe, functional, and ready for spring.
Why Winter Care Matters for Implements
Improperly maintained implements can seize, rust, or suffer hydraulic and mechanical failures during winter. Cleaning, inspection, and lubrication prevent costly repairs and ensure your equipment is safe to operate.
Active winter implements, like the fertilizer spreader, need special attention after use with grit or salt, while the wood chipper and log splitter require debris removal and blade inspection to function efficiently. Yard and menage levellers need mud and sand cleared to keep linkages moving smoothly.
Even stored equipment benefits from preventive care, helping it remain in top condition for the next season.
Cleaning and Inspection
For both active and stored implements, cleaning is key.
Fertilizer spreader: Rinse thoroughly after spreading grit to prevent corrosion from salt and grit residue.
Wood chipper & log splitter: Remove wood chips and debris. Check blades, pins, and moving parts for wear or damage.
Yard and menage levellers: Clear mud and sand from linkages and bearings.
For stored implements, remove any dirt, crop residue, or moisture, then inspect all components. Check bolts, pins, and hydraulic hoses to identify issues early and replace worn or damaged parts before they worsen.
Lubrication and Protection
Lubrication keeps moving parts operating smoothly and prevents seizing in cold, damp conditions.
Grease joints, hinges, and bearings on all implements, active or stored.
Apply a light protective coating on exposed metal surfaces to reduce the risk of corrosion, especially on implements exposed to grit or wet wood.
Inspect hydraulic hoses and cylinders, topping up fluids or applying light oil where appropriate.
Even equipment used regularly benefits from routine attention to extend its lifespan and reliability.
Storage and Positioning
Proper storage helps prevent rust, moisture damage, and stress on components:
Indoor storage: A barn or shed is ideal for all idle implements.
Outdoor storage: Place equipment on level, well-drained ground. Avoid puddles and waterlogged areas.
Position implements so that hoses, linkages, and frames are not under pressure, and blades or moving parts are off the ground where possible.
For active winter implements, store them safely after each use, ready for the next task. Keeping them organised and accessible also reduces the risk of accidental damage.
Rodent and Wildlife Protection
Rodents can chew wiring, hoses, and soft components, causing damage that may go unnoticed until spring. Prevent problems by keeping the storage area clean, removing debris, and inspecting implements regularly. Block openings in idle equipment to discourage nesting and check active implements for signs of chewing, particularly around moving parts and hydraulic connections.
Quick Winter Care Tips for Implements
Task | Action |
Clean | Remove grit, mud, crop residue, and wood debris |
Inspect | Check for worn parts, loose bolts, hydraulic leaks |
Lubricate | Grease moving parts and hinges, protect metal surfaces |
Store | Indoor preferred; outdoor on level, dry ground |
Protect | Monitor for rodents and wildlife damage |
Related Guides and Next Steps
This article is part of Siromer’s Winter Maintenance Series, providing comprehensive care for compact tractors and attachments. If you haven’t yet, check out previous steps:
Step 1: Rust prevention and cleaning – Protect your tractor bodywork from corrosion.
Step 2: Fluids and fuel protection – Keep engine and hydraulics winter-ready.
Step 3: Battery and electrical care – Maintain charge, check wiring, and ensure lighting.
Step 4: Winter storage and shelter – Position and protect your tractor effectively.
Following all five steps ensures both your tractor and its implements remain fully functional throughout the winter months.
Keeping Your Implements Ready for Winter
Whether actively used or stored, proper care keeps your Siromer implements reliable and safe. Regular cleaning, lubrication, and inspection protect your investment and reduce downtime. For advice on specific attachments, compatible implements, or winter maintenance strategies, contact the Siromer team - supporting smallholders, crofters, and estate managers year-round.
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