A tractor that sat through winter needs more than a key turn and a prayer before it starts the season. Condensation collects in fuel tanks, hydraulic oil thickens, battery voltage drops, brake fluid absorbs moisture, and rodents chew wiring. Each of these problems is preventable with a structured spring service, and each one costs far more to fix mid-season than it does to catch in the yard.

This checklist covers every system on the tractor, section by section, with brand-specific callouts for John Deere, Massey Ferguson, New Holland and Case IH. The checks apply whether the tractor worked through winter or sat idle since October. A tractor that ran all winter still needs the fluid, filter and inspection checks. A tractor that sat idle needs those plus the storage-related items flagged throughout.

We stock service parts for every major tractor brand. Call 01777 838250 or email [email protected] to order your spring service kit before the season starts.

01 Engine checks: oil, coolant, belts, hoses and filters

Engine oil degrades over time even when the tractor is not running. Moisture from condensation contaminates the oil, organic acids accumulate, and additive packages lose effectiveness. A tractor that sat idle for 3 months or more needs an oil change regardless of the hours since the last service.

Oil and oil filter

Drain the oil with the engine warm (run for 10 minutes first if the tractor has been standing). Replace the oil filter at every oil change, not every other change. The filter traps the contamination that damages bearings, bores and valve train components. Refill with the correct grade and volume for your engine. Oil capacity varies from 7 litres on a compact tractor to 30 litres or more on a 200hp+ machine. Check the dipstick after running the engine for 2 minutes and topping up to the full mark.

Coolant level and condition

Check the coolant level in the header tank (cold engine only). The mix should be 50% ethylene glycol antifreeze and 50% distilled water, giving freeze protection to minus 37 degrees Celsius. Test the concentration with a refractometer or hydrometer. Coolant older than 24 months or showing discolouration (rusty brown instead of green or pink) needs replacing. A full coolant change takes 15 to 30 litres depending on the tractor.

Belts

Inspect all drive belts for cracks, glazing, fraying and correct tension. A belt that deflects more than 15mm under finger pressure at the midpoint of the longest span is too loose. Rubber dries out during storage without the heat cycling that maintains suppleness, so belts perish faster standing in a shed than they do in daily use. Replace any belt that shows surface cracking, even if the tension is correct.

Hoses

Squeeze each coolant hose and check for soft spots, bulging, cracking or weeping at the clamp points. Hoses harden and become brittle with age. A hose that feels rock-hard has lost its elasticity and splits under pressure. Replace rather than wait for it to fail in the field.

Air filter

Remove and inspect the outer air filter element. Hold it up to a light source. A blocked element allows no light through the media and requires replacement. Tap out loose dust but do not blow compressed air through the element from the dirty side. Compressed air pushes particles deeper into the media and creates pinholes. Check the inner safety element at the same time. If the inner element is dirty, both elements need replacing together.

02 Fuel system: draining water traps, replacing fuel filters, checking injectors

Water is the main fuel system threat after winter. Temperature cycling during storage causes condensation inside the fuel tank, and water sinks to the bottom where it sits against the pickup pipe. Water in diesel fuel causes injector damage, fuel pump wear, filter blockages and microbial growth.

Drain the water separator

Every tractor has a water separator, either built into the fuel filter housing or mounted as a separate bowl on the chassis rail. Open the drain valve at the bottom and drain until clean diesel flows (no milky water). On John Deere tractors, the water separator has a red ring indicator that shows the water level. On most Massey Ferguson and Case IH models, the drain petcock sits at the lowest point of the fuel filter assembly.

Replace the fuel filters

Change both the primary (pre-pump) and secondary (post-pump) fuel filters at the start of every season, regardless of hours. A filter that looks clean on the outside may contain water-saturated media or microbial contamination that restricts flow under load. After fitting new filters, bleed the fuel system to remove air. On John Deere engines, open the bleed screw on top of the fuel filter housing and operate the hand primer until fuel flows without bubbles. On Massey Ferguson Perkins engines, the bleed point is on the fuel injection pump.

Inspect the fuel tank

If the tractor sat with a partially filled tank, condensation is almost guaranteed. Ideally, drain 2 to 3 litres from the tank drain valve and check for water or sediment. Fuel that smells sour or contains dark stringy material (diesel bug) requires a full tank drain and clean before refuelling. Diesel bug is microbial growth that blocks filters within days and causes injector damage.

Check injector performance

Listen for a misfiring cylinder (uneven exhaust note) during the first warm-up of the season. A sticking injector after winter storage produces white or blue smoke from the exhaust, rough running at idle, and reduced power under load. Injector cleaning or replacement resolves the fault in most cases.

03 Hydraulics: fluid level, filter condition, hose inspection and leak check

Hydraulic oil carries moisture after winter storage and loses viscosity over time. A hydraulic system operating on old, contaminated oil wears pumps, cylinders and valves faster than one running clean fluid at the correct viscosity.

Check the fluid level

Read the sight glass or dipstick with the tractor on level ground, the engine off, and all implements lowered to the ground. Hydraulic oil thermal expansion means a cold reading and a hot reading show different levels. Check cold first, then recheck after 30 minutes of operation. Top up to the correct level using the manufacturer's specified fluid.

Hydraulic oil specifications

Using the wrong fluid causes seal damage, foaming, overheating and premature component wear. Hydraulic oil specifications vary by brand.

Brand	Specification	Equivalent	Typical change interval
John Deere	Hy-Gard (J20C)	Low-Viscosity Hy-Gard for cold climates	1,500 hours or 2 years
Massey Ferguson	M1135 (API GL4)	Meets ZF TE-ML-03E/05F/06K	1,500 hours or 2 years
New Holland	Ambra Multi G 134	Ford M2C-134D equivalent	1,500 hours or 2 years
Case IH	Hy-Tran Ultra (MAT 3525)	Zinc-free, anti-wear formula	1,500 hours or 2 years

Replace the hydraulic filter

The filter catches metal particles, seal fragments and contamination before they reach the pump and valves. A clogged filter causes a pressure drop that reduces lift capacity and slows implement response. Replace the filter element at every spring service if the tractor is past the 500-hour mark.

Inspect hoses and connections

Check every visible hydraulic hose for cracking, bulging, abrasion damage and weeping at the fittings. Pay attention to hoses that route near heat sources (exhaust manifold, turbo) and hoses that flex during implement movement. A hydraulic hose failure at operating pressure (180 to 200 bar on most tractors) sprays oil at velocities that can penetrate skin. Never run your hand along a hose to check for leaks. Use a piece of cardboard instead.

Leak check

Clean the entire hydraulic area (rams, hoses, pump, filter housing, steering cylinder) with degreaser, run the tractor for 30 minutes with implements cycling, and then inspect for fresh oil. Small seeps at ram seals are the most common spring finding and indicate the seals have dried out during storage. A seal kit for a standard hydraulic ram costs £20 to £50 and prevents a £200+ oil loss in the field.

04 Electrical: battery condition, lights, sensors and wiring inspection

Electrical faults account for more spring call-outs than any other single category. A battery that discharged slowly over winter, a sensor corroded by condensation, or a wire chewed by rodents can each prevent the tractor from starting on the first morning of drilling.

Battery voltage

A healthy 12V tractor battery reads 12.6V or above with the engine off. Below 12.0V, the battery lacks the cranking power to turn over a cold diesel engine. Test with a multimeter across the terminals. If the battery has been on a trickle charger over winter, disconnect the charger and let the battery rest for 2 hours before testing. A battery that drops below 12.4V within 2 hours of a full charge has reduced capacity and will not reliably last the season.

Terminal condition

White or green corrosion on the battery terminals creates resistance that reduces cranking voltage. Remove both terminal clamps, clean the posts and clamp interiors with a wire brush, refit tightly, and coat with petroleum jelly or terminal protector spray.

Earth straps

Check the battery to chassis and engine to chassis earth straps for corrosion and tight connections. A loose or corroded earth strap causes slow cranking, flickering dashboard lights and erratic sensor readings. If the braided strap shows green corrosion more than 25mm from the terminal, replace it.

Lights

Test all lights: headlights (dipped and full beam), work lights, indicators, brake lights, hazard lights and beacon. Replace any blown bulbs. If a bulb blows repeatedly within weeks, check the bulb holder for corrosion and the light housing for water ingress. Both problems are common after winter.

Sensors

Start the engine and check all dashboard readings: coolant temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, engine hours. A gauge that reads zero or maximum with the engine running indicates a sensor fault or a corroded connector. Unplug each suspect connector and inspect for moisture or green pins before replacing the sensor itself. Cleaning the connector clears the fault in roughly 1 case in 4.

Wiring inspection

Open any accessible panels and inspect the wiring looms for rodent damage. Mice and rats chew tractor wiring during winter, especially modern looms with soy-based insulation. Rodent damage shows as nibble marks on the outer sheath, often affecting multiple wires in the same area, with droppings nearby. Severe damage requires partial loom replacement. Minor damage (insulation breach but wire intact) can be repaired with soldered joints and heat-shrink sleeving.

For a full breakdown of electrical diagnostics, see our John Deere Electrical Faults guide.

05 Brakes, steering and running gear

Brakes and steering components are safety critical. A tractor that passed its inspection in autumn may not meet the same standard after 4 months of standing in a damp shed.

Brake fluid

Check the brake fluid reservoir level and condition. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere at a rate of approximately 1% per year. Moisture in brake fluid reduces the boiling point by up to 40 degrees Celsius and causes spongy pedal feel. Replace brake fluid every 2 years as a minimum, or annually on tractors that work in wet conditions. Most modern tractors use DOT 4 brake fluid. Some older New Holland models specify mineral hydraulic brake fluid (LHM). Using the wrong type destroys the brake seals and requires a complete brake overhaul, so check the specification before topping up.

Brake disc and pad condition

On tractors with dry disc brakes, measure the pad thickness. Minimum thickness varies by model but is typically 3mm. Below this, braking force drops and stopping distance increases. On tractors with oil-immersed brakes (common on Massey Ferguson), operate the brakes gently for the first 10 minutes of spring use. The brake discs and plates need to warm up and shed any surface film from storage.

Handbrake adjustment

Test the park brake on a gentle slope. If the tractor creeps, adjust the handbrake mechanism. A park brake applied continuously during storage often seizes. The cable or linkage requires freeing and lubricating before adjustment.

Power steering

Check the power steering fluid level (cold, before operation). Operate the steering from lock to lock twice and listen for groaning, whining or stiffness. Groaning at full lock is a normal characteristic on most tractor models. Groaning throughout the steering range indicates low fluid, air in the system, or a worn steering pump. Check for leaks at the steering cylinder, the hose connections and the steering box.

Wheel nuts and tyre pressures

Check every wheel nut for tightness (torque values range from 350 Nm on smaller tractors to 680 Nm on larger machines). Check tyre pressures against the sidewall specification. Tyres lose 1 to 2 psi per month during storage. Low tyre pressures increase fuel consumption, reduce traction and accelerate tyre wear.

06 Cab and operator comfort: glass, seals, air con and mirrors

The cab protects the operator from dust, noise, chemicals and weather. A cab with failed seals, a dead air conditioning system or cracked glass reduces operator comfort, safety and productivity.

Door and window seals

Check every door seal and window seal for cracks, compression damage and gaps. Close each door and check for daylight around the edges. Damaged seals allow dust into the cab during drilling and spraying, contaminating the cab air filter and reducing the effectiveness of the pressurisation system. Replacement seals for most tractor models cost £30 to £80 per door.

Cab air filter

The cab recirculation filter and fresh air intake filter both need replacing at the start of the season. A blocked cab filter reduces airflow, increases operator exposure to dust and crop protection chemicals, and overworks the air conditioning blower motor.

Air conditioning

Run the air conditioning for 10 minutes and check that cold air reaches the vents. The outlet temperature should drop to 8 to 12 degrees Celsius within 5 minutes. A system that blows warm air typically has low refrigerant charge, a blocked condenser or a failed compressor clutch. All tractor air conditioning systems use R134a refrigerant. Recharging requires specialist equipment and should be carried out by a qualified technician.

Before recharging, blow out the condenser fins with compressed air (from the inside outward) to remove chaff, dust and debris. Restricted condenser airflow reduces cooling capacity by 30% to 40% even with a full refrigerant charge.

Mirrors and glass

Replace cracked mirrors and repair any chips in the windscreen or cab glass. A stone chip in a heated windscreen can propagate into a full crack when the heating element cycles. Replacement heated windscreens for John Deere 6R series tractors cost £300 to £600 depending on the model. Aftermarket screens are available for most models at 40% to 50% less than genuine.

Wipers and washers

Replace wiper blades at the start of every season. Wiper rubber hardens and cracks after 12 months, leaving streaks and reducing visibility. Fill the washer bottle with a screen wash mix (not plain water, which freezes in late frosts and harbours bacteria that block the jets).

07 Brand-specific spring checks

The checks above apply to all brands. The following are additional items specific to each manufacturer that are easy to overlook.

John Deere

AutoTrac recalibration. If the tractor has AutoTrac (GPS guidance), recalibrate the steering sensor after any wheel alignment adjustment or tyre change over winter. A drift in the steering sensor causes the tractor to wander off the A-B line by 10 to 30cm, which is unacceptable for precision drilling or spraying.

Exhaust fluid (DEF/AdBlue). Check the DEF tank level and the fluid condition. DEF has a shelf life of approximately 12 months at 25 degrees Celsius, shorter in warmer storage conditions. DEF that has crystallised or turned cloudy is degraded and should be drained and replaced. Running degraded DEF triggers an engine power derate after a set number of hours.

StarFire receiver firmware. Connect the tractor to JDLink and check for any pending firmware updates to the StarFire receiver and GreenStar display before the season starts. Outdated firmware can cause signal drift and correction errors during the first fieldwork of the year.

Massey Ferguson

Datatronic display check. On 6700S and 7700S series tractors, check the Datatronic 5 display for stored fault codes after winter. The display logs faults that occur during storage (battery voltage drops, sensor timeouts) even when the tractor is not running. Clear any storage-related codes and note any persistent faults for investigation.

Dyna-VT transmission warm-up. The Dyna-VT continuously variable transmission requires a 5 minute warm-up at idle before applying load after winter storage. The transmission fluid thickens during cold storage, and operating the CVT at full load with cold fluid causes accelerated wear to the variator unit.

Front loader check (if fitted). Massey Ferguson loader models (MF 900 series) have self-levelling linkage pins that seize after winter. Operate the loader through its full range slowly, checking for binding or jerky movement. Grease all pins and bushes before field use.

New Holland

IntelliView display reset. The IntelliView IV display on T7 series tractors stores field data, implement profiles and guidance lines. After a winter battery disconnect, the display may lose custom profiles. Reconnect and verify all saved profiles before fieldwork.

AdBlue system inspection. The AdBlue (DEF) system on New Holland Tier 4 Final tractors is susceptible to crystallisation around the dosing valve during storage. Inspect the dosing valve and its connections for white crystal deposits. Clean any deposits with warm water (not solvents) and check the AdBlue tank for contamination.

PLM (Precision Land Management) system. If the tractor uses PLM Connect, check the modem and GPS antenna connections. Moisture ingress into the roof-mounted antenna housing is a common fault after winter, causing intermittent signal loss during fieldwork.

Case IH

AFS Pro display calibration. After reconnecting the battery in spring, run the full calibration sequence for the AFS Pro 700 or 1200 display. This recalibrates the touchscreen, resets the implement profiles, and re-establishes communication with ISOBUS implements.

Multicontroller recalibration. As noted in the electrical section, the multicontroller lever loses its calibration when the battery is disconnected. The recalibration procedure takes 2 minutes through the diagnostic menu and prevents erratic hydraulic response.

MFD (front axle drive) engagement. On Puma series tractors, test the MFD engagement switch and verify that the front axle engages and disengages cleanly. A solenoid that sticks after winter storage leaves the front axle permanently engaged (increasing tyre wear and fuel consumption on the road) or permanently disengaged (reducing traction in the field).

08 Spring service parts checklist

09 How to order spring service parts from Nick Young

The easiest way to order your spring service kit is to give us the tractor model and serial number (PIN). We build complete service kits for every major tractor brand, containing the correct oil filters, fuel filters, air filters and sump plug washers for your specific model. Service kits save 40% to 55% compared to buying genuine filters individually.

Step 1: Find your tractor model and serial number

Find your tractor model and serial number on the right-hand side of the frame.

Step 2: Contact us

Call 01777 838250, email [email protected], or visit nytractorparts.co.uk.

Step 3: Tell us what you need

Tell us the tractor model, serial number, and which parts you need. If you want the full spring service kit, just say "spring service kit" and we will put together everything on the checklist for your tractor.

We cover John Deere, Massey Ferguson, Case IH, New Holland, Fendt, Deutz-Fahr, Kubota, Claas, David Brown and International Harvester. Same day dispatch on stock items. If a part is not on the shelf, we source it within 48 hours.

For guidance on choosing between genuine and aftermarket service parts, see our OEM vs Aftermarket Tractor Parts guide.