Describe the maintenance of small engines, with respect to air cleaner, lubrication, and fuel. Follow safe operation guidelines when using small engine equipment. The leading cause of premature failure in agricultural machines is a lack of preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance is most important when the work load is heaviest because the financial losses will be greatest if machinery is down at crucial times. While preventive maintenance cannot completely prevent the possibility of machine failure, it reduces it to a minimum.
Preventive maintenance saves money on the total cost of operating machinery.
Regular maintenance of other components saves money in repairs and prolongs the working life of equipment. Well-maintained equipment is safer to operate. Trying to fix broken-down equipment in the field increases the likelihood of accidents and injuries, as, for example, when the operator hurriedly reaches into the moving parts of a machine. Poorly functioning brakes or steering can lead to loss of control of the machine and serious accidents and injuries. A systematic preventive maintenance also results in higher resale or trade-in value for tractors and other agricultural equipment.